Safety and Health

For

Engineers

Roger L. Brauer

Safety and Health/MA/Oct'15

 Session Nine
23 October 2015

Agenda

 Hazard and Their Control

 Chemicals

 Confined Space

Safety and Health/MA/Oct'15

Chemicals
 Basic element of life
 Materials made from chemicals are elements of car, clothing, furniture, tools, and
other things in contact daily

 NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Heath) compiles 5000
chemicals that have inherent hazards
 Some important factors for considering Hazard Chemicals
 Compound that known hazards may not be hazards at low concentration
 Compound that are not normally dangerous may because so for certain uses
 Some compound become dangerous when combine with other compound
 Materials made from chemicals are elements of car, clothing, furniture, tools, and
other things in contact daily

Chemical Regulation and Standards

 Indoor
Continues to grow on the concern about indoor air quality
 OSHA  Regulate workplace
 EPA  Regulate public places
 DOT  Regulate public transportation
 Local Government  Smoking in public services

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Chemicals
Chemical Regulation and Standards
 Outdoors
Many laws and regulations governing air and water quality and the handling and
disposal of hazardous materials
 Air (clean air act 70/77/99)
 Water (clean water act 72 ; safe drinking water, act 74/92 standards for the
taste, color, appearance, and limit for certain chemicals and bacteria)
 Control of hazardous materials (Federal Insecticide, fungicide, rodenticide
act of 1972)  tracking hazardous material from creation to disposal
 Clean up (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability act 1980)  Clean up of existing hazardous waste sites
 Right to know (Right to know act 86)  Public demand for more information
about dangers of particular chemicals

 Product
There are regulations covering chemicals in certain products. For example
additives and coloring agents fall under control of Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), which also controls certain chemicals in cosmetics.

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Chemicals
Chemical Regulation and Standards
 Processes
Chemical engineers and other specialist work on the safety of equipment ,
system, and process for the manufacture of chemicals, petroleum, and other
products. The Process may use heat, pressure, chemical reactions, and other
methods to achieve the end products.
Many process are based on continuous and control materials instead of batch.
Part of the design responsibility is to reduce or eliminate risks in the processes
and to include sensors, warning system, automated or manual adjustment, or
shutdown when processes go outside the acceptable range.
OSHA has established a performance standard for evaluating hazards and risks
of such process and defining control for the hazards.

 Workplaces
American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH) has published
a booklet listing the recommended exposure limits for workers. It is intended a
guide to help limit harmful chemical exposure for workers.
ACGIH standards are recommended practice for industrial hygienist practicing in
industry .
OSHA standards are enforceable as government regulations.

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Chemicals
Hazards
3 items of information to determine the hazardous agents
- what the agent is and what form it is
- the concentration
- the duration and form of exposure
The main hazard for chemicals
1. Health effect
2. Fire and explosions
3. Reactivity with other materials

 Type of Airborne Contaminants

 Dust (airborne solids, 0.1-26 micron. Dust larger than 5 micron settle out in air). Result
from process breaking materials into small size (grinding and mixing)
 Fumes (fine solids less than 1 micron, are often formed by condensation of vapors).
Exp. Heating of lead vaporizers, some lead material that quickly condenses to small,
solid particles.
 Smoke (carbon or soot particles, less than 0.1 micron, result from incomplete
combustion of carbonaceous material)
 Aerosol (airborne solid or liquid particulates disperse in air)
 Mist (fine droplets suspended in or falling through air. Condensation from gas to the
liquid state, or breaking up of liquid by atomizing, splashing or foaming)
 Vapors (gaseous phase of a substance that is liquid at normal temperature and
pressure)

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Chemicals
Hazards
 Health Effect
Degree of damage depends on
- type and form of substances
- type and rate of exposure
- what happens to the substance in the body
 Latency Period : Some chemicals have immediate effects (strong acid/caustic 
contacting tissue  destroying it)  chemical burn.
Other chemicals may not manifest their effect for some time.
Delay between exposure and observable effect is a latency period.
Latency period for some carcinogens as long as 20 – 40 years.

 Acute versus Chronic exposure

Some chemicals, diseases, or effects do not appear until after repeated
exposures. In other case, a single expose may be efficient to induce effects
 Local Versus Systematic effects
Local effects occur when substances cause injury to skin, eyes, or
respiratory tract after one or more exposures.
Systematic effects occur when substances enter the body and produce
damage to organ or biological functions. The effects may be behavioral or
physical. Example of damage : kidney dysfunction or failure.

