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WEEK 2 ELEMENT 6

Chemical & Biological Health Hazards and Control

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Classification of Occupational Health Hazards

Physical: Machinery, Electricity, Heat, Noise Chemical: Acids, Alkalis, Asbestos Biological: HIV Virus, Legionella, Bacteria Ergonomic: Posture problems, Fatigue Psychological: Stress, Shock, Anxiety

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Classification of Health Hazards

Health Hazard Physical Workplace health hazard Noise Health effect of exposure Noise induced hearing loss

Chemical
Biological

Asbestos
Rats urine

Asbestosis
Leptospirosis / Weils Diseasse Work related upper limb disorders

Ergonomic Repetative tasks

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Biological Hazards
Biological hazards can be bacteria or viruses Diseases caused by biological agents include: Legionnaires disease a type of pneumonia or lung infection

Hepatitis blood borne viral infections Weils disease fatal infection transmitted urine from infected rats
Anthrax disease caused by the bacteria found in animal hides

Rabies Rabies is a virus transmitted bite from a wild infected animal

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Biological Hazards Control Measures

1) 2) 3) 4) Cleaning / Disinfecting Water treatment programmes Vermin control A pest animal prohibited, controlled Procedures for handling, containment & disposal 5) Personal hygiene 6) Immunisation to build resistance to specific infections 7) Health surveillance strategies and methods to detect
and assess systematically the adverse effects of work on the health of workers.

8) Specific training 9) PPE

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PHYSICAL FORMS OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

Gases (Co2) Vapour (toluene) Mists and aerosols Smoke (coal burning) Fumes (welding) Dusts (floor mill dust) Liquids (chemicals) Solids (Lead ingot)

(deodorant)

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Hazardous Substances Symbols (1)

Irritant:
Inflammation on contact with skin, eyes or mucous membrane may cause inflammation e.g. adhesives and detergents

Corrosive:
Destruction of living tissue at point of contact (skin) strong acids or alkalis i.e. H2 SO4, Caustic, ammonia

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Hazardous Substances Symbols (2)

Harmful:

Substances which if swallowed, inhaled or penetrate the skin may cause damage to health e.g. Trichloroethylene

Very Toxic: Poisonous substances

which in very low quantities may cause death, acute chronic damage to health e.g. cyanide

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Hazardous Substances Symbols (3)

Toxic:
Poisonous substances which in low quantities may cause death, acute chronic damage to health e.g. Lead, Mercury, Arsenic

Carcinogenic:
Substances which cause disorders in cell growth that may lead to cancer or increase its incidence e.g. Benzene

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Hazardous Substances Symbols (4)

Mutagenic:
Substances which induce hereditable genetic defects or increase their incidence

Teratogenic: Toxic for

reproduction. Substances which produce or increase the incidence of non heritable effects in progeny.

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TOXICOLOGY
Definition:
The study of how different materials will affect the human body

The factors to be considered are:

1) Route of Entry 2) Toxicity 3) Dose & Response

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TOXICOLOGY - Routes of Entry

a) Inhalation

b) Ingestion
c) Absorption d) Injection (Direct Entry)

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TOXICOLOGY - Routes of Entry

Inhalation most important route of entry substances can directly attack lung tissue responsible for 90% of all cases of industrial poisoning Ingestion via the mouth often accidental poor hygiene Absorption through the skin solvents may penetrate unbroken skin

Injection when skin is damaged puncture of the skin contact with liquid or gas under pressure

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Toxicity, Dose & Response

Toxicity: The potential of a substance to cause harm to living things

Dose: How much of a substance you are exposed to and how long the exposure lasts Response: How the body reacts to the exposure

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Factors Affecting Response

Body Weight
Age

Skin Type
Sex

Diet
Health

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Ill-health Definitions
Acute :

Is an immediate or rapidly produced adverse effect, following a single or short-term exposure to a hazardous substance, usually with a rapid or immediate response which is normally reversible.
Chronic: Adverse health effect resulting from prolonged, repeated exposure to a hazardous substance the response being gradual (often unrecognised for a long time) may get worse with no further exposure and is often irreversible.

