IDENTIFICATON AND

CONTROL OF OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH HAZARDS

Dr. S.P. Sivapirakasam

Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
National Institute of Technology
Trichy 15
 Introduction
OHSAS18001 clause 4.3.1
Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and
Risk Control
The Organization shall establish, implement
and maintain procedures for ongoing
identification of hazards, the assessment for
risks and implementation of control
measures
Occupational Health Hazard
Assessment Programme

Recognition Evaluation Control

 Objective of this session.
Understand various Occupational hazards i.e
Chemical, Physical and Ergonomical
Identify and Evaluate the Occupational
Hazards
Understand various control strategies
Legal perspective of Occupational Health in
Industries
Classification of Occupational
Hazards

PHYSICAL
HAZARD

ERGONOMIC CHEMICAL
HAZARD HAZARD

BIOLOGICAL
HAZARD
 Why chemicals are
hazardous?
Toxic
Fire
Explosion
 Toxic Release
Bhopal Disaster
Amount of chemical disposed :
30 Tons of methyl isocyanate

Type of Effect :
Coughing, eye irritant, vomiting &
Pulmonary failures
Bhopal Disaster
 The bottom line is ..
Every day we are exposed to different types
of Risks in the home and at work
We all must increase our knowledge of those
risks in the workplace
At times risk may be sleeping, it does not
mean that it is not dangerous. some casual
factors would make it worse.
 Chemical Hazards
Dust ( 1-200 m)

Fumes & Smoke ( 0.01 1.0 m)

Gases( non-particulate)

Mist & Fog(<10 m)

Routes of Entry
 Exposure Limit
There are three categories of ACGIH TLV:

Time-Weighted Average (TLV-TWA)

Short-Term Exposure Limit (TLV-STEL)

Ceiling (TLV-C)
 Exposure Limit
Time-Weighted Average (TLV-TWA)

TWA Duration : 8 hours

Concentration

Time
 Exposure Limit
Short-Term Exposure Limit (TLV-STEL)

It is the maximum concentration to which

workers can be exposed continuously for a
period of 15 minutes and should not exceed the 4
times in a shift

Ceiling (TLV-C)

It is the concentration that should not be

exceeded even instantaneously.
 Agency References
THE FACTORIES ACT, 1948
consolidated existing factory safety laws , Govt of India
It shall come into force on the 1st day of April, 1949.
Permissible Limits of Exposure (PLE)

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists-

ACGIH.
It is member-based , professional organization.
TLVs recommended are not legal limits.
The guidelines are based on available animal and human exposure
studies.
The goal is to minimize worker's exposure to hazardous
substances.
Threshold Limit Value (TLV)
 Agency References
OSHA Occupational Health and safety Administration
It is a federal government agency in USA, Department of Labour
OSHA was created by the Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) Act
of 1970.
Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
It is a federal agency responsible for research and making
recommendations for prevention of illness.
The occupational safety and Health Act of 1970 created both NIOSH
and OSHA.
Recommended Exposure Limit (REL)
 NIOSH OSHA(PPM) ACGIH(PPM) INDIAN
Permissibe Recommended TLV-TWA PLE
exposure limit exposure (ppm)
(REL) limit(PEL)
(PPM) (PPM)

CARBON 35 25 25 50
MONOXIDE

Ammonia 25 50 25 25

NITROGEN 25 25 25 25
OXIDE

Chlorine 0.5 1 0.5 0.5 (IS

Code)
How the chemicals effect the
health ?
Acute (short term)

Chronic (long term)

 Dust
Product itself
Formation of dust
Coal dust

Through Production
Grinding
 Types of Dust
Respirable dust (<10 m )
Non Respirable dust ( > 10 m )

IN HUMAN SYSTEM
>10 m retained in nose
< 10 m passes through the upper respiratory
system
0.5 5.0 m deposited in bronchioles and few in
alveoli
How does the Dust Enter?
 Pneumoconiosis

A disease of the lungs

characterized by fibrosis and
caused by the chronic inhalation
of mineral dusts, especially silica
and asbestos.

