7205 health hazards in construction 2015

John NewquistDraft 8 4 2015

Course #7205

Health Hazard

Awareness

Course Objectives

• Identify four types of health hazards that are present in the workplace.

• Discuss techniques to recognize health hazards.

• Describe tools and methods to evaluate health hazards.

• Discuss measures to control exposure to health hazards.

• Describe OSHA resources that available to assist employers and employees in finding information about health hazards.

Types of Health Hazards

• Chemical

• Physical

• Biological

• Ergonomic

Chemical Health Hazards

• The majority of health

hazards encountered in

workplace are chemical

hazards.

Physical Characteristics of Chemical

Hazards• Dusts

• Fumes

• Mists

• Aerosols

• Fibers

• Vapors

• Gases

Dust

• Dust are solid particles

that are formed by

handling, crushing,

grinding, drilling, or

blasting of organic or

inorganic materials.

Fumes

• Fumes consists of very

small fine solid

particles in air that

form when solid

particles are heated to

a high temperature,

evaporate to vapor,

and become solid

again

Fibers

• Solid particles whose

length is several times

greater than their

diameter. Asbestos is

an example.

Vapors

• The volatile form of

substances that are

normally in a solid or

liquid state at room

temperature and

pressure.

Gases

• Gases are formless

fluids that expand to

occupy the space or

enclosure in which

they are confined.

Routes of Entry

• Inhalation

• Ingestion

• Skin

Absorption

• Injection

Respiratory System

• The respiratory system

is the major route of

exposure for airborne

chemicals and dusts.

Health Effects

• Local

• Systemic (inhaling

solvent vapors which can be

absorbed through the lungs then

travel in the bloodstream and

cause an effect in your brain.)

Acute Exposure

• Acute exposures and acute effects generally

involve short-term, high concentrations, and

immediate or prompt health effects (illness,

irritation, or death).

Chronic Exposure

• Chronic exposure

refers to exposure

continued or repeated

for a prolonged period,

usually years. For

example, asbestosis.

Worst Job?

December 2014

• Evanston IL

• $132,000 to six contractors

• OSHA's inspection found that

onsite asbestos consultant

directed the HVAC contractor

to cut and remove 60 feet of

piping that contained asbestos

insulation without PPE. Typical asbestos pipe.

Risk Factors in Construction

• Daily change vs. fixed establishment

• Many contractors at onsite who may create problems for

you

• Turnover; who is responsible to train new employees?

• Several tasks during the day

Factors increasing the health risk of construction

workers include:

Clean Air Paradox

• Quality of Air

• 78.1% Nitrogen

• 20.9% Oxygen

• 0.9% Argon

• 0.03% Carbon

Dioxide

Units Seem Small

1 % = 10,000 ppm

PEL = Permissible

Exposure Limits

(OSHA)

5 Mg/M3 is very small

2 f/cc = 2,000,000f/M3

Health Effects

• Irritation

• Asphyxiation

• Organ Specific Effects

• Mutagen

• Teratogen

• Acute/Chronic

• Reversible vs.

Nonreversible

Factors

• Genetics

• Age

• Health status

• Route of entry

• Frequency and

duration of exposure

Exposure Limits

• Animal Studies

• Epidemiological

studies

• Industrial Experience

• STEL – 15 minutes

• Ceiling – never

exceeded

• Threshold Limit Value

Control of Health Hazards

• Hierarchy of

Controls

– Engineering

– Work practices

– Administrative

– Personal

protective

equipment

Engineering Controls

• Engineering controls

include:

– Substitution with less

harmful material

– Enclosure

– Isolation

– Ventilation

Ventilation

Work Practice Controls

• Work practice controls

include:

– Hygiene practices

– Housekeeping and

maintenance

– Procedures and process

changes

Administrative Controls

• Administrative

controls include:

– Controlling employees'

exposure by scheduling

production and

workers' tasks

– Or both, in ways that

minimize exposure

levels

Personal Protective Equipment

• Personal protective

equipment includes:

– Respirators

– Ear muffs

– Gloves

– Safety goggles

– Helmets

– Safety shoes

– Protective clothing

Recognition of Health Hazards

• Clues that may

indicate exposure to

chemical hazards:

– Odor

– Taste

– Particles in respiratory

system

– Acute symptoms

– Visible material in air

– Settled dust

Evaluation of Health Hazards

• Screening equipment

– Sound level meters

– Detector tubes and

pumps

– Radiation survey

meters

Sampling

• Qualified person

• Appropriate

instrument

• Duration of sampling

• Pre and post

calibration

Past Health Hazards

• 400 BC Hippocrates describes lead poisoning in mines

• 1473 Ellenbog – Mercury Poisoning

• 1700 Dr. Ramazzini published the first edition of his most famous book, the De Morbis Artificum Diatriba (Diseases of Workers)

“I can hire one-half the

working class to kill the

other half.” Jay Gould

Problem #1 Noise

• BLS

• 125,000+ workers w permanent, hearing

loss since 2004

• In 2008 alone, 22,000 hearing loss cases

were reported

#1 Noise

• 70% construction workers were exposed to over 85dba*

• 30% over 90 dba*

• Hearing Protection worn 20%*

• Several processes involving hammering, cutting, blasting will cause overexposure

• Set up an effective hearing conservation program

REMEMBER!

• The aforementioned

applies to

overexposures above

90 dBA TWA

(Time-Weighted-

Average)

“Effective hearing conservation

program?”

Monitoring

Engineering, work practice, and administrative controls

Hearing protectors with an adequate noise reduction rating

Employee training and education in hazards and protection measures

Baselines and annual audiometry

Audiograms

• Conduct a baseline analysis on all equipment

(New too!)

• Employees can request personal noise monitoring

at any time at VPP sites

• 60 employees were tested in IL. It cost $29.00 per

person plus some labor cost (VPP)

• Insurance carrier will charge $35.00 per person.

(VPP site)

#2 Lead

• Many bridges have

lead coated surfaces

• Requires compliance

with 1926.62

• Overexposure can

occur in less than 5

minutes when torch

cutting or painting Lead coating of bridge beams

usually requires an enclosure

Lead effects

• Chronic overexposure - severe damage to

the blood-forming, nervous, urinary, and

reproductive systems

• High levels will require medical removal

• Bridge Painting/Removal continues to be

ones of the consistent lead issues in

construction

Residential Lead

• Lead can be 20%

• Cadmium and arsenic above 10

micrograms

• Written Program. L, C, A

• Training L, C, A

• Determination above AL

• Protective Clothing

• Change Areas

• Decon

• Sanitary Issues for lunch

Can anyone comply?

Lead

• Vacuum equipment

can be used

#3 Silica

• Cutting, hammering,

drilling, blasting can

create high silica

levels

• Use wet methods and

wear respirators

• One of the oldest

occupational diseases

Tuckpointing has one

of the highest silica

generating process in

construction

Silica

• Ventilation

June 2014

• If he has a

respirator, is it

safe?

Silica

• 150-200 deaths a year

(2009)

• 1150-1200 deaths a

year (1968)

• Yet….one company

had 3 silicosis and

10x+ severe

respiratory diseases

Gauley Bridge in 1920’s had

workers die in months.

#4 Copper Fumes - Welding

• Copper is inhalation

hazard affecting

respiratory system

• Mild steel (red iron)

and carbon steel

contain manganese

• Manganese may

cause Parkinson's

disease What do you see?

#5 Total Dust

• All the things not

regulated.

• Good, bad, or

indifferent?

• Air blowing!

#6 Iron Oxide -Welding

• Metal fume fever

• Direct Draw or forced ventilation should be used

• Personal Protective Equipment should be used

• Bystanders should be protected as well

#7 Carbon Monoxide

• Generators are most

common problem of

CO

• Heaters out of tune are

another cause

• CO TWA is 50 ppm

• Others set levels 25

ppm

Carbon Monoxide

• 11/8/1991

• A couple and their eight

children were found dead

late today, their bodies

scattered throughout their

small house on the city's

Southwest Side.

• The police said it appeared

that the family died of

carbon monoxide

poisoning.

• "Apparently a spot weld in a

flue pipe gave way, leaving a

three-inch gap [ that ] caused

byproducts of combustion,

including carbon monoxide, to

recirculate throughout the

home.“

• A neighbor said he saw

repairmen working at the house

last week

Carbon Monoxide

• April 7 2015

• Princess Anne MD

#8 Hex Chrome

• Stainless steel contains

nickel and chromium

• Some cements

• Expanded standard

like lead.

• PEL is 5

micrograms/m3

• Chromic ulcers,

perforated nose, lung

cancerI see it with MIG and stick. -

Janice Turner

Also, is there a requirement to retest atmosphere for Hexavalent

Chromium if the process hasn’t changed since the last test?