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Toxic Effects
Acute:
Headaches Dizziness Nausea Inflammation Eye irritation Unconsciousness Death

Chronic:
Cancers Death Local Systemic Sensitisation

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Dermatitis
Removal of natural oils from skin which causes reddening, soreness, cracking and bleeding of exposed skin. Usually occurs to arms and hands
Causative Agents: Solvents, Detergents, Mineral oils, Diesel fuel, Cement, Dusts, etc.

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Measures to Prevent Dermatitis

Substitute/change process Clean working conditions & Properly planned safe systems Careful attention to skin problems Prompt attention to cuts etc. Use of PPE Barrier creams Pre-employment screening Information, instruction and training

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Target Organs
A Target Organ is defined as:
An organ within the human body on which a specific toxic material exerts its effects.

Lungs

Brain

Asbestos, Coal dust

Lead, Mercury

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Target Organs
Brain lead Nasal passages organic solvents Lungs asbestos, chlorine, carbon dioxide, ammonia, isocyanates, silica, organic solvents, legionella Liver hepatitis Blood carbon monoxide Skin - detergents, isocyanates, mineral oils, acids, alkalis, organic solvents Nerves organic solvents, lead Eyes ammonia

Kidneys leptospirosis

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Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL)

The maximum concentration of an airborne substance averaged over a reference period to which an employee may be exposed by inhalation Threshold Limit Values (TLV) USA Indicative Limit Values (ILV) Europe Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) UK High risk substances Other hazardous substances

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Action If OEL Exceeded

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) Stop the process Remove employees from area Make area safe Investigate cause Assess existing controls Monitor procedures Check workers health Record incident

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Asbestos
Types White (Chrysotile) Brown (Amosite) Diseases Asbestosis Mesothelioma

Blue (Crocidolite)

Lung cancer

Blue and brown asbestos are more hazardous than white

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Asbestos Uses
Protective Clothing Insulation boards Pipework Lagging Cement Boards

Gaskets, Filters
Brake Linings Plasterwork

Blue asbestos cloth on a boiler flue

Sprayed for Insulation

Workers at risk:
Asbestos insulating board in a wall partition

Maintenance, & Demolition workers

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Other Agents (1)

Ammonia: A colourless gas with a pungent odour
Irritation to the eyes and upper respiratory tract Used in printing and fertilisers Chlorine: A greenish gas with a pungent odour Irritant to respiratory tract, abdominal pain, nausea (sensation of unease and discomfort in the stomach) Used as a disinfectant in drinking water and swimming pool water

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Other Agents (2)

Carbon Dioxide: A colourless, odourless gas Increases the rate of respiration, unconsciousness

Produced in fermentation, Fire protection

Carbon Monoxide: A colourless, odourless and tasteless gas

Headaches, drowsiness, asphyxiation

Incomplete combustion in boiler, vehicle exhausts

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Other Agents (3)

Isocyanates: Volatile organic compounds Irritation of skin and mucous membrane, asthma Spray painting vehicles, manufacture of footwear

Lead: A heavy, soft and easily worked metal Nausea, headaches, nervous system, death Batteries, Plumbing and roofing work

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Other Agents (4)

Silica: Found in sand, sandstone, granite
Silicosis Building industry

Organic solvents: Dissolve other substances

Irritant to the eyes, skin, throat and lungs, headaches, nausea, dizziness

Used as a base in paint manufacturing, PVC, etc

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Other Agents (5)

Leptospirosis or Weils: Caused by bacteria from rats urine

Attacks kidneys and liver Found in rivers, sewers, ditches, canals Legionella: An airborne bacterium found in water sources e.g. cooling towers, stagnant water Breathing difficulties, pneumonia Hepatitis: Hazardous substances, viruses Diseases of the liver, high temperature, jaundice Health workers and workers handling bodily fluids

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AIRBORNE DUST
Respirable dust:
Airborne dust of such a size about 0.5 microns that it is able to enter the lungs during normal breathing

Respiratory diseases:
Asbestosis
Silicosis (occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of
crystalline silica dust) (chronic inflammatory medical condition affecting the tissue of the lungs)

