Environment, Health & Safety
The Environment
The use of lead and cadmium in products is increasingly recognised as being undesirable both in terms of the recycling and long-term environmental impact.The End of Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive (2000/53/EC) (PDF, 245KB, opens in a new tab), the RoHS Regulations in Directive (2002/95/EC) and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive (2002/96/EC) prevents the use of certain hazardous substances including cadmium and lead containing materials. The use of lead in potable water systems has also been prohibited in Europe and in many countries worldwide.
Health and Safety in Soldering and Brazing
Soldering and brazing are firmly established throughout the world as reliable, simple and safe methods of joining metal components. However, as both processes entail the raising of components to elevated temperatures and the use of molten alloys and chemical fluxes that contain volatile constituents, regard must be paid to safety precautions when soldering or brazing. We issue full Material Safety Datasheets (MSDS) and offer general guidelines on health and safety in soldering or brazing. Please consult our technical department for advice on health and safety in soldering or brazing.More information can be found in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) information sheet 'Cadmium in Silver Soldering or Brazing - Engineering Sheet No.31' (PDF, 144KB, opens in a new tab)
Health and Safety with Lead and Cadmium Containing Products
Health and safety issues associated with the incorrect use of cadmium containing filler metals and disposal of lead and cadmium containing products are also widely recognised.Cadmium containing brazing materials (our Easy-floTM range) should not be used:-
1. Without first referring to the relevant Material Safety Datasheet (MSDS).
2. Without suitable fume extraction.
3. By operators untrained in the correct brazing technique.
We recommend cadmium-free and lead-free products wherever possible. Unless a sound technical reason exists for doing otherwise we will not recommend the use of cadmium or lead containing materials.
Please contact our technical department for advice on cadmium or lead free products, or find out more in the Health and Safety Executive HSE Information Sheet 'Cadmium in Silver Soldering or Brazing - Engineering Sheet No.31' (PDF, 144KB, opens in a new tab).