CONTROL HAZARDS AND RISKS

1. OHS PROCEDURES IN CONTROLLING HAZARDS

How Can Hazards be Controlled? 

Sometimes hazards can be eliminated altogether but, most often, measures need to be put
in place to properly manage them.   It helps to be systematic.  

Look at the business decisions that affect safety. Start with the big ones, like whether to
repair or upgrade your equipment, and work your way down until you find a practical
solution.  

                

Hierarchy of Controls

        

Traditionally, a hierarchy of controls is used to determine how to implement feasible and

effective controls for any hazard.

 
Control methods at the top of the hierarchy are potentially more effective and protective
than those at the bottom.  Following the hierarchy can lead to the implementation of
inherently safer systems, where the risk of illness or injury can be substantially reduced.
Always follow the order of this hierarchy when considering how to control any laboratory
hazard.

Ø  Elimination/Substitution

Ø  Engineering Controls

Ø  Work Practices (also called Administrative Controls)  

Ø  Personal Protective Equipment

Ø  References for Best Safety Practices 

Elimination
Can you eliminate the hazard? Eliminating the hazard means physically removing the hazard
from the procedure or the work area. Eliminating the hazard is the most effective method of
minimizing an exposure to any hazard. However, elimination is not often a viable option.

Examples:

·            Dispose of an old hazardous chemical,

·            Remove an extension cord from laying across a traveled path, or

·            Lock and Tag a dangerous machine out of service.

Substitution
Substitution replaces a hazard with an action or material that is less hazardous. 

Examples: Replace ethidium bromide, a mutagen, with GelRed, SafeRed, or SYBR Safe. Be

wary of marketing terms such as "natural", "green", etc.  Carefully review the Safety Data
Sheet of any replacement product. Contact Safety staff if you are unsure if the replacement
is actually a better choice.

 
Note: Do not dispose of these less hazardous ethidium bromide replacements in the UVM
trash. Label and collect for them for proper lab waste disposal.

Engineering Controls
Engineering controls are used to remove a hazard or place a barrier between the user and
the hazard. Engineering controls may be ducted and exhausted out of the building or may
use a filter to capture aerosols or particles. Well-designed engineering controls can provide
highly effective protection to the user.

The initial cost of an engineering control can often be higher than the cost of administrative
controls or personal protective equipment. However, over the long term, operating costs are
frequently lower.  Engineering controls often require some form of maintenance such as
calibration of monitors and alarms, filter replacement and/or specific airflow certifications
upon installation or annually.

Examples: 

·         Chemical fume hood

·         biosafety cabinet

·         task-oriented ventilation such as a snorkle, a glove box, or a downdraft table.

 Work Practices

Work Practices are also called "administrative controls". They include altering the way in
which a procedure is done, monitored and/or restricted.  

Examples:

·         using proper labeling and signage to communicate the hazard to others

·         conducting monthly lab self-inspections to regularly eliminate any noticeable hazards

·         instituting a "buddy system" when hazardous work is being performed,

·         having an emergency plan: consider "What if...." Then, train lab users before an
emergency happens,
·         relocating a piece of equipment so the flow of work can be done safely and more
efficiently,

·         restricting the length of time that a person is exposed to noise, a particular substance
or a specific activity,

·         enforcing rules about daily housekeeping,

·         performing regular equipment maintenance,

·         instituting strict personal hygiene practices,

·         establishing a Working Alone Policy,

·         requiring the use of Unattended Operations signage, or

·         creating a written standard operating procedure (SOP).

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is often referred to as the last line of defense.  As a
control method, PPE has  proven to be less effective than other control measures. PPE is
generally used with some form of engineering control. 

Proper PPE must be made available for an emergency response or cleanup procedure as
well. Proper PPE increases the level of safety protection from a chemical, biological or
physical hazard during an unexpected event.

Monitoring 

Hazard controls need to be reviewed periodically to make sure they are still effective and
appropriate.  This can be part of your regular safety inspections. Talking with staff
and the Joint Health and Safety Committee (if you have one) is an excellent way to start to
get an idea about how well controls are working and what could be done even better. 

