Module 7

Health

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 Objectives
• After this module you should be able to
– identify the most common health hazards
– take the necessary steps to avoid and control
those hazards

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 Health Hazards
• Chemical Hazards
– hydrogen sulfide
– carbon monoxide
– silica
– hexavalent chromium
• Physical Hazards
– noise
– heat/cold
• Biological Hazards

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 OSHAct of 1970
• The purpose of the OSHAct is to “assure,
so far as possible, every man and woman
in the nation safe and healthful working
conditions and to preserve our human
resources.”

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 Applicable Standards
• 1910.95 Occupational Noise Exposure
• 1910 Subpart Z Toxic and Hazardous
Substances
• 1926.52 Occupational Noise Exposure
• 1926 Subpart Z Toxic and Hazardous
Substances

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 Chemical Hazards
• Why should chemical hazards be communicated?
– Exposure Risk: about 32 million workers are potentially
exposed to chemical hazards
– Number of Chemicals: about 650,000 chemical
products exist; hundreds of new ones are introduced
annually
– Health Effects: may include heart ailments, central
nervous system damage, kidney and lung damage,
sterility, cancer, burns, and rashes
– Safety Hazards: potential to cause fires, explosions, or
other serious accidents

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 Purpose of HazCom
• The purpose of OSHA’s Hazard
Communication Standard is to
– “… ensure employers and employees know
about work hazards and how to protect
themselves so that the incidence of illnesses
and injuries due to hazardous chemicals is
reduced.”
Container
Hazard Labeling
Communication Material Safety
Program Data Sheet
Program MSDS
Label

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 Multi-Employer Workplaces
• When other employers have employees
on site that may be exposed, the program
must include
– methods to provide contractor employees
with on-site access to MSDS’s
– methods used to inform other employers of
precautionary measures for normal and
emergency situations
– the employer’s chemical labeling system

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 Why a Written Program?
• Employer: program ensures that all
employers receive the information they
need to inform and train their employees
• Employees: program provides necessary
hazard information to employees

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MSDS’s should be kept in a location(s)
that can be easily accessed at all times

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 Labeling
• Containers of hazardous chemicals
entering the workplace must be labeled
with
– identity of chemical
– appropriate hazard warnings
• message, picture, or symbol
• hazards of chemical
• target organs affected
• legible in English, may have other languages
– name and address of responsible party

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 NFPA Label
• National Fire Protection Association
• The higher the number (max is 4), the
greater the hazard
• Check the MSDS

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 what’s in the bucket?

labels must legibly identify

the contents and the hazards 13
 Material Safety Data Sheets
• Prepared by chemical manufacturer or
importer and describes
– physical hazards, such as fire and explosion
– health hazards, such as signs of exposure
– routes of exposure
– precautions for safe handling and use
– emergency and first aid procedures
– control measures

Adobe Acrobat
Document 14
Material Safety Data Sheets

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 read the label and msds before using

identify what it is and what type

of health issues are present 16
 Hydrogen Sulfide
• Also called sour gas (H2S)
• Flammable, colorless gas that is toxic at
extremely low concentrations
• Heavier than air and can accumulate in
low-lying areas

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 Hydrogen Sulfide
• Smells like “rotten eggs” even at low
concentrations
• Causes a worker to quickly loose the sense
of smell
• Many areas of the country where the gas
is found have been identified, but pockets
of it can be found anywhere

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 Possible Solutions for H2S
• Hydrogen sulfide gas can accumulate in
any low or enclosed areas, such as a gas
venting system, mud system, cellars, pits,
and tanks
• Possible solutions
– provide adequate ventilation for the removal
of any accumulation of H2S
– implement effective confined space entry
program

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 H2S Monitoring
• Active monitoring for hydrogen sulfide gas
and good planning and training programs
for workers are the best ways to prevent
injury and death

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 1910 Subpart Z
• 1910.1000 Air Contaminants
– includes Z Tables, worker exposure rates for
specific listed substances
– worker exposure must not exceed these limits
• PEL = permissible exposure limit

