NEBOSH General Certificate

NEBOSH International General Certificate
Element 8
Element 8
Physical and Psychological Health 
Hazards and Control
Hazards and Control
 NOISE AT WORK

What is Noise ?
Noise is unwanted sound.
THE EAR
Ear drum
Outer Ear

Middle Ear

Cochlea
Inner Ear

Ear lobe
Hearing Loss
There are 2 types
yp of hearing
g loss:

Conductive
ƒ The inability of the sound waves to be conducted to the
Inner ear

Sensory Neural (Nerve Deafness)

ƒ Not generally correctable and is due to damage of the
hair follicles in the Cochlea
Health Effects From Noise
Chronic:
a) Tinnitus (ringing in the ear, over-stimulation of the hair cells)
b)) Permanent threshold shift (p (permanent damage) g )

c) Loss of frequency (damage to hair cells)

Acute:
a) Trauma from loud noise ( explosion, Burst eardrum)
b) Temporary threshold shift (hearing affected at specific frequency)
c)) Short
S term tinnitus (over-stimulation of the auditory nerves)
d) Secondary effects (stress, loss of concentration)
How is noise transmitted
There are three main ways noise can be transmitted:

Direct - Through the air from noise source to receiver

Reflected - Via walls, ceilings,
g and other structures
Ground and structure - Structure borne through wall or
floor
NOISE PATH
Noise Control Technique

Source Path Receiver

Noise Control Techniques
Source: Design, maintenance/lubrication, 
reduce speed/energy

Path: location, enclosure, silencers, 
absorption, damping, isolation, lagging, 
screens

Receiver: ear protection, job rotation
N i Control
Noise C t l on Machinery
M hi (SOURCE)
ƒ Tighten loose equipment
ƒ Regular lubrication
ƒ Eliminate unnecessary leaks
ƒ Properly adjust machinery
ƒ Padded containers for catching components
ƒ Switch
S it h equipment
i t off
ff especially
i ll ffans
ƒ Use rubber or plastic bushes
ƒ Specify noise emissions levels in orders
ƒ Check condition and performance of installed noise control
equipment
N i Control
Noise C t l Measure
M (PATH)
Location 
Move source away from noise sensitive area
y

Enclosure
Surrounding the noise source with sound insulating material (care to 
be taken not to overheat machine)

Silencers
R d i
Reducing noise from exhaust pipes etc. using absorbent materials or 
i f h i i b b i l
baffles

Absorption
Surrounding/obstructing noise source with absorbent materials (e.g. 
foam)
Types of Hearing Protection
Ear Plugs
ƒ Comfort
ƒ Hygiene
H i

E Muffs
Ear M ff or Ear
E D Defenders
f d
ƒ Comfort
ƒ Reusable
Reasons why
R h peoplel DO NOT
wear hearing
g protection
p
ƒ Poor fit ƒ Hygiene
ƒ Resistance to use ƒ Supervision
ƒ Uncomfortable ƒ Deterioration
ƒ Incompatibility ƒ Abuse
ƒ Interference
VIBRATION
Vibration
Hand Arm Vibration:

It is
i associated
i t d with
ith th
the use off h
hand
dhheld
ld
vibrating equipment.

Examples:
p jjack hammers,, compactors,
p ,
grinders.
C
Common effects
ff t off HAVS
Acute:
Tingling or pins and needles in the hands and extremities
Chronic:
Numbness and blanching of the fingers
S ll painful
Swollen i f l jjoints
i t
Reduction in manual dexterity
Reduction in the sensation of touch
Ri k F
Risk Factors
t off vibrating
ib ti tools
t l
ƒ Frequency of the vibration of equipment
ƒ Magnitude of the energy
ƒ Strength of the grip and other forces
ƒ Time/duration of exposure
ƒ Frequency of exposure
ƒ Low temperature
ƒ Individual factors – age,
age health
Control Measures For Vibrating Tools
ƒ Eliminate the use of vibrating tools
ƒ Select low vibration equipment
ƒ Select ergonomically designed equipment
ƒ Maintenance of equipment and tools
ƒ Reduce g grip
p forces required
q
ƒ Reduce exposure time
ƒ Introduce health surveillance
ƒ Provision of gloves and heated pads
ƒ Information and training on risks and indications of injury
RADIATION