Some questions to consider when reviewing hazard controls are: 

·      Is the hazard under control?  Have the steps taken to manage it solved the problem? 
·      Are the risks associated with the hazard under control too? 

·      Have any new hazards been created? 

·      Are new hazards being controlled appropriately? 

·      Do workers know about the hazard and what has been done to control it? 

·      Do workers know what they need to do to work safely? 

·      If there is a new hazard, are workers trained properly to deal with it? 

·      Are there written records of all identified hazards, their risks, and the control measures
taken? 

·      What else can be done?

2. THE 5S SYSTEM

SEIRI, SEITON, SEISO, SEIKETSU, SHITSUKE

·      5-S is a process originally coming from Japan.

·      5S is a lean housekeeping methodology to clean and organize the work place.

·      5S focuses on having visual order, organization, cleanliness and standardization.

5S is a determination to organize the work place, to keep it    neat and clean, to maintain the
discipline necessary  to do a good job. Corporations have adapted & created an English
equivalent to the original Japanese   5-S words. 5S may be thought or as 4S + 1S with 4
components plus commitment to sustain was gained

Sort means to Separate needed tools,parts, and instructions from unneeded materials and to

remove the latter.

Simplify means to neatly arrange And identify parts and tools for ease of use.

Scrub/shine means to clean up.

Standardize means to maintain cleanliness, keeping the  workplace in perfect condition-

perpetual
Cleaning.

Sustain means having the commitment to

form the habit of always following the 5S  Principles.      
 

THE 5S SYSTEM

1.      SORT (Disposal)

Clearly distinguishes between what is needed and kept/ what is unneeded and thrown out.
Keep only what is necessary in the work area. Store often used items at the work area, store
infrequently used items away from the work area and disposed of unneeded items.

2.      STRAIGHTEN (Arrangement)

Organize the way necessary things are kept, making it easier to find and utilize them.
Everything has a place and everything in its place, providing an efficient way to find items.
Not having to search for items saves time.

3.      SWEEP (Cleanliness)

Floors; walls, ceilings, equipment and furniture are kept in new condition. The area is kept
clean on a continual basis because a dirty environment cannot produce a quality product
and process.

4.      SCHEDULE (System Methodology)

Each department maintains a schedule to insure that the first three S’s - Sort, Straighten and
Sweep are maintained, preventing regression back to an unclean environment. Items are
returned to their designated places after use. The need for special clean-up efforts, which
cost time and money, are eliminated. Clean while the task is small – routinely when a task is
complete.

 
5.      SUSTAIN (Disciplined Culture)

Practice and repeat the process until 5-S becomes a way of life. Housekeeping is built into
the everyday processes in a continuing, sustaining way. Commitment and discipline toward
housekeeping is essential in taking the first step to becoming a World-Class Procedure.

3. PROCEDURE IN DEALING WITH WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS

What to do in an Emergency

Emergencies can occur at any time for a variety of reasons. The first priority is always your
safety. Be prepared to respond independently, particularly if working after-hours.

·         Standard emergency response

·         Alarms

·         Emergency lockdown

·         Medical emergencies

·         Hazardous material incidents

·         Gas leaks

·         Bomb threats

Standard emergency response

1.   Warn anyone in immediate danger

2.   Contain or manage the situation, if safe to do so

3.   Raise the alarm by activating a 'Break Glass' alarm

4.   Evacuate via your closest safe exit

5.   Call emergency Hotline

 
Alarms
All employees and visitors must respond to emergency alarms and follow instructions.

1.   Check for any sign of immediate danger

2.   Shut down equipment/processes

3.   Follow the EXIT signs to evacuate

4.   Escort visitors and those who require assistance

5.   Do not use lifts

6.   Proceed to assembly area

Do not enter a building in alarm, or re-enter an evacuated building until the "all clear" has
been given.

Emergency lockdown
You will be notified if an emergency lockdown is required by the Emergency Services,
Security or University emergency responders, via building announcements or other
mechanisms. These procedures are implemented to ensure building occupants are
protected from external threats, e.g. severe storms or civil disturbance.