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 1910.1000(a) Table Z-1
• 2 types of limits
1. 8-hour time weighted average (TWA)
• worker exposure shall not exceed 8-hour TWA in
any 8-hour work shift of a 40-hour work week
2. Ceiling (c) limits
• worker exposure shall at no time exceed a
ceiling (c) exposure limit
• 2 common units of measure
– Parts per million (ppm)
– Milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3)

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 Table Z-1 Examples
Substance 8-Hour TWA Ceiling
Acetone 1000 ppm
Carbon monoxide 50 ppm
Chlorine 1 ppm
Particulate not otherwise 15 mg/m3, total dust
regulated (PNOR) 5 mg/m3, respirable dust

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 Hydrogen Sulfide
• Decomposition of materials, human waste
• Naturally present in some oil/gas reservoirs
• Rotten egg odor at low concentrations
• Possibly no warning at high concentrations
PPM Effect Time
10 Permissible Exposure Level 8 Hours
50 - 100 Mild Irritation - eyes, throat 1 Hour
150 Olfactory nerve paralysis
200 - 300 Significant Irritation 1 – 1/2 Hour
Pulmonary irritation & edema
500 - 700 Unconsciousness, dizziness 15 - 30 Mins
Death
>1000 Unconsciousness, Death Minutes
Cessation of respiration
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 Carbon Monoxide
• Odorless, colorless 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
1000-2000 Confusion, nausea, headache 2 Hour
1000-2000 Tendency to stagger 1.5 Hours
1000-2000 Slight heart palpitation 30 Min.
2000-2500 Unconsciousness 30 Min.

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Steps to Protect Workers Against
Health Hazards
• Anticipate potential hazards
• Recognize potential hazards
• Evaluate exposure and risk
• Control exposure and risk

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 Hazard Recognition
• The NIOSH Pocket Guide provides chemical
and physical property information about
chemicals.

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 Routes of Exposure
• Inhalation
– airborne contaminants
• Absorption
– through the skin
• Ingestion
– eating
– drinking

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Control Methods

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 Controls
• Engineering controls (remove hazard)
– process change, chemical substitution
– ventilation, shielding, guarding
– requires little or no worker action
• Administrative controls (manage exposure)
– worker rotation, procedures, training
– controlled access areas
– requires worker action

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 Controls
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
– respirators, gloves, clothing
– requires individual worker action
– last line of defense, behind engineering and
administrative controls
– addressed in 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I

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 what’s the health hazard?

identify what it is and what type

of health issues are present 32
 warning signs can alert
workers to workplace hazards

workers should be made aware of hazardous

areas and be prepared to enter such areas 33
Special Emphasis Program (SEP)

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 Health Effects of Silica
• Silicosis
– irreversible but preventable
– most commonly associated with silica dust
• Other possible effects
– lung cancer
– some auto-immune diseases

Scanning electron micrograph by William Jones, Ph.D., compliments of OSHA

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 PEL for Silica

10 mg/m3
= ? mg/m3
% Quartz + 2

PEL for respirable dust

containing a % silica.

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 can you identify the hazard?

Corrective Action: repair air conditioning unit for cab so that operator
can close windows in the cab and prevent dust from entering cab 37
 can you identify the hazard?

Corrective Action: workers should wear a NIOSH-approved respirator

for respirable dust; additionally, water can suppress the dust 38
 Hexavalent Chromium
• A toxic form of chromium metal,
generally man-made.

• Used in many industrial

applications, primarily for its
anti-corrosive properties.

• Can be generated during welding

on stainless steel or metal
structures coated with chromate
paint.

• Used in electroplating (chrome

plating) 39
How Can Hexavalent Chromium Enter the Body?

Inhalation of dusts, mists, or

fumes or hot processes that
cause its formation in fumes.

Eye or skin contact with

powder, dusts, or
liquids

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 Welding Work Practices
When welding, keep your head
out of the welding plume.

Use available local exhaust

ventilation at all times.

21 41
 Types of Respirators for Hexavalent Chromium

In some jobs involving chrome 6

exposure, you may need to wear
a respirator.

The type of respirator worn

depends on the amount of chrome
6 in the air.

