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Introduction of The Plastics Factory

The Plastics Factory is part of the job for some of the factory, which also includes chemicals, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and pharmaceuticals industries. Most goods used by people in their homes, at work and in their everyday activities are products derived from the chemical, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and polymer industries. The combined industries represent nearly half a hundred thousand of people in the Malaysia are used a plastic item. The polymer industry comprises four discrete processing areas: plastics processing; rubber processing; polymer composites processing; and sign making. The industry is considered to be dynamic, as it is subject to opportunities arising from technological change, development of new materials and processing technology. Additionally, the development of new products and changes respond to consumer requirements.

Job description of the worker

As a plastics process worker, you would control factory machinery that makes all kinds of massproduced plastic items. In this job the workers duties may include to weighing and mixing raw materials, feeding materials into the machine, adjusting the machine's settings and monitoring the production process, carrying out basic maintenance on the machines, making quality control checks on products, recycling any sub-standard items, recording how much raw material has been used during production and number of items produced, making sure that production runs smoothly and some of the workers need to handle at department the chemical of the plastic material. The workers normal working week would be 37 to 40 hours for some of the company, it depends from top management. The workers should wear protective clothing such as overalls, face masks and gloves. The work can involve bending, lifting and standing for long periods.

OSH issues releted to handling the chemical The chemical information Appearance of benzene is colorless. It is flammable liquid and vapor. Can cause cancer. Causes severe blood, liver, kidney and other organ damage. Can form explosive mixtures with air.1 Benzene is a chemical compound that can be found in oil, gasoline, cigarette smoke, and vehicle emissions. It is also widely used in the manufacturing of certain plastic and rubber products. Exposure to benzene is known to cause cancer and other short-term and long-term health problems. People can be exposed to benzene at the workplace, in the home, by drinking contaminated water or beverages, or just by breathing the air outside. In recent years, a number of lawsuits have been filed by plaintiffs who allege that benzene exposure has caused serious health problems, even some deaths.2

Route of entry of chemical Inhalation. Skin.

For example of inhalation, Indoor Air for benzene vapor levels can be higher indoors, coming from products that contain benzene such as glues, paints, furniture wax, and detergents when the workers exposed to inhalation the chemical.3 For example of skin contact, benzene can pass through the skin. Benzene exposure through skin contact with gasoline or other solvents is possible. People can also absorb benzene as they bathe or shower in contaminated water.4

http://www.scottecatalog.com/msds.nsf/MSDSNo/71-43-2?OpenDocument http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/benzene-exposure-health-risks-32205.html http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/benzene-exposure-health-risks-32205.html http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/chemfs/fs/benzene.htm

4 Severity of effects The severity of the injuries caused by exposure to benzene depends on the amount of benzene that individuals are exposed to and the length of time that they are exposed. Short term exposure to benzene can lead to irritation of the respiratory tract, eyes, and skin, and can even lead to dizziness, drowsiness, and unconsciousness at higher levels. The long-term exposure to benzene has been linked to life threatening side effects such as anemia and cancer, most notably different forms of leukemia.
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Toxicokinetic of the chemical

LETHAL CONCENTRATION (LC50): 26,460 ppm, Rat 1 hour LETHAL DOSE 50 (LD50): N/Ap TERATOGENICITY: N/Ap REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS: N/Ap
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MUTAGENICITY: N/Ap

http://www.seegerweiss.com/toxic-exposure/benzene/ http://www.scottecatalog.com/msds.nsf/MSDSNo/71-43-2?OpenDocument

Other effect Plastics exist in many different chemical compositions and are widespread in the society and the environment. Global annual production of plastics has doubled over the past 15 years, to 245 million tonnes in 2008. The plastic polymers are not regarded as toxic, but there may be toxic residual chemicals, chemical additives and degradation products in the plastic products that can leach out as they are not bound to the plastic polymer. Plastics also cause many waste problems.7

Conclusion There are many a lot of working will exposed to many type kind of hazard. If the workers did not follow the command to wearing the PPE at the work place, the workers easy to exposed from any kind of ill and sick. For the example of the chemical hazard in a plastic factory industry is benzene. Every employee should know how to handle and how dangerous of this chemical. The workers should wear protective clothing such as overalls, face masks and gloves. It can reduct to some extent of benzene to the works.

http://www.science.gu.se/english/News/News_detail/plastic-products-leach-toxic-substances.cid991256

Appendix