Asthma chronic the airways occasionally constrict Bronchitis (an acute inflammation of the air passages within the lungs) Lung Cancer Farmers lung (a disease of dairy farmers who handle
contaminated hay)

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Body Defences against dust

The nasal hairs
Coughing and sneezing Eyes watering The ciliary escalator

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Indicators of Dust Problems

Visible signs Complaints by employees Monitoring Health problems Equipment problems Blocked filters

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Assessing levels of dust

Visual examination

Sampling for dust

Personal samplers Fixed samplers Filters attached to pumps Sample for a fixed time

Dust lamps
Direct reading instruments Dust accumulation

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Control Measures to Reduce Exposure to Dust

Eliminate at source Substitute with pellets Change process Use liquid process Enclose the complete process Ventilation Control by suppression Housekeeping Maintenance

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BODYS DEFENCES
The bodys defences to hazardous substances are:
Respiratory (Inhalation)

Gastrointestinal (Ingestion)
Skin (Absorption) Cellular mechanism (Injection)

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Respiratory (Inhalation) Defences

NOSE : Wetness & nasal hair RESPIRATORY TRACT : Natural reflexes activate sneezing and coughing CILIARY ESCALATOR A barrier against infection. Pushes mucus and foreign bodies out through throat

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Bodys Defences (2)

Gastrointestinal (Ingestion) Defences
Taste and smell Saliva Acid, enzymes and bacteria Vomit and diarrhoea

Skin Defences
Sebum Sensory nerves Melanin Blisters, rashes, inflammation

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Bodys Defences (3)

Cellular Mechanisms (Injection)
Scavenging Action Secretion of defensive substances Prevention of excessive blood loss

Repair of damaged tissues

The Lymphatic system Tears and blinking of the eyes Pain Hormones e.g. adrenalin

Other Defences

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Manufacturers Safety Data Sheet (1)

Identification of substance/preparation The manufacturer/supplier Composition/information on ingredients Hazard identification Health effects First Aid measures Fire fighting measures Accidental release measures Handling and storage Exposure controls

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Manufacturers Safety Data Sheet (2)

Personal Protective Equipment Environmental/Disposal considerations Physical and chemical properties; Stability and reactivity; Toxicological information; Ecological information; Disposal considerations; Transport information; Regulatory information; Other relevant information.

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Product labels

Substance

Preparation

TWI Gulf WLL 2008

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Risk and Safety Phrases

Risk
R3 Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire R20 Harmful by inhalation R30 Can become highly flammable in use R45 May cause cancer

Safety
S2 Keep out of the reach of children S20 When using do not eat or drink S25 Avoid contact with eyes S41 In case of fire and or explosion do not breathe fumes

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Hazardous Substance Assessment

1) IDENTIFY THE HAZARDS
How much of the substance is in use or produced by the process What is the activity at risk How long and how often is the exposure Who can be exposed and how How can the substance enter the body In what form is of the substance What is the concentration of the substance Is the substance assigned an exposure limit Are there any ill-health reports Look at the results of health surveillance

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Hazardous substance Assessment

2) Decide who might be harmed and how
Operators, Others, Pregnant and young worker

3) Evaluate the Health risk & existing precautions

Likelihood and Severity

Existing control measures Judgement about need for further control measures

4) Record the significant findings

Number of affected people Adequacy of existing controls Further precautions, if necessary

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Hazardous substance Assessment

5) Review the Assessment

New process or substance is introduced

Exposure limit is changed Someone contracts a disease

Complaints of ill health from workforce

New guidance is published on control measures Increase in use of hazardous substance Supervision reports improper use of equipment Enforcement actions Compensation claims

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Prevention and Control of Exposure

1) Eliminate the hazard 2) Reduce the risk by substitution 3) Isolate the people from the hazard Total enclosure, Segregate the people

4) Control Maintenance of controls, Change the work pattern, Hygiene, Housekeeping

5) Personal protective equipment 6) Discipline 7) Also information, Instruction, Training Remember - ERIC PD

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Emergency Procedures
First aid facilities Relevant safety drills Suitable warning devices Suitable training of staff PPE Emergency showers and eye-wash facilities Spillage and leakage procedures Evacuation procedures Warnings to other people