When Insoluble Inorganic

Material (like silica and asbestos)
enters the lungs, they stay in the
lungs and cause inflammation
and disease
DUST-Occupational Diseases
SILICOSIS silica
Develops after 10 15 years of exposure

Difficulty in breathing, pain in chest,cough ,etc

Goes into the lungs and destroy it

0.5 3 m dangerous

No effective treatment
Silica - Silicosis
 Silicosis
NORMAL LUNGS AFFECTED LUNGS
 Asbestosis
Scaring of lungs

Effect after 20 yrs

Fibrous form 3D
20 500m in length
Symptoms cough,
difficulty in breathing,
chest pain
Asbestosis
 Asbestos - Asbestosis

Iron-
Siderosis

The iris has the " rusty "

appearance that results
from siderosis.
Coal Dust - Anthracosis
Grain Dust-Farmers Lungs
 Lead Poisoning
Organic and inorganic
Lead arsenate, lead oxide , lead carbonate ,
lead sulphide
Inhalation , ingestion and absorption
TLV in blood 25g / 100ml
SYMPTOMS constipation , loss of apetite ,
blue line on gums , anaemia , insomnia ,
touching objects turns black
 Fumes
Released from chemical and metallurgical
process .

Eg.:
Acid fumes , oxide fumes , oil and
solvent fumes
 Chromium Poisoning
Chrome salts in dyeing , photography , cements

+3 oxidation state less hazardous

+6 oxidation state more hazardous

Painless papule on hands, skin irritation , redness of

throat, irritation in nasal septum

Cleaning agent CaNa2

 MANGANESE POISONING
Affects nervous and pulmonary system
Results in loss of balance

Nickel Poisoning
skin absorption and inhalation
Asthma and cancer of nasal cavities
 Gas Poisoning
ASPHYXIANTS depriving for o2
3 TYPES

Simple No chemical reaction involved

eg N2 , CO2 , CH4.

Chemical Chemical reaction between

chemicals and body system
eg co , cyanide

Irritant Irriataion to nose,throat,etc

 Co Poisoning
Colourless and odourless ( silent killer)

Present in producer gas

Headache , cough , pain in chest

TLV 25 ppm
Co + Hb CoHb (carboxy heamoglobin)
200 times more affinity to oxygen
 So2 Poisoning
Absorbed in upper part of respiratory system

1.6 ppm - difficulty in breathing

10 ppm - eye irritation

20 ppm - immediate severe cough

POLLUTING GASES
Oxides of Nitrogen -
Brochiolitis

They cause eye irritation

and respiratory trouble.
Ozone - Broncho constriction
Hydrocarbons Lung Cancer
 Skin Diseases
Contact Dermatitis
(Eczema)

Irritant eczema (non-

allergic)

Allergic contact
eczema
PHYSICAL HAZARDS
 PHYSICAL HAZARDS
Noise

Vibration

Extreme Temperature
 Noise

It is an unwanted / unpleasant sound.

Type of noise:
a) Continuous noise: The sound recurs at intervals
of less than one half second is called continuous
sound.
b) Impulse or Impact noise: The sound with a rise
time of not more than 35 milliseconds to peak
intensity and 1500 milliseconds for the signals
decay.
 Effect of noise hazard

1. Acoustic trauma

2. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

EARLY SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS

Difficulty in understanding spoken words in a

noisy environment

Need to be near or look at the person speaking

to help understand words

Familiar sounds are muffled

Complaints that people do not speak clearly

Ringing noises in the ears (tinnitus)

Schedule 28: Operations involving High noise in
Tamilnadu factories rules

Permissible Exposure in case of Continuous noise:

