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Health

Module 7

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DISCLAIMERThis material was produced under grant

number SH-22248-1 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S.

Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of

the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial

products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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Objectives• After this module you should be able to

– identify the most common health hazards– take the necessary steps to avoid and control

those hazards

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Health Hazards• Chemical Hazards

– hydrogen sulfide– silica– hexavalent chromium

• Physical Hazards– noise– temperature extremes

• Biological Hazards– bloodborne pathogens– staph/MRSA

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OSHAct of 1970The purpose of the OSHAct is to “assure, so

far as possible, every man and woman in the nation safe and healthful working conditions

and to preserve our human resources.”

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HazCom• Why should chemical hazards be

communicated?– Exposure Risk: about 32 million workers are

potentially exposed to chemical hazards– Number of Chemicals: about 650,000 chemical

products exist; hundreds of new ones are introduced annually

– Health Effects: may include heart ailments, central nervous system damage, kidney and lung damage, sterility, cancer, burns, and rashes

– Safety Hazards: potential to cause fires, explosions, or other serious accidents

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Purpose of HazCom• The purpose of OSHA’s Hazard

Communication Standard is to– “… ensure employers and employees know

about work hazards and how to protect themselves so that the incidence of illnesses and injuries due to hazardous chemicals is reduced.”

Label

Program SDS

Hazard Communication

Program

Container Labeling

SafetyData Sheet

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Why a Written Program?• Employers: program ensures that all

employers receive the information they need to inform and train their employees

• Employees: program provides necessary hazard information to employees

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Labeling• Containers of hazardous chemicals

entering the workplace must be labeled with– identity of chemical– appropriate hazard warnings

• message, picture, or symbol• hazards of chemical• target organs affected

– name and address of responsible party

• legible in English, may have other languages

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NFPA Label• National Fire Protection Association• The higher the number (max is 4), the

greater the hazard• Check the SDS

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what’s in the bucket?

labels on secondary containers like this must legibly identify the contents and the hazards

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Multi-Employer Workplaces• When other employers have employees

on site that may be exposed, the program must include– methods to provide contractor employees

with on-site access to SDS’s– methods used to inform other employers of

precautionary measures for normal and emergency situations

– the employer’s chemical labeling system

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Safety Data Sheet (SDS)• Prepared by chemical manufacturer,

distributor, or importer and describes– chemical composition of product– physical hazards, such as fire and explosion– health hazards– symptoms of exposure– routes of exposure– precautions for safe handling and use– emergency and first aid procedures– control measures– AND MUCH MORE

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SDS’s should be kept in a location(s) that can be easily accessed at all times

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read the label and SDS before using

identify what it is and what type of health issues are present

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DOT HM-126• Applies to workers involved in shipping

and packing hazardous materials for transport

• If your job involves such activities, you will be trained on DOT HM-126; things like– shipping papers, labeling, packaging, and

markings– loading, segregating, and placards– properties, classifications, and emergency

response actions

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Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)• Other names include sour gas, sewer gas,

stink damp• Flammable, colorless gas that is toxic at

extremely low concentrations• Smells like rotten eggs even at low

concentrations• Causes a worker to quickly loose the

sense of smell• Heavier than air and can accumulate in

low-lying areas

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Hydrogen Sulfide

PPM Effect Time

10 [this is the PEL] 8 hours

50 – 100 mild irritation of the eyes and throat 1 hour

150 olfactory nerve paralysis 1½ hours

200 – 300 significant irritation 1½ hours

500 – 700 unconsciousness, dizziness, death 15 – 30 minutes

> 1000 unconsciousness, death, cessation of respiration a few minutes

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H2S Monitoring

• Active monitoring for H2S gas and good planning and training programs for workers are the best ways to prevent injury and death

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1910 Subpart Z• 1910.1000 Air Contaminants

– includes Z-Tables, worker exposure rates for specific listed substances

– worker exposure must not exceed these limits

• PEL = permissible exposure limit

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1910.1000(a) Table Z-1• Types of exposure limits

– time weighted average (TWA)– short-term exposure limit (STEL)– ceiling limit (C)

• Two common units of measure for limits– parts per million (ppm)– milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3)

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Steps to Protect Workers• Anticipate potential hazards• Recognize potential hazards• Evaluate exposure and risk• Control exposure and risk

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Routes of Exposure• Inhalation

– airborne contaminants

• Absorption– through the skin or eyes

• Ingestion– eating– drinking

• Injection– high-pressure sprays into skin or eyes

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Controls• Engineering controls (remove hazard)

– process change, chemical substitution– ventilation, shielding, guarding– requires little or no worker action

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Controls• Administrative controls (manage

exposure)– worker rotation, procedures, training– controlled access areas– requires worker action

• Personal protective equipment (PPE)– respirators, gloves, clothing– requires individual worker action– last line of defense

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what’s the health hazard?

identify what it is and what type of health issues are present

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warning signs can alert workers to workplace hazards

workers should be made aware of hazardous areas and be prepared to enter such areas

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Health Effects of Silica• Silicosis

– irreversible but preventable– most commonly associated with silica dust

• Other possible effects– lung cancer– some auto-immune diseases

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silica exposure during fracing operations has been an important concern

workers should wear a NIOSH-approved respirator for respirable dust; additionally, water can suppress the dust

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Corrective Action: repair air conditioning for cab so that operator can close windows and prevent dust from entering cab

can you identify the hazard?

