OISD-GDN-166

First Edition
July, 1997

FOR RESTRICTED
CIRCULATION ONLY

GUIDELINES FOR
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH MONITORING
IN OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

Prepared by

COMMITTEE ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH MONITORING

OIL INDUSTRY SAFETY DIRECTORATE

2ND FLOOR, “KAILASH”
26, KASTURBA GANDHI MARG
NEW DELHI - 110 001

                           1
 NOTE

OISD publications are prepared for use in the oil and gas industry
under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. These are the properties of
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and shall not be reproduced or copied
or loaned or exhibited to others without written consent from OISD.

Though every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and
reliability of the data contained in these documents, OISD hereby expressly
disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from their
use.

These documents are intended only to supplement and not to replace

the prevailing statutory requirements.

                           6
 FOREWORD

Hydrocarbon processing and handling entails some risks arising out of

potential hazards like fires, explosions, injuries/burns to the personnel etc.
Most of such hazards are taken care, to a large extent, by better
understanding, safer designs of the plants and other facilities and following
safe operating practices. Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD), constituted
by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in 1986, have been bringing out
Standards and Guidelines on various aspects of designing and operation of
plants and facilities to improve safety standards in the oil industry.

In the changed scenario of the economy, the oil industry too is

becoming highly competitive and upgradation of technology is taking place
around the world to achieve excellence. The successful application of a new
technology depends greatly upon its successful adaptability. Such adaptability
brings the "personnel". playing pivotal role in implementation of the
technology, in the forefront. It is incontrovertible that personnel are most
important resource of organisation and that maintaining their health is vital for
productivity and effectiveness. As such, their health should be strongly
emphasised in the organisation's strategic plan. Promotion of health of
employees in the widest sense, should, therefore, be a high priority, both a
goal and a challenge for the organisation.

With a view to provide a structured programme to look after and

promote the health of the vital "Human Resource" in the oil and gas industry,
the present document "Guidelines for Occupational Health Monitoring in Oil
and Gas Industry" has been prepared by the Functional Committee on
Occupational Health Monitoring. It is hoped that these guidelines will help in
establishing and practising an appropriate Occupational Health Monitoring
programme for the employees of their industry.

This document will be reviewed periodically for improvements based on

the new experiences and better understanding. Suggestions from industry
members may be addressed to :

The Coordinator
Committee on Occupational Health Monitoring
Oil Industry Safety Directorate
2ND FLOOR, “KAILASH”
26, KASTURBA GANDHI MARG
New Delhi - 110 001

                           7
 COMMITTEE ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH MONITORING

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME ORGANISATION
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LEADER

Dr.V.Swaminathan Madras Refineries Limited, Chennai

MEMBERS

Dr. Hemant Kshirsagar Bharat Petroleum Corporn. Ltd., Mumbai

Shri N Dasgupta Bharat Petroleum Corporn. Ltd., Mumbai
Dr. P.K.Bhuyan Bongaigaon Refinery and Petrochemicals
Limited, Bongaigaon
Dr. John K John Cochin Refineries Limited, Cochin
Dr. A. Biswas Gas Authority of India Limited, Vijaipur
Shri K.K.Dixit Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited,
Mumbai
Shri A.A.Raichur Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited,
Mumbai
Dr. M.Ahmad Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Mathura
Dr. A.K.Chakraborty Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Digboi
Dr. R.P.Patel Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Vadodara
[Alt:Dr.R.C.Saxena]
Shri S. Kaul Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Vadodara
Shri H.D.Bahadur Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Barauni
Shri D.K.Kantak Lubrizol India Limited, New Mumbai
Dr. A.K.Tomar Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited,
Dehradun

MEMBER-COORDINATOR

Shri S.N.Mathur Oil Industry Safety Directorate,

New Delhi
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In addition to the above, several other experts from the industry contributed
in the preparation, review and finalisation of this document).

                           8
 GUIDELINES FOR
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH MONITORING
IN OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY
INDEX

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.0 INTRODUCTION

2.0 SCOPE

3.0 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

MONITORING - OBJECTIVES

4.0 WORK ENVIRONMENTAL

MONITORING -
OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE

4.1 THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUES

4.2 PHYSICAL HAZARDS

4.3 CHEMICAL HAZARDS

5.0 PRE-EMPLOYMENT/PRE-
PLACEMENT MEDICALEXAMINATION

5.1 NORMS & STANDARDS FOR

MEDICAL FITNESS

6.0 PERIODIC HEALTH EXAMINATION

6.1 BIOLOGICAL MONITORING

6.2 CLINICAL AND SCREENING LABORATORY

TESTS

7.0 INFRASTRUCTURE FOR OCCUPATIONAL

HEALTH MONITORING

8.0 REFERENCES

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           9
 GUIDELINES FOR
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH MONITORING
IN OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

