FORMS:

CHEMICAL AGENTS
− Dust
− Fume
− Mist
− Vapour
− Gas
− Liquids
− Solids
BIOLOGICAL AGENTS

• Fungi

e.g. Farmer’s lung

• Bacteria

e.g. legionnaire’s disease, leptospirosis

• Viruses

e.g. HIV, Hepatitis B

Prions

e.g. Madcow disease

Abnormal proteins

CHEMICAL CLASSIFICATION

 Irritant - Inflammation on contact with skin, eyes or mucous

membrane may cause inflammation e.g. adhesives and
detergents

 Corrosive - Destroying of living tissue at point of contact (skin)

strong acids or alkalis i.e. ammonia

 Harmful - Substances which if swallowed, inhaled or penetrate

the skin may cause damage to health e.g. Trichloroethylene
  Very Toxic - Poisonous substances which in very low
quantities may cause death, acute chronic damage to
health e.g. Cyanide

 Toxic - Poisonous substances which in low

quantities may cause death, acute chronic
damage to health e.g. Lead, Mercury, Arsenic

 Carcinogenic - Substances which cause disorders in cell

growth that may lead to cancer or increase its incidence

 Mutagenic - Substances which induce hereditable genetic

defects or increase their incidence

 Teratogenic - Toxic for reproduction. Substances which produce

or increase the incidence of non-heritable effects in
progeny

HEALTH EFFECTS

• Acute

− High levels of exposure

− Short exposure time – 15 minutes

− Quick effect

e.g. high concentration of chlorine gas

• Chronic

− Lower levels of exposure

− Longer exposure time – prolonged ex: 8hr shift

− Long term effect

e.g. repeated exposure to solvents

ROUTES OF ENTRY
 • Inhalation

– inhalable dust

– respirable dust (< 7 microns)

(Silica/ wood dust, Asbestos)

• Ingestion

• Biological agents, chemicals

• Absorption through the skin

• (Dusts/ Chemicals)

• Injection through the skin

• Needle stick

• cuts and grazes

• bites

CELLULAR DEFENCE MECHANISM – REFER TO YOUR NOTES

COSHH ASSESSMENT

1. Identify the hazards

 How much of the substance is in use or produced

 What is the activity at risk

 How long and how often is the exposure

 Who can be exposed and how

 How can the substance enter the body

 In what form is of the substance

 What is the concentration of the substance

 Is the substance assigned an exposure limit

 Are there any ill-health reports

 Look at the results of health surveillance

2. Decide who might be harmed and how;

 Operators

 Co-workers

 Contractors

 Visitors

 Trespassers

 Public

 Pregnant woman

 Young workers

 Disabled

3. Evaluate the health risk

Likelihood and severity

Existing control measures

Medical surveillance

Accident reports

Ill health reports

4. Record the findings

Observations

Unsafe conditions and practices

Interview

Sampling

5. Review the assessment & 6. Revise

Tests of controls indicate a problem
Results of monitoring

Results of health surveillance

Complaints from workforce

New process or substance introduced

Change in exposure limit

Employee contracts a disease

Increase in use of hazardous substance

Supervision reports improper use of equipment

Enforcement actions

Compensation claims

ASSESSING FACTORS – SUMMARY

• Hazardous nature of substance

• Potential ill-health effects

• Physical forms

• Routes of entry

• Quantity

• Concentration

• Number of people exposed

• Assigned exposure limit (WEL)

• Frequency of exposure

• Duration of exposure

• Existing control measures

 SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 PRODUCT LABELS
 LEGISLATION – GUIDANCE
MSDS

1. Details of substance and supplier

2. Composition of substance

3. Hazard identification

4. First-aid measures

5. Fire-fighting measures

6. Accidental release measures

7. Handling and storage

8. Exposure controls/PPE

9. Physical/Chemical properties

10.Stability and reactivity

11.Toxicological information

12.Ecological information

13.Disposal requirements

14.Transport information

15.Regulatory information

16.Other information

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE MONITORING

Basic Surveys - Stain tube detector

  Stain tube detectors use direct reading glass indicator tubes filled with
chemical crystals which change colour when a particular hazardous
substances passes through them

 Basic Surveys - Passive samplers

 Passive sampling is measured over a full working period by the worker

wearing a badge containing absorbent material. The material will absorb
the contaminant substance, and, at the end of the measuring period, the
sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis.

 Smoke tubes

 Smoke tubes generate a white smoke which may be used to indicate the
direction of flow of air – this is particularly useful when the air speed is
very low or when testing the effectiveness of ventilation ducting.

Direct Reading Instruments

 Constant monitor

 Sophisticated analyzers

 Trained and experienced operatives

 Dust monitoring equipments

 A dust observation lamp enables dust particles which are normally

invisible to the human eye to be observed in the light beam.

