CHAPTER 3 OSH

Forms of chemical agent

- dust

- gases

- vapour

- liquid

- mist

- fume

form of biological agent

- fungi

- moulds

- bacteria

- viruses

route of entry to human body

- inhalation

- absorption through the skin

- ingestion

- injection

intergumentary

dermatitis

irritant contact dermatitis

- occurs soon after contact with the substance and the condition reverses after contact ceases (detergents and weak acids);

allergic contact dermatitis

- caused by a sensitizer such as turpentine, epoxy resin, solder flux and formaldehyde

if you work in lab what are the potential hazards and risk

• viral and bacterial infections, including but not limited to HIV, hepatitis or tuberculosis, as well as antimicrobialresistant pathogens;

• diseases and accidents caused by sharps and needlestick injuries;

• direct contact with contaminated surfaces or persons;

• airborne transmission of viral bacteria and fungal pathogens as well as substances and structures produced by them;

• infections and allergies caused by handling microorganisms and cell cultures, especially of organic tissues; and

• accidental spills.

if you work in the metal/wood/mining industry what are the hazards

• skin problems due to bacteria and bronchial asthma due to gram negative bacteria and their endotoxins, moulds/yeasts in circulating fluids used in industrial processes such as grinding, fluids used in pulp factories, and metal- and stone-cutting fluids; and

• bacteria and enzymes in manufacturing

if you work in building/construction industry what are the hazards

• airborne transmission of viral, bacteria and fungal pathogens and the substances and structures produced by them;

• infections caused by wounds due to contact with contaminated sharp objects, such as HIV;

• respiratory diseases such as tuberculosis, COVID-19 and influenza;

• direct contact with contaminated objects;

• moulds (allergenic, pathogenic, toxigenic), bacteria and fungi due to deterioration of building materials; and

• exposure to animal waste, leptospirosis and Weil's disease.

industrial hygienist

Work environment monitoring, audit

Hygiene Technician

• Exposure monitoring

• Engineering control evaluation

CHRA Assessor

• Conduct chemical risk assessment

First responder

first aid treatment

OH Doctors/Nurses

Medical surveillance + Biological Monitoring, Audiometric Program

IAQ Assessor

Indoor Air Quality Assessment

Competent Person for Noise Monitoring

Noise monitoring

Analytical Personal

Analysis of airborne chemical/microbe, chemical metabolite

what are the principles of good practice

✓ Identifying hazards and potentially significant risks;

✓ Taking action to reduce and control risks;

✓ Keeping control measures under regular review.

preventative control measures

changing the process completely or by substituting for a less hazardous substance (the change from oil-based to water-based paints is an example of this).

• It may be possible to use a substance in a safer form, such as a brush paint rather than a spray.

engineering controls

- local exhaust ventilation

- dilution ventilation

Local exhaust ventilation

- Removes the hazardous gas,vapour or fume at its source before it can contaminate the surrounding atmosphere and harm people working in the vicinity.

Dilution (or general) ventilation

- Dilution (or general) ventilation uses either natural ventilation (doors and windows) or fan-assisted forced ventilation system to ventilate the whole working room by inducing a flow of clean air, using extraction fans fitted into the walls and the roof, sometimes assisted by inlet fans.