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Health Hazards in ConstructionHealth Hazards in Construction

Presenter: Scott RohlfPresenter: Scott Rohlf

Presented to the North Carolina Association of Higher Education

Facilities Officers 2015

Presented to the North Carolina Association of Higher Education

Facilities Officers 2015

(O) (919) 436-2975, (M) (919) 868-0768, sdrohlf@terracon.com

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Learning Objectives

At the end of this program participants will:– Have a better understanding of the types of

health hazards associated with the construction industry.

– Have a better understanding of how hazards can affect the human body.

– Be able to identify potential sources of some common hazards.

– Have a better understanding of how to evaluate and ultimately reduce hazards in the construction industry.

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Health Hazards

Types– Chemical– Physical– Biological

Recognition Evaluation Controls

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Chemical Hazards

4

LIQUID/LIQUID/MISTMIST

LIQUID/ LIQUID/ VAPORVAPOR

FIBERSFIBERS

DUSTDUST GASESGASES FUMEFUME

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Routes of Entry

InhalationInhalation

Absorption/Absorption/ContactContact

IngestionIngestion

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Health Hazards

Acute health effects Chronic health effects Toxic Highly toxic Irritant Corrosive Sensitizer Carcinogen Target organ effects

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Dose and Effect

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Occupational Exposure Limits

Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL)Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL)

Ceiling Limits (CL)Ceiling Limits (CL)

Action Limit (AL)Action Limit (AL)

Threshold Limit Values (TLVThreshold Limit Values (TLV®®))Short Term Exposure Limits (STEL)Short Term Exposure Limits (STEL)

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Chemical Hazards

Adhesives Asbestos Asphalt Carbon monoxide Cement Dust

– Respirable– Total

Epoxy resins Glues/adhesives

Isocyanates Metals fumes & dusts

– Lead– Hexavalent chromium

Paints Silica Solvents Synthetic mineral

fibers Welding fumes &

dusts

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Asbestos

Uses– Strength/Bonding Properties – Fire/Heat Resistance

Exposure– Inhalation

• Asbestosis• Lung Cancer• Mesothelioma

– Ingestion• Stomach Cancer• Colon Cancer

Heavily Regulated– AHERA– NESHAP– OSHA

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Carbon Monoxide

Engines No Warning Signs Symptoms

– Headache– Nausea– Confusion – Suffocation

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Metals Lead (Pb)

– Particulates – Demo – Fumes – Hot work

Exposures– Inhalation– Ingestion

Regulating Agencies– OSHA– HUD

Hexavalent Chromium (Cr+6)

– Fumes – Hot work Exposures

– Inhalation– Ingestion– Skin Contact

Regulating Agencies– OSHA

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Silica

Inhalation Silicosis

– Fibrosis and scarring• Chronic• Accelerated• Acute

– Symptoms Lung cancer Exposure Limit

– OSHA – calc. % silica– ACGIH - constant

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Welding

Fumes and other particulates

Organic by-products Physical

– Noise– Heat– Radiation

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Physical Hazards

ergonomicsergonomics

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Ergonomics

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Radiation

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Noise

Types– Impact– Intermittent

PEL/Action Level Hearing Conservation

– Notification– Monitoring– Training– Audiometric testing– PPE

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Weather

Temperatures – Cold - Hypothermia– Heat

• Heat Stress• Heat Exhaustion• Heat Stroke

Sun and Wind Burns Storms

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Microorganisms Viruses

– Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)– Hantavirus– Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus (Bird

Flu)

Bacteria– Legionella– Escherichia Coli (E. coli)

Fungi– Penicillium– Histoplasma

HIVHIV

HantavirusHantavirus

LegionellaLegionella

E. coliE. coli

PenicilliumPenicillium

HistoplasmaHistoplasma

Bird fluBird flu

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Viruses

West Nile Virus

Hantavirus

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Mold

Aspergillus

Stachybotrys

Cladosporium

HistoplasmaHistoplasma

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Evaluation

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Reducing Hazards

Elimination or substitution Engineering controls Warning Training and administrative controls Personal protective equipment

EF

FE

CT

IVE

NE

SS

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Thank You For Your Time!

Questions and Discussion