If you have to retest – how often do you have to do it

• depends on the level found. see below.

• Exposure Scenario - Required Monitoring Activity

• Below the Action Level (< 2.5ug/m3)- No periodic monitoring

required for workers represented by the initial monitoring.

• At or above the Action Level but at or below the PEL (2.5 µg/m3 to 5

µg/m3)- Monitor every six months.

• Above the PEL (> 5 µg/m3)- Monitor every three months

# 9 Cadmium

• Overexposure to cutting cadmium bolts, coated poles

• Torch cutting should never be used

• Use hydraulic bolt cutters

• Comply with 1926.1127 Cadmium bolts are often

found in sprinkler pipe use.

#10 Methylene Chloride

• Paint stripping

• Parts cleaners

• Cancer causing

August 2015

• Cleveland OH

• Worker apparently was

overcome with chemical fumes

while stripping the glaze off a

bathtub.

• The agency says 14 people have

died nationwide since 2000

related to bathtub refinishing

with stripping agents containing

methylene chloride

Asbestos

• Where is it found?

Asbestos

• Common Fireproofing

material used pre-

1980s

• Found in pipe

insulation, ceiling

tiles, and floor tiles

• Must comply with

1926.1101

Asbestos

• 3000 die in the US

• Some are spouses

or kids of asbestos

workers

• Stephanie Harper

of the North Texas

city of Bonham

June 2014

• The asbestos lawsuit that

saw a $1 million award

• Richard Rost has

Mesothelioma

• Defendants included Ford

Motor Company (Ford),

General Electric,

Westinghouse and Ingersoll-

Rand.

• However, the latter three

defendants settled with the

plaintiffs out of court, before

the trial had an opportunity

to begin.

Overall, nearly 3,000 people

are diagnosed with mesothelioma each

year in the United States, which represents

0.02 percent of all U.S. cancer cases.

Asbestos

• $1.8 million dollar fine to IL Roofer for OSHA violations for asbestos.

• “This case stands out because of the outrageous behavior of Joseph Kehrer,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health David Michaels.

• Workers were threatened with firing if they spoke to investigators, Michaels said.

Heat Stress

• Train the workforce

• Perform the heaviest work in the coolest part of the day

• One GC stops outside work at noon.

• Slowly build up tolerance to the heat and the work activity (usually takes up to two weeks)

• Drink plenty of cool water (one cup every 15-20 minutes)

• Wear light, loose-fitting, breathable (cotton) clothing

Take frequent short breaks in cool or shaded areas

Provide fans

June 2013

• June 25

• Death of a 36-year-old worker

who developed heat stroke at a

job site in Chicago.

• The company was installing

electrical conduit in an

uncovered trench.

• "This worker died from heat

stress on his first day on the

job.”

• “This tragedy underscores the

need for employers to ensure

that new workers become

acclimated and build a tolerance

to working in excessive heat

with a program of water, rest

and shade," said Dr. David

Michaels,

• "A worker's first day on the job

shouldn't be the last day of their

life."

Raynaud’s

• Raynaud's

phenomenon is

characterized by a pale

to blue to red sequence

of color changes of the

digits, most commonly

after exposure to cold.

Paint Solvents

• Ventilation is required

or overexposure can

result

• Fire Hazard

• Electrical must be

Class I if within 20

feet during open

spraying with

flammable paints

Tank painting. What could go

wrong?

Tank Coating

• What issues are

needed if spraying

a rust resistance

coating?

Isocyanates

• Isocyanates in roof

glues and paints in

construction

Waterproofing

• Volatile compounds

are heavier than air

and toxic.

• Death

• Hazards similar to a

confined space

Confined Spaces

• Manholes, pits, vaults,

tanks, are common

confined spaces

• Ensure atmosphere is

safe by testing and

ventilating

Worker in a sludge pit exposed

to lead, arsenic, and cadmium

Diesel Fuel Exhaust

• blue smoke (mainly oil and unburnt fuel)

• black smoke (soot, oil and unburnt fuel);

• white smoke (water droplets and unburnt fuel)

• Diesel Fuel Exhaust is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen per IARC

What else is toxic

in this ????

Back Strains

• Many workers out in

construction with bad

backs

• Due to lifting and

twisting constantly

• Heavy loads should

have assistance via

machines or another

person

Workers shoveling under a

pipe. Safe or unsafe job?

