SIMPLIFIED METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING THE RISK DUE TO EXPOSURE

TO HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL AGENTS AND RESULTS OF STUDY

İlknur ÇAKAROHS Expert

Chemical Engineer, MSc

27 MAY 2010, ANKARA

Ankara

OUTLINE

•INTRODUCTION

•SIMPLIFIED RISK ASSESSMENT METHOD FOR CHEMICAL AGENTS

•WORKPLACE STUDY

•RESULTS OF STUDY

•CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION

RISK ASSESSMENT89/391/EC Framework Directive98/24/EC Protection of the health and safety ofworkers from the risks related to chemical agentsat work

• “the employer shall first determine whether any hazardous chemical agents are present at the workplace. If so, he shall then assess any risk to the safety and health of workers arising from the presence of those chemical agents,

• The variables generally used;

intrinsic hazards of chemical agents

frequency/duration of exposure

quantity of chemical agents used or present

volatility or dust generation of chemicals

method of use

INTRODUCTION

Table1. Risks arising from the presence of hazardous chemical agents

Risks Risk Factors

Risks due to hazardous chemical reactions

-Chemical reactivity and instability of hazardous chemical agents-Unreliable system for controlling key variables in the reaction

Risks of fire and/or explosion -Physical state -Pressure/temperature-Flammability of the hazardous chemical agents-Sources of ignition

Risks due to inhalation of the agent/absorption through the skin of the agent

-Toxicity of the hazardous chemical agent-Exposure time-Particularly sensitive workers

Risks due to ingestion -Personel hygiene habits - Possibility of eating, drinking or smokin at work

Risks due to contact between the skin or eyes and the chemical agents

- Incorrect use of personel protective equipment- Inappropriate work procedure

Risk Assessment Methods

Simplified assessments Complex assessments

Risk Due to Exposure

Simplified Methodology for Assessing the Risk Due to the Exposure to Hazardous Chemical Agents

Measurements according to EN 689: 1995

Risk of Accident Simplified Methodology for Assessing the Risk of Accident, Fire and Explosion Due to the Presence of Hazardous Chemical Agents

- HAZOP- Fault Trees- Even Trees

Table 2. Methods for assessing the risks due to the presence of hazardous chemical agents in the workplace

When are simplified models useful?

• Initial risk assessment

• Identification of slight risk

• As a documental help when, in the view of the hygienist, the scenary is acceptable

• There is no occupational exposure limit established

• Possible use by SME (small and medium enterprises)

Risk Assessments for ChemicalsIdentification of Chemical Agents

Hazard Working Conditions

Risk Assessments (Simplified)

Risk Assessments(Detailed)

Preventive measures : priorisation-planification -implementation

Review

Assessment of the risk of exposure by

inhalation

Hazard ExposureRisk

• F-Chem properties • Toxicol. properties • Physical form

- label- MSDS- Limit Value- others

Concentration• volatility or

dustiness• form of use • quantity used• control measures

Time• duration• frequency

• Simplified assessment:

No airborne measurements

These methodologies do not constitute an

alternative to an detailed risk assessments

They do just first diagnosis of the situation

COSHH Essential

Hazard

(R phrases)

Volatility or dustiness

Amount of substance

Risk level Control

measures+

Chemical hazard (according to R phrases)

AR36, R36/38, R38, R65, R67Substances with R-phrases that dont belong to bands BtoE

B R20, R20/21, R20/21/22, R20/22, R21, R21/22, R22

C

R23, R23/24, R23/24/25, R23/25, R24, R24/25, R25, R34, R35, R36/37, R36/37/38, R37, R37/38, R41, R43, R48/20, R48/20/21, R48/20/21/22, R48/20/22, R48/21, R48/21/22, R48/22

D

R26, R26/27, R26/27/28, R26/28, R27, R27/28, R28, Kans. Kat 3 R40, R48/23, R48/23/24, R48/23/24/25, R48/23/25, R48/24, R48/24/25, R48/25, R60, R61, R62, R63, R64

EMut. Kat. 3 R40, R42, R42/43, R45, R46, R49, Mut. Kat. 3 R68

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

20 50 80 110 140

Process Temperature , ºC

High

Medium

Boiling Temperature , ºC

Volatility

Low

Dustiness

Low: Pellets and similar. Little dust is seen during use

Medium: crystalline, granular solids When used, dust is seen but settles out quickly

High: Fine, light powders There are dust clouds that can remain for

minutes

Amount of substance used in the operation

• Small: Grams or mililitres

• Medium: Kilograms or litres

• Large: Tons or cubic metres

Hazard Level A

Volatility/Dust Generation

Quantity Used

Low Volatility/Dust Generation Medium Volatility Medium Dust Generation High Volatility/Dust Generation

Low 1 1 1 1

Medium 1 1 1 2

High 1 1 2 2

Hazard Level B

Volatility/Dust Generation

Quantity Used

Low Volatility/Dust Generation Medium Volatility Medium Dust GenerationHigh Volatility/Dust

Generation

Low 1 1 1 1

Medium 1 2 2 2

High 1 2 3 3

Hazard Level C

Volatility/Dust Generation

Quantity Used

Low Volatility/Dust Generation Medium VolatilityMedium Dust Generation High Volatility/Dust

Generation

Low 1 2 1 2

Medium 2 3 3 3

High 2 4 4 4

Hazard Level D

Volatility/Dust Generation

Quantity Used

Low Volatility/Dust GenerationMedium Volatility Medium Dust Generation High Volatility/Dust

Generation

Low 2 3 2 3

Medium 3 4 4 4

High 3 4 4 4

Hazard Level E

In all situation involving substances of this hazard level, the level of risk will be regarded as 4

Hazard group C

Volatility/ Dustiness

Amount used

Low Volatility or Dustiness

Medium Volatility

Medium Dustiness

High Volatility or Dustiness

Small 1 2 1 2Medium 2 3 3 3Large 2 4 4 4

Risk bands

RB1: Can be controlled with: General Ventilation

RB2: Can be controlled with: Partial enclosure and local exhaust ventilation

RB3: Can be controlled with: Total enclosure

RB4: An expert in industrial hygiene is needed

Workplace Study

• In this study, the industrial exposure to the chemicals that occurred in small-sized furniture manufacturing firms have been analyzed. We’ve had interviews with workers in 15 workplaces

Workplaces

Results

• % 11 below 20 years old

• % 17 over 45 years old.

• Average of the workers’ age : 34,

• Average of the working years : 18 years.

• Smoking % 59

• Use of alcohol % 22

Table 3. Risk Bands of Chemicals Used in Furniture Industry

R.R.BB. 1. 1 R. R. BB. 2. 2 R. R. BB. 3. 3 R. R. BB. 4. 4

PaintingPainting Antisilicone Additive, Pigment, Glycol

P.U. lacquer, P.U. Paint, P.U Primer, Polyester Primer, Polyester Paint, Retarder, Acrylic Thinner, Aceton, Toluen

Selülozik Vernik, Akrilik Vernik, Akrilik Dolgu Vernik, Selülozik Dolgu Vernik, Selülozik Boya, Akrilik Astar, Selülozik Astar, Selülozik Tiner, P.U. Tiner, Dolgu Vernik Sertleştirici, Selülozik Boya Sertleştirici, Ksilen

Polyester Filling lacquer, P.U. lacquer Hardener, Toluen 2,4 Diisociyanate, Nitrocellulose paint, Nitrocellulose White Primer

FlooringFlooring Glue Hot Melt (Adhesive)

ManufacturingManufacturing(Woodwork)(Woodwork)

Glue Mdf Wood Dust

THANK YOU

icakar@csgb.gov.tr