The sun and cosmic microwave background cmb radiation

Industrial Hygiene and

Confined Spaces

		was defined by
	Safety	and	Health
Administration (OSHA) as the science and art devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, communication, and control of those environmental factors or stresses arising in or from the workplace, which may cause sickness, impaired health and well-being, or significant discomfort among workers or among the citizens of the community.

The Industrial Hygiene Process:




eliminate or minimize the potential of the hazard to create harm, such as injury or illness. An industrial hygienist (can also be called as occupational physician, health physicist, safety officers, etc.) is a professional who is capable of assessing and controlling
	chemical,	biological	or

pulmonary disease, 11% of asthma, 8% of injuries, 9% of lung cancer, 2% of leukaemia and 8% of depression. These environmental stressors on which industrial hygiene focuses can be divided into the following broad categories: chemical, physical, biological, and ergonomic hazards.

1. Aerosols
Aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas. An aerosol includes both the particles and the suspending gas, which is usually air.

a. Dusts are solid particles ranging in size from below 1 µm up to around 100 µm, which may be or become airborne, depending on
their	origin,	physical

 Work processes likely to

generate dust include the

In the early 1970s, the city of Times Beach hired Russell Bliss to spray its 23 miles of unpaved streets with used motor oil to help control the town’s rampant dust problem, a technique Bliss had previously used in horse stables, as well as on his own property. Unbeknownst to his civil employers, however, Bliss, a waste hauler by trade, had also been hired by a company called IPC to dispose of a toxic waste material known as dioxin, which is generated by the production of Agent Orange and hexachlorophene, a chemical once widely used in disinfectants. In an effort to kill two birds with one stone, Bliss combined the chemical waste with his motor oil and proceeded to spray the mixture at various sites around Missouri. This shady spraying continued for four years between 1972 and 1976.

In 1971 the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) responded to reports of widespread, unexplained deaths of horses, birds, and other small animals, as well as acute poisoning symptoms including headaches, nosebleeds, stomach pain, diarrhea, and skin rashes experienced by people living in and around the properties where Bliss had sprayed. Soil tests conducted by the CDC revealed high levels of dioxin at three locations throughout the Missouri town, but the extent of the contamination remained unclear. It wasn’t until 1982 when Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) documents relating to the Missouri dioxin contamination cases were leaked that the residents of Times Beach learned of the connection between Bliss and the toxic chemical. By then over a decade had passed since Bliss had sprayed the town’s roads.


Prolonged		exposure	to

c. Smoke	is a combination of
visible vapor, gases, and fine particles as result of combustion (burning or smoldering), when
combustion		occurs	new

spraying
consist of small liquid droplets
that	are	generated	by
condensation from the gaseous state or even by the breaking-up of a liquid into a dispersed (sprinkling / spraying) state.

b. Vapors are produced when a substance becomes gaseous at a temperature that is lower than its critical point. The compounds found in vapor are the same as the compounds found in the substance that was vaporized

	including		fire
resistance,		resistance,
mechanical strength, and flexibility. But in the mid-1970s, medical research clearly tied asbestos to respiratory cancer, scarring of the lungs (now known as asbestosis), and cancer of the chest or abdominal lining (mesothelioma).

		Asbestos-related	non-
	malignant conditions include pleural plaques (a pleura is a membrane around the lungs),
	pleural effusion		and

	

	mesothelioma),		intestine
	(peritoneal mesothelium) or heart (pericardial mesothelium), with death occurring within a year of diagnosis. Asbestos Manufacturing High-Risk Occupations

1. Entry points for Toxic Substances

c. Inhalation

e. Ingestion

f.
		involves	the

2. Effects of Toxic Substances
The effects of toxic substances vary widely, as do the substances themselves. However, all the various effects and exposure times can be categorized as being either acute or chronic.

Consequently, the associated health problems develop slowly.

The characteristics of chronic effects and exposures are (1) continual exposure over time, (2) limited concentrations of toxic substances, (3) progressive accumulation of toxic substances in the body and progressive worsening of associated health problems, and (4) little or no awareness of exposures on the part of affected workers.

 Section II - Hazardous ingredients: Contains the common name, chemical name, and Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number for the substance. The CAS number is the unique number for a given chemical that is assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service.

 Section III - Physical and chemical characteristics: Data relating to the vaporization characteristics of the substance are contained in this section.

 Section VII -Safe handling and use: This section explains special handling, storage, spill, and disposal methods and precautions relating to the
substance.

