Controlling Workplace Hazards

Unit GC2 International

Element 8: Physical and Psychological
Health Hazards and Risk Control

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 Learning Outcomes
• Outline the health effects associated with
exposure to noise and appropriate control
measures
• Outline the health effects associated with
exposure to vibration and appropriate control
measures
• Outline the health effects associated with ionising
and non-ionising radiation and appropriate
control measures
• Outline the meaning, causes and effects of work-
related stress and appropriate control measures

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 Unit GC2: Element 8.1
NOISE

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 Noise
Effects of Exposure to Noise
Physical effects:
• Temporary reduction in hearing sensitivity
• Temporary ringing in the ears
• Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)
• Tinnitus (persistent ringing in the ears)
• Inability to hear vehicles, alarms and speech
Psychological effects:
• Stress
• Difficulty concentrating
• Increased errors
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 The Human Ear

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 The Human Ear

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 Terminology

Frequency • pitch
• human ear detects 20Hz to 20,000Hz
Sound pressure • expressed in decibels (dB)
Intensity • the volume or loudness (dB)
Decibel (dB) • sou d pressure level, loud ess
A-weighting • noise measurement scale matching
human hearing
C-weighting • noise measurement scale accurate
for impulse noise

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 Decibel Levels

Measurement
Sound
in dB(A)
0 Faintest audible sounds
20-30 Quiet library
50-60 Conversation
65-75 Loud radio
90-100 Power drill
140 Jet aircraft taking off 25m away
• The decibel scale is logarithmic
• An increase of just 3 dB = a doubling of sound

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 Assessment of Exposure
• Simple sound meter
– measures instant noise levels
– simple surveys
• Integrating sound level meter
– measures noise over a period of time
– used for all surveys
• Dosimeters
– worn by worker
– personal noise exposure

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 Noise Exposure Limits
• Subject to national laws around the world
• No harmonised standards
• General agreement on daily personal noise dose
of 85dB(A)
(Can be measured as weekly personal noise
exposure over a weekly period.)
• Dose depends upon
− Noise level in dB(A)
− Duration of exposure (hours and minutes)

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 Noise Exposure Standards
European Standards (by way of example)

Lower Exposure Action Value: 80 dB(A) Daily

Personal Noise exposure
• Carry out noise assessment
• Information, instruction and training
• Make hearing protection available

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 Noise Exposure Standards
Upper Exposure Action Value: 85dB(A) Daily
Personal Noise Exposure
• Carry out a noise assessment
• Reduce noise exposure by engineering means,
ALARP
If noise is still above 85dB(A)
• Mandatory hearing-protection zone
• Information, instruction and training
• Provide hearing protection and enforce use
• Health surveillance
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 Noise Exposure: Summary
Lower exposure action values:
A daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 80dB(A); and
A peak sound pressure of 135dB (C) for impulse noise

Upper exposure action values:

A daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 85dB(A); and
A peak sound pressure of 137dB(C) for impulse noise

There are also exposure limit values (as absolute limits):

A daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 87dB(A); and
A peak sound pressure of 140dB(C) for impulse noise

Where e plo ees e posure varies arkedl fro da to da the

weekly personal noise exposure can be used in place of the daily
personal exposure standards

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 Group Syndicate Exercise
A noise survey has been carried out and
there are 2 work areas of concern:
• Machine shop - noise levels
83dB(A) throughout the shift
• Wood working area - noise levels
87dB(A) throughout the shift

Discuss the actions that could be taken

in each area

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 Basic Noise-Control Measures

Reflected Noise Path

Direct Noise Path

Noise
Source
Structure
pathway

Noise: source, pathway, receiver

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 Basic Noise-Control Measures
Source Receiver
• Eliminate • Acoustic haven
• Substitute • Hearing protection
• Modify process
• Maintenance
• Damping
• Silencing
Pathway
• Insulation
• Isolation
• Absorption
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 Group Syndicate Exercise

Discuss why hearing protection is an

inefficient method of reducing noise exposure
in a noisy workplace

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 Hearing Protection

Ear Defenders (muffs)

• Encase the ear and bones surrounding the ear

Ear plugs
• Fit into the ear canal

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 Hearing Protection
Ear defenders or muffs
Advantages Limitations
Easy to supervise and Uncomfortable
enforce use, as visible
Less chance of ear Efficiency affected by long hair,
infections spectacles, etc
Higher level of protection Must be inspected, cleaned
possible and maintained
Can integrate with other
PPE
Re-usable

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 Hearing Protection
Ear plugs
Advantages Limitations
Cheap and easy to use Difficult to see when fitted,
supervision and enforcement
difficult
Disposable Risk of infection if dirty, or if
cross-contaminated when
inserted
More comfortable, range Need to be correctly sized for
of designs individual
Do not interfere with Effectiveness decreases with
other PPE usage

