Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • Types of Hazards Health

    Uploaded by

    feroz
    4 views32 pages

    Original Title

    types of hazards health

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Report this Document

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as pdf
    4 views32 pages

    Types of Hazards Health

    Uploaded by

    feroz

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as pdf
    of 32
    laa ed a2 Labor & Industries Health Hazards in Construction Developed by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) May, 2011 a CU als a2 Labor & Industries What this presentation covers This module gives a general overview of the various health hazards to which construction workers may be (yd oJe)\-16 CO alan) (er-] a P4-] R03 e Physical Hazards ¢ Biological Hazards e Ergonomic Hazards Introduction Construction work is dynamic, diverse, and constantly changing. This poses a great challenge in protecting the health and safety of construction workers. Construction workers are at risk of exposure to various health hazards that can result in injury, illness, disability, or even death. Risk Factors in Construction Factors increasing the health risk of construction workers include: * constantly changing job site environments and conditions * multiple contractors and subcontractors * high turnover; unskilled laborers * constantly changing relationships with other work groups + diversity of work activities occurring simultaneously * exposures to health hazards resulting from own work as well as from nearby activities (“bystander exposure”) Types of Health Hazards Health hazards are generally grouped as: * Chemical + Physical * Biological + Ergonomic Ergonomic hazards are the most frequently occurring health hazards in construction and the cause of most injuries. Some Examples of Construction Health Hazards Occupations ela Marske Brickmasons Cement dermatitis, awkward postures, heavy loads Drywall installers Plaster dust, heavy loads, awkward postures Heavy metals in solder fumes, awkward posture, heavy loads, asbestos Solvent vapors, toxic metals in pigments, paint additives eeu Ut erect} Lead fumes and particles, welding fumes, asbestos dust Insulation workers Asbestos, synthetic fibers, awkward postures erty Noise, awkward postures, repetitive motion Drillers, earth, rock Silica dust, whole-body vibration, noise Excavating and loading Silica dust, histoplasmosis, whole-body vibration, heat machine operators Sete el od Hazardous waste workers leat stress, toxic chemicals Chemical Hazards Chemicals can exist in the form of: i ¢ dusts, fumes, fibers (solids) OTe [el rola cies) © gases, vapors Chemicals are found in variety of products used at construction sites. Workers may also be exposed to chemicals generated during construction activities. 6 5 1 eTaa)o) (Smo s Bo) chemical ane) : hazards + silica . oltre * cadmium . alehail * carbon 5 Ls monoxide welding fumes spray paints cutting oil mists solvents hexavalent chromium Chemical Hazards Chemicals can enter the body through: * inhalation —- breathed in Inhalation is typically the most common way chemicals can enter the body in a work situation. * ingestion - accidental swallowing through eating, drinking, or smoking a * absorption - absorbed through contact with skin lm N or Injection, in which a chemical enters the body when the skin is punctured, occurs rarely (e.g., paint from a high-pressure spray gun). Chemical Hazards Two types of health effects from chemical exposure Appears immediately or | Typically sudden, | Headache, within short time following | short-term, high collapse or exposure, (minutes or concentration death from high hours); death possible levels of carbon from some hazardous monoxide MSC Ue} Usually develops slowly, | Continued or Lung cancer as long as 15-20 years or | repeated for a from exposure prolonged period, | to asbestos usually years Some chemicals can have both acute and chronic effects, e.g., carbon monoxide. Asbestos Construction workers may be exposed to asbestos during demolition or remodeling of older buildings built before 1980 which can contain asbestos insulation, or other asbestos containing products. Asbestos removal can only be done by specially iic-Tiat (6 i=) 91-110 OL ole — Asbestos exposure can cause breathing problems, lung cancer and cancer of the lung lining many years after exposure. Welding fumes contain a variety of chemicals depending on what is being welded on, chemical makeup of welding rods, fluxes and shielding [oF h\om Welding in a confined space Generally, welding in confined spaces or welding on stainless steel which generates hexavalent chromium, are the most hazardous welding activities. Welding on a stainless steel tank Solvents A variety of solvents with varying degrees of toxicity are used in construction. They are in paints, glues, epoxies and other products. Generally, the possibility of exposure to excessive amounts of solvent vapors is greater when solvents are handled in enclosed or confined spaces. Solvents can: - Irritate your eyes, nose or throat, - Make you dizzy, high, sleepy, give you a headache or cause you to pass out, - Affect your judgment or coordination, - Cause internal damage to your body, - Dry out or irritate your skin. ee sunnyside meas EI Silica - more than just dust Silica or quartz dust exposure is very common in construction from drilling, cutting or grinding on concrete, sandblasting, rock drilling or in masonry work. Exposure to excessive silica dust causes lung scarring and lung Col tte) 1a We Brick cutting Blowing concrete dust with Tele] compressed air Lead Construction workers can be exposed to lead on bridge repair work, lead paint removal on metal structures or buildings or demolition of old buildings with lead paint, or using lead solder. Lead is highly toxic and can cause severe, long term health problems. Confined Spaces Exposure to chemicals or lack of oxygen in confined spaces can be deadly. Airborne