INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMA IN

SAFETY ENGINEERING
(IDSE)
 UNIT 2

PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATION OF

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN
SAFETY
 ELEMENT 8
ASSESS THE BIOLOGICAL HEALTH HAZARDS AT
THE WORKPLACE AND THE APPLICATION OF
SUITABLE CONTROLS
 LEARNING OUTCOMES
- EXPLAIN COMMON BIOLOGICAL AGENTS AT THE WORKPLACES
AND THE OCCUPATIONS WHICH POSE MOST RISKS
- ASSESS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HEALTH HAZARDS DUE TO
PRESENCE OF BIOLOGICAL AGENTS WITHIN THE WORKPLACE
- JUSTIFY THE CONTROL MEASURES COMMENSURATE WITH THE
LEVEL OF RISK AGAINST BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
- ASSESS THE WORKPLACE HYGIENE CONDITIONS AND THE
AWARENESS AMONGST THE WORKERS REGARDING BIOLOGICAL
HAZARDS
 LEARNING OUTCOMES
- IDENTIFY AND INTERPRET THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
REGARDING THE CONTROL OF BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS AND
HYGIENE
- EXPLAIN VARIOUS METHODS FOR DETECTION AND
CONTAINMENT OF BIOLOGICAL AGENTS
- EXPLAIN THE USE OF ENGINEERING CONTROLS AS MEASURES
AGAINST BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS FOR A RANGE OF OCCUPATIONS
AND WORKPLACES
 BIOLOGICAL AGENTS
- WHAT ARE BIOLOGICAL AGENTS
- TYPE OF BIOLOGICAL AGENTS
- WHERE ARE THE FOUND
- CHARACTERISTICS OF BIOLOGICAL AGENTS
- HEALTH EFFECTS
 QUIZ
WHAT DOES HALF LIFE TELLS US ABOUT
RADIOACTIVE ELEMENTS?
 WORK ACTIVITIES WHICH INVOLVE EXPOSURE
- WORK IN FOOD PRODUCTION PLANTS
- WORK IN AGRICULTURE
- WORK IN BIOTECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTION OF SOME
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS
- WORK ACTIVITIES WHERE THERE IS CONTACT WITH ANIMALS OR
PRODUCTS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN (OR BOTH)
- WORK IN HEALTH CARE, INCLUDING ISOLATION AND POST MORTEM
UNITS, FUNERAL AND CREMATION UNDERTAKINGS.
- WORK IN CLINICAL, VETERINARY AND DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORIES,
EXCLUDING DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGICAL LABORATORIES
- WORK IN REFUSE DISPOSAL PLANTS
- WORK IN SEWAGE PURIFICATION INSTALLATIONS
 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL MEASURES
- KEEP THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES EXPOSED OR LIKELY TO BE
EXPOSED TO A BIOLOGICAL AGENT AS LOW AS POSSIBLE.
- USE BOTH COLLECTIVE PROTECTION MEASURES AND
INDIVIDUAL PROTECTION MEASURES WHERE EXPOSURE
CANNOT BE AVOIDED BY OTHER MEANS.
- USE HYGIENE MEASURES COMPATIBLE WITH THE AIM OF
PREVENTING OR REDUCING THE ACCIDENTAL TRANSFER OR
RELEASE OF A BIOLOGICAL AGENT FROM THE WORKPLACE.
- USE THE BIO-HAZARD SIGN AND OTHER RELEVANT WARNING
SIGNS.
- DRAW UP PLANS TO DEAL WITH ACCIDENTS INVOLVING A
BIOLOGICAL AGENT.
 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL MEASURES
- USE MEANS FOR SAFE COLLECTION, STORAGE AND DISPOSAL OF
WASTE BY EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING THE USE OF SECURE AND
IDENTIFIABLE CONTAINERS, AFTER SUITABLE TREATMENT
WHERE APPROPRIATE.
- MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SAFE COLLECTION, STORAGE
AND DISPOSAL OF WASTE BY EMPLOYEES WITHIN THE
WORKPLACE.
 HAZARDS GENERATED BY BIOLOGICAL AGENTS
INFECTION AT THE WORKPLACE CAN OCCUR VIA DIFFERENT
SOURCES SUCH AS
- BLOOD AND OTHER BODY FLUIDS
- HUMAN BODIES, ANIMAL CARCASSES AND RAW MEAT
- HUMAN OR ANIMAL WASTE PRODUCTS SUCH AS FAECES AND URINE
- RESPIRATORY DISCHARGES SUCH AS COUGHS AND SNEEZES
- SKIN CONTACT.