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Chemicals
Hazards
 Asphyxiate
Asphyxiate material do not have direct effects on the body or its organs, but
they displace oxygen in a breathing atmosphere.
 Nuisance Dust
Some materials are simply a nuisance. They may cause irritation, coughing,
or similar symptom, but have no long term effects. Certain dusts are
classified as nuisance dust.
 Individual Differences
Not everyone exhibits the same effects or degree of effects from a chemical
exposure
 Pneumoconiosis
Pneumoconiosis is a disease of the lung resulting from the inhalation of
various kinds of dusts and other particles. The disease has several names
depending on the material one is exposed (asbestosis  asbestos fibers,
silicosis  free silica).
 Carcinogens
A substance that produce cancer in animals or humans under certain
quantified exposure. There are specific test to determine when a material to
be classified as carcinogen.

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Chemicals
Toxicology
Toxicity is the capacity of materials to produce injury or harm after it reaches a site
in or on the body where harm can result.
Toxicology is the science that deals with the nature and effects of poisons.

Toxicity Rating System

Rating Description Remark

U Unknown Insufficient data are available to enable a valid
data assessment of toxic hazard to be made

O None / - Produce no toxic effect under any condition of

No toxicity normal usage
- Require overwhelming dosage to give effect to
human

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Chemicals
Toxicology
Rating Description Remark
1 Low slight toxicity a. Acute local
(Four types) - Slight effect on the skin, eyes, regardless the
extend of exposure
b. Acute systemic
- Enter the body by inhalation, ingestion, or
dermal contact
- Slight effect

c. Chronic local
- Repeated or continuous exposure

- Slight effect

d. Chronic systemic
- Continuous exposure by inhalation, ingestion,
or dermal contact
- Slight effect

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Chemicals
Toxicology
Rating Description Remark
2 Moderate toxicity May cause reversible or irreversible changes in
(Four types) the body, but it not necessary severe enough to
cause serious physical impairment or threaten
life
a. Acute local
- Single exposure lasting seconds, minutes, or

hours
- Moderate toxicity

b. Acute systemic
- Single exposure absorbed by inhalation

- Moderate toxicity

c. Chronic local
d. Chronic systemic

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Chemicals
Toxicology

Rating Description Remark

3 High, Severe toxicity a. Acute local
(Four types) - Single exposure
- Sufficient severity threaten life, permanent

physical impairment
b. Acute systemic
- Single exposure
- Sufficient severity

c. Chronic local
d. Chronic systemic

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Chemicals
Toxicology

Degree of Toxicity Ratings

Toxicity Probable Lethal Dose for a 70 kg Experimental LD50 Dose

Rating Human per kg of Body Weight
Dangerously toxic A taste < 1.0 mg
Seriously toxic A teaspoonful 1 - 50 mg
Highly toxic An ounce 50 – 500 mg
Moderately toxic A pint 0.5 – 5 g
Slightly toxic A quart 5 – 15 g
Extremely Low toxic More than a quart > 15 g

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Chemicals
Toxicology
 Routes of Entry
 Inhalation
- during respiration, airborne gas and particulates are carried into the upper
respiratory system and lungs
- body may absorb the materials into the blood stream or may encapsulate
the material in the lung tissue
- inhaled materials or portion of them maybe exhaled as well
 Ingestion
- involves eating and drinking materials
- ingested materials are absorbed into the blood after traveling to the
intestinal track
 Absorption through the skin
- some material enter the blood stream through the skin
- elevated skin temperature or moisture on the skin may enhance cutaneus
absorption
- some skin areas, such as the back of the hand and follicle rich area, exhibit
higher absorption rate
 Injection
- material maybe injected purposely or accidentally

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Chemicals
Toxicological Data
 Methods for Accessing Toxicity
- Most often from controlled study
- Nearly all substances fail to exhibit effects at very low exposure levels, but at
the same level effects begin to appear (threshold level)
- The relationship between exposure and effects is not linier

 Human Experimentation
- One way to collect data on toxicity of materials is through experimentation
with human
- In general society does not condone human experimentation

- Strong national concern for some disease or illness

- When a pharmaceutical has high benefit and relatively low risk

 No opportunity to inform general testing on substances toxicity to human

data must be from others

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Chemicals
Toxicological Data
 Human experience
- Sometimes accidental exposure provide opportunity to complete data on the toxicity
substance (chronic or acute)
- No control on exposure  difficult to know the exposure level