                           10
 programmes protection of personal health
1.0 designed to human health of the
promote good from any individuals, the
INTRODUCT health. The possible health of the
purpose of adverse occupational
ION Occupational consequences group,
Health of exposure to assessment of
Technological programme is the hazards in the employees'
advances while to protect and the occupational
making the oil promote the occupational environment
industry health of all environment. and appraisal of
competitive, employed the evidence
have also persons. linking job
multiplied the Occupational conditions and
hazards to the Health is not exposure to
operating limited in scope effect on health
personnel in the only to and course of
form of diagnosis of the disease.
complex specific 2.0 SCOPE
processes and occupational Due to various
application of diseases and This document reasons, if it is
various their treatment. lays down not possible to
hazardous It is necessary minimum
chemicals. The to consider not requirements provide the
enlightened only the for practising required
management traditional Occupational facilities of its
should consider specific Health own for the
that their duty hazards to Monitoring in Occupational
is to preserve health at work petroleum Health
and promote but also control refineries, Monitoring at
the health of of health oil/gas
their employees problems of production/proc the petroleum
and give them a employees essing plants, handling
good deal which are LPG bottling facility /
which in turn closely related plants and other installation, the
fosters better to work petroleum same should be
output and conditions; are handling arranged
happiness in aggravated or facilities/install
industry. influenced by ations. This through
Greater use of work gives outside
the assets of the exposures; are guidelines to agencies.
work place - susceptible to establish
stability, long control or Occupational 3.0
term amelioration by Health OCCUPA
relationships of interventions at Monitoring in TIONAL
trust and peer work place. the industry to
support can be provide HEALTH
advantageously Occupational specific level of MONITO
utilised to make Health occupational RING
the work site as Monitoring will health and OBJECTI
an effective and provide a hygiene VES
economical scientific basis services to the
setting for for decisions employees and Occupational
various aimed at includes
Health

                           6
Monitoring in towards g should (3)
the oil and gas the be Occupational
industry should employee provided, Health
be viewed to s' physical as Monitoring-
meet the and condition
following mental s (a) should
objectives : adjustmen require:- either be
t, in organised
(1) particular (a) by virtue by the oil
"Occupati by the of laws or handling
onal adaptatio regulation installatio
Health n of the s; ns
Monitorin work to themselve
g" means the (b) by virtue s or be
a service employee of attached
establishe s and collective to an
d in or their agreemen outside
near to assignme t or as body;
the place nt to jobs otherwise
of for which agreed (b) should be
employm they are upon by organised
ent for the suited; the -
purposes and employer
of - and (i) as a
(c) employee separate
contributi s service
ng to the concerned within
(a) protecting establish ; or the
the ment and installat
employee maintena (c) in any ion or
s against nce of the other (ii) as a
any health highest manner service
hazard possible approved commo
which degree of by the n to a
may arise physical competen number
out of and t authority of
their work mental after installat
or the well- consultati ions.
condition being of on with
s in which the employer (4) Where the
it is employee s' and provision
carried s. employee of
on; s' occupatio
(2) organisati nal health
(b) Occupatio ons. monitorin
contributi nal Health g is not,
ng Monitorin for the

                           7
 time g should able to are
being, essentiall evaluate adequatel
practicabl y be their y
e for preventiv preventiv discharge
some e. e d so that
reasons, program they will
the (6) me, include in
plant/inst Occupatio discover particular
allation nal health occupatio the
should monitorin nal following
make g should hazards :
arrangem not be and
ents with required recomme (a) Monitori
a to verify nd the ng
physician the suitable within
or a local justificati placement the
medical on of of installatio
service absence workers n of all
for - on for factors
grounds rehabilitat which
a) administe of sick- ion may
ring ness; they purposes. affect the
emergenc should health of
y not be (7) The the
treatment; precluded function employee
from of s through
b) carrying ascertaini occupatio occupatio
out ng the nal health nal
required condition monitorin hygiene
medical s which g should monitorin
examinati may have be g,
ons ; led to an progressi including
employee' vely periodic
c) to s absence developed inspection
exercise on sick , in and
monitorin leave and accordanc evaluatio
g over obtaining e with the n of
hygiene informati circumsta workplac
condition on about nces and es to
s in the the having identify
plant/inst progress regard to potential
allation. of the the extent hazards,
employee' to which measure
(5) The role of s illness, one or them
occupatio so that more of when
nal health they will these appropriat
monitorin be better functions e, suggest

                           8
 control employee industrial
measures (c) s of the physician;
as needed participati installatio such
and on, with n such as examinati
advise in the other kitchens, ons
this appropriat canteens, should
respect to e day ensure
managem departme nurseries particular
ent and to nts in the and rest monitorin
employee installatio homes g over
s or their n, in the and, as certain
representa preventio necessary, classes of
tives in n of monitorin employee
the accidents g of any s, such as
installatio and dietetic women
n; occupatio arrangem employee
nal ents made s exposed
(b) job diseases for the to special
analysis and in the employee risks and
or supervisio s; handicapp
participati n of ed
on therein personal (e) pre- persons;
in the protective employm
light of equipmen ent, (f)
hygiene, t and of periodic monitorin
physiolog its use, and g of the
ical and and special adaption
psycholog advice to medical of jobs to
ical managem examinati employee
considerat ent and ons s, in
ions and employee including, particular
advice to s in this where handicapp
managem respect; necessary, ed
ent and biological employee
employee (d) , s, in
s on the monitorin radiologic accordanc
best g of the al e with
possible hygiene examinati their
adaption of ons - physical
of the job sanitary considere abilities,
to the installatio d participati
employee ns and all advisable on in the
having other for rehabilitat
regard to facilities preventiv ion and
these for the e retraining
considerat welfare of purposes of such
ions; the by the employee

