(a) Identify the possible health effects from working in a cold store at sub-zero temperatures.

(4)
This is a gift of 4 marks as you can provide a very easy list of health effects. However, it is
important to be very specific.

Cold strain (difficulty in maintaining the core body temperature).

A reduction in the heart rate; persistent shivering together with blue fingers and lips.

Mental impairment and stress hypothermia.

Frost bite involving inflammation of the skin and tissue damage.

Chilblains causing redness, tingling and pain in the affected area.

(b) Outline control measures to minimise the risks to persons who work in a cold store at
sub-zero temperatures. (6)
As I have pointed out previously, this is an OUTLINE question. As a result you must provide
more detail here. A simple list will not be sufficient. You should write a full sentence for each
control measure to get the mark. There are 6 marks available so you should outline at least 6
control measures.

Pre-employment examination with subsequent continuing health surveillance to check

for possible vulnerability to the cold or early symptoms.

The provision and wearing of thermal clothing such as undergarments, insulated suits
or jackets, gloves and footwear.

Continuous monitoring of the level of activity (which should be sufficient to generate

some heat but not high enough to cause workers to sweat).

Placing a restriction on the time spent working in the cold store with the provision of
regular breaks in a warm environment.

Ensuring that that there is no possibility of workers being locked in the store such as
the provision of means for opening doors on the inside of the store.

Ensuring protection is provided against leaks of refrigerant gas such as a programme

of regular maintenance together with a detection and alarm system.

The provision of facilities for drying thermal clothing and for its replacement when
necessary.

Giving instruction and training to workers on the hazards involved in working in the
cold store and the precautionary measures that they should take.

Possible reasons for the increase in skin complaints might be as a result

of:-

The chemical plant produces toxic level in the area that needs immediate
action of survey and execute directive plan of awareness and risk
management to the employee working in the chemical plant.

The improper used of Chemical fumes extraction and the height of the
chimneys must be check and corrective measures must be discussed to
the management. Poor communication of risk assestment and other
observation must be discussed during the tool box meetings, and quality
assurance auditing and monitoring.

Lack of survey in the health care programs with regards to the

management approached to its employees, the needed programs to be
provided to them for safety of its employees. The lack of motivating factor
of medical guidelines needed in case there is chemical or hazardous
inhalation by employees in the workplace.

The management commitment to put safety procedures in chemical plant

by providing the correct PPE and engineering controls of chemicals in the
areas of its jurisdiction.

All employees must be given a directive in handling chemicals and proper

disposal and waste management in working. Lack of HAZMAT trainings
amongst it employees is difficult in carrying effectiveness in the
workplace. MSDS- Material Safety Data Sheet must be read always in
before handling such chemicals in order to know the toxicity, oxidation
and other components of the chemicals.

Improper used of gloves that can be absorbed by the skin. It is necessary

to wear Chemical suits suitable in the workplace as prescribe by the
safety officer.

In storing chemicals, it is necessary to classify them to hazardous,

corrosive etc. And not to mix these chemicals to other components in
order to make proper storage of it. Proper ventilation of each areas must
be given to the employees working in the critical plant production. LACK
OF MANAGEMENT commitment and implementation of safety programs is
a risk factor regarding the chemical plant. Monitoring of risk management
and assestment programs must be given in top priority in dealing such
work.

Safety features and signed symbols in the workplace must be seen and
visualize so that every employees in the workplace may know the area if
there is contamination, quarantine and safe areas for evacuation plans if
there is leak in the chemical plant.

It is necessary always to prepare the Permits to Work in Confined space and other
permits when working in confine space as prescribe to the safety manual.
Fall from height or fall into open hole of sewage drain pit The person entering into
confine space with 10-30 meter deep has possible chances of fall considering the
condition of it (lacking of preventive measures such as the PPE required.

Slip and Trip risk associated while performing inspection and when ascending or
descending into the ladder and slippery surface arises. And without proper ladder
required for the confine space the occurrence of slip and trip will be encountered.

Pinch PointThe risk involved when working in a confined space of the 10 meters deep,
there is possibility of pinch point if the area is not properly lighted and when personnel
are performing manual handling (i.e. opening of sewage drainage cover, repairing the
drainage ) and other work related.

 Back injury & FallImproper handling of equipment have risk associated when
performing manual lifting activity that includes the ergonomics standard activity which
does not comply on proper steps and guidelines. The person who experience Fall and
back injury must be given immediate First Aide.. And must properly evacuated at once in
the area and must be given Emergency care and trauma medical administration once it
arrives in the hospital.

Lack of Oxygen - One of the risks associated when working in confine space considering
the presence of other toxic gases is the oxygen level of content which can be deficient or
enrich. Oxygen deficient is possibly due to the existing toxic gases in the atmosphere
while oxygen enrichment is due to more amount of oxygen supply in ventilation process.
The medical term asphyxiation or lack of oxygen as we go deeper. Due to the chemical
vapors and rapid oxidation in confined space if it is not properly check will seriously
destroy the circulatory system of the workers. So, it is important to wear gas meter
when working in a confined space in deeper areas.

Ii is necessary to wear a correct PPE such as SCABA if there is presence

of Toxic Gases (i.e. H2S) considering the workplace as sewage drainage pit, the
existence of hydrogen sulphide is probable which can cause poison to personnel entering
to it.