Chemical Risk Prevention in Construction: Good Practices

1. Good Practices for Preventing the Exposure to Chemical Agents in Constructions National Research Institute for Labour Protection, Bucharest Dipl. Eng. Steluţa NISIPEANU PhD Dipl. Chem. Sanda POP Dipl. Biol. Anca RACOVITZA Dipl. Eng. Raluca ŞTEPA

2. Chemical Agent definition according to NGPM /2002 Any chemical element or compound on its own or admixed, as it occurs in the natural state or as produced, used or released, including release as waste, from any activity, whether produced intentionally or not, and whether placed on the market or not

3. Exposure to Chemical Agents in the Construction Sector INORGANIC COMPOUNDS • Silica dust (crystalline) from sand and sand mixtures • Asbestos from insulators • Chromium, cadmium, cobalt from cements • Nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide from welding and oxyacetylene cutting ORGANIC COMPOUNDS • Benzopyren and other PAHs from mortars and pitch • Solvents from paints and insulators • Acrylamidefrom insulators

4. Health Hazards of Chemical Agents in the Construction Sector (1) INORGANIC COMPOUNDS • Silica dust (crystalline) silicosis, impaired pulmonary function • Asbestos asbestosis, lung cancer,impaired pulmonary function • Chromium, cadmium, cobalt dermatitis, dermatosis, allergies • Nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide intoxication, irritation, angina, weakness

5. Health Hazards of Chemical Agents in the Construction Sector (2) • ORGANIC COMPOUNDS • Benzopyren cancer, severe intoxications • Other PAHs cancer, systemic, immunological, neurological, reproductive, developmental, genotoxic and carcinogenic effects • Solvents cancer, liver dysfunctions, dermatitis, dizziness, etc. • Acrylamidemuscular weakness, absent deep tendon reflex, hands sweat, lethargy, eyes & skin irritation

6. Good Practice For Chemical Risk Prevention in the Construction Sector • For silica dust: • Measures for collective protection: • - automatization of processes (whenever possible); • - enclosed-system processing (whenever possible); • - preventing dust migration (whenever possible); • - correct labeling of chemical agents containing crystalline silica; • - training and enhancing awareness. • Measures for individual protection: • - using appropriate respiratory protective mask; • - keeping work equipment clean (non-contaminated); • - maintaining a good hygiene.

7. Good Practice For Chemical Risk Prevention in the Construction Sector • For asbestos: • Measures for collective protection: • - choosing / employing the safest technology / working procedure; • - preventing fiber migration (whenever possible); • keeping the material containing asbestos moisturized (whenever • possible); • - correct labeling of chemical agents containing asbestos; • - confining the hazardous area as well as using danger signs; • - using appropriate cleaning devices; • - safe waste management; • training and enhancing awareness. • Measures for individual protection: • - using appropriate protective outfit; • - keeping work equipment clean (non-contaminated); • - maintaining a good hygiene.

8. Good Practice For Chemical Risk Prevention in the Construction Sector • For cements: • Measures for collective protection: • - automatization of processes (whenever possible); • - enclosed-system processing (whenever possible); • - preventing dust migration (whenever possible); • - correct labeling of chemical agents; • - training and enhancing awareness. • Measures for individual protection: • - avoiding direct skin contact with chemical agents; • - keeping work equipment clean (non-contaminated); • - maintaining a good hygiene using appropriate cleaning agents; • - using protective ointments; • - using appropriate respiratory protective mask.

9. Good Practice For Chemical Risk Prevention in the Construction Sector • For nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide: • Measures for collective protection: - appropriate working space; • - use of devices for noxious oxide local exhaust; • - preventing oxides migration (whenever possible). • Measures for individual protection: • - using appropriate respiratory protective mask (when necessary).

10. Good Practice For Chemical Risk Prevention in the Construction Sector • Organic compounds: • Measures for collective protection: • - substitution of products containing organic solvent with water - solvent product (whenever possible); • - substitution of products with high VOC content by low VOC content products; • - correct labeling of chemical agents. • Measures for individual protection: • - avoiding direct skin contact with chemical agents; • - keeping work equipment clean (non-contaminated); • - maintaining a good hygiene using appropriate cleaning agents; • - using protective ointments; • - using appropriate respiratory protective mask.

11. Analysis performed by INCDPM Chemical Risk Department UV – VIS spectrophotometry Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Gas - chromatography

12. Protective Ointments An Efficient Prevention Mean Against Cutaneous Exposure to Chemical Agents Ointments constitute a modern way of tegumentary protection through the formation of a film acting both as mechanical barrier and neutralizing agent against the noxious factor.

13. Recommendations forthe Use of • Protective Ointments (1) • The protective ointments are used: • on prophylactic purpose for a large variety of chemical and biological agents; • as a substitute for wearing protective gloves during certain activities of limited duration; • to allow protective gloves wearing for a longer period of time in fairly good conditions when they are absolutely necessary.

14. Recommendations forthe Use of • Protective Ointments (2) • The protective ointments SHALL NOT be used: • applied on damaged skin; • in case of contact with: • - toxic products; • - particularly corrosive chemical agents i.e. concentrated acids and bases; • - chemical agents of rapid allergizing capacity;

15. Recommendations forthe Use of Protective Ointments (3) The protective ointments are preparations to be applied in the beginning of the work programme onto skin surface i.e. on the exposed areas to provide tegumentary protection. The protective film formed by the ointment may be removed simply through washing with water and soap at the end of the work programme.

16. Benefits Arising From the Use of Protective Ointments • Prevention of cutaneous affections e.g. eczema, dermatitis, dermatosis, allergies, etc., representing 65% of the declared occupational diseases occurred in all industrial sectors. • Efficiency. • Easiness at applying. • User – friendly at handling. • Possibility to be used concomitantly with PPEs. • Accessibility in terms of procurement costs.

17. Types of Ointments Delivered by INCDPM Various types of ointments adapted to working conditions: • CPlrv – for work with varnishes, resins, paints; • CPu – for work with oils and greases; • CPAc – for work with aqueous and acid solutions, concentrated solutions of acid salts under crystalline form e.g. powders, aerosols; • CPAl – for work with aqueous alkaline solutions e.g. alkaline hydroxides, carbonates and bicarbonates, amine, ammonia, detergents, etc; • CPp – for work within an environment containing mineral and organic powders, tars, black; • CPMet – for all the workplaces where heavy metals are present; • ZINCOL cleaning cream – for the workplaces where black, tars, bismuth and mercury salts are present; • CPdp – for the working environments with oil compounds e.g. gasoline, white spirit, oil, gasoil and certain organic solvents e.g. benzene, toluene, xylene, various thinners; • CPAm – antimicrobial protective cream for the workplaces with noxious biological load; • Maintenance cream – for all the workplaces to ensure the current maintenance of workers’ epidermis.