I went to B&Q today to buy another piece of wood for my raised beds.
I usually buy a certain length, depth, width and get them to cut it to the required size, I have been doing this since January this year, and they have seen me a fair bit.
Anyway, I went in today, got my wood (quiet heavy nearly 4m long, carrying it by myslef!), took it to the desk and asked if someone was available to cut it to the correct length for me.
I was told NO, it was against Health and SAfety regs., European H&S regs to be precise, for them to cut my piece of 'treated' wood. And there is a sign telling me that they cannot cut treated wood!!! Apparently!!!
Well rather disappointed I took the wood back, dumped it on the floor next to where I got it from, I'm sorry, especially if someone then tripped over it, but by then it was just too heavy to mess with. I looked for a sign that said that they could not cut treated wood, I couldn't find one.
I did not want treated wood anyway, I don't think the other wood that I bougth (from same place in same aisle, same dimensions etc) is treated, but apparently it must have been. I looked for a sign, label or anything that could have told me that it was treated, nothing. It's label said Sawn wood and gave its dimensions.
So as I was then in a rush to get children I very disappointedly walked out of the shop and wrote them a polite email when I got home.
I am annoyed at my wasted trip to say the least.
I am now going to research what H&S regs they may have been on about!
Rather disappointing for you. I'm afraid I don't really know what the regulations are.
poppycock
I have just bought 45 such lenths and i was not informed of this from either of the suppliers!
I think its more to do with the additional cost they probably charged you and the fact that wood is in very high demand and short supply at the moment.
I think they have probably interpreted COSHH and H&S information to their benefit, to avoid problems caused by making a poorly judged risk assessment. Assuming that the preservatives in the treated timber are to current regulations, ie copper is the main preserving agent, rather than arsenic, then the sawdust is identified as an irritant, and the protective measures are similar as for cutting MDF, ie goggles and a face mask, and to avoid excessive exposure.
eg http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=17783 (http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=17783)
I will try and remember to enquire at work, I work in a construction school in a college, and the carpentry and joinery department will be aware of any current legislation of this type.
Derek
Thanks Grawrcm will try elsewhere.
Cambourne, thanks for the pm
Derek, Thanks very much, I would be grateful it you could find out more, just so that I am aware of what the regs are when I go to the next place.
Sue
My local B&Q will not cut treated timber either for the very same reason. Although I do not know if this is correct but have been told MDF is far worse but they are quite happy to cut that, and none of them wear the correct PPE. I had to cut it myself in the carpark to get it into my car.
I usually buy from a timer yard (a lot cheaper) and they have no concerns about cutting treated stuff.
Gary
Quote from: cambourne7 on July 10, 2007, 20:34:33
I think its more to do with the additional cost they probably charged you and the fact that wood is in very high demand and short supply at the moment.
Sorry, I can't see what you're getting at there. Can you explain what you mean?
Last year in B&Q I asked if someone could help me put some big bags of compost into my car & was told that due to health & safety regualtions staff couldn't lift the bags themselves but they could provide someone to WATCH me put it in the car myself. :)
Quote from: gary on July 10, 2007, 21:27:57
but have been told MDF is far worse
Gary
MDF used to be a nasty material to cut due to the chemicals used in its construction (formaldehyde I think). This has now changed, but it still produces nasty smelling odours, which are unpleasant to some people, eg asthmatics, although they are not considered more than an irritant.
The machinery in a timber yard will have high power extraction, which will remove the offending nasties rapidly. This is probably why they are not particularly concerned.
Derek
Marymary. Never had that problem at Focus. Maybe B & Q expect you to arrive with a mini fork lift truck for you to put the compost in your car. If Focus give me that answer I will tell them politely what they can do with their compost.
Lorna.
I've never been able to get any timber cut at our B&Q, treated or otherwise.
MM, that is ridiculous about them not helping you with the compost, what help would someone watching be!!
Our B&Q is fairly new, it is supposed to be the biggest DIY store in Europe!
You could almost drive a car around it!
Yeah, formaldahyde is nasty stuff, it's what aspartame breaks down to when warmed, but it doesn't stop them putting it in soft drinks etc.
I will try a proper timber merchant, thanks so much for the advice everyone.
Shame nobody replied to my wanted on freecycle for scaffold planks, then I wouldn't have the trouble.
Sue
Every time i've asked for help with compost and loading heavy things when i've been on my own, i've got it, no question.
probably just B&Q, had the misfortune of going to my local one today, I think its against their policy to serve people just in case anyone says anything to them :)
Regards
Matt
Checked at work today regarding cutting of treated timber, and the general policy is as I believed, not to do it, without significant protection, ie high standard masks and extraction.
Derek