Working safely with printers/copiers

• Substances released during printing or copying

  The older printers can release some ozone during the printing process. The ozone is neutralized with ozone filters. Ozone filters saturate over time and must be replaced. However, modern laser printers have a modified system so that this no longer plays a role. Incidentally, the 'odor threshold', the concentration of ozone that can be smelled, is lower than the health limit value. 

  The fine dust that is released during printing consists mainly of toner and paper dust. Toner consists of resin particles with carbon and/or metal oxides or pigments). No workplace standards have yet been established for particulate matter as a whole. 

  Printing also generates noise and heat. The noise and heat can be experienced as disturbing. Workplaces that are close to the printer may be hindered by this. In addition, colleagues regularly talk at the printer who collect their prints. Employees are then less able to concentrate.

• Are health risks to be expected?

  A limit value has been set by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment for the substances released during printing. Below these limits, no adverse health effect is expected from inhalation of the air. Technological developments in modern printers ensure that the emission of ozone and particulate matter is minimal. No adverse health effect has yet been identified with normal printer use. 

• Will there be no more complaints?

  Nuisance and complaints are nevertheless possible without exceeding limit values due to individual differences in the sensitivity of the airways to external stimuli. Experience is that employees experience complaints from the heated air from equipment blown directly to the employee. This air is therefore warm, dry and often contains more dust particles, thereby adversely affecting the climate. There are indications from the literature that exposure to paper dust can lead to the development of (asthma) complaints. However, if there are already respiratory symptoms, it is very difficult to attribute them to exposure to printer dust. 

• Can complaints be prevented?

  Complaints can be prevented as much as possible through a good printer placement policy. The starting point is to tackle the problem at the source. Laser printers are therefore preferably located outside the office space, certainly when more than 5000 prints per month. The government-based guideline for the placement of printing equipment is shown in the table. 

  Type	afdruk per mnd.	Norm plaatsing	Advies plaatsing
  Low volume	0 – 5.000	May be in the office space, provided it is well ventilated, at least one meter from the workplace and the exhaust opening of the employee.	ventilated offices
  Mid volume	5.000 – 50.000 (between 250 and 2500 sheets per day)	May be used in large office spaces in a (screened) niche or walkway, provided that extra and separate extraction/ventilation is available and sufficient space is guaranteed around the printer.	separated printer room with ventilation
  High volume	> 50.000 (>2500 sheet per day)	Must not be present in an office space. Such high volumes are produced in separate repro rooms.	repro room with source extraction

  
  

• Printer placement

  With a flexible work concept, place the printer in a separate room because of, among other things, the differences in occupation and use of the office space per day. Limit the use of local (secretary printers) as much as possible. Only place in the office space if: 

  • less then 5.000 prints per month;
  • high confidentiality is required.

• Multifunction Copier

  A number of basic principles are important for installing a multifunctional printer: 

  • do not place close to the workplaces because of possible noise, heat and/or odor nuisance;
  • sufficient space for maintenance, repair and cleaning of the MFP;
  • getting rid of cords and cables;
  • prefers a smooth and hard floor covering for good cleaning;
  • limit noise nuisance to the environment and install good lighting;
  • adequate (environmental) ventilation. 

• Safety

  The arrangement of the printers must not lead to a narrowing of escape routes. The clear width of the corridor must be at least equal to the door width of the fire/smoke separation of the corridor concerned. Printer paper and/or paper waste may not just be stored in corridors because that hinders escape and creates an extra fire load. 

• More information

  www.arboportaal.nl/onderwerpen/luchtverversing

Health, Safety and Environment