8 hrs / day 90, dBA

4 hrs / day 95, dBA
2 hrs / day 100, dBA
1 hr / day 105, dBA
0.5 hr / day 110, dBA
0.25 hr / day 115, dBA
Schedule 28: Operations involving High noise in
Tamilnadu factories rules
Permissible Exposure in case of Impact noise:
Peak sound Permitted
pressure, dB impulses
(Nos.)
140 100
135 315
130 1000
125 3160
120 10000
 Frequency weighting:
It is a prescribed frequency response provided in a
sound level meter.
A frequency weighting is intended for use for
frequency range from 1000-5000 Hz.
B weighting is intermediate step for range of
frequency from 500-6000.
C weighting has a flat response and is used for 100
8000 Hz.
D weighting is used aircraft noise measurements.
Range: 300 20000 Hz.
 Impulse Noise
M9 9mm pistol at shooter's ear

2000

Ppeak = 2,100 Pa
Pressure, Pascals

1000

-1000
0 5 10 15 20
Time, milliseconds

A short burst of an acoustic energy consisting of either a single

impulse (as shown) or a series of impulses. The pressuretime
history of a single impulse includes a rapid rise to a peak
pressure, followed by a somewhat slower decay of the pressure
envelope to ambient pressure, both occurring within 1 second.
When the intervals between impulses are less than 500
milliseconds, the noise is considered continuous, with the
exception of successive bursts of automatic weapons fire,
which is considered impulse noise.
AUDIOGRAM
 VIBRATION
Vibration
Physical factor which affects man by transmission of
mechanical energy from oscillating sources

Types
Hand-Arm vibration
Whole body vibration
 HAND ARM VIBRATION
Health Effects:
Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)
tingling, numbness, blanching of fingers
pain
 WHOLE BODY VIBRATION

Health effects:
Fatigue
Irritability
Headache
Disorders of the spine
Hand Arm vibration HSE UK
 International Standard on
Vibration
ISO 2641 1
Mechanical vibration and shock
Evaluation of human exposure to whole-
body vibration

BS 6841
Guide to measurement and evaluation of
human exposure to whole-body mechanical
vibration and repeated shock
 EXTREME TEMPERATURE

Sources of heat stress:

Natural Conditions
Hot work processes related to
furnaces, kilns, boilers and smelting

Sources of Cold Environment:

Ice plants and freezers in the food
industry
HEALTH EFFECTS OF HEAT STRESS
Disorders Clinical features

Prickly Heat (Miliaria Pruritic rash

rubra)

Heat cramps Cramps in the body, usually

legs

Heat exhaustion Dizziness, fainting attack,

blurring of vision, cold,
clammy and sweaty skin
Heat stroke Cyanosis (Discoloration) ,
muscle contraction,
convulsions (violent
irregular movement)
 HEALTH EFFECTS OF COLD
TEMPERATURE
Frostbite: reddening of skin,
localized burning pain and
numbness. Fingers, toes, cheeks,
nose, ears are most susceptible.

Trench foot or immersion foot:

numbness, pain, cramps,
ulceration and gangrene.
ERGONOMIC HAZARDS
What is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics refers to the interaction

between the individual, their work and work
environment so that human capabilities are
reinforced without exceeding human
limitations
The Work

The Worker

The
Workspace
67
 Oxygen Dependent (Aerobic)
and
Oxygen Independent (Anaerobic)
Mitochondria cannot be able to convert the carbohydrates
and fatty acids to produce energy under insufficient oxygen.
Therefore the aerobic process cannot be proceed.

A second oxygen independent, system becomes the main

source of ATP. The enzymes in the intracellular fluid
surrounding the myofilaments and mitochondria use
glycogen and blood glucose to produce energy in the
absence of oxygen.
This backup system operates at all times, even at rest*,
but it is inefficient and produces much less energy per
glucose molecule than the oxygen dependent system.
 Anaerobic process produces waste products that cause
the acidity of the muscle cells to increase and weaken
the muscle.

Oxygen is required to remove these waste products.

If O2 is not available (when the person is working), the

waste products will accumulate i.e. the person has built-
up Oxygen Dept.