                           9
 s and agreemen Safety, nce of
advice in t with Fire and first-aid
this those other equipmen
respect; concerned services t in co-
(including concerned operation,
(g) advice to the and of where
managem employee' having an appropriat
ent on the s own input into e, with
occasion physician disaster other
of the ), planning. departme
placing or treatment In the nts
re- for minor event of concerned
assignme illness of fire, ;
nt of employee explosion,
employee s who escape of (l) education
s; have not toxic of the
been gases, personnel
(h) advice to absent chemicals of the
individual from etc., installatio
employee work or Occupatio n in
s at their who have nal Health health and
request returned Monitorin hygiene;
regarding after g will
any absence ; ensure the (m)
disorder availabilit compilati
that may (j) y of the on and
occur or Occupatio necessary periodic
be nal Health infrastruct review of
aggravate Monitorin ure for statistics
d in the g will emergenc concernin
course of play an y g health
work; important treatment condition
role of to be s in the
(i) anticipati administe installatio
emergenc ng red. n;
y emergenci
treatment es, of (k) initial and (n) research
in case of preparing regular in
accident policies subseque occupatio
or for how nt training nal health
indisposit to deal of or
ion, and with them employee participati
also, in at the s in first- on in such
certain local level aid and research
circumsta in supervisio in
nces and collaborat n and associatio
in ion with maintena n with

                           10
 specialise and health nal Health g the
d services committe Monitorin work of
or es and g Group the
institution any other should services
s. committe open a and the
e or any confidenti general
(8) person in al state of
Occupatio the personal health of
nal Health installatio medical the
Monitorin n dealing file at the employee
g group with time of an s;
should health or employee'
maintain welfare s pre-
close questions. employm Occupatio
contact ent nal Health
with the (9) examinati Group
other Occupatio on or first will
departme nal Health visit to establish
nts in the Monitorin occupatio an
installatio g Group nal health efficient
n should centre and "Health
concerned also should Informati
with maintain keep the on
issues of relations file up-to- System"
the with date at through
employee external each computeri
s' health, services succeedin sation for
safety or and g storing
welfare, bodies examinati and
and dealing on or organisin
particularl with visit. g
y the issues of informati
welfare the on on
departme health, Occupatio Occupatio
nt, the safety, nal Health nal
safety retraining, Monitorin Hygiene ,
departme rehabilitat g Group medical
nt, the ion, should records,
personnel reassignm maintain exposure
departme ent and appropriat hazards of
nt, the welfare of e records, chemicals
trade the so as to and
union employee provide locations
organisati s. necessary of
ons in the informati potential
installatio (10) on chemicals
n, safety Occupatio concernin

                           11
 exposures occupatio b) be readily necessary,
. nal health available with other
centre during services
(11) shall have working of the
Occupatio special hours. installatio
nal Health training in n;
Monitorin occupatio (15) The
g nal premises (c) have
activities health. He of access to
should be shall be occupatio informati
under the familiar nal Health on
direction with Monitorin concernin
of a industrial g group g the
physician hygiene, should be processes,
who will special adequatel performa
be emergenc y laid nce
directly y out.
responsibl treatment standards
e to the and (16) In order to and
managem occupatio efficiently materials
ent for the nal perform used or
same. pathology their the use of
, as well functions, which is
(12) The as with occupatio contempl
physician the laws nal health ated;
s in and Monitorin (d) be
occupatio regulation g group authorise
nal Health s should - d to
Monitorin governing undertake
g Group the (a) have free , or to
should various access to request
enjoy full duties of all work that
professio the places approved
nal and service. and to the technical
moral ancillary bodies
independe (14) The first- installatio undertake
nce of aid ns ; -
both the personnel
employer should (b) inspect i. surveys
and the the work and
employee a) consist places at investig
s. exclusivel appropriat ations
y of e intervals on
(13) The suitably in potentia
physician qualified co- l
in charge persons ; operation, occupati
of an where onal

                           12
 health occupatio attaining the
hazards, nal health the science
for and safety objectives and art
example standards. of devoted
by the occupatio to
samplin (17) All nal health anticipati
g and persons services. on,
analysis attached identificat
of the to (19) The ion,
atmosph occupatio services evaluatio
ere of nal Health provided n and
work Monitorin by control of
places, g Group occupatio environm
of the should be nal Health ental
product required Monitorin factors or
s and to observe g Group stresses
material professio in arising in
s used, nal pursuance or from
or of secrecy as of these the work
any regards guidelines place
other both should which
material medical not may
suspecte and involve cause
d of technical the sickness,
being informati employee impaired
harmful on which s any health,
; may come expense. significan
to their t
ii. the knowledg discomfor
assessm e in the t or
ent of exercise inefficien
harmful of the cy among
physical functions the
agents; and 4.0 WORK employee
activities ENVIRO s.
(e) be as above. NMENT
authorise AL Occupatio
d to (18) All MONIT nal
ORING-
request employee hygiene
OCCUP
the s and practice
ATIONA
competen their L involves
t organisati HYGIEN recognitio
authoritie ons E n of
s to should harmful
ensure co- Occupatio exposure
complian operate nal to
ce with fully in hygiene is hazards-