 This dust is usually in the respirable range and, although the lamp
does not enable any measurements of the dust to be made, it will
illustrate the operation of a ventilation system and the presence of such
dust.

DUST

Respirable dust:

Airborne dust of such a size about 5-10 microns that is able to enter the lungs
during normal breathing

Respiratory diseases:
 • Asbestosis (chronic inflammatory medical condition affecting the
tissue of the lungs)

• Silicosis (occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of

crystalline silica dust)

• Asthma chronic …the airways occasionally constrict

• Bronchitis (an acute inflammation of the air passages within the

lungs)

• Lung Cancer

• Farmer’s lung (a disease of dairy farmers who handle

contaminated hay)

WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS – OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS

PURPOSE OF WEL/OEL

 Used as reference tools for systematic management of chemical risks

 Used as reference tools for monitoring workplace exposure

 OELs are also useful reference tools, from a scientific/ technical

perspective, for large scale surveillance of exposure

 They provide an important informative and educative role in raising

awareness on chemical risks

 Helpful role in defining specification standards that can be used in

determining risk management issues concerning the purchase and
installation of new plant.

Long term exposure limit (LTEL) Chronic effect:

 This is an amount time – weighted average, you can safely breath,

based on an eight-hour day over a period of 5 days.

Short term exposure limit (STEL) Acute effect:

 This is an amount maximum average, you can safely be exposed to 15

minute period.
Maximum Allowable Concentration (MAC):

 The maximum exposure to a biologically active physical or chemical

agent that is allowed during an 8-hour period (a workday) in a
population of workers, or during a 24-hour period in the general
population, which does not appear to cause appreciable harm, whether
immediate or delayed for any period, in the target population.

LIMITATIONS OF OEL

Being below a limit does not prove it is safe:

• Only concerned with inhalation

• No account of individual sensitivity or susceptibility

• Many developed on male physiology

• No account of synergistic or combined effects

• Invalid if normal environmental conditions change

• Organisation may not realise that controls are no longer effective and
limits are not adhered to

• Monitoring equipment may become inaccurate

• Some limits are only “guidelines”

• Non-inhalation effects, e.g. Dermatitis, aren’t considered

CONTROL MEASURES

• Eliminate process,

− e.g. outsource painting

• Change work,

− e.g. screw rather than glue

• Dispose of unwanted stock

• Substitute hazardous for non-hazardous,

 − e.g. irritant to non-hazardous floor cleaner, or corrosive to irritant

• Do the job differently

− E.g. applying solvent by brush rather than spraying

− Vacuuming rather than sweeping to keep dust levels down

REDUCE EXPOSURE TIME

• Job rotation

• Exclude non-essential personnel

• Link to WEL’s

ENCLOSURE/SEGREGATION

• Enclosure

− Totally enclose the substance

− Prevent access to it

• Segregation

− Keep people away

− Designated areas

ENGINEERING CONTROLS

FACTORS REDUCING EFFECTIVENESS OF LOCAL EXHAUST VENTILATION

• Poorly positioned intake hoods

• Damaged ducts

• Excessive amount of contamination

• Ineffective fan

• Blocked filters

• Sharp bends in ducts

 • Build up of contaminant in the ducts

• Unauthorised additions to the system

DILUTION VENTILATION

• Diluting the contaminant

• Changes the air

• Passive dilution - vents

• Active dilution - powered fans

• Used where:

– WEL is high

– formation of gas or vapour is slow

– operators are not close to contamination

• Important to know whether contaminant is lighter or heavier than air

Limitations:

• Not suitable for highly toxic substances

• Compromised by sudden release of large quantities of contaminant

• Do not work well

– for dust

– where the contaminant is released at a point of source

• Dead areas may exist

PPE

Two types:

• Respirators

– filter contaminated air

 • Breathing apparatus (BA)

− oxygen depleted atmospheres

− provide clean source of air

Factors to consider:

• Concentration of the contaminant and its hazards

• Physical form of the substance

• Level of protection offered by the RPE

• Presence or absence of oxygen

• Duration of time that it must be worn

• Compatibility with other items of PPE

• Shape of the user’s face

• Facial hair

• Physical requirements of the job

• Physical fitness of the wearer

PERSONAL HYGIENE

• Hand-washing routines

• Careful removal and disposal of PPE to prevent cross-contamination to

normal clothes

• Prohibition of eating, drinking and smoking in work areas

• Washing facilities

• Changing facilities

• Rest areas
HEALTH SURVIELLANCE

• Health monitoring

– signs of disease

– symptoms of chronic conditions,

e.g. flour workers have lung function tests to check for asthma

• Biological monitoring

– checks for contaminants within the

body,

e.g. lead

• Pre-employment screening

– establishes a ‘baseline’

BOIOLOGICAL AGENTS – VACCINATION

• Against biological agents, e.g.