- Exposure level and conditions were estimated from limited information by using
epidemiological procedure (epidemiology is the study of disease in human population)
- Based on pattern of disease  could be related to the exposure
(exp. Workers exposed to certain pesticides exhibited similar disease patterns that
stimulated further testing, which ultimately lowered exposure standards, or
even led a
 Animal Studies ban on certain materials
- Most toxicity data come from controlled and replicated animal studies
- A problem in toxicity testing involves time
- Some substance produce disease after a long latency period or chronic
exposure
- To replicate slow exposure or wait for latency periods would be very expensive

 Microorganism testing
- Monitor the growth pattern of particular bacteria, and contrast bacteria
exposed to a chemical compared with unexposed samples
- Screen substances rapidly for particular characteristics

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Chemicals
Controls
 Three classes of controls for protecting people from exposure to hazardous
materials in the workplace
1. Engineering control
2. Work practices and administrative controls
3. Personal protective equipment

Engineering control
 Substitution
- Replacing a hazardous material with a non hazardous one

- If the proposed alternative material does not perform, substitution may not
be a desirable situation

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Chemicals
Controls
Engineering control (cont..)
 Isolation
- Uses a barrier between a source of contaminants and workers

- Usually involves an exhaust ventilation

- Some time there is a port with built-in gloves for worker to perform
some function inside the enclosure
- Workers are located in the enclosure with a controlled uncontaminated
atmosphere from which they can see an operation and control it
remotely
- Separating hazardous operation from non hazardous ones

 Ventilation
- Useful for airborne contaminants

- General ventilations : Moves fresh outside air into the general work space
to dilute or displace contaminants to keep concentration as or below
allowable levels. Several limitations :
- requires movement of large volume of air

- outdoor air may already contaminated

- heating, cooling, or dehumidifying outdoors air is costly

- may not dilute substances at cell location

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Chemicals
Controls
 Ventilation (cont..)
- Local Exhaust Ventilations

- requires smaller volume than general ventilation

- capture contaminants at or near the sources (before hazardous

substances reach the breathing zone)
- exhaust air need treatment to remove and collect contaminant

Work practices and administrative controls

 House Keeping
- Removal of dust accumulation and rapid clean up of spills

- Regular removal hazardous dust from floors, walls, and other surfaces is
important
- Removal should avoid dispersing into the air

- Vacuum cleaning equipment should be used

- Sweeping, compressed air, or blower should not be used, it causes

airborne
- In certain case, spraying water on materials may eliminate the source of
dust

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Chemicals
Controls
Work practices and administrative controls
 Material Handling and Transfer Procedures
- Transfer operation require closed transfer operation to avoid hazardous
vapor and airborne dust during loading and unloading
- Use containers to collect overfill spill or leaking material between transfer

- Leak detection program

 Leak Detection Program

- Visual inspection and automatic devices

- Schedule inspections of valves, piping, and other potential for leaks

 Training
- Proper training of workers and supervisors to supplement other controls

- Standard and low training is required to encounter and protect from hazard

 Personal Hygiene
- Cleaning skin that becomes contaminated during normal working days or
as the result of a spill or accidents
- Evaluate washing facilities, emergency showers, and other proper
cleaning agents to remove contaminants
- Emergency eyewash for possibility for contaminating and injury eyes

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Chemicals
Controls
Work practices and administrative controls (cont..)
 Personal Protecting Equipment
- Use PPE may be necessary when adequate engineering controls, work

practices, or administrative reform cannot be achieved

- Maintenance workers and those involve in spill clean up need PPE

Safety and Health/MA/Oct'15

Chemicals
Confined Space
 Hazard
- Three main hazard of confine space

- Oxygen deficiency (<18%)

- Presence of substances heavier than air gases then settle in a closed

container
- Oxygen depleting bacteria that consume oxygen (rusting process)

- Flammable and Combustable Gases

- Heat may ignite material

- Result from residual fuel, methane produce (anaerobic)

- Pressurized Atmosphere

- Produce injury when open

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Chemicals
Confined Space
 Control
- Before entering, confine space must be depressurized

- Connection to potential hazardous, material must be isolated and sealed,

energy sources must be locked and tag out
- Atmosphere must be tested for oxygen content, toxic material, and flammable
gasses and vapors
- Ventilation for breathable air supply, reduce flammable hazard to less than
LFL
- If heated process involved, precautions for fire protection is necessary

- Activities may create noise, heat, and cold hazard, precautions must be in
place
- At least two workers involve and permit