chemicals can quickly reach dangerous levels in confined spaces that are not ventilated. Carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, welding fumes and solvent vapors are typical confined space chemical hazards. In some confined spaces, oxygen deficiency will cause the person entering to instantly collapse. As many co-workers who attempt rescue die in confined spaces as the original worker who collapsed. Confined spaces include manholes, sewers, vaults, tanks, and boilers in new construction or in repair and maintenance work. Physical Hazards Physical hazards are different types of energy which may be hazardous to workers. They include: * Noise * Vibration * Temperature extremes * Radiation Physical Hazards — Noise Prolonged exposure to Cy oT MOSM NL can cause noise-induced hearing loss. Noise levels above 85 decibels can cause hearing loss. When you are exposed to Cool -ttII Male) ete] SP Ud first stage is temporary hearing loss. Over time, the hearing loss becomes permanent. Probable noise levels of some common construction Fol Toenail —le Equipment or Tool _Noise level will PsN cst ise Te del} 85 decibels Bulldozer 87 decibels Chopsaw 92 decibels Grader/scraper 107 decibels Front end loader Joel -fellol I Rte Ts 102 decibels Nail-gun 97 decibels Router EJoMel-follof-1f Welding equipment 92 decibels ESN Co ROM Pleo lM Sa ce MANTA melee or-UUoT-ly PREP ans ieee as eee ae Physical Hazards — Noise Several factors influence the noise levels to which workers are exposed: = Type of equipment being operated = Condition/maintenance of altem-e(el ona 1a18 = Other equipment running at alaTest Um =) = Enclosed or partially enclosed spaces High noise levels can be sporadic in construction. Damage to hearing is cumulative and exposure limits are based on 8-hour averages. Workers not using or operating equipment are often exposed to excessive noise as much as the operators. Physical Hazards — Whole Body Vibration Whole-body vibration can occur from operating large mobile equipment, such as drillers, air hammers, pile drivers, tractors, graders, excavators, earth-moving equipment, and other large machinery. Physical Hazards — Vibration Hand-arm vibration can result from using hand-held power tools, such as pneumatic drills and hammers, and disc grinders. Hand-arm vibration may cause carpal tunnel syndrome, a disease that affects the fingers and hands. In the long run, permanent damages to the nerves will result in a loss of the sense of touch Vale mel-ya(ca1nVa Working in a cold and damp environment can aggravate the harmful effects of hand-arm vibration. Physical Hazards - Temperature Extremes A change in body temperature due to extreme work environmental conditions can lead to stress or illness from heat or cold. If not treated in time, both heat and cold stress/illness can develop into life-threatening situations. Heavy work in high temperatures can cause muscle cramps, dehydration, sudden collapse, and unconsciousness. Cold temperatures can lead to fatigue, irregular breathing, confusion, and loss of consciousness (hypothermia). Heat illnesses: Cold illnesses and injuries: , Selle + Frost nip boul + Immersion injury (trench foot) + Heat cramps Cia a-baar- le isyee A) Dain reco) Cd + Frost bite Cae iy eet Lanalct Physical Hazards - Heat Hot conditions can occur from: * prolonged work under eS direct sunlight in summer (e.g., asphalt paving or roofing in summer) = wearing impermeable protective clothing when doing heavy work * working in an enclosed area with a strong heat source, poor ventilation, and high humidity (e.g., heavy equipment operators in an enclosed cab with without sufficient ventilation) Physical Hazards — Cold Cold conditions: cold air temperatures rain, snow, sleet, or other wet weather conditions windy conditions underground construction Wiei@ working over water and falling in Physical Hazards — lonizing Radiation + X-rays and gamma rays from equipment used to gauge the density and thickness of pipes, to inspect welds, or for detecting weakness of metal structures * radioactive isotopes from flow meters Health effects: increased risk of developing cancer and genetic disease. Physical Hazards - non-ionizing radiation Welding ultraviolet light Rooftop radio antenna + ultraviolet light from sunlight & welding + infrared radiation from torch welding and cutting + radio waves from radio transmission devices ( roof-top dishes & antennas) + lasers used for aligning, ranging, and surveying are usually low-powered but can cause eye injuries if directly viewed for extended time fae UMM os skin cancer * premature skin aging eye damage * burns Biological Hazards Diseases or illnesses can occur from biological sources: * Microorganisms (€.g., - West Nile virus bacteria, viruses, - Lyme Disease fungi, molds) - Histoplasmosis (fungus in bird droppings) — Hantavirus * Planttoxings ~ Poison oak & sumac; — stinging nettles Lacoste la r- 9 ESN at Mom otsroMel Ce CR UCM elma cre (ola oeaeL ieee Uae seulelU Relate eco ERE: Exposure may occur during demolition, renovation, sewer work, work on air handling systems, or other construction work from contact with contaminated or disease-carrying: * soil ae Tits + insects (mosquitoes, ticks) | bird or bat droppings Oia} Seve el fcisy Ergonomic Hazards Ergonomic hazards can cause painful and disabling injuries to joints and muscles. The can occur from: heavy, frequent, or awkward lifting repetitive tasks awkward grips, postures using excessive force, overexertion using wrong tools for the job or using tools improperly using improperly maintained tools hand-intensive work Ergonomic Hazards can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and injuries: = BS te ne le sole Un ie one of the most common injuries among construction workers = tendonitis = carpal tunnel syndrome = low back pain = fatigue Multiple health hazards In some cases, workers can be exposed to several health hazards at the same time or on the same worksite over time. BUDS M eli

    You might also like