During an inspection at Campusvej in Odense, SDU received an injunction from the Danish Working Environment Authority (Arbejdstilsynet) regarding soldering with solder containing lead.
As a result, stricter requirements have been introduced as of 1 October 2013, applicable to all units that work with soldering.
Leaded solder may therefore no longer be used. Since 2006, when the RoHS Directive came into force, lead has been gradually phased out of electronics and is now largely banned from use.
This means that any leaded solder still lying around departments must be disposed of.
The tightened requirements also mean that soldering cannot be carried out unless it is done using process ventilation which redirects fumes outside. The excipients in solder are considered to be hazardous to health and therefore must be removed from the workplace.
Standard operating procedure and safety instruction
In this standard operating procedure and safety instruction you can find guidance on how to handle the different metals involved in soldering work.
The standard operating procedure and safety instruction covers all soldering work at SDU where there is a risk of exposure to flux fumes, metallic lead and its ionic compounds.
The instruction is based on the Danish Working Environment Authority’s AT-vejledning C.0.8 March 2002, which you can read in more detail on the Danish Working Environment (only in Danish).