                           13
 heat, examinati nal y
light, on of exposures exposed,
noise, exposed are day after
radiation persons to expressed day,
etc., discover in the without
chemicals the entry concepts adverse
-dust, of of effect.
fumes, harmful Threshold Because
gases etc. materials Limit of wide
and to into the Values variation
bring human (TLV), a in
them systems, time individual
under in weighted susceptibi
control, advance average lity,
before the of any exposure. however,
employee possible a small
s injury. 4.1 percentag
experienc The THRES e of
e injury practice HOLD employee
or of LIMIT s may
evidence occupatio VALUE experienc
of any nal S e
adverse hygiene discomfor
signs or involves Threshold t from
symptoms the Limit substance
. qualitativ Values s at
e and/or refer to concentra
This will the airborne tions at or
be done quantitati concentra below the
by ve tions of TLV; a
measurin evaluatio substance smaller
g n of s/levels of percentag
exposures environm physical e may be
, ental agents affected
evaluatin agents and more
g their which represent seriously
probable may pose condition by
effects by health s under aggravati
existing hazard at which it on of a
toxicologi the work is pre-
cal and place. believed existing
hygienic that condition
standards The nearly all or by
and quantitati the developm
utilising ve aspects employee ent of an
sensitive of safe s may be occupatio
biological occupatio repeatedl

                           14
 nal all y for effici
illness. emplo a ency
yees short and
Three may perio provi
categorie be d ded
s of TLVs repeat of that
are edly time the
specified expos witho daily
as: ed ut TLV-
day suffer TWA
1. Thres after ing also
hold day from is not
Limit witho (1) excee
Value ut irritati ded.
- adver on; A
Time se (2) STEL
Weig effect chron is
hted . ic or define
Avera irreve d as a
ge 2. Thres rsible 15
(TLV- hold tissue minut
TWA) Limit chang e
repres Value e; (3) time-
ents - narco weigh
the Short sis of ted
time- Term suffic avera
weigh Expos ient ge
ted ure degre expos
avera Limit e to ure
ge (TLV- increa which
conce STEL se the shoul
ntrati ) likeli d not
on for repres hood be
a ents of excee
norm the accid ded at
al 8- conce ental anyti
hour ntrati injury me
work on to , durin
day which impai g a
and a emplo r self work
40 yees rescu day,
hour can e or even
work be mater if the
week, expos ially eight
to ed reduc hour
which contin e time
nearly uousl work weigh

                           15
 ted two 4.2
avera or PHYSICAL
ge is 3. Thres three HAZARDS
withi hold categ
n the Limit ories
TLV. Value may 4.2.1
Expos - be Evaluation
ures Ceilin releva of heat
at the g nt, stress
STEL (TLV- depen
shoul C) ding Wet Bulb
d not repres upon Globe
be ents their Temperat
longe the physi ure
r than conce ologic (WBGT)
15 ntrati al index is a
minut on action technique
es that . It is adopted
and shoul impor to
shoul d not tant measure
d not be to environm
be excee obser ental heat
repeat ded ve stress.
ed even that if Portable
more instan any WBGT
than taneo one instrumen
four usly. of the t
times For three consisting
a day. some categ of three
There substa ories separate
shoul nces, TLVs resistance
d be e.g. is thermome
at irritan excee ters -
least t ded, a globe
60 gases, potent thermome
minut only ial ter to
es TLV- hazar measure
gap C d is radiant
betwe may presu energy, a
en be med wet bulb
succe releva to thermome
ssive nt. exist. ter to
expos For measure
ures other relative
at the substa humidity
STEL nces, and a dry
. either bulb

                           16
 thermome Table -
ter to 4.1.
measure
ambient
temperatu
re is made
use of. By
means of
a switch,
each
thermome
ter can be
individual
ly read on
a scale. A
fourth
position
of the
switch
integrates
the
outputs of
the three
thermome
ters into a
single
reading
WBGT
index
which is
read on a
separate
scale. The
operation
is from
line
power or
batteries.

Threshold
Limit
Values for
heat
exposure
are given
in the

                           17
 TABLE - 4.1

Permissible heat exposure threshold limit values

[Values are given in deg.C and (deg.F) WBGT]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Work Load
-------------------------------------------------
Work-Rest Regimen Light Moderate Heavy
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continuous work 30.0(86) 26.7(80) 25.0(77)
75% Work
25% Rest, each hour 30.6(87) 28.0(82) 25.9(78)

50% Work
50% Rest, each hour 31.4(89) 29.4(85) 27.9(82)

25% Work
75% Rest, each hour 32.2(90) 31.1(88) 30.0(86)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4.2.2 Evaluation of exposure to set. Personal noise dose meters

noise worn by working personnel are
made use of to get accurate
A wide range of equipment is assessment of the total noise dose
available for measurement of the wearer has received
sound. The basic general purpose throughout his working day.
sound level meter measures the These instruments are easy to
sound levels in decibles. Portable use, self contained pocket size
single hand-held battery powered units, battery powered with
precision integrating sound level concealed or visible digital
meters are made use of for all display for readout. Threshold
kinds of sound level Limit Values (TLVs) for Noise
measurements including Leq., exposure are given in the Table
frequency analysis using a filter 4.2.

