AnonyMouse_5677 Posted October 11, 2006 Posted October 11, 2006 We have been given some polystyrene chips! Are they a no-no when working with children? Elfy x
Guest Posted October 11, 2006 Posted October 11, 2006 The reason I've never used polystyrene is because if swallowed could cause choking ( it breaks easily, so even large pieces could break and be swallowed) and also if it lodges in the system, cannot be detected by x-ray. Not sure if it is even digestable. This information is only what I know, but don't know where I know it from, could be an urban myth, just never wanted to take the risk. I look forward to others comments too. peggy
AnonyMouse_4544 Posted October 11, 2006 Posted October 11, 2006 There is a danger from choking we were told not to use them
AnonyMouse_2760 Posted October 11, 2006 Posted October 11, 2006 I think I have heard that about xray machines too. They do break up easily so there is a risk of choking. Shame though cos they do feel great dont they? On the same line, I have been given by our Head - a huge carrier bag of gorgeous shiny conkers. I really dont want to waste them but am worried about safety. We are a reception class so I am sure they could be counted /sorted under careful supervision but are they poisonous????? I would hate to chuck em tho?? Any ideas?? Michaelle
AnonyMouse_4544 Posted October 11, 2006 Posted October 11, 2006 Some companies use the corn starch chips they look the same but are safe to use as they break down
Guest Posted October 11, 2006 Posted October 11, 2006 I think I have heard that about xray machines too. They do break up easily so there is a risk of choking. Shame though cos they do feel great dont they? On the same line, I have been given by our Head - a huge carrier bag of gorgeous shiny conkers. I really dont want to waste them but am worried about safety. We are a reception class so I am sure they could be counted /sorted under careful supervision but are they poisonous????? I would hate to chuck em tho?? Any ideas?? Michaelle There is a current topic about conkers H&S Here Peggy
AnonyMouse_3735 Posted October 11, 2006 Posted October 11, 2006 same as others, not seen on xray and easily inhaled they are light...corn starch ones dissolve so are usually ok, (when he was a teen my son used to taste them and came to no harm said they dissolved on his tongue and tasted of nothing! Tasted lots of odd bits my son, said the cheesy biscuits given to cats were rather good, the chicken ones yuk! his theory if the cat ate it it should be ok. drew the line at dog food!) Inge
Guest Posted October 11, 2006 Posted October 11, 2006 We were told on recent DT health and safety training polystyrene chips are a no no, as well as dishwasher tablet/powder boxes, they are absolutely toxic and grains of tablet etc show up on xray! Also a no no are plastic meat trays and any egg boxes contaminated by raw egg. Anything else seems ok, although we were warned to be careful where we get our toilet roll middles from!! Not worth thinking about sometimes. Liz x
Guest Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 Not even washed as they have been in contact with raw meat and you cant guarantee they will be totally spotless, no matter how hard you scrub! apparently. Liz x
Guest Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 Can we not take any calculated risks any more. I can write a risk assessment for it
AnonyMouse_79 Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 It does feel like that doesnt it, Elle? And those trays are so useful in the craft area! Less rubbish to collect though.
Guest Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 We have loads of stuff brought in for our tech area (posh name for junk area!) We do not use many of the above listed but also we do not use kitchen roll tubes aswell as the loo roll tubes. We where advised not to use these tubes, i can understand the loo rolls but the kitchen roll tubes puzzled me. After enquiring it was explained "incase they have came into contact with raw meat" I guess this is possable as we do touch the top of the roll when tearing of a sheet to use in the kitchen. But I also think we are all playing it so.... safe as any one ever heard of any child becoming poorly due to building with tubes from kitchen rolls or loo rolls?
AnonyMouse_64 Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 Have a look at this website - item no.6 about toilet roll tubes and egg boxes. East Sussex Health and Safety Bulletin
Guest Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 well done sussex! A sane balanced statment. I sometimes wonder how i survived my childhood, everything I enjoyed doing as a child is banned because of health and safety. I understand that there may be a risk with polystyrene and very young children. But don't we supervise them? I upset a parent helper the other day by leting the children use a proper Knife to cut up fruit, she didn't think it was appropriate, a plastic knife would be better. Have you ever tried to cut an apple with a plastic knife? if I had given the child the Knife and walked away, or allowed him to run around with it in his hand, then it wasn't safe. But he was learning to use the correct tool for the task! Isn't that what he was supposed to be doing? Sorry for that little rant there. ( a personal hobbyhorse) I feel better now!
Guest Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 I thought we could use toilet rolls if we put them in the microwave???? but would never use polystyrene chips cos of the choking. on a different line I used to eat my dogs dog biscuits as a child. bit dry but quite tasty. think its one of those things some pregnant mums do as well isn't it??