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Chemicals
Confined Space Entry
Individual Competence
Before an individual enters a confined space:
 He should have received adequate training
 Be re-assessed or have received refresher training
 Be in possession of a relevant training certificate
 Be physically fit
 Not suffer from any psychological problems
P.P.E
When required:
 Personal monitors
 Safety harness/lifeline
 Gloves
 Hearing protection
 Breathing apparatus
 Any others based on job requirements

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 Confined Space Entry
Work Permit
 Identification of the job, location and hazards
 The date of the work and duration of the permit
 Gas tests prior entry and at pre-determined intervals recorded on the permit
 All isolations required or other specific conditions needed to perform the job
safely
 Daily checks regarding permit compliance to be done by supervision
 No permit, no entry !!
 To be requested 24 hrs prior entry to CTJV
 Permit must be signed by the relevant persons
 Posted at the entrance of the confined space

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 Confined Space Entry

Job Watcher Requirements

 Hole Watch to be trained
 Hole Watch to record personnel in and out the confined space in the log book or tally
board
 Hole Watch: communication with personnel inside the confined space and with rescue
team

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 Confined Space Entry
Job Watcher Responsibilities
 To monitor entrants during the job and during entry & exit to help insure
their safety
 The attendant may not abandon his post for any reason while personnel
are in the space unless relieved by another qualified attendant.
 To control access to the confined space
 To summon emergency assistance as needed
 To assess hazards in and around the space, and take action on the
same
 To keep records of confined space work, such as air test results,
personnel entry/exit, etc.

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 Confined Space Entry
Entrant
 To immediately exit a space, without question, upon word of the attendant,
no matter what the reason
 To follow all safety rules and procedures that apply to the job
 To be familiar with the work to be performed and the procedures that apply
to the job. (Pre-Start Toolbox)
 To use the appropriate PPE whenever necessary
 Do not enter in any confined space without a valid confined space entry
permit. !!!

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 Confined Space Entry
Atmosphere Requirements
 Gas testing approved prior entry by CTJV Safety Dept.
 Isolation
 Ventilation
 No gas cylinders inside confined space allowed
 Risk assessment
 Oxygen level: between 19.5 % and 23%.
 Flammable gases: 0 % of Lower Explosive Limit (LEL)
 Carbon Monoxide (co): under 20 ppm
 Hydrogen Sulphide (H2s): 0 ppm

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 Confined Space Entry
Electrical
 Potentially flammables area: explosion proof equipment to be used
 Cables secured/safe routes
 Isolation procedures

Lighting
 Low voltage: below 24 volts
 Double wound full isolation step down transformer
 Battery system
 Hand held torch
 Protective guards to prevent breakage

Electrical Equipment
 Double wound full isolation stepdown transformer to reduce outlet voltage below
50 volts
 Battery operated
 Transformers must be kept outside the confined space

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 HYDROGEN SULPHIDE H2S

 Decomposition of materials. Human waste.

 Rotten egg odour at low concentrations.
 Possibly no warning at high concentrations.
PPM Effect Time
10 ppm Permissible Exposure Level 8 Hours
50 - 100 Mild Irritation - eyes, throat 1 Hour
200 - 300 Significant Irritation 1 Hour
500 -700 Unconsciousness, Death 1/2 - 1 Hour
>1000 Unconsciousness, Death Minutes

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 CARBON MONOXIDE

 Odourless, Colourless Gas.

 Combustion By-Product.
 Quickly collapse at high concentrations.
PPM Effect Time
50 Permissible Exposure Level 8 Hours
200 Slight headache, discomfort 3 Hours
600 Headache, discomfort 1 Hour

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 Confined Space Entry
Flammable Atmosphere
2 Critical Factors:
 Oxygen content in the air.
 Presence of a flammable gas, or vapour
Proper air/gas mixture can lead to an explosion
Typical Ignition Sources:
 Sparking or electric tool
 Welding / cutting operations
 Smoking

Common Types:
 Methane, Acetylene Gas
 Fuel, Solvent, Paint, Vapour
 Coal or Grain Dust

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 Confined Space Entry

Supervisor Responsibilities
 To assure adequate protection is provided to the entrants by verifying adequate
lockout/tagout and that all hazards are securely isolated
 To support the attendant’s authority in controlling access to a confined space
 To verify that all personnel have exited prior to closing the space
 To assure that all personnel involved are aware of the hazards associated with the
space. (Conduct Pre-Start Toolbox)
 To assure that rescue services are available prior to entry

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 COMMUNICATION

Options

 Voice
 Radio
 Lifeline
 Whistle

Safety and Health/MA/Oct'15