Man-made vitreous fibre insulation products (MMVF)

How to manage health and safety risks for manufacture, import, supply and handling of materials containing man-made vitreous (silicate) fibre (MMVF) insulation products.

What is MMVF?

Man-made vitreous (silicate) fibre (MMVF) is a generic name for fibrous materials made from glass, rock or slag used to manufacture continuous glass filament and mineral wools. These were previously known as Synthetic Mineral Fibres (SMF).

Mineral wools are formed into various insulation products such as batts, boards, sandwich panels, ropes, blankets and loose-fill mineral wools. Mineral wools are used for their acoustic, fire protection and thermal insulation properties in residential, commercial and industrial applications.

Glasswool and rock(stone) wool products containing low biopersistence MMVF have been manufactured in Australia since 2001.

Low biopersistence MMVF products:

  • are considered to be bio-soluble (breakdown in the body),
  • have been developed to reduce health risks arising from exposure to the fibres,
  • have undergone toxicology testing resulting in being classified as non-hazardous under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals.

How to use this guide

This guide should be read in conjunction with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act), Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (WHS Regulation) and Safe Work Australia’s Workplace Exposure Standards for airborne contaminants.

This guide does not apply to Refractory Ceramic Fibres (RCF), Special Purpose Glass Fibres and other MMVF that do not meet the definition of low biopersistence.

The following diagram shows what information to refer to when managing the risks to health and safety:

Decision matrix for man-made vitreous (silicate) fibre (MMVF). The diagram starts with the question: ‘Are you working with Low Biopersistence MMVF?’ Three arrows branch out: one to ‘No,’ one to ‘Unsure,’ and one to ‘Yes.’ The ‘Yes’ branch directs users to guidance for handling refractory ceramic fibres.
Diagram description: To manage the risks to health and safety when working MMVF products, you should ask yourself if you know what the product is that you are working with. Are the products low biopersistence MMVF?

If you answer no, then the fibres that you are working with may be classified as hazardous chemicals under GHS and you should refer to the Safety data sheet and Safe Work Australia’s Guide to handling refractory ceramic fibres .

If you’re unsure, then refer to Safety data sheet, product or technical information and the Safe Work Australia’s Guide to handling refractory ceramic fibres.

If you answer yes, fibres are likely to be non-hazardous under GHS and you should refer to this guidance from SafeWork NSW.
                                                                                    

NOTE: MMVF that are not LBP (e.g. refractory ceramic fibres) are classified as a hazardous chemical under the 7th revised edition of the Globally Harmonised System GHS of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals.

Managing health and safety risks of MMVF

The main risk of low biopersistence MMVF is exposure to the fibres which can cause eye, skin and upper respiratory tract mechanical irritation. If it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk of exposure, you must minimise the risk, so far as reasonably practicable using the hierarchy of controls.

Worker exposure to LBP MMVF must not exceed the workplace exposure standard (WES) of 2 mg/m3 (inhalable fraction) measured as an 8-hour time weighted average concentration.

Control measures

The following work practices should be followed to control the release of and exposure to fibres and/or dust. This can be achieved by:

  • Ordering MMVF in a form and shape which requires minimal cutting and handling on site.
  • Ordering products with low potential for skin irritation.
  • If cutting is required, use non-powered hand tools.  If power tools are used, on tool dust capture and collection with a Class M vacuum is recommended.
  • Local exhaust ventilation should be provided in a fixed workplace where any machine processing of MMVF products occurs.
  • Packing, storing, and transporting of material and waste in plastic bags, to minimise the release of fibres and/or dust.
  • Regularly cleaning work areas with a Class M vacuum to remove any build-up of fibres and/or dust. Class M vacuum cleaners are recommended for housekeeping, but wet mopping and wiping is acceptable.
  • Visible waste materials should be removed promptly.
  • When removing MMVF containing materials, consideration of exclusion zones to separate those undertaking the work and others in the work area.
  • The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE) that are suitable in size and fit, appropriate for the nature and risks of the work, properly maintained, stored, repaired or replaced as needed, and used by the worker so far as is reasonably practicable.

