Press information To download a text file of this release, go to www.parkfield.co.uk FIA guide to the handling of processing chemicals and the disposal of waste shards Released 31 October 2002 The Fibreoptic Industry Association’s Technical Support Document 2000-5-2 covers the procedures to be adopted and the precautions to be taken during the use and subsequent disposal of the potentially hazardous substances commonly used in the fibre optic industry. These range from filling compounds used during the manufacture of fibre cable, adhesives, polishing and cleaning compounds used during fibre termination and cleaning and degreasing compounds used during maintenance of the completed cables or patch cords. Recommendations are made as to the best practices to be adopted, the review and implementation of COSHH programmes and appropriate Occupational Exposure Limits defined by the Health and Safety Executive and the RIDDOR reporting requirements. The guide will save time previously spent in cross referring to various different Standards. Technical Support Document 200-5-3 deals specifically with the precautions to be taken to guard against injury from the fibre optic shards necessarily produced during the termination or splicing of fibre optic cables. Being very small and sharp, optical fibre shards can easily penetrate the skin, causing pain, irritation and inflammation; as they are transparent to X-rays they can be very difficult to locate and remove if they do penetrate the skin. The transparent shards can also be unknowingly carried on the skin and subsequently transferred to the eyes or mouth. The guide selects BS EN 50174 as the basis of the further recommendations set out as a Code of Practice to be followed to avoid injury to personnel. The FIA Code of Practice covers the handling precautions, protective equipment and disposal methods to be used when working with fibre optic cables. The guides are available by download from the FIA website, www.fibreoptic.org.uk, on CD or as hard copy. They are free to FIA members; they cost £15 each to non-members who can order online or by contacting the Secretariat on 01763 273039 or by email jane@fiasec.demon.co.uk. *** Ends: 309 words *** Notes to Editors. For further information: FIA commercial contact: Andrew Watson Commercial Director c/o Molex Premise Networks tel: 01489 572111 fax: 01489 559130 arwatson@molex.com FIA administrative contact: Jane Morrison Fibreoptic Industry Association The Manor House Buntingford SG9 9AB tel: 01763 273039 fax: 01763 273255 jane@fiasec.demon.co.uk www.fibreoptic.org.uk Agency contact: Nigel May Parkfield Parkfield House Damerham SP6 3HQ tel: 01725 518321 fax: 01725 518378 nigel.may@parkfield.co.uk www.parkfield.co.uk The Fibreoptic Industry Association represents more than 80% of UK companies involved in the manufacture or installation of fibre optic components and systems for voice and data communications. The Association provides advice to end-users, runs training and qualification services for its members, contributes to the development of national and international standards and generally represents the interests of the fibre industry. Its web site, www.fibreoptic.org.uk provides a free online reference service to all visitors.