COSHH Assessment — Silicone Lubricant — General Purpose (aerosol)¶
Corrected against the container label — two hazard codes and two pictograms were wrong
The can was photographed on 24/09/2026 and it is Ambersil. Ambersil Silicone Lubricant, General Purpose, 500 ml, WRAS Approved Product Licence No. 1811507, from CRC Industries UK. The Berner sheet found during the 27/09/2026 search is a different brand and is set aside.
The label reads: Danger, H222, H229, H315, H336, H411, with three pictograms — flame, exclamation mark and environment — and "Contains: Hydrocarbons, C7, n-alkanes, isoalkanes, cyclics". The CRC Industries sheet UDS000184AE, v1.0 of 18/11/2022, records the same classification.
Revision 1 of this assessment was wrong in four places, now corrected. It did not carry H315. It carried H412 where the label carries the stronger H411. It showed the serious-health-hazard pictogram, which this product does not carry at all. And it did not show the exclamation-mark or environment pictograms, which it does.
What follows from the correction. H315 brings gloves, P302+P352 and P332+P313. H411 brings P273 and P391, and moves the spill response from good practice to a labelled requirement. Both are added below.
One filing action. The CRC sheet is reached through a distributor copy and is not held locally.
Corrected revision signed 29/09/2026. A local copy of the CRC sheet is still to be filed — owner Leanne Mason, target 31/10/2026.
| Ref | Revision | Issue Date | Next Review | Assessor | Approved By |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COSHH_29 | 1 | 25 September 2026 | 1 June 2027 | Sean Ashton | Aaron Mason, Director |
Key references
COSHH_29 on the COSHH Register (APP_09)
CRC Industries UK sheet UDS000184AE, Ambersil Silicone Lubricant, v1.0 of 18/11/2022
Reached through a distributor copy because the CRC document server would not open. Records Danger, H222, H229, H315, H336, H411, matching the container label read on 24/09/2026. Not held locally — save a copy to docs/coshh/sds/. Owner: Leanne Mason, target 31/10/2026.
Van-pack inclusion
This substance is carried in the field van packs. The Van Packs operative-facing site holds a synchronised copy.
1. Product identification¶
| Product name | Ambersil Silicone Lubricant — General Purpose (aerosol), 500 ml |
| Supplier | CRC Industries UK (Ambersil). WRAS Approved Product Licence No. 1811507 |
| Active ingredients / CAS | Polydimethylsiloxane in a hydrocarbon solvent carrier with liquefied petroleum gas propellant. The container label states: hydrocarbons, C7, n-alkanes, isoalkanes, cyclics CAS: 63148-62-9 (PDMS), 68476-86-8 (LPG propellant) |
| Physical form | Aerosol |
| Appearance / odour | Clear liquid spray, faint solvent odour |
| Use | General-purpose lubrication and release — hinges, seals, cable, sliding mechanisms, valve spindles |
| Location | Jason May's COSHH cabinet, AMWS yard |
2. Hazard classification¶
Overall classification: Aerosol 1, with skin irritation, narcotic effects and chronic aquatic toxicity. Read from the container label photographed 24/09/2026. The supplier sheet records the same classification. The hazard is the hydrocarbon carrier and the propellant rather than the silicone itself.
Signal word: Danger
Hazard statements (H-codes)¶
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| H222 | Extremely flammable aerosol. |
| H229 | Pressurised container: may burst if heated. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H336 | May cause drowsiness or dizziness. |
| H411 | Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements (key P-codes)¶
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| P210 | Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames and hot surfaces. No smoking. |
| P211 | Do not spray on an open flame or other ignition source. |
| P251 | Do not pierce or burn, even after use. |
| P261 | Avoid breathing spray. |
| P271 | Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. |
| P273 | Avoid release to the environment. |
| P280 | Wear protective gloves. |
| P302+P352 | IF ON SKIN: wash with plenty of water. |
| P332+P313 | If skin irritation occurs: get medical advice. |
| P391 | Collect spillage. |
| P410+P412 | Protect from sunlight. Do not expose to temperatures exceeding 50 °C. |
| P501 | Dispose of contents and container to an authorised waste contractor. |
GHS pictograms¶
| Oxidising | Explosive | Flammable | Toxic | Harmful | Corrosive | Human Health | Dangerous for environment | Gas under pressure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☐ | ☐ | ☑ | ☐ | ☑ | ☐ | ☐ | ☑ | ☐ |
3. Persons at risk¶
| Staff | Public | Visitors | Contractor | Workers | Young / Pregnant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☑ | ☐ | ☐ | ☑ | ☑ | ☐ |
4. Routes of exposure¶
- Inhalation: The main route. Spray mist and solvent vapour, particularly in a chamber or van
- Skin contact: Mild defatting on repeated contact
- Eye contact: Irritation from direct spray
- Ingestion: Not a realistic route from an aerosol
5. Workplace exposure limits (HSE EH40/2005)¶
| Component | STD | 8-hr TWA | 15-min STEL | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrocarbon solvent carrier | — | Product-specific — confirm from the SDS | Product-specific | Typically an aliphatic hydrocarbon with a WEL in the region of 1200 mg/m³ |
| LPG propellant | — | 1000 ppm | 1250 ppm | EH40/2005, butane/propane. Asphyxiant in confined spaces |
6. Frequency and duration of exposure¶
COSHH Regulation 6 requires the assessment to consider the amount, level and duration of exposure.