The employer must provide you

with the proper respirator and
provide medical evaluations, fit-
testing, and additional training.
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Noise

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 Noise Exposure Limits
Duration per day (hours) Sound level (dBA, slow response)
12 87
10 88.5
8 90
6 92
4 95
3 97
2 100
1½ 102
1 105
½ 110
¼ or less 115

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Noise Exposure Examples

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 Audiometric Testing
• Workers exceeding 85 dBA
• Baseline in 6 months
• Mobile test van, baseline within 1 year
• Avoid noise 14 hours prior
• Annually
• STS 10 dB average in either ear

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Audiogram

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 Factors Leading to Heat Stress
• High temperature and humidity
• Direct sun or heat
• Limited air movement
• Physical exertion
• Poor physical condition
• Some medicines
• Inadequate tolerance for hot workplaces

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 extreme temperature are just as
hazardous as anything else at the
workplace

take breaks and hydrate as often as

necessary; eat, do not work through your
meals 49
Heat Stress

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 Preventing Heat-Related Illness
• Know the signs/symptoms of heat-related
illness; detect them in your co-workers
• Block out direct sun or other heat sources
• Use cooling fans or air conditioning
• Drink lots of water; about 1 cup every 15
minutes
• Wear lightweight, light colored clothes
• Avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks, or heavy
meals
• Rest periodically in a cool area
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 Cold Stress
• The harmful effects of hypothermia, frost
bite, and trench foot may arise for any
worker exposed to high winds and cold
temperatures
• Wet conditions increase these effects
• Hypothermia is when the body’s
temperature dips to 95°F or below
– symptoms are fatigue, uncontrolled shivering,
slurred speech, irritable, bluish skin, and
clumsy
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 Preventing Cold Stress
• Personal protective clothing (3 layers)
– outside layer to block the wind
– middle layer of wool or synthetic fabric
– inner layer of cotton to allow ventilation
– cover hands and face
• Use an on-site source of heat such as air
jets, radiant heaters, or warm contact
plates

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 Bloodborne Pathogens
• Occupational exposure
– reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous
membrane, or parenteral contact
– with blood or other potential infectious
materials (OPIM), e.g. – certain body fluids,
tissues

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keep the change house as orderly as
possible; disinfect frequently

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proper handwashing is key
to the prevention of illnesses

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 Access to Records
• 1910.1020 Access to Employee Exposure
and Medical Records
• Employees, representative, and OSHA
have the right of access
• Preserved for 30 years, with exceptions
• Employee consent for medical records
• OSHA access order posted if identifiable
• Employee information

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Your Employer Is Responsible For
• Inventory: identify and list hazardous chemicals
in workplaces
• MSDS and Labeling: obtain material safety data
sheets and labels for each hazardous chemical, if
not provided by the manufacturer, importer, or
distributor
• Written Program: implement a written HazCom
program including labels, MSDS, and employee
training
• Communication and Training: communicate
hazard information to employees through labels,
MSDS’s, and formal training programs
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 You Are Responsible For
• Correcting the hazards you are able to
correct
• Reporting to your supervisor the hazards
you are unable to correct

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 Case Study
• A 46-year-old died on the job, changing a
gas-flow measuring device. There were
high levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
present. The man was "performing
routine operations within the facility." 
When the oilfield worker failed to check in
at 5pm, another man was sent to check on
him, he found that the hydrogen sulfide
alarm system had been set off.

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 Always Remember
• Ventilation
• Respirator selection and use
• Housekeeping
• Hygiene and facility practices
• Medical requirements
• Training

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 Memory Check
1. What are the 3 routes of entry of
chemicals into the body?
a. ears, eyes, and mouth
b. nose, mouth, and skin
c. swallowing, inhaling, and drinking
d. inhalation, absorption, and ingestion

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 Memory Check
2. How can a worker find out what chemical
is in a product that they use?
a. ask the supervisor
b. look on the label
c. read the MSDS
d. all of the above

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 Memory Check
3. An MSDS
a. is an acronym for Material Safety Data Sheet
b. should be on file for hazardous chemicals
used, stored, and produced on site
c. provides information for handling and
storing chemicals
d. all of the above

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