Brick Acid / Hydrochloric Acid (HCl, typically 10-30%)
COSHH assessment
A COSHH assessment for brick acid / hydrochloric acid (hcl, typically 10-30%) on a UK construction site: what it does to people, how it gets into them, the controls that stop it, the PPE for what is left, and what to do when it goes wrong. Copy it into your assessment and change what does not fit your job.
Hazards to health
Severe chemical burns (pH <1), permanent eye damage, respiratory irritation. Reacts with bleach to release chlorine gas. Reacts with metals to release flammable hydrogen. Fume inhalation causes pulmonary oedema, symptoms may be delayed up to 48 hrs.
Routes of exposure
Skin contact, Eye contact, Inhalation
Control measures
- Substitute with proprietary pH-neutral or low-acid mortar removers where possible.
- Always add acid to water (never water to acid).
- Apply by brush or roller, never spray or pressure wash.
- Pre-wet brickwork to reduce reaction.
- Adequate ventilation; outdoor or open works only.
- Sodium bicarbonate or proprietary acid-neutraliser kit on hand.
- Eye-wash station within 10m.
- No incompatible chemicals on site (especially bleach).
PPE for what is left
- Butyl or neoprene chemical-resistant gauntlets (not nitrile alone, limited HCl resistance), Full face shield over splash goggles, Acid-resistant rubber apron, Wellington boots tucked under apron, A1B1E1 ABEK1 cartridge respirator if poorly ventilated
Emergency procedures
- Skin: remove contaminated clothing under running water, irrigate with copious clean water for 20 minutes minimum, A&E for any reddening.
- Eyes: irrigate with eyewash for 20 minutes minimum, hold lids open, urgent 999/A&E.
- Inhalation: fresh air, 999 if any cough or chest tightness, pulmonary oedema can develop late.
- Spill: do not flush large spills, contain and neutralise with sodium bicarbonate.
Questions people ask
Do I need a COSHH assessment for brick acid / hydrochloric acid (hcl, typically 10-30%)?
If the substance is hazardous to health and your work exposes people to it, yes. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, regulation 6, require a suitable and sufficient assessment before the work starts, with the significant findings recorded if you employ five or more. The safety data sheet is an input to the assessment, not a substitute for it. Guidance, not legal advice.
What is the difference between a safety data sheet and a COSHH assessment?
The data sheet is the manufacturer describing the product in general. The assessment is you describing how your people use it on your job: how much, how often, for how long, in what ventilation, with what controls. Two firms using the same tin can have very different assessments.
What is a WEL?
A Workplace Exposure Limit, the maximum airborne concentration averaged over a reference period, set in HSE document EH40. Where one applies to this substance it is stated in the hazards above; where it does not, the duty to reduce exposure so far as is reasonably practicable still stands.
Is PPE enough?
No. COSHH puts PPE last: eliminate the substance, substitute for something less harmful, control at source with ventilation and enclosure, then organise the work to reduce exposure, and only then PPE for what is left. An assessment that jumps straight to gloves and a mask is the kind an inspector questions. Guidance, not legal advice.
How often should it be reviewed?
When the product, the method, the quantities or the people change, if there is any sign the controls are not working, and at least every year or so regardless. Health surveillance may be required where exposure could cause an identifiable disease, such as dermatitis or occupational asthma.
The COSHH assessment writes itself
Pick the substance in the SiteLynx RAMS editor and the COSHH assessment fills in with the hazards, controls and PPE, alongside the HAVS and noise assessments for the tools you chose. Signed on site on a phone. 14 days free.
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