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PHYSICAL HAZARD
PRESSURE

SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTIC
• Ocean and high places are unsuitable environments for humans.
• Many medical problems are related to diving and climbing activities
due to pressure
• At sea level: pressure = 1 atm
• Every 10 meter depth = pressure increase by 1 atm
• At 20 meter depth: pressure = 3 atm
• At high levels, increase in pressure is not ratio to height
• The higher the level: the lower the pressure

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SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTIC
1. Boyle theory: Negative ratio of pressure with volume

P = 1/V
P1V1 = P2V2

2. Henry Theory: Total gas dissolved has a positive relation with the
gas partial pressure.

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RELATED LEGISLATION
OSHA 1994 (general)

• Objective 1

To ensure the safety, health and welfare of people at work towards risks to
safety and health resulting from the activities of people at work.

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OCCUPATIONS AT RISK
• Divers
ØNavy
ØScuba divers – recreational
ØUnderwater loggers
ØPearl divers

• Mountain climbers

• Pilots

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HEALTH EFFECTS
• Barotrauma
Destruction of organ tissues that contain air as a result of pressure changes
(example: middle, ear, sinus, lungs)

• Decompression sickness
Formation of bubble in the blood and tissues while in a low pressure
environment

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HEALTH EFFECTS
Symptoms
• Ear – pain, bleeding
• Breathing difficult
• Chocking sensation
• Dizziness drowsiness
• Confusion and reduced brain ability
• Body pains, weakness of muscles, numbness
• Skin redness and irritation
• Coma
• Personality change

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CONTROL MEASURES
• Training, information and instruction
ØSafety training (including understanding the disease process)
• Standard procedures
ØSafe practices
ØEquipment
ØHealth assessment
• Equipment
ØProper method of use
ØMaintenance

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HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
• Worker selection (example: diver)
ØPre-employment medical surveillance

• Regular medical assessment

ØAnnual assessment
ØRecord keeping of injuries/disease

• Clinical assessment
1. Fitness test
2. Audiometric test
3. Lung function test
4. Neurobehavioral test

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