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 Hearing Protection
• Information,
instruction, training
• Safe storage
• Cleaning
• Maintenance
• Replacement

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 Hearing Protection
Attenuation
Information is required on the:
• Noise in the workplace
− from survey
• Attenuation characteristics of the
hearing protection
− from manufacturer
• Ear muffs give higher attenuation
than ear plugs

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 Health Surveillance
Audiometry allows:
• Identification of workers with:
- pre-existing hearing
damage
- new hearing damage
• Removal/exclusion of such
workers from high-noise areas
• Investigation of noise controls
to rectify problems

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 Group Syndicate Activity

Identify occupations at risk from noise-

induced hearing loss and the potential causes

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 Occupations at Risk
Construction workers
− Plant, machinery, e.g. concrete-breakers
Uniformed services
− Small arms and artillery
Entertainment-sector workers
− Loud music
Manufacturing-sector workers
− Industrial machinery
Call-centre workers
− Acoustic shock from headsets
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 End-of-Section Quiz
1. What are the health effects of exposure to
high levels of noise?
2. There are 3 main ways of reducing noise
(fill in the blanks)
• Reduce noise at ________________
• Interrupt the __________from source to
receiver
• Protect the ________ through engineering
controls or PPE
3. What types of PPE are available? What are
the pros and cons of each?
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 Unit GC2: Element 8.2
VIBRATION

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 Effects of Exposure to Vibration
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)
• Vibration white finger (blanching)
• Nerve damage
• Muscle-weakening
• Joint damage

Typical vibration white finger

(Source: HSE Guidance)
(Reproduced under the terms of the Click-Use Licence)

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 Group Syndicate Exercise
• What occupations are most at risk of
exposure to vibration?
• How can you reduce the risks?
(Consider the use of a mechanical sander at
home)

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 Effects of Exposure to Vibration
Whole-Body Vibration
• Damage to spinal discs
• Vertigo

Occupations:
− Dumper-truck driving
− Aircraft cabin crew

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 Vibration Assessment
• Vi ratio dose is deter i ed as a
personal exposure to vibration
averaged over 8 hours
• Vibration dose determined by:
− vibration magnitude (ms-2)
− duration of exposure
(hours/mins)

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 Vibration Exposure Limits
• Standards vary according to national law
• At or above the Daily Exposure Action Value
− Vibration risk assessment
− Reduce exposure level
− Training
− Health surveillance
• At or above the Daily Exposure Limit Value (ELV)
− Vibration risk assessment
− Reduce exposure below the ELV

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 Control of Vibration
Source: Duration:
• Eliminate • Limit time exposed
• Job rotation
• Substitute
• Change work method
Person:
• Maintenance • PPE

Pathway:
• Isolate

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 Health Surveillance
At or above the Exposure Action Value
• Health surveillance allows:
• Identification of workers with
- pre-existing vibration damage
- new vibration damage
• Removal/exclusion of such
workers from vibration sources
• Investigation of vibration sources
to rectify problems
Reproduced under the terms of
the click-use licence

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 End-of-Section Quiz

1. What are the symptoms of HAVs?

2. What two factors are considered when
al ulati g the dose of vi ratio ?

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 Unit GC2: Element 8.3
RADIATION

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 Radiation
Two types:
• Non-ionising
– lower energy
– heating effects
– does not change the structure of atoms

• Ionising
– higher energy
– can change the structure of
atoms

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 NON-IONISING RADIATION

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 Occupational Sources of Radiation
Non-Ionising Radiation
Non-ionising radiation is present in most workplaces
and is used for various applications. Typical
occupational sources include:
• UV – sunlight; arc-welding
• IR – red-hot steel in a rolling mill; glass manufacture
• Visible light – laser levelling device; laser pointer
• Microwaves – industrial microwave oven in a food
factory; telecommunications equipment (e.g. a mobile
phone antenna)
• Radiowaves – radio, TV, or radar antennae
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 Non-Ionising Radiation

Types Sources Health Effects

Ultraviolet Sunlight Skin burns
(UV) Arc welding Arc eye (photokeratitis)
Skin cancer
Visible light Lasers Temporary blindness
Infrared (IR) Red-hot steel Redness and skin burns,
Glass manufacture retinal burns, cataracts
Microwaves Food preparation Internal heating
Telecommunications Organ damage
Radiowaves Radio, TV Internal heating
radar Organ damage

Arc Eye

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 Protection from Non-Ionising
Radiation
Types Protection
Ultraviolet (UV) • Cover exposed skin
• Protect eyes
Visible light, lasers • Low class: avoid shining in eyes
• High class: eye protection, shielding,
non-reflective surfaces
Infrared (IR) • Cover exposed skin
• Protect eyes
Microwaves • Safe distance
• Isolate and lock off
Radiowaves • Safe distance
• Isolate and lock off

