Workplace Hazards & Identification

Workplace Hazards and Identification

• A hazard in the workplace poses potential harm to people or property.
• Types of hazards include physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic.
• Physical hazards example: Noise, temperature extremes, radiation.
• Chemical hazard example: Toxic substances and fumes.
• Biological hazards example: Bacteria, viruses, and mold.
• Ergonomic hazard example: Repetitive motions, poor posture, and excessive force.
• Hazards classified as unsafe conditions are associated with the work environment.
• Hazards classified as unsafe acts are committed by employees.

Proactive Hazard Identification

• Proactive hazard identification occurs before an injury.
• Employee communication provides safety concern reporting mechanisms.
• Safety committees involve labor and management.
• Worksite inspections offer general or focused hazard identification, potentially scheduled or unannounced.
• Task observations focus on job tasks and worker interactions, developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) breaks tasks into steps, identifying hazards at each step, which is useful for high-injury or complex tasks.
• Industrial Hygiene Sampling includes air & noise sampling for overexposure prevention, repeated periodically for accuracy.

Reactive Hazard Identification

• Reactive hazard identification occurs after an injury.
• Accident Investigation identifies causal factors and prevents recurrence.
• Injury Trending identifies common patterns in accident reports.
• Medical Screening & Surveillance detects occupational illnesses early.

Hazard Evaluation: Qualitative and Quantitative

• Qualitative hazard evaluation considers the number of employees affected.
• Qualitative hazard evaluation considers frequency of exposure.
• Qualitative hazard evaluation considers history of injuries.
• Qualitative hazard evaluation considers likelihood of injury.
• Qualitative hazard evaluation considers severity of potential consequences.
• Quantitative hazard evaluation uses risk scoring systems to numerically rank hazards.
• Frequency and severity are key factors in quantitative risk scoring systems.

Hazard Control Methods and Hierarchy

• Hazard control occurs at the source, along the path, or at the receiver.
• Engineering controls are the most effective, modifying equipment or the work environment through isolation, substitution, or ventilation.
• Administrative controls involve work practice changes, like job rotation, training, and safe work procedures, to reduce risk.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the least effective control.
• PPE reduces exposure but does not eliminate the hazard.
• PPE must be properly fitted and maintained.

Industrial Hygiene and Workplace Toxins

• Industrial Hygiene encompasses the “art and science” of recognizing, evaluating, and controlling workplace health hazards.
• Inhalation is the most common route of exposure in the workplace.
• Other routes of exposure include absorption, ingestion, and injection.
• Acute chemical exposure leads to short-term, immediate effects.
• Chronic chemical exposure leads to long-term, gradual effects.
• Local chemical exposure causes effects at the point of contact.
• Systemic chemical exposure means the substance is absorbed into the bloodstream, affecting organs.

OSHA Chemical Regulations and Indoor Air Quality

• The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires safety data sheets (SDS).
• The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires container labeling.
• The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires employee training.
• Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) are OSHA set exposure limits for certain chemicals in the workplace.
• Many chemicals still do not have PELs; OSHA regulates ~470.
• Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to air quality in non-industrial environments like offices.
• Common IAQ issues include insufficient fresh air.
• Common IAQ issues include biological hazards like mold and bacteria.
• Common IAQ issues include chemical hazards from cleaning products like formaldehyde.
• No OSHA standards exist for IAQ.

Noise Hazards

• Noise is unwanted sound traveling in waves.
• Frequency (Hertz - Hz) determines pitch.
• Loudness (Decibels - dB) determines intensity.
• Risk factors for noise exposure: proximity and duration of the exposure.
• Noise exposure can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss.
• Noise exposure can cause tinnitus (ringing in ears).
• Noise exposure can cause interference with communication.
• Noise exposure can cause increased stress and elevated blood pressure.
• The OSHA 8-hour Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for noise is 90 dB.
• The OSHA 8-hour Action Level (AL) for noise is 85 dB.
• A Hearing Conservation Program is required if noise levels exceed 85 dB.
• A Hearing Conservation Program includes engineering controls and annual audiometric testing.
• Mandatory hearing protection is required if noise levels are above the PEL.

Ergonomics and Behavior-Based Safety

• Ergonomics studies the design of work tasks to fit the worker, reducing fatigue, discomfort, and injuries.
• Anthropometrics measures human body dimensions.
• Biomechanics studies human movement and force application.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a nerve compression in the wrist.
• Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) is an overuse injury of forearm muscles.
• Back disorders: 1 in 5 workplace injuries, often caused by improper lifting.
• Engineering controls are the best method for controlling ergonomic hazards, redesigning tasks, tools, and workstations.
• Administrative controls for ergonomics includes job rotation and work breaks.
• PPE is the least effective ergonomic control method and includes gloves and braces.
• Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) is a proactive approach focused on worker behavior as a key factor in workplace safety.
• The ABC Model is used in BBS.
• "A" in the ABC model is Activators which are safety training and rules.
• "B" in the ABC model is Behavior which is safe or unsafe actions.
• "C" in the ABC model is Consequences which is reinforcement or discipline.
• BBS is often over-promoted as a “cure-all.”
• BBS focuses more on worker actions than fixing unsafe conditions.
• Some unions argue BBS blames workers instead of addressing root causes.

Accident Investigation

• Accident investigation prevents recurrence.
• Accident investigation reduces costs.
• Accident investigation ensures compliance with OSHA regulations.
• The investigation process involves gathering information through interviews, reports, and scene review.
• The investigation process involves analyzing facts to determine the sequence of events.
• The investigation process involves identifying causes, including direct, surface, and root causes.
• The investigation process involves developing corrective actions using the Hierarchy of Controls to eliminate hazards.

Key OSHA Concepts

• The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) covers chemical safety requirements.
• Engineering controls are more effective than administrative controls.
• Administrative controls are more effective than PPE in the Hierarchy of Controls.
• All substances are toxic in high doses, according to Toxicology Principles.
• The most common workplace exposure route is inhalation.