Mahinda Seneviratne - Master Builders Association of NSW - Multi-format panel: Hazard management:
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Transcript of Mahinda Seneviratne - Master Builders Association of NSW - Multi-format panel: Hazard management:
Safety, Return to Work and Support Division
Specialist Service Group Work Health and Safety Division
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Chemical Hazard Management
Mahinda Seneviratne State Inspector - Hygiene & Toxicology Hazardous Chemical Services Team WorkCover NSW
Safety in Action 2014 3 September 2014
Safety, Return to Work and Support Division
Hygiene & Toxicology • Multi-disciplinary cluster with skills in Occupational Health, Hygiene
and Toxicology
• Provide technical assistance to Operations Inspectorate
• Develop and lead high risk verification and targeted intervention programs
• Expert technical advice for guidance material, national standards and codes and policy matters
• Build capability for systematic management of hazardous chemicals
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Safety, Return to Work and Support Division
Workplace exposure assessments
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Safety, Return to Work and Support Division
Hazardous Chemicals Regulations • 1996: Hazardous Substances Regulatory Package
o Classification, Labelling, Preparing MSDS (NOHSC) o Exposure Standards for Airborne Contaminants » Mandatory documented risk assessments
• 2011: Model National Work Health and Safety legislation o COP Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the
workplace (Safe Work Australia) o GHS for classification and labelling » Risk Management – Identify (Assess) and Control
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Safety, Return to Work and Support Division
Occupational Health burden • Annual mortality from illness and disease related to workplace
chemical exposures estimated to be much higher than work-related fatalities.
(Kerr et al, 1998, Driscoll and Fritchi, 2012)
• Cases of chemical-related illness, especially long-latency chronic disease are often not recognised as occupational health problems. – Workers Compensation claims – Hospital admission records – Workplace Investigations
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Safety, Return to Work and Support Division
A ubiquitous workplace chemical hazard • Machinery or equipment used at your workplace can emit chemicals
that are hazardous to health. • A mixture of fine particles and a number of toxic gases and
carcinogens. • Airborne mixture can be breathed deep into the lungs. • Short-term exposure can irritate eyes, nose, throat • Longer exposures can worsen asthma and allergies
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Safety, Return to Work and Support Division
Diesel Exhaust Emissions • Workplace machinery or equipment emit hazardous chemicals • A mixture of fine particles, toxic gases and carcinogens • Can be breathed deep into the lungs
• Short-term exposure – irritate eyes, nose, throat
• Longer exposures – worsen asthma and allergies
• High exposure long-term – heart disease, lung cancer
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Safety, Return to Work and Support Division
How do we manage risks of exposure?
1) Anticipate
2) Recognise
3) Assess
4) Control
5) Monitor & Review
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