Dynamic processes can be sustained longer than the

static processes.
S.no. Static work Dynamic work

1 Sustained muscle Repetitive muscle

contraction contraction relaxation
cycle
2 Reduced muscle blood Increased muscle blood flow
flow
3 No increase in muscle Increased in muscle oxygen
oxygen consumption consumption
4 Oxygen independent Oxygen dependent energy
energy production production
5 Muscle glycogen Muscle glycogen CO2 +
lactate H2O; Muscle up takes
glucose + fatty acids from
blood
Severity of Work in Terms of VO2 and Heart
Rate and Energy Expenditure
Work VO2 lits/min Heart rate Energy
scarcity (beats /min) expenditure
(kJ/min)
Light work <0.5 <90 <10.5

Moderate 0.5-1.00 90-100 10.5-21

work
Heavy work 1.0-1.5 110-130 21-31.5

Very heavy 1.5-2.0 130-150 31.5-42

work
Extremely >2.0 150-170 >42
heavy work
EFFECTS OF ERGONOMICS HAZARDS
MUSCULO SKELETAL DISORDER

Small repetitive movements can disturb the delicate balance

of muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the hand and cause
cumulative trauma disorders ( CTDs), also known as
repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) or musculoskeletal disorder
(MSD's).
 SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of MSDs are
Numbness

Burning

Pain

Tingling

Aching ,stiffness
 CARPALTUNNEL SYNDROME

SYMPTOMS

The result may be pain, weakness, or numbness

in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the most common

and widely known ,in which the body's
peripheral nerves are compressed or
traumatized.
 Occupational Exposure
Assessment Programme

Recognition Evaluation Control

 Types of evaluation

Qualitative

Quantitative
 Qualitative evaluation:
Human senses
Detectors

Indicates the presence of hazards

 Quantitative evaluation:
Involving collection of sample
Analysis of samples
Represents the actual exposure of
employees
Fulfils the purpose of the evaluation
(compliance with OES / Engg. control
measures)
 Sample collection techniques
There are two basic types of industrial
hygiene sampling techniques.
Breathing zone
General area
 Breathing Zone

Breathing zone: The

sampling device is held in
the employees breathing
zone. Air that would
most likely be inhaled by
the employee enters the
breathing zone.
 General area sampling

General area: The

sampling device is placed
in a fixed location in the
work area that is
generally occupied by the
employees. This type of
collection is also referred
to as environmental
monitoring.
Sampling for chemical
Noise and Vibration measuring
instruments
 Occupational Exposure
Assessment Programme

Recognition Evaluation Control

 OHSAS 18001-2007
4.3.1
Determining control consideration shall be
given to:
1. Elimination
2. Substitution
3. Engineering controls
4. Signage/warning and /or administrative
controls
5. Personal protective equipment
 Elimination
Eliminating the hazardphysically removing
it. It is the most effective hazard control.
Example:
using material handling equipment rather than
have workers lift, lower, carry, etc. materials
manually
 Substitution
Substitution, the second most effective
hazard control, involves replacing something
that produces a hazard (similar to
elimination) with something that does not
produce a hazard
 Detergent plus water-cleaning solutions instead of
organic solvents;
Leadless pigments in paints;
Synthetic grinding wheels (such as Aluminum oxide,
Silicon carbide) instead of sandstone wheels.
 Engineering controls
The third most effective means of controlling
hazards is engineered controls. These do not
eliminate hazards, but rather isolate people
from hazards.
 Administrative controls
Administrative controls are changes to the
way people work.
 Personal protective equipment
Last choice of hazard control
PPE is the least effective means of controlling
hazards because of the high potential for
damage to render PPE ineffective
LEGAL PERSPECTIVE OF OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH IN INDUSTRIES

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS

 FACTORIES ACT 1948

Factories ACT of 1948 is one among the premier

labour enhancement in our country. It deals with
Safety, Health and welfare of the workers employed
in the factories