                           21
 TABLE - 4.2

Threshold Limit Values for Noise *

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duration per day Sound level
Hours dBA
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 90
6 92
4 95
3 97
2 100
1-1/2 102
1 105
1/2 110
1/4 or less 115
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note : No exposure to continuous, intermittent, or impact noise in excess of a peak C-

weighted level of 140 dB. If instrumentation is not available to measure a C-
weighted peak, an unweighted peak measurement below 140 dB may be used
to imply that the C-weighted peak is below 140 dB.

* Limited by the noise source - not administrative control. It is also recommended that a
dosimeter or integrating sound level meter be used for sounds above 120 decibels.

                           22
4.2.3 ILLUMINATION MEASURING
EQUIPMENT

Evaluation of lighting powered instrument is available

effectiveness is not just a for measurement of general
question of quantity of light, but luminance, and luminance
also of the quality of the lighting contrast., rendered by lighting
environment. Portable, contrast, systems. Recommended levels of
rendered by lighting systems and illuminance for various classes of
visual display battery powered visual task are given in the Table
instrument is available for - 4.3.
measurement of general
luminance, and luminance battery
 TABLE - 4.3

RECOMMENDED SERVICE ILLUMINANCE FOR VARIOUS CLASSES OF

VISUAL TASK
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class of Recommended Typical examples
visual task illuminance(lx)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exceptionally 2400 or more Inspection of minute work(e.g.
difficult very small instruments)
tasks

Very difficult 1600 Extra-fine bench and machine

work, tool and die making
(tolerances below 25 um);
gauging and inspection of
small or intricate parts.

1200 Inspection, examining and

handfinishing light goods.

Difficult 800 Fine bench and machine work

(tolerances down to 25 um);
inspection of fine work (e.g.
calibrated scales, precision
mechanisms and
instruments).

Normal range 600 Office work with poor contrast

of tasks and drawing offices-boards, fine
workplaces painting, spraying and
computer rooms-input and
output terminals.

Moderately 400 Medium bench and machine

difficult work (tolerances down to 125
m); routine office work-
typing, filing, reading, writing;
inspection of medium work
(e.g."Go" and "No Go"
gauges, machine work;
structural steel fabrication-
marking off; enquiry desks
.

Ordinary 300 Training room, chalkboards

and charts; pharmaceutical
stores; kitchens - food
preparation, cooking, washing
up; staff canteens – counters.

Simple 200 Rough bench and machine

work (tolerances above 750
um); rough visual inspection,
counting, rough checking of
stock parts; structural steel
fabrication-general areas;
entrance halls; waiting rooms;
staff canteens-general.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class of Recommended Typical examples
visual task illuminance(lx)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
warehouses and bulk stores -
packing and despatch.

Rough inter- 100 Loading bays; office strong-

mittent tasks rooms, staff change
rooms; locker rooms.

Movement and 50 Corridors with heavy traffic;

orientation indoor carparks (lanes); walkways
and movement areas in industrial
plant; stairs; rest rooms

20 Corridors with light traffic

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.2.4 Measurement of ionising radiation 4.3 CHEMICAL HAZARDS

There being no single instrument Hydrocarbon industry uses a variety of

which performs acceptable under chemicals, organic and inorganic.
all conditions and requirements These chemicals are used as
met with in practice; different absorbents, solvents, additives,
types of instruments and catalysts, colouring agents, laboratory
detectors are used in various reagents etc. in the oil industry. All
applications to obtain the such chemicals, along with the
monitoring characteristics petroleum, pose health hazards to the
required for different forms of operating personnel.
radiation hazards. The radiation
detection most widely used in Chemicals have properties to cause
survey instruments are isolation personal injury due to contact with or
chambers, Geiger-Mueller entry into the body via inhalation,
counters,proportional counters ingestion, skin contact or eye contact.
and scintillation detectors. To Health hazard may result from
assess the dose received by the repeated, chronic and long term
individual, either film meters or exposure to low concentration of such
Thermoluminescent dosimeters chemicals.
(TLD) or a combination of both
are used for personal monitoring Measurement methods for toxic
of exposure to external sources of chemicals in the work environment are
radiation. given in the Table - 4.4 and Threshold
Limit Values for chemicals are given in
the Table-4.5.
 TABLE - 4.4

MEASUREMENT METHODS FOR TOXIC CHEMICALS IN THE

WORK ENVIRONMENT
_____________________________________________________________________________
CHEMICAL STATE COLLECTION REAGENT ANALYTICAL
METHOD
_____________________________________________________________________________

