health hazards & hazard communication new england roofing industry partnership 1926.59

Health Hazards & Hazard Communication

New England

Roofing Industry

Partnership

1926.59

Training Objectives After completing this unit, you will be able to:

– Explain the purpose and content of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard.

– Identify basic types of health hazards from chemicals used on the work site.

– Identify routes of entry & potential health effects.– Explain the purpose & identify the components of a

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).– Find hazard control information on an MSDS.– Identify manufacturer’s and standardized labeling

systems.

1D Health Hazards & Hazard CommunicationSUBPART

References

29 CFR 1926.59, Subpart D, Hazard Communication

29 CFR 1910.1200 Subpart Z, Hazard Communication

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)


The Dangers of Chemicals Are chemicals really worth worrying

about?– A recent study shows that exposure to

harmful substances causes 18% of all on the job deaths in construction!

– This does not include those workers who get long term diseases from exposures.

– Asbestos, fiberglass, adhesives, and paint products cause thousands of cases of lung disease among construction workers.


How Chemicals Get Inside Us


Hazards of Chemicals…

There are 2 basic types of chemical hazards– Physical Hazards– Health Hazards

The first rule of Chemical safety is… "Know what you are working with and how to protect yourself and others“

Physical Hazards…

Chemicals are classified as having Physical Hazards if they are

Explosive Compressed Gas Combustible Liquids Flammable Unstable Water Reactive Oxidizers

Physical Hazards… Some chemicals may be safe by themselves,

but become dangerous when in contact with other substances.

Chemicals with Physical Hazards…

Used only by trained employees

Stored in a safe manner

Never mixed with other chemicals unless by an approved procedure

Health Hazards Chemicals are classified as being a health

hazard if they:Can cause cancerAre poisonous (toxic)Cause harm to your skin, internal organs, or

nervous systemAre corrosive - such as acidsCause allergic reactions after repeated

exposure

Routes of Entry Inhalation

– Usually our biggest concern due to very large surface area of the lungs.

Ingestion– A concern where hand-to-mouth actions

occur, for example eating or smoking. Skin Absorption

– Can lead to a double exposure with inhalation of some solvents.

Injection– Into the skin, such as compressed air or

high pressure paint spray.


Inhalation Hazards

Each year respiratory hazards cause illness and death for thousands of construction workers.

The hazards in the air can be either:– Gases, Vapors, such as ADHESIVE

VAPORS– Particulates

• Dust, fibers, fumes, such as SILICA DUST

– Oxygen-Deficient Atmospheres

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D Health Hazards & Hazard Communication

Gases and Vapors Gases-

– formless at room temperature; things like carbon monoxide, methane and propane.

Vapors-– formed when liquids evaporate; things

like paint vapors, adhesive vapors, and gasoline vapors.

Either can get into your bloodstream by breathing them into your lungs. Once in your blood they can damage your organs.

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Oxygen-Deficient Atmospheres

Most often found in confined spaces. Considered immediately dangerous to

life and health (IDLH). IDLH situations will cause death or

serious injury within 30 minutes. 19.5% oxygen is the lowest legal limit. Lack of oxygen can damage your brain.

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Particulates Dusts

– produced by grinding, sanding, cutting, and mixing.

Mists– given off when a liquid is sprayed.

Fumes-– tiny particles given off when metals or other solid

materials are vaporized, then cooled.– For example – welding fumes.

Health effect will depend on origin and particlesize. Finer material can penetrate deep into your lungs.

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How Chemicals Affect Us


Once A Chemical Gets In Depending on its toxicity and how

much, you were exposed to, it may:– Irritate or injure your nose, mouth, throat,

or lungs.– Get into your blood stream through your

lungs or skin.– Have an additive, or synergistic, effect

with some other compound.

– Stay in your body for a long time.– Damage certain organs, or systems.


Working Safely With Chemicals

We can prevent chemical exposure and related illness by:

– Knowing everything we can about the chemicals we work with.

– Applying the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard which was designed to make sure workers know about the chemicals they work with.


Hazard Communication Standard The Hazard Communication Standard

requires employers to:– Get and provide Material Safety Data

Sheets (MSDSs) on each chemical.– Use only chemicals that are labeled.– Inform and train workers about the

chemicals.– Have a written program which includes a

list of all chemicals being used.


What’s wrong with this picture?

Container Labeling All chemicals must be labeled. Employers may use the manufacturer’s label

which came on the container. Employers may also use standardized

systems such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) label.– Note: As a worker you are permitted to have an

unlabeled container if you have complete control over the container at all times and you only have as much as you will use-up for the task. Walking away from it, even for a moment, is losing control.


Check It Out! One of the most

effective ways to learn about the chemicals you use is to read the label.

What you learn may surprise you.

More importantly it will give you the knowledge to help protect yourself.


