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Health Hazards

This material was produced under grant number SH-22248-11-61-F-54 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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Objectives• After this module you should be able

to– identify the most common health hazards– take the necessary steps to avoid and

control those hazards

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Purpose of OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard

Hazard Communication

Program

Container Labeling

Material SafetyData Sheet

MSDSProgramLabel

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.

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Employer Responsibilities• Identify and list hazardous chemicals in their

workplaces• Obtain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) and

labels for each hazardous chemical, if not provided by the manufacturer, importer, or distributor

• Implement a written HazCom program, including labels, MSDSs, and employee training

• Communicate hazard information to employees through labels, MSDSs, and formal training programs

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NFPA Label

• National Fire Protection Association• The higher the number (max is 4), the greater

the hazard. Check the MSDS.

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Material Safety Data Sheets • Must be in English and include information regarding the specific

chemical identity and common names • Must be readily accessible to employees in their work area• Prepared by the chemical manufacturer or importer and describe:

• 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

• Identification (name, address, and telephone number) of the organization responsible for preparing the sheet

Applying Pesticides

• Read the chemical label and MSDS to know what precautions to take when using the chemical.

• Use PPE recommended by chemical manufacturer.

• Launder clothing after handling pesticides.

• Wash exposed body parts often to reduce dermal exposure.

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Warning: Silica Exposure from Cutting Concrete

• Use a substitute for silica• Use engineering controls to

reduce exposure• Improve work practices• Use personal protective

equipment

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Dust and Mold Exposure

• Identify possible dust and mold at the work site and limit exposure

• Move work outside whenever possible• Ventilate dusty areas

• Use mechanical controls to remove dust and mold from the air

• Wear a particulate respirator or dust mask as a last resort

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Preventing Heat Related Illness

• Wear lightweight, light colored, loose-fitting clothes.

• Avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks, or heavy meals.

• Rest periodically in a cool area.

• Know signs/symptoms of heat-related illnesses.• Block out direct sun or other heat sources.• Use cooling fans/air-conditioning.• Drink lots of water; about 1 cup every 15 minutes.

Activity: MSDS Sheet Exercise

• Distribution of MSDS Sheet.

• Distribution and explanation of exercise.

• Small group activity.

• Report back.

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Check Your Knowledge

1. OSHA’s regulation on hazard communication says that:

A. Only certain chemicals can be used.

B. Only chemicals that are used in large quantities need to be evaluated for their hazards.

C. All chemicals must be evaluated for their hazards, and all information relating to these hazards must be made available to workers.

D. Only chemical engineers can be allowed to handle large quantities of chemicals.

•  

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Check Your Knowledge

2. Where can you look to find the hazards of a particular chemical?

A. NFPA label

B. Material Safety Data Sheets

C. Chemical label

D. All of the above

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Check Your Knowledge

3. What is the recommended water intake to help prevent heat related illness?

A. 1 cup every hour.

B. 1 cup every 15 minutes.

C. 1 cup before lunch and another after.

D. 1 cup every 5 minutes.

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Additional Information

• http://www.osha.gov/Publications/silicosis.pdf• http://www.epa.gov/oppt/labeling/rtlf/garden.pdf• http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d000701-

d000800/d000734/d000734.html• http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/Publications/

lawncare.pdf• http://www.osha.gov/Publications/mold.pdf• http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/

data_Hurricane_Facts/mold_fact.pdf