NEBOSH International General Certificate

in Occupational Safety and Health

Unit IG2

Element 5: Physical and

Psychological Health

© RRC International
 Learning Objectives Objectives
• Describe the health effects associated with exposure to noise and
appropriate control measures.
• Describe the health effects associated with exposure to vibration
and appropriate control measures.
• Describe the health effects associated with ionising and non-
ionising radiation and appropriate control measures.
• Describe the causes of work-related mental ill-health and how
the condition can be managed.
• Describe the risk factors and appropriate controls for violence at
work.
• Describe the effects of substance abuse on health and safety at
work and control measures to reduce such risks.
5.1 Noise
 The Effects of Exposure to Noise
Physical effects: Psychological effects:
• Temporary: • Stress.
‒ Reduction in hearing • Concentration problems.
‒ Ringing in ears (temporary tinnitus)
• Permanent:
‒ Tinnitus.
‒ Noise-induced hearing loss
‒ Inability to hear vehicles, warnings,
conversations.
 Noise Exposure Standards
The two factors which determine the degree of harm are:
• Noise level.
• Duration of exposure.
A noise assessment is undertaken to measure noise levels
and durations of exposure.
This is then used to make an estimate of workers’ personal
exposure to noise.
Personal exposure is then compared to the legal standards.
Measurements and assessment must be undertaken by a
competent person.
 Noise Exposure Standards
• Subject to national laws around the world.
• No harmonised standards.
• In the UK, these are laid out in the Control of Noise at
Work Regulations 2005.
• Follow EU directive.
 Noise Exposure Standards
Personal noise exposure:
● The daily personal noise exposure
● is a worker’s calculated 8-hour noise exposure.

● Worker’s exposure to single peaks of exposure

(impulse noise) is also measured - this is the peak
sound pressure.
 Basic Noise Control Measures
Reduce noise at source Protect the receiver
• Eliminate. • Acoustic haven.

• • Hearing protection.
Substitute.
• Modify the process.
• Maintenance.
• Damping.
• Silencing.

Interrupting the pathway

• Insulation.
• Isolation.
• Absorption.
 Hearing Protection

Ear defenders (muffs):

• Encase the ear and bones
surrounding the ear.

Ear plugs:
• Fit into the ear canal.
 Group Exercise
Discuss the relative advantages and limitations
of ear defenders (muff type) and ear plugs as
forms of hearing protection.
 The Role of 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.
 Group Exercise
Identify occupations at risk from noise-induced
hearing loss and the potential causes.
 Jobs Effected by Exposure to Noise
• 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 staff:

‒ Acoustic shock from headsets.
 End of Section 5.1 Exercise
1. What are the health effects of exposure to high levels of noise?

2. There are three 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?
5.2: Vibration
HHealth Effects of Exposure to Vibration f
Exposure to Vibration
Hand-Arm Vibration effects:

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)

• Vibration white finger (blanching).
• Nerve damage.
• Muscle weakening.
• Joint damage.

Carpal tunnel syndrome. Typical vibration white finger

(Source: HSE Guidance L140)
(Reproduced under the terms of the Open Government Licence)
Health Effects of Exposure to Vibration of
Exposure
• Whole-body to Vibration
vibration effects:
‒ Back pain.

• Occupations:
‒ Drivers.
‒ E.g. dumper truck driving.
 The Assessment of Vibration Exposure
Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
• Vibration ‘dose’ determined by:
‒ Vibration magnitude.

‒ Duration of exposure.

• Personal exposure is estimated.

• Called ‘eight-hour energy equivalent vibration magnitude’
or ‘A(8)’.
• This is compared to legal standards.
 Basic Vibration Control Measures
• Reduce vibration at source: • Duration:
‒ Eliminate. ‒ Limit time exposed.
‒ Substitute. ‒ Job rotation.
‒ Change work technique.
‒ Maintenance.
• Person:
‒ PPE.
• Interrupt the pathway:
‒ Isolate.
 Role of 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.
5.3: Radiation
The Types of Radiation and their Health Effects
Two types:
• Non-ionising:
‒ Does not cause ionisation in the material that absorbs
it.
‒ E.g. visible light.

• Ionising:
‒ Does cause ionisation in the material that absorbs it.
‒ E.g. X-rays.
Typical Occupational Sources of Non-Ionising Radiation

Types Sources Health Effects

Ultraviolet (UV) Sunlight Skin burns
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
Controlling Exposure to 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
 Types of 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 for non-destructive testing of metal and
welds.
• Neutrons
‒ Nuclear power stations.
 Health Effects
• Acute Health Effects
‒ Radiation sickness and diarrhoea.
‒ Hair loss.
‒ Anaemia (red blood cell damage).
‒ Reduced immune system (white blood cell damage).