 Section VIII -Control measures: The types of ventilation, personal protective equipment, and special hygienic practices recommended for the substance are explained in this section.3

Chairperson Vanessa Allen Sutherland said, “High risk operations, like the delivery and handling of hazardous chemicals, require strict adherence to safety protocols. An inadvertent mixture can result in a chemical reaction with extremely dangerous consequences. Our findings reaffirm the need for facilities to pay careful attention to the design and operation of chemical transfer equipment to prevent similar events.”

 The CSB’s final report includes 11 key lessons and outlines clear safety improvements that can be implemented at similar facilities across the country. Among these are facilities should evaluate chemical unloading equipment and processes and implement safeguards to reduce the likelihood of an incident, while taking into account human factors issues that could impact how facility operators and drivers interact with equipment.

hazards. Laboratory and medical personnel also can be exposed to biological hazards. Any occupations that result in contact with bodily fluids pose a risk to workers from biological hazards.

A. Legionnaire’s Disease

 Airborne - coughs or sneezes release airborne pathogens, which are then inhaled by others.

 Contaminated objects or food —the pathogens in a person's faeces may be spread to food or other objects, if their hands are dirty.



		—
pathogens in saliva, urine, faeces or blood can be passed to another person's body via cuts or

abrasions, or through the mucus membranes of the mouth and eyes.

Phys

C. Vibration hazards
Another physical hazard that can harm workers on the job is exposure to vibrations. An obvious example of this is the vibration that a jackhammer operator is e.

D. Temperature hazards
Temperature–both high and low–is yet another type of physical hazard. Workers can be exposed to hazards from naturally occurring, climatic hea sample below.

C. Engineering	controls:	Use
ing means (such as ) to isolate the hazard -implement physical change to the workplace, which eliminates/reduces the hazard on the job/task


 partial	of	the
 Use of biological hazard rubbish bag Administrative Control/PPE: Develop safe work procedures and train staffs  Glasses/ Goggles/ Face shields Surgical Masks/ N95 or higher- level respirators/ Particulate Respirators with replaceable filters/ Powered Air Purifying
Respirators/	Air-supplying
Respirators  Protective clothing  Gloves  Shoe covers


 Place
employees	and	Physical
Hazards such as radiation or microwaves

CONFINED SPACES

OSHA’s considers two types of confined space (according to 29 CFR 1910.146): a Confined Space and a Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS).
1.

2.
restricted means for entry or exit”;
3.	The space must not be “designed for

1.

2.	“Contains a material that has the		5.	no worker or group of workers shall
potential for engulfing an entrant”;
3.	“Has an internal configuration such

			6.
4.	“Contains any other recognized		6.
4.	“Contains any other recognized
serious safety or health hazard”. THE LABOR CODE OF THE 1121.01: General Provisions: Before a worker or group of workers enter any confined or enclosed space and before any work is commenced, the following precautions and safety measures shall be taken:
			7.	no spraying or painting using volatile
			solvents of oil shall be undertaken in confined spaces unless the necessary respiratory and other adequate protection are provided;
			8.	any manhole, tank opening, or other

1.			9.
			egress from any confined or enclosed space shall be provided. EXAMPLES OF CONFINED SPACES
			Tunneling		operation	or	an
2.			underground mine (stopes,

a.		explosive gases, fumes and
vapors;
b.
c.
			people to carry out work within them. Specific codes and standards and requirements are intended to make the space adequate for the health and safety of workers. However, parts of a tunnel or mine could be confined spaces. Tunnels and mines could also include confined spaces within them, such as bins, tanks, clean or dirty water sumps, and water storage dams. Structures such as vessels, sewers and tank cars are designed and constructed to play a role in part of a process. Their primary purpose is to contain, transport, move or manipulate materials or equipment
3.

4.

and they are not primarily designed for people to occupy them. They may have structures such as ladders or platforms where workers can perform work within the space on occasion. However, these spaces were not designed for continuous human occupancy.

A chamber or vault may have cooling
ventilation for equipment purposes and have a temporary access

 storage tanks, tank cars, process vessels, boilers, pressure vessels, vats, bins, silos, bag-houses and other tank like compartments usually having only a manhole for entry

 open topped spaces such as pump wells, augured caissons, pits or degreasers

of fire or explosion in the confined space.

Oxygen deficiency may occur from biological or chemical reactions such as rusting, or by displacement of oxygen by other gases.

may produce Liquids
hazardous atmospheres if they evaporate — for example, liquid fuel in a tank producing vapours. Dangerous conditions
can develop when pockets of gas in waste materials are disturbed during cleaning. For example, an organic material such as manure sludge can release the toxic gas hydrogen sulfide when manure pits are cleaned out. Rotting pulp in tanks also creates hydrogen sulfide. If grains in silos ferment, they use up oxygen and produce deadly gases.

ii. As a result of work done inside the confined space..