Employee Information and Training

Employers must provide employees information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area:– At the time of their initial assignment– Whenever a new physical or health

hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area

Training may cover categories of hazards

Employee Information Employers must inform employees:

– Of the training requirements of this section (1910.1200 (h) Employee information and training.);

– Any operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present;

– The location and availability of the written hazard communication program

Employee Information

Employers must inform employees:– The location and availability of the list of

hazardous chemicals– The location and availability of material safety

data sheets

Employee Training

Employee training shall include at least:– Methods and observations that may be used to detect the

presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area

– The physical and health hazards of chemicals in the work area

– Measures employees can take to protect themselves– Details of the employers specific program

New Hazard Information

One important function of the individual(s)

in charge of maintaining MSDS for the

employer is to replace current MSDS with

the revised version, when it is received.

Companies can have copies in several

locations, so updating all copies requires

a conscientious effort by the individual(s)

responsible for maintaining MSDS.

MSDS

MSDS availability off-site

For employees who work off-site:

– MSDS may be kept at the central location

– In an emergency, the employer must have

provisions in place to ensure that employees can

immediately obtain the required information

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)


MSDS - Product Information

Chemical name. Who makes it. The manufacturer’s address. The manufacturer’s phone number. The date the MSDS was prepared.


MSDS - Chemical/Physical Properties

Physical and chemical characteristics help predict a chemical’s behavior.– Boiling point, vapor pressure, vapor

density, solubility in water, specific gravity, melting point, evaporation rate, and appearance/odor.

– For example, • A chemical with a vapor density greater than 1

will have a vapor heavier than air, like gasoline.

• A liquid with a specific gravity less than 1 will float on water, like oil.


MSDS - Fire & Explosion Data

We can use the MSDS to find out about the fire and explosion hazard of a product, things like:– The Chemical’s Flash Point.– What type of extinguisher to use.– Any special fire fighting precautions.– What not to mix it with.


FLASH POINT The temperature the chemical must

reach to give off enough vapor for fire or explosion if an ignition source or spark was there.


MSDS - Health Hazard Information


Exposure Limits

Limits are based on laboratory research and are set based on what 85% of the population can stand without getting sick.

The number is based on the average concentration over an 8-hour day, 40 hours per week for your whole working life.


Exposure Limits2

Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) are from current research.

Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) are OSHA law but the levels may be higher as they depend on older research results.

On your MSDS take note, some chemicals may have a TLV lower than the PEL.


PELs and TLVs


MSDS - Protective Measures

We can use the MSDS to find out if ventilation is required, and things like:– Specific type of respirator needed.– What type of gloves to use.– What type of eye and face protection is

needed.– Any other protective equipment and

protective measures needed.


MSDS - Handling Spills & Leaks

We can use the MSDS to find out what to do with leaks and spills, things like:– Procedures for clean-up.– Disposal after clean-up.– Any other special precautions such as

insuring good ventilation during clean-up.


MSDS - Special Precautions

We can use the MSDS to find out if there are any special precautions for handling and storage, things like:– Avoiding ignition sources.– Avoiding storage above 1000 Fahrenheit.– What it should not be stored near such as

oxygen tanks.


Most Importantly! Check the health hazards section for

routes of entry and symptoms of overexposure.

Check the protective measures section for safe handling and PPE selection.

Check the fire and explosion data section for unusual fire & explosion potential.

Read the MSDS before using a chemical! Read the label before using a chemical!


NFPA Label National Fire Protection Association The higher the number in the blue

box (max. is 4), the greater the health hazard. Check the MSDS.


Health Hazards & Hazard CommunicationSUBPART

D 30

HMIS Label

Access to Information

Material safety data sheets must be available whenever you want them.

– Computerized MSDS is OK, if

immediately available on the job.

You must also be able to see the company’s written hazard communication program including the list of chemicals.


Case Study: What went wrong?

A laborer was given the job of thinning a large stock pile of oil-based paints while inside a small storage building. At the end of the second day, he was found unconscious. He was taken to the hospital with an irregular heart beat & almost died.


Subpart D - Occupational Health(1926.50 - 66)

63

59

44

37

31

31

55(a)

62(d)(1)(i)

55(b)

62(d)(2)(v)(E)

59(e)(1)

62(d)(2)(v)(B)

Sta

nd

ard

- 1

926.

Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts & mists - Exposure

Hazard Communication - Written Program

Lead - Exposure assessment

Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts & mists - Controls

Employee exposure assessment - Biological monitoring

Employee exposure assessment - Appropriate PPE

D Health Hazards & Hazard CommunicationSUBPART

34

health hazards & hazard communication new england roofing industry partnership 1926.59

Documents

hazard communicationnational

basic types of health

hazard control information

paint vapors

gasoline vapors

compressed air

paint products

skin absorptioncan lead