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Hexavalent Chromium• A toxic form of chromium metal, generally

not naturally occurring• Used in many industrial applications,

primarily for its anti-corrosive properties• Can be generated when welding on

stainless steel and metal structures coated with chromate paint

• Used in electroplating (chrome plating)

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Welding Work Practices• Keep your head out of the welding plume• Use local exhaust ventilation when

available

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Noise Exposure Limitsduration per day, hours sound level, dBA slow response

12 87.5

10 88

8 90

6 92

4 95

3 97

2 100

1 ½ 102

1 105

½ 110

¼ or less 115

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Noise Exposure Examples

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Audiometric Testing• If you are exposed to 85 dBA or greater,

you might be required to take a baseline audiometric test within 6 months of exposure and annually thereafter

• You must avoid excessive noise 14 hours prior to taking an audiometric test

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Audiogram

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Factors Leading to Heat Stress• High temperature and humidity• Direct sun or heat• Limited air movement• Physical exertion• Poor physical condition• Some medicines• Inadequate tolerance for hot workplaces

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extreme temperatures are just as hazardous as anything else at the workplace

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Heat Stress

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Preventing Heat-Related Illness• Know the signs/symptoms of heat-related

illness, detect them in your co-workers• Block out direct sun or other heat sources• Use cooling fans or air conditioning• Drink water, 1 cup every 15 minutes• Wear lightweight, light colored clothes• Avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks, or

heavy meals• Rest periodically in a cool area

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Cold Stress• The harmful effects of hypothermia, frost

bite, and trench foot may arise for any worker exposed to high winds and cold temperatures

• Wet conditions increase these effects• Hypothermia is when the body’s

temperature dips to 95°F or below– symptoms are fatigue, uncontrolled

shivering, slurred speech, irritability, bluish skin, and clumsiness

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Preventing Cold Stress• Personal protective clothing (3 layers)

– outside layer to block the wind– middle layer of wool or synthetic fabric– inner layer of cotton to allow ventilation

• Cover hands and face• Use an on-site source of heat such as air

jets, radiant heaters, or warm contact plates

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Bloodborne Pathogens• Avoid contact with blood or other

potentially infectious material (OPIM); i.e. – certain body fluids, tissues

• Use latex gloves or CPR barrier kits• Practice universal precautions on

everyone, even if you are sure they don’t have infections

• Report all exposures as soon as possible

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Staph/MRSA• Staphylococcus aureus• Bacteria commonly carried on skin or in

the nose of healthy people• Cause skin infections

– minor: pimples or boils– major: serious infections such as surgical

wound and bloodstream infections and pneumonia

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is antibiotic-resistant

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keep the change house as orderly as possible; disinfect frequently

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proper hygiene is key to the prevention of illnesses

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Applicable Standards• 1910.95 Occupational Noise Exposure• 1910 Subpart Z Toxic and Hazardous

Substances• 1926.52 Occupational Noise Exposure• 1926 Subpart Z Toxic and Hazardous

Substances

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Your Employer is Responsible For• Managing the HazCom program and

training employees• Provide the appropriate PPE necessary to

protect against chemical, physical, and biological health hazards

• Providing a system to control or warn against an H2S release

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You Are Responsible For• Reading the label or SDS or asking your

supervisor if you are unsure of the hazard• Wearing appropriate PPE when necessary

to protect against chemical, physical, and biological health hazards

• Taking the steps necessary to prevent heat- or cold-stress

• Practicing proper hygiene to prevent the spread of infections

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Case StudyA 46-year-old was changing a gas-flow measuring device where high levels of

hydrogen sulfide (H2S) was present. When the worker failed to check in at 5pm, a co-worker was sent to check on him, he found that the hydrogen sulfide alarm system in the area had been set off and the worker

lying dead.

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Always Remember• Ensure containers are properly labeled• If you are not sure about a chemical, read

the SDS• Wear the appropriate respirator when

welding, mixing chemicals, or in dusty environments

• Wear hearing protection were required• Practice universal precautions around

blood, OPIM, needles, razor blades

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Memory Check1. What are the 4 routes of entry of

chemicals into the body?a. ears, eyes, nose, and mouthb. nose, mouth, eyes, and skinc. swallowing, inhaling, smoking, and drinkingd. inhalation, absorption, ingestion, and

injection

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Memory Check2. What information can be found on an

SDS?a. signs/symptoms of exposureb. protective equipment to wearc. first-aid measuresd. all of the above

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Memory Check3. An SDS

a. is an acronym for Safety Data Sheetb. should be on file for hazardous chemicals

used, stored, and produced on sitec. provides information for handling and

storing chemicalsd. all of the above