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS

 HEALTH

CLEANLINESS
DISPOSAL OF WASTES AND EFFLUENTS
VENTILATION AND TEMPERATURE
DUST AND FUME
ARTIFICIAL HUMIDIFICATION
OVERCROWDING
LIGHTING
DRINKING WATER
LATRINES AND URINALS
SPITTOONS

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS

 NOTIFICATION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES

As per Section 89 of Factories Act, the

prevalence of Occupational disease (notified
under Third Schedule) in a factory, should be
reported to the prescribed authority by the
Manager and the medical practitioner attending
the affected worker.
List of 29 notifiable diseases have been provided
in the Third Schedule of Factories Act 1948 as
given below.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS

 NOTIFIABLE DISEASES
1. Lead poisoning including poisoning by any preparation or compound of lead or their
sequelae.
2. Lead tetra-ethyl poisoning.
3. Phosphorus poisoning or its sequelae.
4. Mercury poisoning or its sequelae.
5. Manganese poisoning or its sequelae.
6. Arsenic poisoning or its sequelae.
7. Poisoning by nitrous fumes.
8. Carbon bisulphide poisoning.
9. Benzene poisoning, including poisoning by any of its homologues, their nitro or amino
derivatives or its sequelae.
10. Chrome ulceration or its sequelae.
11. Anthrax.
12. Silicosis.
13. Poisoning by halogens or halogens derivatives of the hydrocarbons, of the alipathic
series.
14. Pathological manifestation due to -
(a) radium or other radioactive substances.
(b) X-rays.
15. Primary epitheliomatous cancer of the skin.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS
 16. Toxic anaemia.
17. Toxic jaudice due to poisonous substances.
18. Oil acne or dermatitis due to mineral oils and compounds containing mineral
oil base.
19. Byssionosis.
20. Asbestosis.
21. Occupational or contract dermatitis caused by direct contract with chemical
and paints. These are of types, that is, primary irritants and alergic sensitizers.
22. Noise induced hearing loss (exposure to high noise levels).
23. Berryllium poisoning.
24. Carbon monoxide.
25. Coal miners' pnuomoconiosis.
26. Phosgene poisoning.
27. Occupational cancer.
28. Isocynates poisoning.
29. Toxic nephritis.

Permissible levels of certain chemical substances have been listed in the Second
Schedule of the Factories Act 1948 and Rule 102-A of Tamil Nadu Factories
Rules 1950.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS
Rule 62(O) - Occupation health centre
No. of Occupational Medical Additional staff First aid box Ambulance
workers health centre. officer service
Up to Partnership Factory Minimum five Fully Arrangement
50 with nearby medical persons trained equipped for getting
outside clinic officer on on first aiders & first aid box ambulance
retainer ship at least one service from
basis located always present nearby
in his/her during working hospital at a
clinic to be hours. short notice
called at time (Internal)
of
requirement
by occupier.
Rule 62(O) - Occupation health centre
No. of Occupational Medical Additional staff First aid box Ambulance
workers health centre. officer service
51-200 Has an Part time One qualified Fully Arrangement
occupational factory and trained equipped for getting
health centre. medical dresser-cum- first aid box ambulance
it must have at officer who compounder in all service from
least one room must visit the always during department nearby
with proper factory atleast the working s. hospital at a
lighting and twice a period. short notice
ventilation week,but
must be
readily
available
during an
emergency.
Rule 62(O) - Occupation health centre
No. of Occupational Medical Additional staff First aid box Ambulance
workers health centre. officer service
More Has an One full time One nurse, one Fully Fully
than occupational factory dresser-cum- equipped equipped
200 health centre. medical compounder , first aid box medical van
It must have officer for and sweeper in all must be
atleast two upto 500 cum ward boy department available.
rooms with workers and thorough out s The health
proper lighting additional one the working centre must
and more officer period be suitably
ventilation. per 1000 equipped to
additional manage
workers or medical
part thereof. emergencies.
 The key is
The Employees are valuable problem
solver because they are so close to the
action
As they interact with potential hazards
everyday
We must be the change we wish to see
in the world.

Gandhi
 Thank you