Harmful Substances

Of the vast range of chemicals and substances in use in industry commerce and other areas of employment, many are harmless. However, there are also a considerable number of substances in use which have a high potential to cause harm and ill health – “substances hazardous to health” usually referred to as hazardous substances.

What are the Risks

You must carry out an assessment.


Consider:
1. the hazards of substances or their ingredients, read the labels and safety data sheet. If in doubt contact your supplier.
2. the route into the body (breathed in, swallowed or taken in through the skin) and the worst result
3. the concentration or conditions likely to cause ill health
4. whether you know the first symptoms of over-exposure
5. who could be exposed. Don’t forget contractors and members of public
6. if they could be exposed accidentally, e.g. while cleaning, through spillage or if your controls fail.
7. how many people are involved
8. how often they work with the substance
9. how much they work with and how long for.


Isolate or Enclose

1. put harmful substances or process in a separate room or building or outside – but secure from the public
2. reduce the amount used and number of people exposed, and the time they are exposed for.
3. use closed transfer and handling system

Use Local Exhaust and Ventilation

Use local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems which sucks dust or vapours through a small hood or booth and takes it away from the worker.

A good system will:
1. Extract dust or vapours as close as possible to its source.
2. controls contamination of the work area below the exposure limit of the material
3. suck air away from the breathing zone of the operator – not through it
4. have an adequate air flow at the source of the pollutant – 1m/s at the face of a booth is good guide
5. have sufficient air fow inside ducts to prevent dust being deposited inside and blocking them
6. have duct work with gently angled bends and junctions and tapered diameter changes
7. make sure air is not vented back into the work area through roof lights or windows
8. special filters may be needed if the air is discharges outside or back into the room – ask you inspector for advice if in doubt.

Good Housekeeping

Simple precautions can cut exposure:
1. do not store chemical in open containers such as bottles or jam jars – make sure labels are not damaged, removed or covered up
2. keep dangerous chemicals locked away
3. clear up spillage quickly and safely
4. have smooth work surfaces to allow easy cleaning
5. clean regularly using a “dust free” method such as a vacuum system with a high efficiency filter.
6. kepp dusty materials, waste and dirty rages in covered containers
7. do not let paste or drips dry out.

Exposure Limits and Air Sampling

1. you must control the amount of duct or vapours in a worker’s breathing zone to an acceptable level
2. dangerous dust and vapours is not always visible. Very small particles which you may not be able to see can get deep into the lungs and may be absorbed into the body, causing scars or ill health years later.
3. sampling may also be necessary to show conditions are safe, e.g. before allowing workers to enter tanks or vessels.

Good welfare and personal Hygiene

Provide good washing and changing facilities.

Do not:
1. smoke, eat or drink in chemical handling areas
2. siphon or pipette hazardous chemicals by mouth – use a pump or hand-operated siphon
3. transfer contamination e.g. by putting pens and pencils in your mouth

Do:
1. remove protective clothing and wash hands before smoking, eating or drinking

You must only use personal protective clothing and equipment as a last resort if you cannot control exposure in the ways outlined in this section.

Maintaining the Controls

Decide what needs to be done to ensure that the controls stay in place.

This will include:
1. maintaining plant and equipment – all ventilation equipment must be examined and tested regularly by a competent person. Checks may include measuring the air speed or the pressures in the system, or air sampling in the work room. In general LEV must be examined and tested every 14 months.
2. checking that people follow rules
3. checking that personal protective equipment is not worn out.

Asbestos

Asbestos has been widely used, e.g. as lagging on the plant and pipe work, in insulation products such as fireproofing panels, in asbestos cement roofing materials, and as sprayed coating on structural steel work to insulate against fire and noise.
All types of asbestos can be dangerous if distributed. The danger arises when asbestos fibers as a very fine dust become airborne and is breathed in. exposure can cause diseases such as lung cancer.
Well-sealed, undamaged asbestos is often best left alone. Make sure that all asbestos is sealed and protected against damage. If you cannot seal and protect it and it is likely to give off dust, you may need to have it removed.

If you have work on asbestos you must:
1. carry out assessment of the risks to the health of employees from exposure of asbestos
2. use the working methods and precautions described in the Asbestos Approved Codes of practice, or other equally safe methods.

Information and Training

You should tell workers:
1. the hazards
2. how they could be effected
3. what to do to keep themselves and others safe, i.e. how risks are to be controlled
4. how to use control equipment and personal protective equipment
5. how to check and spot when things are wrong
6. the results of any exposure monitoring or health surveillance
7. about emergency procedures

Record and Review

Except in very simple cases, you should keep record of what you have found out and decided to do.

Write down:
1. which exposures need to be controlled
2. how exposures are to be controlled
3. how you will maintain control

keep an eye on things. Changes in equipment, materials or methods may require you to review your early decisions. In any case you should take another look at your risk atleast every five years.

Bacteria and Viruses

Bacteria and Viruses can:
1. infect the body when they are breathed in, swallowed, or when they penetrate the skin
2. cause allergic reatctions.

Hazards include:
1. Legionnaire’s disease – the bacteria causing this can be found in many recirculation water system such as air-conditioning plant, cooling towers, industrial sprays and showers.
2. water borne infections such as leptospiroses (weil’s disease). This is associated with rates, but can be spread by, e.g. cattle, and may effect , e.g. farmers, water industry workers
3. infections through blood contact – a risk in e.g. hairdressing, tattooing, health care
4. diseases transmitted by living or dead animals e.g. to farmers, pet shop workers
5. diseases from people – a risk, e.g. for health care workers.


Skin Problems

Dermatitis is a rash commonly affecting hands, forearms and legs. It may be caused by contact with chemicals, abrasives, cutting oils, solvents and resins.

Precautions include:
1. reading the labels on containers
2. keeping the workplace clean
3. avoiding skin contact with the substance
4. wearing impermeable gloves – don’t let the substance get inside then
5. keeping skin clean – dry thoroughly after washing and don’t use abrasives or solvents
6. not letting glues or resins harden on the skin and using after care cream
7. getting first air treatment for minor cuts and keeping them covered
8. checking skin regularly. Seek medical advice at once for any rashes.