| Amount used | Times per day | Duration per use |
|---|---|---|
| Small — millilitres | 1–5 times per day | 1–5 minutes |
7. Control measures — hierarchy of controls¶
Elimination / substitution
- Use a brush-applied or wipe-on lubricant where the application allows — it removes the aerosol and the propellant entirely
Engineering controls
- Use outdoors or in the open yard
- Not to be used in a chamber, manhole or any confined space — the propellant is heavier than air and displaces it. See SOP 8.12
Administrative controls
- Kept in the COSHH cabinet, away from heat
- Never stored in a vehicle in warm weather — the container can burst above 50 °C
- No hot work in the vicinity while spraying
- Cans not pierced or crushed, even when empty
Personal protective equipment
- Nitrile gloves
- Safety glasses when spraying overhead or towards the face
8. Storage and handling¶
| Temperature | Below 50 °C — do not leave in a van in summer |
| Location | Yard COSHH cabinet, away from ignition sources |
| Avoid | Heat, direct sunlight, sparks, open flame |
| Container | Original pressurised container |
9. Emergency procedures¶
First aid¶
| Route | Action |
|---|---|
| Eyes | Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present. |
| Skin | Wash with soap and water. |
| Inhalation | Move to fresh air and keep at rest. Seek medical advice if drowsiness or dizziness persists. |
| Ingestion | Not a realistic route. Rinse mouth if contact occurs. |
Spillage¶
Ventilate. Eliminate ignition sources. Absorb any liquid with inert absorbent. Dispose as hazardous waste.
Fire prevention¶
Extremely flammable aerosol. Do not spray towards an ignition source. Containers may burst if heated — cool with water spray from a protected position.
Emergency contacts¶
- Emergency services: 999
- NHS non-emergency: 111
- AMWS supervisor: Jason May
- HSQE support: Sean Ashton (Onyx Operations)
10. Waste disposal¶
Hazardous waste — pressurised container, EWC 16 05 04. Authorised contractor. Do not put in general waste, even when empty.*
11. Risk rating¶
| Before controls | With controls |
|---|---|
| Moderate | Low |
Risk rating methodology: Severity × Likelihood = Risk (S × L = R). See POL_HSQE_21 — Risk Assessment for the full scoring matrix.
12. Training requirements¶
- Aerosol safety and the confined-space prohibition
- Storage temperature — the van issue
- Waste route for pressurised containers
13. Assessment outcome¶
| Outcome | |
|---|---|
| Safe to proceed with existing control measures | ☐ |
| Safe to proceed with additional actions | ☑ |
| Unsafe — do not proceed | ☐ |
14. Monitoring and review¶
- Weekly COSHH cabinet inspection by the Site Supervisor
- Annual COSHH review, or sooner on change of product, supplier or task
- Review immediately if the SDS obtained differs from the profile assumed above
15. References¶
- POL_HSQE_08 — COSHH Policy
- POL_HSQE_19 — Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Policy
- SOP 8.5 — Hazardous Substances (COSHH)
- SOP 8.7 — Health Surveillance
- APP_09 — COSHH Assessments Log
- HSE COSHH Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/2677, as amended)
- HSE EH40/2005 Workplace Exposure Limits
- CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (as retained in UK law)
16. Signatures¶
| Name | Signature | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessor | Sean Ashton, HSQE Consultant | 08/09/2026 | |
| Supervisor | Jason May, Site Supervisor | ||
| Approved by | Aaron Mason, Director | Signed by S. Ashton for and on behalf of the Director, under delegated authority | 29/09/2026 |
| User acknowledgement |
This assessment must be reviewed annually or when circumstances change — whichever is sooner.
Method statements¶
WRAS approved, so it is the lubricant permitted on fittings in contact with potable water — valve spindles, hydrant gear, seals and meter connections.
| Ref | Method statement |
|---|---|
| MS 3.5 | Laying Mains (PE and Other Materials) |
| MS 3.11.2 | Commissioning of Mains and Services |
| MS 3.12 | Repair of Ductile Iron, PVC or HPPE Main |
| MS 3.14 | Meter Installation |
Held at Issue 2, 01/06/2026 on the Van Packs site and listed in APP_24. The method statement sets out the safe system of work for the task; this assessment controls the substance used within it.
Related documents¶
This assessment is one of thirty held under APP_09. The substance-specific controls are above; the system that maintains them is below.
- POL_HSQE_08 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
- POL_HSQE_19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- SOP 8.5 Hazardous Substances (COSHH)
- SOP 8.4 Personal Protective Equipment
- SOP 8.7 Health Surveillance
- SOP 9.5 Hazardous Management of Waste
- APP_09 COSHH Assessments Register
- APP_10 Legal & Compliance Requirements Register with Evaluation
- RA_HO_15 PPE Management
Standard applied: COSHH Regulations 2002 (undated reference), with workplace exposure limits taken from HSE EH40/2005 and hazard classification from GB CLP. Referenced undated so a new edition does not force a re-issue of every assessment.