Guest Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 Thanks for that link Sue - makes sense to me! Elle - you are absolutely right about the knife and apple thing, they are more likely to cut or hurt themselves with a blunt knife trying to cut an apple and have the knife slip on the skin. Sharp knives have a place in Early Years especially when well supervised and taught properly, it's a life skill and very satisfying for the children. Liz x
AnonyMouse_1027 Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 doggy chocolate buttons were good too .....(as a child)
AnonyMouse_705 Posted January 28, 2009 Posted January 28, 2009 We've been giiven some polystyrene for our junk modelling area. Have always understood this to be a no no because of the risk of choking/not showing up on x-rays. I was wondering if anybody had any up-to-date information on the use of polystyrene or could point me in the right direction to look? Thanks Deb
AnonyMouse_1195 Posted January 28, 2009 Posted January 28, 2009 I think we have discussed the HSE myth site recently I'll have a look. As far as egg boxes and toilet roll inners are concerned look here. http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/august.htm We were stopped from using polystyrene in school in my LA years ago, mainly because it easily disintegrates and can be inhaled, blocking the airways.
AnonyMouse_705 Posted January 28, 2009 Posted January 28, 2009 Thanks Jackie, what a great website. I have emailed the HSE for advice and will post a reply if and when I get a response.
AnonyMouse_8466 Posted January 28, 2009 Posted January 28, 2009 Thanks Jackie, what a great website. I have emailed the HSE for advice and will post a reply if and when I get a response. Great Deb - it would be good to have an answer from the horse's mouth so to speak. Maz
Guest Posted January 28, 2009 Posted January 28, 2009 i was always lend belive Polystyrene was a no no due to the fact if put in water it will expand a child may choke on it , not sure how true this is !
AnonyMouse_705 Posted February 6, 2009 Posted February 6, 2009 Hi Well below is the reply I received from the HSE hotline. I will let you know when I get around to contacting the list they gave me! Deb Thank you for your enquiry regarding Polystyrene use in pre-school. There is nothing in HSE legislation that states that polystyrene cannot be used in pre schools. However, the Department for Children Schools and Families may have produced guidance relating to this matter. The contact details for the Department for Children Schools and Families are as follows: Department for Children Schools and Families Sanctuary Buildings Great Smith Street London SW1P 3BT Tel: 0870 000 2288 Fax: 01928 79 4248 e-mail: info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk Internet: www.dcsf.gov.uk Further to this the following organisations may also be able to provide you with guidance in relation to child safety: Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Playground Office The Old Village Hall Kingston Lisle Business Centre Wantage OX12 9QX Tel: 01367 820988/9 Fax: 01367 821013 Email: info@rospaplaysafety.co.uk Internet: http://www.rospa.com Fields in Trust Head Office 2d Woodstock Studios 36 Woodstock Grove London W12 8LE Tel: 020 8735 3380 Fax: 020 8735 3397 Email: info@fieldsintrust.org Internet: www.npfa.co.uk Fair Play for Children Association 35 Lyon St, Bognor Regis West Sussex PO21 1BW Tel: 01243 869922 Fax: 01243 869922 Email: fairplay@arunet.co.uk Playlink 72 Albert Palace Mansions Lurline Gardens London SW11 4DQ Tel: 020 7720 2452 Email: info@playlink.org.uk Internet: http://www.playlink.org.uk Pre-School Learning Alliance The Fitzpatrick Building 188 York Way London N7 9AD Tel: 020 7697 2500 Fax: 020 7700 0319 Email: info@pre-school.org.uk Internet: http://www.pre-school.org.uk Child Accident Prevention Trust 4th Floor Cloister Court 22-26 Farringdon Lane London EC1R 3AJ Tel: 020 7608 3828 Fax: 020 7608 3674 Email: safe@capt.org.uk Internet: http://www.capt.org.uk/ I hope this helps, but if you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact this address again or telephone HSE Infoline on 08453 450055.
AnonyMouse_13453 Posted February 6, 2009 Posted February 6, 2009 Sigh, are we 'passing the buck' here?
AnonyMouse_8466 Posted February 6, 2009 Posted February 6, 2009 Sigh, are we 'passing the buck' here? Yep: I'm sure I heard the sound of the buck as it passed my way!
AnonyMouse_705 Posted February 7, 2009 Posted February 7, 2009 Well I've emailed everybody on the list, so you guys better duck - be interesting to see who else passes the buck!
AnonyMouse_13368 Posted February 7, 2009 Posted February 7, 2009 Back to the polystyrene issue- I spent an dreadful time in hospital with my son when he was 3 having pieces of the nasty stuff removed from his ears that he had decided to fill up for fun. He had pushed the bits in so far that they had to be removed surgically. Not nice!!! So I personally have a big fear of it.
AnonyMouse_13453 Posted February 7, 2009 Posted February 7, 2009 Oh yuk!! As far as it expanding is concerned, my husband assures me that it isn't possible for it to expand in water, as it's already 'expanded polystyrene' It is impervious to water, which doesn't form any part of its manufacture. It is a petroleum based product. It's flammable and gives off toxic fumes if it burns. Otherwise it is inert, and a good insulator.
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