B health welfare (1)

Section B: Health and Welfare

Occupational Health

Focus mainly on safety issues - little emphasis on work related health

HSE approximate figures:

• 4,000 die from asbestos related disease (and rising)• 500 (and rising) die from silica related cancers• 50% of all occupational cancer occurs in construction• More people off work through occupational ill health• 2.6 million days lost to industrial ill health every year

Occupational Health Section B: Health and Welfare

Why is there a health problem?

• Injuries are instantly obvious, whereas…• Long latency period for occupational illness• Effects of exposure to ill health hazards not

immediate: months / years before damage is apparent

• Repeated exposure to small quantities but cumulative effect

• Workers go home without realising the damage

Occupational HealthSection B: Health and Welfare

Workers may suffer from a variety of afflictions at work including:

• Weil’s Disease – a disease caused by exposure to rat urine • Occupational Dermatitis – a skin disease• Occupational Asthma – a breathing disorder that affects the

lungs • Tetanus – an bacterial infection that affects the muscles in the

body• Skin Cancer – a skin disorder caused by prolonged exposure to

direct sunlight• And many more.....

Occupational Health Section B: Health and Welfare

• Weil’s disease is carried and may be transmitted to people through rat and cow urine

• The disease enters the blood stream through cuts and grazes

The early symptoms of Weil’s Disease include:

• Influenza (‘Flu’) like symptoms• Persistent headaches• Persistent vomiting• In extreme cases Weil’s Disease can be fatal

Weil’s Disease (Leptospirosis)Section B: Health and Welfare

The following employees are at risk;

• People working near waterways / riverbanks• People working in or near sewer systems• People working on sites where rats are present• Remember, rats are attracted to food, so always put

any food scraps in the bin – never throw them away!

Weil’s Disease – Who Is At Risk? Section B: Health and Welfare

• Wear appropriate gloves

• Keep cuts adequately covered with a waterproof plaster

• Make sure you wash your hands regularly, and always wash your hands before eating

• Dirty hands should only be cleaned with soap and water

• Never clean your hands with white spirit, turps or similar solvents, chemicals or oils – these substances can strip the natural oils from your skin.

Preventing Weil’s DiseaseSection B: Health and Welfare

• Occupational Dermatitis is a skin disease caused by prolonged exposure to engine or mineral oils, white spirit and other hazardous substances

• Is most likely to occur on the hands and fingers

This may be avoided by:

• Wearing protective gloves wherever possible

• Putting on barrier cream prior to starting work

• You should not solely rely on barrier cream to protect your skin, as many harmful substances go straight through it

Occupational Dermatitis Section B: Health and Welfare

Industrial dermatitis is a major cause of absenteeismThere are two types:

• Contact (or irritant dermatitis): usually where the skin comes into contact with an irritant substance

• Allergic dermatitis: where a person develops an allergic reaction to a substances such as cement, lime, plaster or certain types of wood

Occupational DermatitisSection B: Health and Welfare

• Reaction to irritants varies from person to person• The outer layer of skin forms a natural defence - so

long as it is not damaged by abrasions, cuts etc • Exposure to products such as solvents reduces the

protection• Pores and hair follicles admit irritants to the

sensitive inner layer of skin• Good hygiene standards are important

Occupational Dermatitis Section B: Health and Welfare

Occupational Asthma is a form of Lung Disease caused by breathing in dust, asbestos, pigeon droppings, silica dust etc over a long period of time.

• This may be avoided by:

Wearing the correct Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)

• Never work in areas contaminated with pigeon droppings as exposure to droppings can result in a form of Lung Disease called Pigeon Lung

• If an area is contaminated, stop work and seek advice

Occupational AsthmaSection B: Health and Welfare

• Tetanus is a bacterial infection that affects the muscles in the body, particularly the muscles of the neck and jaw (sometimes called Lockjaw)

• Enters the body through deep cuts and puncture wounds

• Tetanus is often associated with wounds from nails

Tetanus infection may be avoided by:

• Wearing protective gloves wherever possible

• Regular anti-tetanus vaccination (10 years)

Tetanus Section B: Health and Welfare

• Skin Cancer is a skin disorder caused by prolonged exposure to direct sunlight

• Construction workers who work outdoors are particularly at risk

Skin Cancer may be avoided by:

• Keeping the skin covered up wherever possible, especially the ears and the back of the neck

• Stay in the shade whenever possible, especially during breaks and lunches

• Wear high factor sunscreen when working on site

Skin CancerSection B: Health and Welfare

• Anyone caught working under the influence of drugs or alcohol will have to leave the site and could also lose their job

• Any drugs you are taking for existing medical conditions may also affect your performance at work

Drugs, Alcohol and Medication Section B: Health and Welfare

If prescribed any medication you should always consider:

• The likely side effects of the medication

• How the medication may affect you at work

• If you feel that medication will affect your performance always tell your supervisor

• Remember, illegal drugs are a danger to everyone on site

Drugs, Alcohol and MedicationSection B: Health and Welfare

Welfare Facilities

The standards for welfare at work are contained within the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations

By law, employers must provide you with a covered rest area with tables, chairs and something to heat water

As a minimum requirement on site, employers must provide hot and cold water, soap and a way to dry your hands

If this is not the case always speak to your supervisor

Health And Welfare And The LawSection B: Health and Welfare

• Employers must also provide adequate toilet and washing facilities for employers

• Any toilet facilities on site should be kept clean, maintained and in full working order

• If the toilet facilities on site are dirty or not functioning correctly always inform your supervisor

Sanitary FacilitiesSection B: Health and Welfare

Examples of Good Practice…Section B: Health and Welfare

Poor Practice...Section B: Health and Welfare

Respiratory Risks, Dust and Fumes

Respiratory Risks Dust & FumesSection B: Health and Welfare

• Mists – tiny liquid droplets (spraying or using aerosols)

• Metal Fumes – contains minute metal particles • Gases – airborne at room temperature (toxic,

nauseating, narcotic, oxygen depleting)• Vapours – gaseous state of liquids at room

temperature (adhesives, paints and solvents)• Dry pigeon droppings• Dusts…………

What are Respiratory Hazards?Section B: Health and Welfare

Dust is anything that forms a powder or cloud

Harmful dusts may be emitted from:• Wood and MDF• Stone, brick and concrete

Exposure to dust most commonly arises through inhalation. Other routes of exposure include:• Skin contact• Absorption through the skin • Ingestion

DustSection B: Health and Welfare

What your site and employer must do for you:

• Ensure dusts, fumes and vapours are eliminated or minimised

• Ensure information is available• Provide systems and equipment to ensure dust is

kept to a minimum• Provide training on the hazards and controls• Show you how to use any necessary PPE

Respiratory Risks


What you should do for your site and employer:

• Understand the hazards cause long term damage• Follow the safe system of work• Wear your PPE at all times when required• Do not misuse equipment • If in doubt - ask

Dust and FumesSection B: Health and Welfare

Not all harmful dusts are visible

• Nuisance dust – dust particles larger than 10 µmare filtered of by nasal hair

• Between 10 µm and 5 µm tend to settle in mucus and are coughed up

• Respirable dust - less than 5µm reach the lung tissue

Respiratory ProtectionSection B: Health and Welfare

1. Avoid the creation of dust• Use a block splitter instead of abrasive disc

cutting

2. Stop the dust getting into the atmosphere• Capture the dust at source (LEV systems)• Use damp or wet cutting processes

3. Wear personal protection


Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) includes:

• Disposable filtering facemask or respirator • Half or full face respirators• Air -fed helmets• Breathing apparatus


• Respiratory Protective Equipment must be issued to all workers when there is any risk of exposure to dust, solvents, chemicals etc

• All workers should be given masks if working in dusty environments

• Workers should be given respirators if there is any risk of exposure to hazardous fumes

• Remember always use the correct Respiratory Protective Equipment issued by your employer

Trades ExposureSection B: Health and Welfare

• Disposable masks should have two adjustable straps and a flexible nose band to shape round the bridge of the nose

• Cheap disposable masks offer little or no protection• All masks should have a ‘filtering face piece’ rating

(e.g. FFP1, FFP2 or FFP3)

Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)


The filters are often specific to the hazard;

• FFP3 – Good protection against dusts• FFP2 – medium risk• FFP1 – for light duty work only, i.e. sweeping up

Selection may need expert advice (i.e. Fit testing)

Factors of preventionSection B: Health and Welfare

What your site and employer must do:

• Assess whether the noise your job creates could damage your hearing

• Tell you about and provide suitable controls• Enforce hearing protection zones – multiple

trades• Assess if vibratory tools could damage your hands• Tell you about controls and daily trigger times

NoiseSection B: Health and Welfare

What you should do for your employer:

• Wear hearing protection when required• Use protective equipment properly• Do not exceed daily exposure limits or trigger

times • Report any symptoms of deafness • Understand that any damage is permanent

Noise Section B: Health and Welfare

Hearing damage can include:

• Temporary deafness• Permanent deafness• Ringing in the ears (Tinnitus)• Headaches

Noise induced hearing loss builds up over time – you are unlikely to notice the effects each day

Noise What’s the Problem?


Hearing damage from:

• Continuous noise – background generator or tools used over a long period

• Sudden peaks or impulse noise (cartridge tools)

Noise levels can be controlled by:

• Using less noisy plant

• Isolating the source of noise

• Personal protection equipment;

• Ear defenders or ear muffs

• Earplugs

Noise Damage / ControlsSection B: Health and Welfare

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations set the following thresholds:

• Lower Action level 80 dBA

• Upper Action level 85 dBA

• Exposure limit value 87 dBA

Noise and the LawSection B: Health and Welfare

• Below 80 dBA: no specific action• Between 80 – 85 dBA: provide information / make ear defenders available to all• Where noise is above 85 dBA: establish protection zones

No person should be exposed to a daily noise level exceeding 87 dBA (taking account of ear defender use)

