Standard guidance: handling of soot and personal hygiene
Protect airways, skin and your private life against soot
Soot is an unavoidable part of the trade but repeated inhalation and skin contact over years is harmful to health. This guidance brings together the habits that keep your exposure down — both while you work and afterwards. It is about doing the right thing each time so it becomes a habit.
§While you work
- 01Use respiratory protection when soot swirls up.
- 02Use extraction and collection so dust is kept down.
- 03Use gloves and eye protection where relevant.
- 04Avoid unnecessarily raising dust—work calmly and cover up.
§After work
- 01Wash hands and face thoroughly before you eat, drink or smoke.
- 02Keep work clothes separate from your private clothes.
- 03Change and clean soiled clothes regularly.
- 04Clean and maintain your respiratory protection so it works next time.
§Follow the safety data sheets
If you use chemical products in your work, they have a safety data sheet that tells which personal protective equipment is required and how the product is handled and disposed of. Look it up — it is your guide to both safety and correct use, and it only takes a moment.