• Chronic Health Effects

‒ Cancer.
‒ Genetic mutations.
‒ Birth defects.
 Basic Means of Controlling Exposure to Ionising
Radiationontrolling Exposure to Ionising Radiation
• Time
‒ Minimise exposure.
‒ Dose proportional to time.

• Distance
‒ Alpha and beta can’t travel long distances through air.
‒ Other forms obey the inverse square law:
double the distance = quarter the dose.

• Shielding
‒ Using material such as lead.
Basic Means of Controlling Exposure to Ionising
Radiation
Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017
Dose limits on exposure:
• General public < 1mSv per year.
• Workers < 20mSv per year.

The Regulations require that a risk assessment be carried

out. This should be done by a competent person.
A Radiation Protection Adviser and Radiation Protection
Supervisors may need to be appointed.
 Basic Radiation Protection Strategies
Basic protection strategies that apply in all cases:
• Eliminate exposure so far as is reasonably practicable.
• Reduce exposure to the lowest level reasonably practicable.
• Do not exceed the relevant radiation dose limits.
• Risk-assessed by a competent person.
• Training and information.
• Health surveillance.
5.4: Mental Ill Health
 Work-Related Stress
Stress is:
The adverse reaction that people have to excessive pressure
of other demands placed upon them.

Health effects:
‒ Psychological.

‒ Physical.
‒ Behavioural.

Can lead to serious ill health if prolonged.

 Work-Related Stress
Psychological: Physical: Behavioural:
• Anxiety. • Sweating. • Sleeplessness.
• Low self-esteem. • Fast heartbeat. • Poor
• Depression. • High blood concentration.
pressure. • Poor decision-
making.
• Skin rashes. • Mood swings.
• Muscle tension. • Irritability.
• Headache. • Alcohol
• Dizziness. consumption.
• Drug misuse.
• Absence from
work.
 Causes of Work-Related Mental Ill
HealthMental Ill Health
Causes of stress:
• Excessive demands.
• Lack of control over work.
• Lack of support.
• Poor workplace relationships.
• Lack of clarity about an individual's role.
• Threat of change, and change itself.
Stress Control Measures
Control Measures
• Demands
‒ 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.
 End of Module 5.4 Exercise
1. What is ‘stress’?
2. What are the three categories of health effect
that can result from stress?
3. What are the causes of workplace stress?
5.5: Work-Related Violence
 Risk Factors and Control Measures
Work-Related violence:
"Any incident in which a person is abused, threatened
or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work.”
 Risk Factors for Violence
• Hospital accident and emergency staff.
• Police.
• Social workers.
• Bus and taxi drivers.
• Fire-fighters and paramedics.
• Traffic wardens.
• Railway staff.
• Teachers.
 Control Measures for Violence
At a central office:
• Zero-tolerance and prosecution. • Display waiting times.

• Security staff. • Training.

• CCTV. • Screens.

• Security doors. • Panic alarms.

• Minimise queues and waiting • Pleasant environment.

times.
5.6: Substance Abuse at Work
 Types of Substances Abused at Work
• Alcohol
‒ taken at lunch time, at work, or still in a worker’s system from
the night before.

• Legal drugs
‒ prescription or over-the-counter non-prescription drugs.

• Illegal drugs (controlled)

‒ such as heroin, cannabis, cocaine.

• Solvents
‒ sniffing substances such as glue, solvent cleaners and paint-
spray cans.
 Risks to Health and Safety from Substance Abuse at Work
Effects on safety performance: Increased risk for:
• Sensory impairment. • Driving.
• Skewed perception. • Operating
• Impaired motor control. machinery.
• Fatigue and drowsiness. • Making decisions.
Control Measures to Reduce Risks from Substance Abuse at Work

Drugs and alcohol policy:

• No alcohol at work or during working hours.
• Statutory legal requirements, e.g. drink drive laws.
• Non-statutory requirements set by the employer.
• Access for workers to rehabilitation and treatment.
• Disciplinary procedures.
• Information, instruction and training of managers, supervisors and
workers.
• Random drugs and alcohol testing:
‒ Legal and ethical implications.
 Summary
In this element, we have:
• Explained the effects of exposure to excessive noise, noise exposure standards
and basic principles of noise assessment.
• Outlined the different ways to control exposure to noise.
• Discussed the effects of exposure to excessive hand-arm and whole-body
vibration, the exposure standards and the basic principles of vibration
assessment.
• Outlined the different ways to control exposure to vibration.
• Described the types of non-ionising and ionising radiation, their health effects,
and control of exposure (including radon).
• Outlined the effects of work-related mental ill health, the causes and preventive
measures.
• Discussed risk factors for work-related violence and control measures.
• Outlined types of substances abused at work, and risks to health and safety of
drugs and alcohol misuse and the control measures available.