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 IONISING RADIATION

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 Types of Ionising Radiation
Can penetrate the body and cause serious and
permanent harm:
• Alpha particles
• Beta particles
• X-rays
• Gamma rays
• Neutrons

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 Acute Health Effects
Radiation sickness
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
• Blistering and ulceration of skin
• Hair loss
• Dermatitis
• Cataracts
• Anaemia
• Reduced immune system
• Infertility

The larger the dose, the greater the risk

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 Chronic Health Effects
• Cancer
• Genetic mutation
• Birth defects

The larger the dose, the greater the risk

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 Occupational Sources of Radiation
Ionising Radiation
• Alpha particles – smoke detectors and science
labs
• Beta particles – science labs and thickness gauges
• X-rays – medical radiography and baggage security
scanners
• Gamma-rays – industrial radiography
• Neutrons – nuclear power stations

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 Protection from Ionising Radiation
Time:
• Minimise exposure
• Dose proportionate to time
• Half life
Distance:
• Alpha, eta a t travel lo g dista es through air
Shielding:
• Depends on type of radiation

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 Protection from Ionising Radiation

Shielding

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 Group Syndicate Exercise
A pregnant lady is in need of an X-ray for a
suspected broken bone.
Discuss the control measures in the X-ray
department of a hospital, using:
• Time
• Distance
• Shielding
to structure your answer

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 Protection from Ionising Radiation
• In order to ensure that such controls are properly
planned, implemented and monitored, a
competent person (or persons) should be
appointed in the workplace.
• The details of the role may vary internationally. As
an example, this role is fulfilled in the UK by a
Radiation Protection Supervisor and a Radiation
Protection Adviser

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 Dose Limits
International Commission on Radiological
Protection (ICRP)
Recommendations on exposure:
• General public < 1mSv per year
• Workers < 20mSv per year

Measured with a Geiger

counter

Translated into legal limits in

most countries
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 Radon Gas
• Naturally occurring
• Radioactive gas
• Seeps from the ground
• Levels vary depending on location
• Emits alpha particles
• Health effects:
- outside body - not particularly hazardous
- inside body (ingestion/inhalation) -
hazardous
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 Radon Gas
Where naturally-occurring levels are high:
- Outside – low concern
- Inside – poorly ventilated workplaces, e.g.
basements can be a significant risk
Control of risk above the action level:
- Radiation Protection Supervisor
- Positive-pressure air fans
- Radon sumps and extraction systems

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 Basic Radiation Protection Strategies
Basic protection strategies that apply in all cases:

• Risk assessed by a competent person (RPA?)

• Eliminated exposure so far as is reasonably practicable.
• Reduce exposure to the lowest level reasonable
practicable
• Do not exceed the relevant radiation dose limits.
• Training and information
• Health surveillance

Legal standards:
• Local legislation based on regional law and
international conventions

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 Health Surveillance

Types of examination include:

• Skin checks
• Respiratory checks
• Exposure records
• Sickness records

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 Group Syndicate Exercise

You are going on holiday to a hot country with

long hours of sunshine
Discuss how you will protect yourself from
sunburn from the UV light using:
• Time
• Distance
• Shielding
to structure your answer

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 End-of-Section Quiz

1. Identify the different types of ionising

radiation
2. Identify different sources of non-ionising
radiation
3. What are the health effects of exposure to
UV radiation?

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 Unit GC2: Element 8.4
STRESS

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 Stress

Stress is:
• An adverse reaction to excessive pressure

• Health effects:
– psychological
– physical
– behavioural

Can lead to serious ill health if prolonged

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 Effects of Stress

Psychological Physical Behavioural

• Anxiety • Sweating • Sleeplessness
• Low self-esteem • Heart rate • Poor
concentration
• Depression • Blood pressure
• Poor decision-
• Skin rashes making
• Muscle tension • Mood swings
• Headache • Irritability
• Dizziness • Alcohol
consumption
• Drug misuse
• Absence from
work

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 Group Syndicate Exercise

Discuss what causes stress in your own life, or

others you have known to be stressed

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 Causes of Stress

Demands - excessive
Control - weak
Support - poor
Relationship - difficult
Role - undefined
Change - uncertainty

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 Stress Control Measures

• Demand - reasonable demands, sufficient

resources
• Control - given as much control as possible

• Support - information, instruction, training,

additional support
• Relationships - clear anti-harassment and bullying
policies
• Role - clear job descriptions,
responsibilities and authority
• Change - planning and preparation for change,
communication, timescales

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 End-of-Section Quiz

1. What is stress ?
2. What are the three types of health effect
that can result from stress?
3. What are the causes of workplace stress?

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