Occupational Health & Safety and Commercial Composting

1. Occupational Health & Safety and Commercial Composting Avoiding common risks of infection: an induction for new staff This package has been developed by the Recycled Organics Unit and the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation, and has been reviewed by specialists from the NSW Workers Compensation Dust Diseases Board. Reference documents are available from www.recycledorganics.com

2. Disclaimer • This presentation represents Volume 3 of the package: “Occupational Health & Safety and Commercial Composting”. Except where specific references are cited, information in this presentation is summarised from Volume 1 and Volume 2 of this package which are freely available online from www.recycledorganics.com • The following presentation summarises key issues in relation to risks of infection, and must therefore be delivered in full, extracts or portions of the following presentation should not be provided to staff as they may not adequately address known risks and associated management strategies and responsibilities. This does not prohibit the integration and/or reformatting of these presentation materials into facility specific induction packages and training materials. • Please note, generic risks associated with activities such as lifting, and sharps/puncture wounds are addressed in many commonly available OH&S resources. Such issues are not addressed in this presentation, nor in other volumes in this package. • The information provided here is generic and limited in nature, and is therefore not directly applicable to any specific context. It is therefore recommended that compost facility management using this presentation for staff induction and training purposes should ensure that: • This presentation is delivered with knowledge of, and reference to the more detailed information contained in the other volumes of this package (as specified above). • Necessary steps are taken to ensure that all site and operation-specific OH&S risks are addressed via risk assessment, safe working practices and staff induction. • Staff are informed that the studies from which this information is drawn are available in full via the internet from the University of New South Wales www.recycledorganics.com

3. Contents • Context: Sources of risk • Exposure routes • Don’t panic! These risks are everywhere • Risk factors & predisposing conditions • Awareness & management of risk • Health checks • Staff training/procedures • Management support • References and contacts

4. Context: Sources of risk • Pathogens (“germs”) in raw materials • Bioaerosols are biological organisms dispersed through the air, some can affect human health. • Dusts and bioaerosols are always present but are also released from activities such as: • Size reduction • Turning of compost piles • Screening and batching of products

5. Exposure routes • Dermal: any contact with skin as direct/indirect contact or vapour/bioaerosol, e.g. eyes, skin, ears, cuts and abrasions • Respiratory: inhalation of dusts/bioaerosols and deposition on airway surfaces. • Ingestion: deposition of dusts/bioaerosols on surfaces and transport to the body, e.g. from hand to mouth. (US Department of Labor, 2002)

6. Don’t panic! • These microorganisms are everywhere: • Homes, greenhouses, libraries, agricultural areas. • Occur everywhere but at varying concentrations. • Found wherever there is decaying organic matter. • Limited allergic response: only a small proportion of the population will experience allergic response. • These risks are not new: We (staff) work here every day, and are in fine health. Composting is an industrial process and like all, has it’s dangers. Just need to follow the guidance provided here. (Millner et al. 1994)

7. Risk factors • Dose: • Concentration of pathogens (certain activities will increase concentration in air, e.g. turning); • Duration and frequency of exposure (workers should be monitored for symptoms). • Personal hygiene (avoid dermal transmission) • Work practices (induction, PPE, training, safeworking practices should be implemented) • Types of materials processed (e.g. biosolids)

8. Predisposing conditions • Individual susceptibility: some individuals may be more sensitive than others (e.g. asthmatics). • Allergic response: common in general population but will depend on level of exposure. • Smoking: paralyses Mucocilliary Escalator, the body’s primary defence against inhaled particulates. • Compromised immune system: due to genetic or acquired conditions. Not suitable for operational roles in waste management industry. (NSW Workers Compensation Dusts Diseases Board, Dr Anthony Johnson, Personal Communication, 2003)

9. Management of risk • Awareness of risk (staff induction) • Employee personal health and hygiene • Personal protection equipment (PPE) • Health checks • Vaccination: Tetanus and Hepatitis A (where relevant) • Early identification of symptoms • Staff training • Composting processes: reinforce adherence to procedures • Management support • Response to reporting of operational issues and symptoms

10. Awareness of risk • Employee personal health and hygiene • Wash hands thoroughly after any contact with organic materials or plant • Wash hands prior to eating, drinking, smoking, touching nose/eyes/ears • Treat and disinfect ALL injuries however small. • Personal protective equipment (PPE) • Education on use of appropriate PPE • All PPE should be maintained and cleaned as required • Staff should be personally responsible for their PPE.

11. Health checks • Vaccination • Tetanus and Hepatitis A vaccinations should be current, and should occur prior to commencing employment. • Early identification of symptoms • Health checks prior to commencing employment to identify predisposing conditions • Regular medical exams (e.g. annually) to monitor any development of symptoms • Any unusual breathing/respiratory symptoms should be reported to management, if symptoms persist the staff member should see a doctor.

12. Staff training / procedures • Composting processes • Adhere to all safety procedures • Ensure PPE is worn as required and maintained regularly • Control dust: e.g. moisture content of material, enclosing certain activities such as screening, wetting down roads. • Job rotation • Particular work assignments may have higher exposure to dusts/bioaerosols and staff should be rotated to avoid over exposure.

13. Personal responsibility • Hygienic practices • Wash hands after ANY contact with plant or organics • Follow procedures • Adhere to ALL safety procedures • Maintain and wear PPE • Ensure PPE is worn as required and maintained regularly • Keep vaccinationscurrent • Ensure Tetanus and Hepatitis A vaccinations are current and kept up to date during employment

14. Personal responsibility • If you are experiencing symptoms: • Remove from exposure to dusts/bioaerosols • Inform management immediately • Fill out the relevant form provided by your employer • Go to a doctor. • Symptoms may include: • Persistent cough, throat irritation, chest tightness/pressure • Itching, watering eyes, nose, sneezing • Symptoms may decrease away from work and reappear during work days.

15. References and contacts • Recycled Organics Unit (2003). Occupational Health and Safety and Commercial Composting Volume 1: Implementation Workbook. Recycled Organics Unit, internet publication: http://www.recycledorganics.com • Recycled Organics Unit (2003). Occupational Health and Safety and Commercial Composting Volume 2: A Review of Potential Risks of Infection and Risk Management Strategies. Recycled Organics Unit, internet publication: http://www.recycledorganics.com • Millner, P.D., Olenchock, S.A. Epstein, E., Rylander, R., Haines, J., Walker, J., Ooi, B.L., Horne, E. and Maritao, M. (1994). Special Research Report: Bioaerosols associated with composting facilities. Compost Science and Utilization, 2(4), 6-57. • NSW Workers Compensation Dust Diseases Board. Phone: 1800 550 027 Web: http://www.ddb.nsw.gov.au • US Department of Labor (2002). Dermal Exposure. Occupational Health and Safety Administration. Internet publication: http://www.osha.gov