ALLERGIC AND TOXIC REACTIONS CAN OCCUR VIA:
- MOULDS OR MOULD SPORES
- DUST MITES, FEATHERS, ANIMAL HAIRS, POLLEN.
 RISK ASSESSMENT
- STEP 1. IDENTIFYING HAZARDS AND THOSE AT RISK. LOOKING
FOR THOSE THINGS AT WORK THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO
CAUSE HARM, AND IDENTIFYING WORKERS WHO MAY BE
EXPOSED TO THE HAZARDS.
- STEP 2. EVALUATING AND PRIORITIZING RISKS. ESTIMATING
THE EXISTING RISKS IN TERMS OF SEVERITY AND PROBABILITY
OF POSSIBLE HARM AND PRIORITIZING THEM IN ORDER OF
IMPORTANCE.
- STEP 3. DECIDING ON PREVENTIVE ACTION. IDENTIFYING THE
APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE OR CONTROL THE
RISKS.
- STEP 4. TAKING ACTION. PUTTING IN PLACE THE PREVENTIVE
AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES THROUGH A PRIORITIZATION
 THE TRANSMISSION CHAIN
- RESERVOIR
- PORTAL OF EXIT
- MODE OF TRANSMISSION
- PORTAL OF ENTRY
- POTENTIAL HOST
 CONTROL MEASURES
WORK ACTIVITIES
- INFORMING WORKERS. POST WRITTEN INFORMATION IN THE
WORKPLACE.
- REGULAR TRAINING OF WORKERS
- REGISTERING EXPOSED WORKERS AND THEIR WORK ACTIVITIES.
- ASSESSING THE NATURE, DEGREE AND DURATION OF WORKERS’ EXPOSURE
TO BIOLOGICAL AGENTS.
- CLASSIFYING (RANKING) IDENTIFIED BIOLOGICAL AGENTS
- PROVIDING/IMPLEMENTING IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMMES FOR
WORKERS WHEN NECESSARY.
- EXAMINING WORKERS REGULARLY WITH REGARD TO HEALTH RISKS AT
THEIR WORKPLACE.
- AVOIDING GENERATION OF AEROSOLS BY USING LOW PRESSURE.
 CONTROL MEASURES
WORKERS
- INFORMING WORKERS ABOUT POSSIBLE RISKS AND HAZARDS.
- PROVIDING SAFETY DATASHEETS AND GUIDANCE MATERIAL ON
BIOLOGICAL AGENTS.
- EXAMINING WORKERS REGULARLY WITH REGARD TO HEALTH RISKS AT
THEIR WORKPLACE.
- REGULAR TRAINING OF WORKERS
- INFORMING WORKERS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AND SPECIAL SAFETY AND
HEALTH PRECAUTIONS.
- GIVING SPECIAL ATTENTION TO WORKERS AT RISK.
- PROVIDING/IMPLEMENTING IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMMES FOR
WORKERS WHEN NECESSARY.
- TRAINING WORKERS ON HOW TO USE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
 CONTROL MEASURES
WORKERS
- INFORMING AND TRAINING WORKERS ABOUT THE CHAIN OF INFECTION.
- ENSURING THAT CLEANERS AND MAINTENANCE STAFF ARE INFORMED
ABOUT BIOLOGICAL RISKS.
- TRAINING CLEANERS AND MAINTENANCE STAFF
- ENSURING THAT WORKERS ARE AWARE OF AND INFORMED ABOUT SAFETY
AND WARNING SIGNS
- ENSURING THAT NEW AND YOUNG WORKERS ARE TRAINED.
- ENSURING THAT YOUNG/NEW WORKERS ARE APPROPRIATELY SUPERVISED
- TRAINING WORKERS ON HOW TO USE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT.
- ENSURING THAT ALL WORKERS UNDERSTAND THE SAFETY INFORMATION
AND TRAINING.
 CONTROL MEASURES
WORKPLACE
- ESTABLISHING WASTE MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES.
- ENSURING THAT WASTE MATERIAL IS COLLECTED AND DISPOSED OF IN A
SAFE MANNER
- PROVIDING SPECIAL WASTE DISPOSAL (E.G. SPECIAL CONTAINERS FOR
NEEDLES AND SHARPS).
- REGULAR CLEANING AND DISINFECTION.
- KEEPING RECORDS ON CLEANING ACTIVITIES (CLEANING PLAN).
- PROVIDING APPROPRIATE RESTROOMS, WASHING EQUIPMENT, EATING
AREAS FOR ALL WORKERS.
