Highlights of IH Programs and OSHA Standards

1. Highlights of IH Programs and OSHA Standards 1

2. INTRODUCTION • Hazard Communication • Hearing Conservation • Personal Protective Equipment • Respiratory Protection • Heat Stress • Cold Stress • Confined Spaces • Ergonomics • Radiation 2

3. INTRODUCTION • You should already be very familiar with the specific requirements of the OSHA standards. • This presentation highlights programs as they relate to potential employee exposures to environmental stressors. • It does not cover all aspects of each standard. 3

4. HAZARD COMUNICATION The OSHA Standard was written to ensure that 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. Hazard Communication Program Container Labeling Material Safety Data Sheet MSDS Program Label 4

5. HAZARD COMUNICATION • How can workplace exposures be minimized? • Perform a thorough hazard assessment • Be informed about the hazards of the chemicals you use • This information is obtained from MSDSs and labels • Communication of hazards to others in area • Hazards • Detecting exposures, symptoms • Protective measures 5

6. HAZARD COMUNICATION • Ensure containers are labeled properly. • Each container of hazardous chemicals must be labeled or marked with: • Identity of the chemical • Appropriate hazard warnings • Name and address of the responsible party 6

7. HAZARD COMUNICATION • Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) • Prepared by the chemical manufacturer or importer 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 7

8. HAZARD COMUNICATION • MSDS provides information about the: • Physical and chemical characteristics • Health effects • Exposure limits • Carcinogenicity (cancer-causing) • Identification (name, address, and telephone number) of the organization responsible for preparing the sheet • Must be readily accessible to employees in their work area 8

9. HEARING CONSERVATION 9

10. HEARING CONSERVATION Whether a noise is harmful will depend on its intensity, which is measured in decibels. Irritating Injurious Pain Threshold Quietest perceivable sound Quiet bedroom Normal conversation Traffic 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 decibels Lawn Mowing Grinding Chain Sawing 10

11. Noise exposure monitoring • Audiometric testing • Hearing protection • Employee training • Recordkeeping Hearing Conservation Program HEARING CONSERVATION When noise exposures equal or exceed 85 dBA (as an 8-hour TWA), a hearing conservation program must be implemented. 11

12. HEARING CONSERVATION • Types of Hearing Loss • Conductive • Sensorineural 12

13. HEARING CONSERVATION • Conductive • Not caused by noise exposure • Disorder in the external or middle ear that prevents sound from reaching the inner ear • e.g. wax in ear, infection, etc. • Inner ear intact • Non-occupational • Reversible 13

14. HEARING CONSERVATION • Sensorineural • Poor transmission of sound by bone or nerve pathways • Damage to the cochlea and/or auditory nerve • Deep structures of the ear are damaged • Induced by occupational noise • Not reversible 14

15. HEARING CONSERVATION Noise can cause other effects on the body in addition to hearing loss. Increased blood pressure Nervousness Heart palpitations Decreased concentration Other Health Effects Permit Conditions Increased pulse rate Decreased coordination Digestive problems Fatigue 15

16. HEARING CONSERVATION There are two sound measuring instruments typically used for noise monitoring. Area Sampling Personal Sampling Sound Level Meters Noise Dosimeters 16

17. RESTRICTED AREAS 17

18. HEARING PROTECTION • Earmuffs • Ear Plugs 18

19. HEARING PROTECTION • Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) • A rating that is assigned to specific personal hearing protection that gives an estimated reduction when the protection is worn properly. • Only valid if HP worn correctly NO 19

20. HEARING PROTECTION There are four methods for determining the adequacy of hearing protection. The most common is: Manufacturer’s Noise Reduction Rating = 25 dBA Employee’s Exposure = 100 dBA (8-hour TWA) Will not work Attenuation = 100 dBA - (25 dBA - 7dBA)/2 = 91 dBA Attenuation calculated using OSHA method 20

21. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT 21

22. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT • Basic Principles: • Must protect response personnel from exposure • Must know what chemicals are involved in exposure • Must know general concentration of exposure • Must select appropriate PPE materials • Must know limitations 22

23. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT • Selection and Use • Prepare ahead of time! • There is not one material that protects against all chemicals! • Protect eyes, head, face, hands, body, feet 23

24. Consider performance requirements when selecting: Aging resistance Chemical resistance Cleanability Color Comfort Durability Flexibility Strength Size Service Life Thermal Limits PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT 24

25. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT • Chemical Resistance Permeation Degradation Penetration 25

26. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT • Permeation • Diffusion of chemicals through intact material 26

27. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT • Degradation • A loss or change in one or more physical properties of a protective clothing material due to contact with a chemical • A chemical process 27

28. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT • Penetration • The flow of a chemical through closures, porous materials, seams and pinholes or other imperfections in a protective clothing material on a non-molecular level • A physical process 28

29. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT • Must know the type of chemical you are up against, as chemicals will “break through” incompatible materials. • Breakthrough times (min.) are the times observed from the start of the test to first detection of the chemical on the other side of the sample material. 29