Alpha
Beta
Gamma
X-Ray
Neutron
RADIATION
ƒ Ionising Radiation
ƒ Non-ionising Radiation
Radiation
Easy to detect
Using special instruments such as Geiger counters
Radiation can be very penetrating
Radiation can be very penetrating
Can be used to look inside solid objects 
N D t ti t ti
Non Destructive testing
Radiation can destroy living cells 
Useful for sterilizing – Kills micro‐organisms
Destroying cancer cells
RADIATION
IONISING RADIATION Atoms become ionised
Alpha particles (positive charges) Large, attracted to
electrons, short range in dense materials. Can cause
serious damage if ingested or inhaled

Beta Particles Fast moving electrons, smaller than alpha

with greater range and penetrating power

Gamma Rays High energy and penetration power similar

to X rays.
Radiation – Penetrating Power

Skin or paper stops 
Skin or paper stops Thin aluminium 
Thin aluminium Thick Lead stops 
Thick Lead stops
Alpha stops Beta Gamma
Using Alpha Particles in a Smoke Detectors
BETA Radiation
GAMMA Radiation
X Ray
Radiation Effects
ff
Acute Effects Chronic Effects
• Tissue destruction • Cataracts
• Sterility • Cancer
• Burns
• Loss of hair • Possible genetic
• Radiation sickness effect /
• Fatigue abnormalities
• Death
• Still births
Protection Against Ionising

Time Dose rate is directly proportional to exposure time
Distance All points equidistant from the source have same effect
Shielding Physical barrier between the source and the individual
Other Types of Protection Against
Ionising
g Radiation
ƒ Personal Protective Equipment
ƒ Environmental and personal monitoring
ƒ Training and supervision
Training and supervision
ƒ Good hygiene practices
ƒ Correct disposal of radiation materials
Non Ionising Radiation

ƒ Ultra violet (UVR)

ƒ Infra red radiation (IRR)

ƒ Microwaves

ƒ Lasers
Ultra‐Violet
Welding, sun rays
Two main hazards effects on skin and 
eyes

Infra‐red
Hot metal e.g. foundries
g
Heat and for eyes risk of cataracts 
 Lasers

C tti
Cutting S
Surgery
Eyes ‐ damage from mild retina burns to permanent blindness 
 Microwave

Risk of burns to skin and eyes 
Protection From Non Ionising Radiation
ƒ Shielding
ƒ Distance between source and person
ƒ Reducing duration of exposure
ƒ Personal protective equipment
ƒ Protective creams
STRESS
OHP 2

Stress Awareness
What is Stress?

A reaction people have to excessive pressures

yp of demands p
or other types placed upon
p them
Stress
Home Work
Sickness Kind of work
Children Physical conditions
Marital Uncertainty
Financial Conflict
Travel Kind of jobs
d f b
Bereavement
H lth Eff
Health Effects
t off Stress
St
 Work Problems of Stress
Results This reflects in relationships
ƒ Lack of motivation at work as
ƒ Lack of commitment ƒ Tension between colleagues and
ƒ Poor timekeeping supervisor
ƒ Increases in mistakes ƒ Poor service to clients
ƒ I
Increases in
i absence
b ƒ I d R
Ind. Relationship
l ti hi problems
bl
ƒ Poor decision making ƒ Increase in discipline problems
ƒ Poor planning
 Problems that lead to stress
Problems that lead to stress
ƒ Culture of the organisation
ƒ Shift work,
work Unsociable hours
hours, Excessive Overtime
ƒ Job insecurity, fear of redundancy
ƒ Repetitive/Monotonous work
ƒ Lack of breaks and control over job
ƒ Work rate too high or too low
ƒ The working environment
ƒ Relationships (supervisors & peers)
ƒ Harassment and bullying
ƒ Fear of violence
ƒ Lack of communication
ƒ e so a & soc
Personal social
a factors
acto s
OHP 10

Stress Control Measures

QUESTIONS
Question

(a) Identify TWO types of asbestos to which workers in

the construction industry may be exposed. (2)

( ) Give examples
(b) p of where workers might
g find asbestos
while undertaking maintenance or refurbishment work
on a building.(6)
Question

Outline the factors to be considered in the selection

and use of personal head protection at work. (8)
NOISE
Question

A noise survey has been conducted in a factory which has resulted in the
need for provision of hearing protection.