A confined space may be located next to a source of a hazardous contaminant. The contaminant could enter the confined space through porous walls, such as those that may be found in sewers or trenches, or through difficult-to-seal openings such as conduits. Normally, mechanical ventilation is set up to bring outside air into the confined space. If the intake hose is located beside a running vehicle or equipment with an internal combustion engine, the intake hose brings in exhaust fumes.

c. Explosive Atmosphere
Three elements are necessary for a fire or explosion to occur: oxygen, flammable material (fuel), and an ignition source.

NOTE: Two or more chemicals may react with each other and become explosive.

Containers of fuels such as gasoline and propane should not be taken into a confined space as fuel can easily burn or explode. Here are some other common substances that can cause explosions or fires in confined spaces:
• Acetylene gas from leaking welding equipment;
• Methane gas and hydrogen sulfide gas produced by rotting organic wastes in sewers or tanks; • Hydrogen gas produced by contact between aluminum or galvanized metals and corrosive liquids;
• Grain dusts, coal dust; and • Solvents such as acetone, ethanol, toluene, turpentine, and xylene, which may have been introduced into the space through spills or by improper use or disposal

There were ten workers in the tunnel and one at the entrance at the time of the fire. Five were unable to get around the fire on the painting platform to get to the only available exit – the improvised tunnel entrance. Five workers on the other side of the platform made it to safety, although three of those workers sustained injuries.

The closest confined space technical rescue unit –equipped and trained to enter the smoke-filled tunnel – was approximately one hour and 15 minutes away. The trapped workers died about one hour before this response unit arrived, their escape blocked by a steep vertical section of the tunnel deep inside the mountain.

If the hazard cannot be eliminated and there is a danger of falling from a height, a fall protection system (such as guardrails or a harness and lifeline) may be needed.

Falling Objects c.

e. Electrical shock
Electrical shock can result from defective extension cords, welding cables, or other electrical equipment. Work done in metal enclosures or in wet conditions can be particularly dangerous. Install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) or use assured grounding where there may be a danger of

electrical shock. All electrical sources that pose a hazard to workers inside the space must be locked out following the written lockout procedure for the particular confined space.

fallen face-down into a small pool of water have drowned.

OSHA	CONFINED	SPACE

type, classification, and level. Figures 20–22, 20–23, 20–24, 20–25, 20–26, and 20–27 are examples of devices used for checking the atmosphere.

3. Ventilate the space
Spaces containing airborne contaminants should be purged to remove them. Such areas should also be ventilated to keep contaminants from building up again while an employee is working in the space.

inside. Communication can be visual,

verbal, or electronic (radio, telephone)

6.
	she	lose	consciousness.	The

permit confined spaces annually. According

to the National Institute for

Administration reported that when

multiple deaths occur during a rescue, the

 85% of the time a SUPERVISOR was

present.

 15% had Confined Space TRAINING.

 0% had a RESCUE PLAN.

Out of 670 confined space deaths, the most common types of hazards were atmospheric hazards and loose materials.

And out of 217 confined space deaths that were investigated, the two most common types of gases in confined spaces, hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide, were the causes found.

or a combination of these effects. In the human body, these effects may lead to changes in the structure or behavior of cells.

Non-ionizing Radiation

When not used properly, lasers burn and cause severe damage to tissues, especially in the eye. The narrow beam of light concentrates the effects on the retina, causing blind spots.

b. Extremely Low Frequencies

c. Radio Frequencies
AM and FM radio broadcasts, Wi-Fi signals, cell phones, amateur radio,

television and airport security scanners use radio frequency (RF) waves. This type of non-ionizing radiation
	absorbed

Microwave radiation (MW) comes from microwave ovens, radar, transmission towers, satellite transmissions, the sun and Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation. CMB is radiation left over from the Big Bang when the universe began.

There are three subcategories of MW radiation. Extremely high frequency (EHF) waves are used in remote sensors and radio astronomy. Super high frequency (SHF) waves are commonly used in mwave ovens, radar transmitters, phones and satellite communications. Finally, the ultra-high frequency (UHF) is used in television broadcasts, walkie-talkies and cordless phones. Microwaves are sometimes grouped with radio waves because these two types of non-ionizing radiation have some overlap on the electromagnetic spectrum.

The visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum can be seen by humans, animals and other organisms. This type of light consists of seven colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. When all the colors are present at one time, the light is white. Rainbows are created when visible light passes through raindrops. The raindrops act like a prism and break the light down into its individual colors. Overexposure tsible light can damage both the and skin.

g. Ultraviolet