Almidón Resistente (AR)

Eliminate: remove the substance, or avoid the activity or process e.g.

pressure jetting a blocked drain instead of using dissolving chemicals

Reduce: reduce the risk by

- reducing the duration / frequency of exposure to the hazard - substituting the material with a less hazardous one e.g. using

water based paint instead of solvent based paint OR using granular material instead of powder

Isolate:

- Total Enclosure of the machine inside a glove box - Worker to be isolated inside a ventilated control room

Control

- Engineering Control: LEV & adequate maintenance for equipment - Administrative control: Change the work pattern or method, job

rotation, adequate breaks, good levels of Hygiene and housekeeping & providing the needed it is

PPE:

- Respiratory protection such as breathing apparatus to protect from chlorine or ammonia

- Hand & skin protection such as gloves to protect from detergents or solvents

- Eye protection such as goggles to protect from corrosives or ammonia

- Protective clothing such as chemical splash suits to protect from acids & biological agents

- Barrier creams

Labelled diagram of Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)

LEV becomes inefficient because of:-

- Failure of operators to use it properly - Lack of proper maintenance

- Unauthorised modifications - Incorrect settings

- Hood damaged or not well positioned - Blocked / damaged ducts

- Full / damaged dust collection bags - Blocked / damaged filter

- Wear & tear of fan blades - Increased contaminant level

- Poor design of the LEV (inadequate capacity)

Examples of chemical agents (hazardous substances) & Target Organs  Ammonia

Strongly corrosive alkaline colourless gas with a pungent odour. Affecting the skin, eyes & the lungs.

Leading to eye irritation, dermatitis, inflammation of the lungs and in the large concentrations can cause blindness and fluid in the lungs

(emphysema)

Eye protection and respiratory protection are essential.  Asbestos

Affecting the lungs causing Asbestosis (Lung cancer)

 Carbon Dioxide CO2

Colourless and odourless gas which is heavier than air.

Affecting the lungs increasing the rate of respiration and high levels depress the rate of respiration leading to unconsciousness and even death

 Carbon Monoxide CO

More toxic than CO2, Colourless and odourless and tasteless gas. Found where incomplete combustion occurs e.g. boilers, vehicle exhausts

Affecting the lungs & the blood casuing headache, drowsiness, flushed “pink” appearance and ultimately asphyxiation and death

 Chlorine

A greenish toxic gas with a pungent smell.

Affecting the eyes & the respiratory system casuing severe irritation.

 Lead

A heavy, soft and easily worked metal. Can enter body by eating contaminated food or by breathing fumes or dust.

Affecting the brain & the nervous system casuing acute lead poisoning Resulting in nausea, headaches, nervous problems and in severe cases causing death.

 Organic Solvents

These dissolve other substances & are also used as cleaning & degreasing agents. They are volatile & evaporate quickly at room temperature so their vapours can be breathed easily.

Affecting the skin, nasal passages, throat, lungs, eyes, & the liver. Effects may be headaches, nausea, dizziness & loss of consciousness and in extreme cases leading to death.

 Isocyanates

Organic compounds widely used in industry for products such as spray painting of vehicles and production of polyurethane rubbers and foams. Affecting the nasal passages, throat & the lungs leading to lung

Inflammation & asthma.  Silica

Found in sand, granite & glass

Affecting the lungs as breathing silica could lead to serious lung disease “silicosis”

 Dust

Affecting the respiratory system causing asthma, bronchitis,

emphysema and conditions such as asbestosis or Silicosis if the dust contains asbestos or silica.

Dust Identification:

- Visual signs of dust in the air or deposited on surfaces or clothes - Results of monitoring using dust lamps or smoke tube

- Poor visibility or excessive tears & blinking of the eyes

- respiratory problems: coughing, sneezing, breathing difficulty - Maintenance problems e.g. abnormal blocking of filters

Control measures for dust:

- Elimination of dusty operation (outsourcing) - Bringing pre-formed components

- Substitution e.g. granules or paste instead of powders - Enclosure of the dusty operation or machines

- Extractor fans & Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) - Vaccuming instead of sweeping

- Damping down the dust by spraying water

- Reduce duration & frequency of exposure to dust - Reduce duration & frequency of the dusty operations - Reduce number of workers exposed to dust

- Respiratory protective equipment e.g. dust mask

- Medical check up & Health survillance with medical treatment for any health problem

Biological Agents

Leptospirosis (Weil’s disease)

Bacterial infection transmitted to humans by ingesting contaminated rat urine.

The most common source is in construction sites, water sports, river water, swimming pools, sewers, etc.

Symptoms: Flu like symptoms (Fever, sneezing, coughing & headache), Pneumonia, meningitis & Jaundice.

Fatal in 20% of the cases (Attacks the kidneys & liver)

Precautions & Control measures: pest control, covering damaged skin, it is, good hygiene & housekeeping

Legionella (Legionnaire’s disease)

Bacterial infection transmitted to humann by inhaling airborne bacteria found in water sources such as air conditioning systems, cooling towers, stagnant water etc.

Symptoms: Flu like symptoms (Fever, sneezing, coughing & headache), Pneumonia & difficulty in breathing

Fatal in 20% of the cases.

Those at greatest risk are smokers or old people with chest problems. Precautions & Control measures : Temperature control and monitoring, avoiding stagnation & avoiding “dead legs” in pipe work, biocide

treatment and effective cleaning and maintenance.

Hepatitis A, B and C

Viral inflammation of the liver caused by viral infection transmitted through ingesting food contaminated with faeces (hepatitis A) Or by blood & body fluids (hepatitis B & C)

Symptoms: Inflammation of the liver, fever, nausea, malaise & jaundice. Precautions & Control measures : Vaccination, disinfection, it is,

Avoiding sharp implements, Proper disposal of contaminated waste and good hygiene practices.

Routes of entry into the body (Biological agents)

- Inhalation - Ingestion

- Direct entry (open wounds) - Injection

Precautions for safe storage of waste

- Choosing a Suitable location - Sufficient storage area

- Labelled & individual containers - Ensure storage area is well secured - Store different types of waste separately - Never store incompatible waste together - Select appropriate containers

- Keep quantities of waste to a minimum - Protect waste from the elements

- Protection form adverse weather conditions

Element 8 :- Physical & psychological

hazards

Noise:

Frequency:- Measuring the pitch / tone of the sound waves, measured

in cycles per second or Hertz (Hz)

Human range is 20 Hz – 20 KHz

Intensity:- Measuring the loudness / amplitude of the sound waves

measured in decibel (dB)

Safe limit is 80 dB Rule of 3

Every 3 dB increases means doubling the intensity i.e. 83 dB is double