1. Acetic acid Liq/Sld Charcoal tube Formic acid GC with FID

2. Alumina Solid Filter -- Gravimetry

3. Aluminium chloride Solid Filter -- Gravimetry

4. Ammonia Gas Bubbler Dil.H2SO4 Spectro

photometer, Ion
chromatograph

5. Antimony trichloride Solid Filter -- AAS

6. Arsenic compounds Solid Filter -- AAS

7. Asbestos Solid Filter Acetone Phase contrast

microscopy

8. Asphalt fumes Solid Filter -- Gravimetry-

HPLC

9. Benzene Liquid Charcoal tube CS2 GC with FID

10 Butane Gas Charcoal tube CS2 GC with FID

11.Calcium hydroxide Solid Filter -- AAS

12. Carbon dioxide Gas Bags -- GC with TCD

13.Carbon monoxide Gas Bags -- Direct reading

14.Carbon tetrachloride Liquid Charcoal tube CS2 GC with FID

15.Chlorine Gas Bubbler -- Ion selective

electrode

16.Chromium & Solid Filter -- AAS

compounds

17. Clay Solid Filter -- Gravimetry

                           26
 _____________________________________________________________________________
CHEMICAL STATE COLLECTION REAGENT ANALYTICAL
METHOD
_____________________________________________________________________________

18. Cobalt & compounds Solid Filter -- AAS

19.Copper & compounds Solid Filter -- AAS

20.Diethanolamine Liquid Impinger -- Ion

chromotography

21.Ethanolamine Liquid Silica gel tube -- GC with FID

22.Ethylamine Gas/Liq Silica gel tube H2SO4 GC with FID

23.Ethylene dibromide Liquid Charcoal tube CS2 GC with FID

24.Ethylene dichloride Liquid Silica gel tube CS2 GC with FID

25.Ethyl mercaptan Liquid Filter CS2 GC with ECD

26.Formalin Sol Filter/ Sodium VIS

impinger bisulphide spectrophotometry

27.Furfural Liquid XAD tube Toluene GC with FID

28.Gasoline Liquid Charcoal tube CS2 GC with FID

29.Glycerin mist Liquid Filter -- Gravimetry

30.Graphite Solid Filter -- Gravimetry

31.Hexane Liquid Charcoal tube CS2 GC with FID

32.Hydrazine Liquid Bubbler HCl VIS

Spectrophotometry

33.Hydrogen chloride Liquid Silica gel NaHCO3/Na2CO3 Ion

chromatography

34.Hydrogen fluoride Liquid Filter -- Ion selective

electrode

35.Hydrogen sulphide Gas Dry tube/mole- -- Thermal desorpt-

cular sieve ion & GC with FID

36.Iron & compuonds Solid Filter -- AAS

                           27
 _____________________________________________________________________________
CHEMICAL STATE COLLECTION REAGENT ANALYTICAL
METHOD
_____________________________________________________________________________

37.LPG Gas Detector tube -- Direct reading

instrument

38.Methanol Liquid Silica gel Water GC with FID

39.MEK Liquid Ambersorb CS2 GC with FID

Tube

40.Methyl t-butyl Liquid Charcoaltube -- GC with FID

ether

41.MIBK Liquid Charcoal tube Acetone GC with FID

42.Molybdenum Solid Filter -- AAS

& compounds

43.Morpholine Liquid Silica gel tube H2SO4/NaOH GC with FID

44.Naphtha Liquid Charcoal tube CS2 GC with FID

45.Nickel & compounds Solid Fliter -- AAS

46.Nitric acid Liquid Silica gel tube -- Ion

chromotography

47.Nitric oxide Gas Molecular seive -- Ion

chromotography

48.Nitrogen dioxide Gas Molecular seive -- Ion

chromotography

49.Oil mist Liquid Filter -- Gravimetry

50.Pentane Gas Charcoal tube CS2 GC with FID

51.Phenol Sol/Sld XAD tube Methanol HPLC

52.Phosgene Gas Impinger tube -- VIS

spctrophotometry

53.Phosphoric acid Liquid Silica gel tube -- Ion chromotograph

54.Poly nuclear Liquid Filter -- GC with FID

aromatic compound

                           28
 ___________________________________________________________________________
CHEMICAL STATE COLLECTION REAGENT ANALYTICAL
METHOD
_____________________________________________________________________________

55.Propane Gas Anasorb tube -- GC with FID

56.Silica Solid Fliter -- Gravimetry

57.Sodium hydroxide Sol/Sld Filter HCl Titration

58.Stoddard solvent Liquid Charcoal tube CS2 GC with FID

59.Sulphur dioxide Gas Filter NaHCO3/Na2CO3 Ion

chromatography

60.Sulphur monochloride Liquid Impinger -- Ion chromatography

61.Sulphuric acid Liquid Impinger -- VIS

Spectrophotometry

62.Tert.Butanol Liquid Charcoal tube CS2 GC with FID

63.Tetraethyl lead Liquid XAD tube Pentane GC with PID

64.Toluene Liquid Charcoal tube CS2 GC with FID

65.Vanadium Solid Filter -- AAS

& compounds

66.Xylene Liquid Charcoal tube CS2 GC with FID

____________________________________________________________________

Note: XAD indicates that a special coating must be added

GC: Gas chromatographTCD : Thermal conductivity detector
FID : Flame ionisation detector
ECD : Electron capture detector
PID : Photo ionisation detector
HPLC : High performance liquid chromatograph
AAS : Atomic absorption spectro photometer