1.     Remain calm

2.     Stay inside the building until instructed otherwise

3.     Follow instructions

Medical emergencies
If a person is seriously ill or injured don't hesitate to call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an
ambulance.
1.     Call for an ambulance

2.     Contact the closest first aider

3.     If the person is unconscious, send for the closest Automated External Defibrillator
(AED)

4.     Call Security

5.     Send people to flag and direct the ambulance on arrival

Hazardous material incidents

Hazardous materials include chemicals, biological materials and radioactive substances in all
forms. Staff and students working with hazardous materials are required to plan for
emergencies including the need to stop work quickly and respond to spills or an
uncontrolled release. Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for specific hazard information.

General spill procedures

1. Control the source of release or contain the spill, if safe to do so

2. Evacuate and secure the immediate area

3. Determine if local and/or emergency services assistance is required

Gas leaks
Many of the workplace buildings are serviced by natural gas. This natural gas can be
detected by odor.

Natural gas will quickly dissipate in naturally ventilated areas and pose a limited risk of fire
or explosion. Despite this, avoid the use of mobile phones (potential ignition source) in the
immediate area.

Bomb threats
Bomb threats are usually received via a telephone call. If you receive a bomb threat:

1.     Try to remain calm

2.     Do not disconnect the call

3.     Call Security

4.     Notify your supervisor and head of area

The threat will be assessed by Security and the Police.

4. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

w  The last line of defense in Industrial Hygiene control

w  Aids in controlling individual exposure

w  Does not eliminate the hazard

Limitations of PPE

w  It does not reduce or eliminate the hazard

w  If PPE is defective, the wearer may be exposed to the hazard without knowledge of it

w  Protection afforded to wearer only

w  May introduce additional hazards to the wearer

w  May transfer hazards to another location

w  May not be suitable for continuous use (i.e. respiratory PE )

w  May not always be worn properly

No protection if PPE is:

      PPE is  Defective

      Wrong Use

      Wrong Size

      Wrong Type

 Employers Responsibility: Issue Free PPE!

PPE Program is composed of the following:

·         Selection                       

·         Fitting

·         Health Aspects

·         Compatibility

·         Issue 

·         Proper Use                    

·         Maintenance                           

·         Disposal

·         Information & Training 

·         Supervision

1.         Selection

To be done by a suitably trained person with adequate information of the task, hazards,
personnel, materials, etc..

2.         Fitting
·         When first issued, the user should also be trained to check the fit whenever the
equipment is used

·         Ensure an adequate fit under careful supervision

·         Various sizes of each type of equipment should be made available to fit the typical
size range

·         Do not force the PPE to fit the body

1.         Health Aspects

·         Use of PPE can have an impact on an employees health (e.g..... skin irritation, heat
stress)

·         A number of medical conditions may make it difficult to use certain equipment

2.      Compatibility

·         If more than one type of PPE is required to be worn simultaneously, then the harmony
of the individual items needs to be evaluated.

·         The PPE also needs to be compatible with the task involved

3.      Issue

·         Provision should be made to control the issue of PPE to employees, remembering that
several types of equipment may be available.

4.       Proper Use

·         PPE is effective if worn properly for the appropriate task

·         Use of PPE by Supervisor encourages employees and enforces PPE programs

·         Equipment that can provide complete protection, but which is not properly used, may
provide no protection at all

·         Employees should be prevented from taking used PPE for domestic purposes

5.      Maintenance (Cleaning & Storage)

·         Depending on type of equipment used, procedures need to be established for its
cleaning and maintenance when necessary

·         Exempted here are single use items (disposable)

6.      Disposal

·         Used PPE can be contaminated with toxic agents  and disposal procedures need
careful consideration.  Depending on the circumstances, equipment may need to be treated
as toxic waste

7.      Information & Training

·         Employees have to be given sufficient information and proper training about the
hazards associated with their jobs to enable them to work safely with minimal risk to health

8.      Supervision

·         A PPE program is unlikely to be successful unless the first line supervisory personnel
are knowledgeable and held accountable for effective use of PPE

·         Supervisors must set an example by wearing PPE as appropriate and ensure its use by
others as required