– Hepatitis B

– Tetanus

– Typhoid

• Worker consent required

• Immunity not always achieved

• False sense of security

SPECIFIC AGENTS

ASBESTOS

Naturally occurring mineral fibres used for fire-resistant building and lagging
materials
 • Blue - Crocidolite

• Brown - Amosite

• White - Chrysolite

Diseases :

– asbestosis

– lung cancer

– mesothelioma

– diffuse pleural thickening

Where it is used..?

– Asbestos cement roofs

– Ceiling tiles

– Fire break walls

– Floor tiles

– Downpipes

– Pipe lagging

– Gaskets

EMPLOYER’S RESPONSIBILITY

In general:

• Work must be notified to the enforcement agency

• Work area sealed

• PPE and RPE

• Negative pressure ventilation system with efficient

filters

• Asbestos waste
 – securely double bagged

– labelled

– disposed as hazardous waste

• Dust levels monitored inside & outside sealed work area

• Worker exposure must not exceed control limit

• Health surveillance provided

BLOOD BORNE VIRUS

• HIV/AIDS

• Hepatitis A

– contracted orally by cross contamination of faecal

matter,

– e.g. sewage workers

• Hepatitis B

– transmitted in body fluids, e.g. blood

– health care workers, fire-fighters, police

Symptoms

– jaundice, liver damage

CONTROLS

Typical controls:

– PPE: gloves, eye protection

– Disposal of material as clinical waste

– Prevention of needle stick injuries

– Decontamination and disinfection

– Vaccination
 – Accident procedures, e.g. Needle stick injuries

CARBON MONOXIDE

Colourless, odourless gas

• By-product of combustion, e.g. poorly maintained boilers

• Inhalation hazard

• Prevents red blood cells absorbing oxygen

• Chemical asphyxiation

– Low levels – worsening headaches

– High levels – rapid unconsciousness and death

CONTROLS

– Competent engineers for gas systems

– Maintenance and testing of boilers and flues

– Good ventilation

– LEV for workshop vehicle exhausts

– Siting of equipment containing combustion engines

– CO alarms

– Confined space entry controls

CEMENT

Harmful effects:

• Irritation of the:

– eyes

– respiratory tract

– skin
 • Allergic dermatitis and corrosive burns to skin
on repeated/prolonged

• Typical controls:

• Eliminating or reducing exposure

• PPE – gloves, dust masks, eye protection

• Removal of contaminated clothing

• Good hygiene and washing skin on contact

LEGIONELLA BACTERIA

Legionnaire’s disease

• Water-loving soil bacteria

• Inhalation hazard

• Mists particularly high risk

• Flu-like fever, pneumonia

Typical controls:

• Enclosing water systems

• Water treatment, e.g. chlorination

• Hot water >60oC

• Biocides (treatment chemicals)

• Prevention of limescale

• Routine cleaning of cooling towers

• Water sampling and analysis

LEPTOSPIRA

• Infected urine from: rats, mice, cattle and horses

 • Contaminated water in contact with cuts, grazes, etc.

• Dairy farmers, sewage workers, water sports instructors

• Flu-like symptoms, jaundice, liver damage (Weil’s disease)

Typical controls:

• Preventing rat infestation – good housekeeping, pest control

• Good personal hygiene

• PPE, especially gloves

• Covering cuts and grazes

• Issuing ‘at risk cards’ to workers

SILICA

• Component of rock

• Quarries, pottery and construction industry

• Inhalation hazard

• Causes scar tissue to form in lungs

Typical controls:

• Alternative work methods

• Dust suppression by water

• LEV

• RPE

• Heath surveillance

WOOD DUST

• Inhalation hazard

• Causes asthma, Nasal cancer

 • Hard woods can cause cancer

Typical controls:

• LEV

• Vacuuming rather than sweeping

• RPE

• Health surveillance

WASTE

Employer’s responsibility

• Those who generate, handle, treat or dispose of waste are under a duty
of care

• Responsibility to ensure that it:

− Is managed legally

− Does not escape

− Is transferred to an authorised person

− Is adequately described

− Is accompanied by correct paperwork

Waste classification

• Substances:

– highly flammable

– toxic

– carcinogenic

– corrosive

• Products:
 – batteries

– refrigerators

– freezers

– televisions

– fluorescent light tubes

– computer monitors

Non-hazardous waste

Household waste, paper, wood, biodegradable mater

SAFE HANDLING & STORAGE

Factors to consider – solid wastes:

• The hazardous nature of the waste

• Manual handling risks

• Safe access to skips, bins, etc.

• Don’t store on unmade ground

• Moving parts of compactors

• Vehicle hazards, e.g. skip lorries

• Security of the waste

• Segregation

• Documentation

Factors to consider – liquid wastes:

• Containers located in bund, away from walls

• Bunds have 110% capacity of
largest container

• Provision for rainwater

• Transfer points, e.g. pumps bunded

• Protect bund from damage

• Bunds checked and maintained

• Availability of spill kits

• Drain covers