PPE considerations include:

  • Eye protection: safety goggles or face shields can be worn to avoid eye irritation or injury, particularly during overhead tasks.
  • Skin protection: reduce the risk of skin irritation by using gloves and loose-fitting long garments such as disposable coveralls with hoods, especially when working overhead.
  • Clothing hygiene: heavily contaminated clothing or PPE should be washed separately.
  • Environmental comfort: When selecting PPE or clothing materials, consider seasonal weather conditions, the comfort of the wearer and the potential for heat related illness as part of the risk assessment process.

RPE is likely to be required for higher risk activities such as “blow-in” insulation, or the removal or demolition of in situ MMVF, to supplement higher level control measures. For these activities the minimum requirement is a Class P1 respirator. RPE must be of a suitable size and fit which can be determined by respirator fit testing. If persons are required to wear tight-fitting respirators, they must be clean-shaven. If facial hair prevents a proper fit, consider loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators as an alternative.

Blow in of loose fill material

Loose fill materials are largely used for retrofitting insulation in wall cavities of existing buildings and structures. Work with loose fill material has the potential of creating relatively high airborne dust or fibre levels.  In addition to the work practice above, consider the following:

  • place bags into a hopper and then slit to open,
  • avoid unnecessary disturbance, for example shaking of bags and tearing, to reduce fibre / dust levels,
  • where tamping (packing down) is required, this should be done only to the required degree to minimise the disturbance of the product and subsequent generation of airborne dust,
  • for overhead applications, there should be adequate sealing of the application site for protection of workers below.

Further guidance is available in the Code of practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace (PDF, 1171.43 KB)

Information for duty holders

Manufacturer and importer duties

You must ensure that any substance (MMVFs are substances) that you manufacture, import, or supply, is without risks to health and safety, so far is reasonably practicable (WHS Act sections 23 and 24). This includes carrying out, testing, analysis or examination which may be necessary to meet this duty.

For importers, this may mean ensuring the necessary testing, analysis or examination have been undertaken either by the manufacturer or themselves.

Manufacturers and importers must give adequate information to any person to whom they supply MMVF concerning the testing, analysis or examination that has been undertaken and any conditions to ensure that it can used without risks to health and safety.

Before supplying to a workplace, manufacturers or importers must determine if the MMVF is a hazardous chemical (WHS Regulation section 329) and if so, ensure that it is correctly classified under Schedule 9 part 1 of the WHS Regulation. If classified as a hazardous chemical, it must be correctly labelled (WHS Regulation section 335), and a safety data sheet (SDS) prepared (WHS Regulation section 330).

Supplier duties

Suppliers must ensure that the current SDS are provided for MMVF classified as a hazardous chemical when first supplied at the workplace (WHS Regulation section 339). Suppliers must also give information to each PCBU whom they supply MMVF concerning any testing, analysis or examination that has been undertaken and any conditions to ensure that it can used without risks to health and safety.

Person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) duties

A PCBU must eliminate risks arising from the handling and use of MMVF, or if that is not reasonably practicable, minimise the risks so far as is reasonably practicable (WHS Regulation sections 35 and 49). The PCBU must also ensure that workers are provided information, training, instruction and supervision.

PCBUs should review any SDS, product specifications or contact suppliers, manufacturers or importers directly, to assist in determining the composition or properties of the product and the type of fibres. Refer to the Safe Work Australia (SWA) Guide to handling refractory ceramic fibres for measures to control the risks in the following situations:

  • If the product is a new product that is imported and does not carry adequate labelling or information.
  • If a PCBU is working with existing in situ material (e.g. removing the insulation lining of a furnace) then the products you are handling may not be of the low biopersistence type.
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