- INSTALLING ADEQUATE VENTILATION.
- INSPECTING AND CLEANING EXHAUST VENTILATION SYSTEMS ON A
REGULAR BASIS TO MAINTAIN MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY AND TO
 CONTROL MEASURES
ORGANIZATION
- ACCIDENT PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED SUCH AS PERSONS TO
NOTIFY, MEASURES TO TAKE, ACCIDENT REPORTING AND RECORD
KEEPING.
 CONTROL MEASURES
PPE
- PROVIDING APPROPRIATE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
- ENSURING THAT THE PPE IS APPROPRIATE TO EU STANDARDS AND CE
MARKING.
- TRAINING OF WORKERS ON HOW TO USE PPE.
- MAKING SURE THAT PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT IS STORED WHERE IT
CANNOT BE CONTAMINATED
- CARRYING OUT REGULAR TECHNICAL CHECKS OF THE PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
- ENSURING THAT PPE IS NOT USED OUTSIDE THE WORKPLACE.
- PROVIDING APPROPRIATE CHANGING ROOMS
- ENSURING THAT THE WORKERS HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO CHANGE THEIR
CLOTHES.
 CONTROL MEASURES
HYGIENE
- PROHIBITING SMOKING, EATING, DRINKING AND APPLICATION OF
COSMETICS AT THE WORKPLACE.
- PROVIDING ADEQUATE (HAND) WASHING FACILITIES (WITH SOAP AND IF
NECESSARY DISINFECTANTS).
- ENSURING THAT ALL WORKERS HAVE EASY ACCESS TO (HAND) WASHING
FACILITIES.
- WASHING HANDS BEFORE EATING, DRINKING, SMOKING.
- CLEANSING AND DISINFECTING ALL WOUNDS AND COVERING WOUNDS
WITH PLASTER.
 CONTROL MEASURES
FIRST AID/EVACUATION OF WORKERS
- INFORMING AND TRAINING WORKERS ABOUT WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF
EMERGENCY OR PROBLEMS.
- PROVIDING WELL-TRAINED SAFETY PERSONNEL.
- ENCOURAGING WORKERS TO REPORT PROBLEMS AT THE WORKPLACE.
- DEVELOPING AN EMERGENCY PLAN IN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH
SAFETY REPRESENTATIVES.
- INFORMING WORKERS ABOUT THE EMERGENCY PLAN.
- PROVIDING FIRST AID KITS FOR EACH WORKPLACE.
- CHECKING THE CONTENT OF FIRST AID KITS REGULARLY.
- TRAINING PERSONNEL IN FIRST AID.
- ENSURING THAT TRAINED FIRST AID PERSONNEL ARE AVAILABLE FOR
EACH WORKER.
 INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
- WHAT IS INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
- WHAT IS A WORKSITE ANALYSIS
- HOW DO IH'S RECOGNIZE AND CONTROL HAZARDS
 DETECTION OF BIOLOGICAL AGENTS
- SURFACE/BULK SAMPLING
- SWABS
- WIPES AND SPONGES
- VACUUM METHODS
- AGAR PLATES

- AIR SAMPLING
- GENERIC DETECTION
- PARTICLE ANALYZERS
- FLUOROMETER
- LUMINOMETER
- COLORIMETER
- PROTEIN PAPER
- PH PAPER
 DETECTION OF BIOLOGICAL AGENTS
- IDENTIFICATION
- IMMUNOASSAY/HANDHELD ASSAY
- POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION
- CULTURE
 WORKPLACE HEALTH PROMOTION (WHP)
- WHAT IS WHP?
- BENEFITS OF WHP FOR WORKERS
- BENEFITS OF WHP FOR ORGANIZATIONS
- PROCESS OF BUILDING WHP
- STEP 1 - WORKPLACE HEALTH ASSESSMENT
- STEP 2 - PLANNING THE PROGRAM
- STEP 3 - IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAM
- STEP 4 - DETERMINE IMPACT THROUGH EVALUATION
 REHABILITATION AND WORKPLACE ADJUSTMENTS
- AIM OF REHABILITATION
- TO HELP EMPLOYEES RETURN TO WORK AFTER AN ILLNESS OR
DISABILITY
- TO HELP EMPLOYEES WITH CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS STAY IN
WORK.
- WHY SUPPORT REHABILITATION
- WHAT ARE REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS
- WORKING ARRANGEMENTS
- WORKING ENVIRONMENT
- WORK ADJUSTMENTS