                           29
 TABLE - 4.5

Threshold Limits Values for Chemicals in the Work Environment

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME TLV STEL______
PPM MG/M3 PPM MG/M3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ACETIC ACID 10 25 15 37

ACETONE 750 1780 1000 2380

AMMONIA 25 17 35 27

AMMONIUM CHLORIDE FUME -- 10 -- 20

ANTIMONY TRICHLORIDE,as Sb -- 0.5 -- --

ARSENIC COMPOUNDS,as Sn -- 0.01, A1 -- --

ASBESTOS

1 AMOSITE 0.5 fiber/cc

2.CHRYSOTILE 2.0 fibers/cc

3.CROCIDOLITE 0.2 fiber/cc

4.OTHER FORMS 2.0 fibers/cc

ASPHALT(PETROLEUM) FUMES -- 5 -- --

BENZENE 10,A2 32,A2 -- --

BUTANE 800 1900 -- --

TERT.BUTANOL 100,A4 303,A4 -- --

CALCIUM HYDROXIDE -- 5 -- --

CARBON DIOXIDE 5000 9000 30000 54000

CARBON MONOXIDE 25 29 -- --

CARBON TETRACHLORIDE-SKIN 5 31 10 63

CHLORINE 0.5 1.5 1.0 2.9

CHROMIUM,as Cr III -- 0.5,A4 -- --

                           29
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME TLV STEL______
PPM MG/M3 PPM MG/M3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHROMIUM,as Cr VI -- 0.05,A1 -- --

COBALT,elemental &
Inorganic Compounds,as Co -- 0.02,A3 -- --

COPPER,fume -- 0.2 -- --

Dust & mists,as Cu -- 1 -- --

DIETHANOLAMINE 3 13 -- --

ETHANOLAMINE 3 7.5 6 15

ETHYLAMINE 5 9.2 15 27.6

ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE A2 A2 -- --

ETHYLENE DICHLORIDE 10 40 -- --

ETHYL MERCAPTAN 0.5 1.3 -- --

FORMALDEHYDE -- -- C 0.3,A2 C 0.37,A2

FURFURAL-SKIN 2 7.9 -- --

GASOLINE 300 890 500 1480

GLYCERINE MIST -- 10 -- --

GRAPHITE(all formsexcept fibres) -- 2 -- --

N-HEXANE 50 176 -- --

HYDRAZINE-SKIN 0.1 0.13 -- --

HYDROGEN CHLORIDE -- -- C5 C 7.5

HYDROGEN FLUORIDE,as F -- -- C3 C 2.3

HYDROGEN SULFIDE 10 14 15 21

IRON SALTS,soluble,as Fe -- 1 -- --

LPG 1000 1800 -- --

                           30
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME TLV STEL______
PPM MG/M3 PPM MG/M3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

METHANOL-SKIN 200 262 250 328

MEK 200 590 300 885

METHYL t-BUTYL ETHER 40,A3 144,A3 -- --

MIBK 50 205 75 307

MOLYBDENUM,as Mo

Soluble compounds -- 5 -- --
Insoluble compounds -- 10 -- --

MORPHOLINE-SKIN 20 71 -- --

NAPHTHA 300 1370 -- --

NICKEL Metal -- 1 -- --

Insoluble compds.as Ni -- 1 -- --

Soluble compds. as Ni -- 0.1 -- --

NITRIC ACID 2 5.2 4 10

NITRIC OXIDE 25 31 -- --

NITROGEN DIOXIDE 3 5.6 5 9.4

OIL MIST,MINERAL -- 5 -- 10

PENTANE 600 1770 750 2210

PHENOL-SKIN 5 19 -- --

PHOSGENE 0.1 0.40 -- --

PHOSPHORIC ACID -- 1 -- 3

PROPANE (TWA-OSHA: 1000 ppm ; IDLH:20000 ppm)

                           31
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME TLV STEL______
PPM MG/M3 PPM MG/M3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SILICA-AMORPHOUS
1.DIATOMACEOUS EARTH -- 10 -- --