Outline
O tli the
th advantages
d t AND disadvantages
di d t of:
f
(a)earmuffs; (4)
(b) ear plugs. (4)

Ear Plugs
Earmuffs
Advantages : Comfortable Advantages
Can easily be checked that user Inexpensive
Is wearing the protection, Is reusable Disposable & hygienic
Disadvantages : Expensive, hygiene issue Disadvantages:
Wearer may not use it, subject to abuse Uncomfortable
Difficult to check if worker is
wearing the ear plugs
What are the reasons for workers not wearing ear
protections (8)

ƒ Poor fit ƒ Hygiene

ƒ Resistance to use ƒ Supervision
ƒ Uncomfortable ƒ Deterioration
ƒ Incompatibility ƒ Abuse
ƒ Interference
 Question

Identify FOUR types of engineering control that may be

used to reduce noise in the workplace AND give a
practical
ti l examplel off EACH.
EACH (8)

Enclosure
Surrounding the noise source with sound insulating material
(care to be taken not to overheat machine)
Question

Outline the possible effects on health from exposure to high levels of noise. (6)
Chronic:
Tinnitus (ringing in the ear, over-stimulation of the hair cells)
Permanent threshold shift (permanent damage)
Loss of frequency (damage to hair cells)
Acute:
Trauma
au a fromo loud
oud noise
o se ( e
explosion,
p os o , Burst
u st ea
eardrum)
du )
Temporary threshold shift (hearing affected at specific frequency)
Short term tinnitus (over-stimulation of the auditory nerves)
Secondary effects (stress, loss of concentration)

Outline TWO noise control techniques that would benefit all workers. (2)

Location - Move source away from noise sensitive area

Enclosure - Surrounding the noise source with sound insulating material (care to be taken not to
overheat machine)
Health Effects From Noise
Chronic:
a) Tinnitus (ringing in the ear, over-stimulation of the hair cells)
b)) Permanent threshold shift (p (permanent damage) g )

c) Loss of frequency (damage to hair cells)

Acute:
a) Trauma from loud noise ( explosion, Burst eardrum)
b) Temporary threshold shift (hearing affected at specific frequency)
c)) Short
S term tinnitus (over-stimulation of the auditory nerves)
d) Secondary effects (stress, loss of concentration)
RADIATION
Question

(a) Identify TWO types of non-ionising radiation AND give

an occupational source for EACH. (2)
Ultra violet (UVR) – Welding
Infra red radiation (IRR) – Foundary (hot metal)

(b) Outline the health effects associated with exposure

to non-ionising radiation. (2)

Skin burn, mild eye damage to permanent blindness, eye

cataract
Id tif th
Identify the health
h lth effects
ff t that
th t may be
b caused
d by
b ionising
i i i radiation.
di ti (8)

Acute Effects Chronic Effects

• Tissue destruction • Cataracts
• Sterility • Cancer
• Burns
• Loss of hair • Possible genetic
• Radiation sickness effect
ff t / abnormalities
b liti
• Fatigue
• Death
• Still births
Question

(a) Identify FOUR types of ionising radiation.

radiation (4)

Alpha,
p , Beta,, Gamma & X-Rayy
Outline the main control measures for ionising radiation.(4)
Time Dose rate is directly proportional to exposure time
Distance All points equidistant from the source have same effect
Shielding Physical barrier between the source and the individual
Other control measures include:
Personal Protective Equipment
Environmental and personal monitoring
Training and supervision
G dh i
Good hygiene practices
i
Correct disposal of radiation materials
VIBRATION
Question

Outline SIX control measures that can be used to reduce the risk from
vibration. (6)

ƒ Eliminate the use of vibrating tools

ƒ Select low vibration equipment
ƒ Select ergonomically designed equipment
ƒ Maintenance of equipment and tools
ƒ Reduce grip forces required
ƒ Reduce exposure time
ƒ Introduce health surveillance
ƒ P i i off gloves
Provision l anddhheated
t d pads
d
ƒ Information and training on risks and indications of injury
A maintenance worker regularly uses a hand held grinder, and is exposed to
vibration.
Identify the symptoms that the worker may experience due to this exposure.
(2)
Acute:
Tingling or pins and needles in the hands and extremities
Chronic:
Numbness and blanching of the fingers
Swollen painful joints
Reduction in manual dexterity
Reduction in the sensation of touch
OCCUPATIONAL STRESS
2) Outline
O li theh factors
f that
h may lead
l d to unacceptable
bl levels
l l off
occupational stress amongst workers (8)
Stress can be caused by:
y
Working patterns such as shift work,
Unsociable hours or excessive overtime.
J b insecurity
Job i i or the
h fear
f off redundancy.
d d
Job includes repetitive or monotonous work coupled with the lack of
adequate breaks
The feeling that there is a lack of control over the their job this can lead to the
perception that the work load is too high or too low.
Workplace harassment, bullying, or fear of violence
Poor communication can cause heightened stress levels and lead to personal
and social issues e.g. financial, illness, family.