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Spillage Procedures

Isolation of the area

Evacuation of employees Suitable PPE Bunds to contain spillage/absorbent material Contact with emergency services Safe disposal of spilled material

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Local Exhaust Ventilation

Discharge to atmosphere

Hood

Ducting

Filter

Fan

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Types of Ventilation

Enclosed

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Types of Ventilation

Hood

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Lip Extraction

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Ducted System

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Sawdust Extraction

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Machine Shop Extraction

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Portable Extraction

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Dilution Ventilation
Vent Extract or Fan Air drawn from clean air supply Fan ???

Contaminant

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When Dilution Ventilation may be used

Very low toxicity substance Steady rate of release Small quantity of contaminant Not practicable to use LEV Rate of evolution known Non specific point of release Type of contaminant (not dust) Heat loss or gain not a problem

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Measurement of Health Hazards

1) Initial appraisal 2) A basic survey 3) A full survey

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Measurement of Health Hazards

1) Initial Appraisal
What substances are being used

What are their hazards

Do they have Occupational Exposure Limits Where are they used

Who could be affected by them

How could they be released If RPE or other forms of PPE is necessary

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Basic Survey
1) Smoke tube 2) Dust lamp
Lamp - either traversed by hand to illuminate dust source or mounted on a stand Observer, or camera, viewing towards lamp whilst shielding eyes from glare

Dust cloud

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Pumps and Stain Tubes

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Chemical Stain Detector Tube (Grab Sampler)

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Stain Detector Tube: Advantages

Cheap
Simple to use

Immediate result
Useful during emergencies e.g. spillages Good for rough reading of hazard

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Stain Detector Tube: Disadvantages

a) Contaminant must be known b) Rough guide within 20% accuracy band c) Reading a specific moment d) Results depending on positioning e) May be affected by other substance

TWI Gulf WLL 2008

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FULL SURVEY
Two principal methods of longer term sampling are :

a) Direct reading instruments b) Indirect reading instruments

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Constant Monitor

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Passive and Active Samplers

Passive Sampler

Active Sampler

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Climate change Ozone depletion (CFC) Acid rain

burn fuels produce polluting gases. (especially Nitrogen Oxides and Sulphur Dioxide) react with the tiny droplets of water in clouds to form Sulphuric and Nitric Acids.

Usage of Natural Resources

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Industrial effects on the Environment

Waterways and rivers poisoned Land becoming unusable Polluting Activities include:

Untreated effluent allowed to run away

Chemicals used on farms leak into waterways Poor handling of chemicals

Inadvertent spillage

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What is Pollution
Pollution is the release into or onto air, water, or land of any substance which is capable of causing harm to man or any other living organisms supported by the environment Harm includes: Harm to the health of human beings including offence to the senses Harm to other living organisms Harm to the quality of the environment, including the air, water or land Damage to property

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Pollution Types
1) Air Pollution
Discharges in the atmosphere etc

2) Water Pollution
Leakages from storage tanks etc

3) Land Pollution
Dumping of hazardous wastes, etc.

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Pollution Control Strategy

1) Prevention: Preventing pollution by having good
systems in place

2) Reduce: By changing the process e.g. reduce

waste

3) Respond: Ensuring a rapid response to incidents

such as spillages

4) Recover: Reviewing systems in places where

problems have occurred

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Emergency Planning Procedure

Identify all potential accident or emergency situations Introduce controls to prevent accident and emergency situations arising Include procedures to minimise the consequences of any potential environmental impacts Have clearly documented plans and procedures for responding to emergencies Be periodically reviewed and revised if necessary Be periodically tested if possible

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Waste Hierarchy
PREVENT

REDUCE

RE-USE
RECOVER DISPOSE

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Storage area of suitable size Storage area clearly labelled Individual containers clearly labelled

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Storing Waste

Storage area suitable location

Different types of waste stored separately Incompatible wastes never stored together Storage kept to minimum Protect wastes from elements if necessary If necessary protect storage area with bunds No hazardous waste in general waste skips Ensure storage area secure