Hearing Protection Zones Section B: Health and Welfare

As general rule of thumb noise levels in the workplace will approximate:

<80 dB if noise is apparent but conversation is possible

85 dB if you have to shout to talk to someone 2m away

90 dB if you have to shout to talk to someone 1m away

Estimating Noise LevelsSection B: Health and Welfare

Noise action levels can be reached very quickly without hearing protectors, examples may include;

• Using electric hand tools with noise levels of 95 dBA• Exposure time to 85 dBA reached in only 15

minutes

• Petrol cut-off saw with noise levels of 105 dBA• Exposure time to 85 dBA Reached in only 2

minutes

Noise Exposure Section B: Health and Welfare

Vibration

• Permanent damage to the hands• Temporary loss of feeling in the hands or fingers• Tingling in the fingers• Whitening (blanching) of the fingers• Damaged blood vessels, nerves, bones and joints• Gangrene and amputation• Carpal tunnel problems

Vibration – What’s the Problem?Section B: Health and Welfare

Vibration DamageSection B: Health and Welfare

• Harm caused by any vibratory equipment• Vibration White Finger (VWF)• Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)• Whole body vibration

Controls:• Risk assess • Inform users• Monitor exposure • Good maintenance of equipment

Vibration Damage / Controls


Many power tools are now colour coded:

• Green Can be used safely for eight hours per day

• Amber Only use for part of the day• Red High risk

Traffic Light SystemSection B: Health and Welfare

Hazardous Substances

The use of harmful substances in the workplace is managed by the Control of Substances Hazardous to

Health Regulations (COSHH)

Safe Use of Hazardous SubstancesSection B: Health and Welfare

What your site and employer must do:

• Use a less hazardous substance where possible

• Assess the risk of you using a substance

• Control exposure by providing a safe system of work

• Provide information and training on the risks and controls

• Monitor usage to ensure that controls are effective

Safe Use of Hazardous SubstancesSection B: Health and Safety

What you should do for your site and employer:

• Follow the safe system of work / controls

• Understand the hazards when using the substance

• Wear the correct PPE

• Inform your supervisor of any incident or spillage

• Store and dispose of substances correctly

Safe Use of Hazardous Substances


• Any substance that could harm your health

• Dust, fibres or fumes given off by the work process

• Any substance that could harm the environment

What is a ‘Hazardous Substance’?Section B: Health and Welfare

Adhesives

Paints

Cleaning Agents

Compounds

Fumes Acids

Chemicals

And many more…

WarningHazardous substance

Hazardous Substances may Include?Section B: Health and Welfare

What is a substance ‘hazardous to health’?All products that are hazardous must carry an appropriate warning symbol

Listed substances include: very toxic; toxic; harmful; corrosive or irritant

Toxic Corrosive

CoSHH RegulationsSection B: Health and Welfare

Current symbols;

Toxic Corrosive

UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)


How do hazardous substances enter the body?

• Inhalation – breathing in dust and fumes

• Absorption – contact with skin or open sores

• Ingestion – swallowed or eaten (poor hygiene)

• Injection - needles or sharps / high pressure

CoSHH Regulations Section B: Health and Welfare

Effects can include:

• Immediate – burns to the skin from acid and chemicals

• Long-term – developing cancer

• Sensitising – reaction to a substance over a period of time


Example of a Cement Burn to the legs…

Example of an Acid Burn to the face…

Immediate InjurySection B: Health and Welfare

Skin Cancer(Melanoma)

Longer Term ConditionsSection B: Health and Welfare

Sensitising Skin ConditionsSection B: Health and Welfare

Always wear the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the correct Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)

If you don’t have the correct PPE always report it to your supervisor

Before You Use a Harmful Substance…Section B: Health and Welfare

• Workers must take extreme caution if coming across or working in proximity to asbestos

• Exposure to asbestos may result in a worker contracting asbestosis. This is a lung disease that could kill you

• Other conditions include mesothelioma and lung cancer

• All types of asbestos are extreme hazardous to health and should be dealt with accordingly

• If you think that you have discovered any form of asbestos on site you must always stop work and warn others

AsbestosSection B: Health and Welfare

Other risks could include:

• Discarded needles and syringes

• Hazardous materials buried or simply left by previous users of the land

Other RisksSection B: Health and Welfare

• By law, hazardous substances used in the workplace must be stored, transported and used in accordance with the findings of the COSHH Assessment

• If you are unsure of the contents of a bottle of chemicals always ensure that the chemical is put in a place of safety and reported to your supervisor

• Remember, although you can often tell that a chemical is hazardous by a label on the container this may not always be the case – always take precaution

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Summary of possible sources of harm;

• Basic products: cement and concrete, synthetic mineral fibre, adhesives, solvents, resins

• Construction processes: dust from mixing, demolition, cutting (process created hazard)

• Fumes from solvents and adhesives• Metal fumes from welding, hot cutting• Most are ‘everyday’ products

CoSHHSection B: Health and Welfare

Questions Section B: Health and Welfare

B health welfare (1)

Education

Transcript of B health welfare (1)