Knee Strains

• Housekeeping often a

common cause

• Several $50,000 cases

Biological Health Hazards

• Bacteria– Brucella

– Legionella

– Mycobacterium tuberculosis

• Virus– Hepatitis B

– HIV

• Fungi– Aspergillus

– Histoplasma

Mold

• Stachybotrys chartarum (also

known as Stachybotrys atra)

• Aspergillus sp.

• Penicillium sp.

• Fusarium sp.

• Trichoderma sp.

• Memnoniella sp.

• Cladosporum sp.

• Alternaria sp.

Bloodborne Pathogens

• To protect workers

from the risk of

exposure to biological

agents, such as

bloodborne pathogens,

OSHA issued the

Bloodborne Pathogens

Standard.

Bloodborne Pathogens

• Sewer lines have

sewage

Legionella

• August 2015

• 7 dead, 87 sickened

• Transmission of Legionnaires’

disease occurs when

microscopic airborne droplets

of water that contains LDB are

inhaled by an at-risk host

• Early symptoms can include

low fever, headache, aching

joints and muscles, fatigue and

lack of energy, and loss of

appetite.

West Nile

• Use DEET or lemon

eucalyptus based sprays

for protection

• Clothing can be treated

with Permethrin

• Wear light color clothing

and reduce exposed skin

• 2014 – IL had 44 cases, 4 died

West Nile

Radiation

• Radiation sources are

found in a wide range

of occupational

settings. If radiation is

not properly

controlled, it can be

potentially hazardous

to the health of

workers.

Creosote

• Contact with skin can result in

irritation which when not

washed off or when accentuated

by sunlight, can result in minor

burns

• The application of a barrier

cream (e.g. Ply 9 Gel, MSA's

Fend AE-2, Kerodex 51,

Jergens SBS-46) is

recommended to prevent coal

tar containing products from

contacting skin.

• IARC/NTP potential

Carcinogen

On The Horizon

• Silica?

• Noise?

Chemical Hazards Controls

Biological Hazards Controls

Physical Hazards Controls

Ergonomic Hazards Controls

Where Can You Find Information on

Health Hazards• OSHA Website

Compliance Assistance Website

Safety and Health Topics

Industry Specific Topics

Limited Access Website

Electronic Technical Assistance

Tools (e-Tools) and Expert Systems

Slide Presentations and Videos

Multimedia Enhancements

Targeted CD-ROMs

OSHA Website

Compliance Assistance Website

Safety and Health Topics

Industry Specific Topics

Limited Access Website

Electronic Technical Assistance

Tools (e-Tools) and Expert Systems

Slide Presentations and Videos

Multimedia Enhancements

Targeted CD-ROMs

OSHA Consultation Program

Laws and Regulations

eTools and Advisors

Quick Start

Quiz• CO PEL is ___ ppm.

• Name one place where cadmium can be found in construction. ______________

• ____% Oxygen is in normal air.

• Which color smoke from a diesel engine is a concern? __________________

• Overexposure can occur in less than ____ minutes when torch cutting lead painted surfaces

• The Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) is for ____ minutes

Summary

• A baseline hazard analysis for normal

routine tasks is accomplished by use of a

Job Safety Analysis (JSA)

Further

• This ppt was prepared by John Newquist as a preliminary aid for people required to evaluate health hazards in construction

• Thanks to Kim Stille and Richard Gilgrist for the many training sessions on the subject

• Janet Schulte for corrections and suggestions.

• This is not an official OSHA publication. Those will be on the OSHA.gov website.

• My contact information is Newquist.john@dol.gov or 312-353-5977 if you see any errors.

• This is a draft as of the date on the first slide.

April 2014 to do

• Keystone and lafarge bring in 69,000 volts

to the cement facilities.

• Cal osha prohibited dry cutting of concrete

• Control dust by regular damping. Vehicle

speeds.

• Operating engineer want to retrofit cabs.

Determine ℅ silica before work. Competent

person checklist. Task specific checklist for

drilling. Rock crushing. Training onsite

people to collect data. Use material testers.

Look at how long dust takes to settle.

• Need to add table 1 to ppt

• Half of table 1 activities are operating engineers

• Year to year and half to look at data. Hex chrome and ergo took 1.5

years to get to department review final rule then there is OMB review

of the final rule.

• Getting pressure to hold second sbrefa panels but declined

• American chemistry council and construction coalition hired one

expert who did very detailed analysis with multiple spreadsheets

• Required med exams every 3years

• Table 1 is a safe harbor? Silica

• Silica proposed 50 micrograms \m3

• Final briefs on silica July 18 2014