2.PRECIPITATED SILICA -- 10 -- --

3.SILICA,FUME -- 2 -- --

4.SILICA,FUSED -- 0.1 -- --

5.SILICA GEL -- 10 -- --

SILICA-CRYSTALLINE

1.CRISTOBALITE -- 0.05

2.QUARTZ -- 0.1

3.TRIDYMITE -- 0.05

4.TRIPOLI -- 0.1, of contained respairable quartz

SODIUM HYDROXIDE -- -- -- C2

STODDARD SOLVENT 100 525 -- --

SULFUR DIOXIDE 2 5.2 5 13

SULFUR MONOCHLORIDE -- -- C1 C 5.5

SULFURIC ACID -- 1 -- 3

TEL as Pb-SKIN -- 0.1 -- --

TOLUENE-SKIN 50 188 -- --

VANADIUM PENTOXIDE,
as respirable dust or fume -- 0.05 -- --

XYLENE 100 434 150 651

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE : A1 - Confirmed Human Carcinogen
A2 - Suspected Human Carcinogen
A3 - Animal Carcinogen
A4 - Not Classified as a Human Carcinogen
A5 - Not Suspected as a Human Carcinogen
C - Denotes Ceiling limit.
                           32
 5.0 PRE-EMPLOYMENT / PRE- be duly recorded on the medical
PLACEMENT MEDICAL examination forms.
EXAMINATION
(5) The report of the company
GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING medical authority is considered
THE MEDICAL FITNESS OF A final.
CANDIDATE CONSIDERED FOR
PRE-EMPLOYMENT / PLACEMENT (6) The company medical authority
IN THE SERVICES OF THE will forward the medical fitness
COMPANY
certificate to the Personnel
department, declaring the
(1) Every candidate shall be required to
candidate either "FIT",
undergo medical examination to be
"UNFIT" or
eligible for appointment in the
"TEMPORARILY UNFIT".
services of the company :
(7)Where a candidate has been
a) On a permanent or temporary
declared "Temporarily Unfit" by
basis;
reasons of short term sickness,
which is curable within a period
b) As an apprentice/trainee;
of not more than thirty days, the
candidate will be required to
c) An employee in the services
undergo a re-examination within
of the company who is
thirty days from the date of
selected for alternative job on
his/her being declared
the basis of open recruitment
"Temporarily Unfit". At the time
or otherwise;
of re-examination, he/she will
be required to produce proof of
d) On deputation basis or
treatment and certificate of cure
permanent from Central/State
from the Doctor who treated
Governments/Public Sector
him/her. On satisfying himself
Undertakings.
that the short term sickness is
cured, the Company Medical
(2) Medical examination will be
Authority will certify the
conducted by the Company
candidate as medically fit.
Medical Officer/Authorised
Medical Officer who will be the
(8) Where a candidate is declared
authority to certify a candidate
"Unfit", the result of the medical
as medically fit/ unfit/
examination for unfitness will
temporarily unfit in respect of
be communicated to him/her by
all appointments in the
the personnel department.
company.
(9) Where a handicapped person is
(3) It may become necessary to
selected, he/she may be declared
refer the candidates to some
"handicapped, but fit" if,
outside hospitals/institutions for
conducting some of the medical
(a) Except for the handicap,he/she
tests.
otherwise satisfies all other
physical standards as
(4) The company medical authority
prescribed and
may,at his discretion,obtain the
opinion of a Specialist that will
                           33
 (b) Considering the nature of
duties and responsibilities of (3) No evidence of mal-development -
the job, location, hazard, strain physical or mental.
and other factors, the handicap
is not likely to interfere with (4) Joints and locomotor functions are
the performance of duties of within normal limits.
the post with reasonable
efficiency and without (5) HEIGHT AND WEIGHT
possible deterioration of
his/her health. Standard for height and weight
is given in the Table -
5.1 NORMS AND STANDARDS FOR 5.1.Weight will be recorded in
MEDICAL FITNESS kilograms and height measured
will be in centimeters. The
(1) Good mental and bodily health and a Company Medical Authority is
fit constitution. empowered to relax the
standards of height and weight,
(2) Free from physical defect or so long as such relaxation does
abnormality, congenital or acquired, not impede the performance of
likely to interfere with the efficient the job.
performance of duties.

                           34
 TABLE - 5.1

STANDARD HEIGHT AND WEIGHT FOR MEN AND WOMEN

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Height Weight, Kgs.
--------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Men Women
Cms. Ft.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
152 5'0" ----- 50.8 - 54.4
154 5'1" ---- 51.7 - 55.3
157 5'2" 56.3 - 60.3 53.1 - 56.7
159 5'3" 57.6 - 61.7 54.4 - 58.1
162 5'4" 58.9 - 63.5 56.3 - 59.9
165 5'5" 60.8 - 65.3 57.6 - 61.2
167 5'6" 62.2 - 66.7 58.9 - 63.5
170 5'7" 64.0 - 68.5 60.8 - 66.3
172 5'8" 65.8 - 70.8 62.2 - 66.7
175 5'9" 67.6 - 72.6 64.0 - 68.5
177 5'10" 69.4 - 74.4 65.8 - 70.3
180 5'11" 71.2 - 76.2 67.1 - 71.7
182 6'0" 73.0 - 78.5 68.5 - 73.9
185 6'1" 75.3 - 80.7
187 6'2" 77.6 - 83.5
190 6'3" 79.8 - 85.7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           35
 (6) CHEST (a) The candidate's eyes will be
subjected to a general
Acceptable chest measurement at examination directed to detect
full expiration will be 79 cms. any disease or abnormality. The
(relaxable by 5 cms.) and candidate will be rejected if
minimum expansion of 5 cms. he/she suffers from morbid
The range of expansion upto 4 condition of eyes, eyelids or
cms. ( i.e. a deviation of 20%) contiguous structures of such a
will be acceptable. This is not nature as would render him/her
applicable to female candidates unfit for service at the time of
and the state of physical appointment or at a future date.
development will be taken into
account. (b) If any candidate is suspected to
have any refractive error in either
(7) EYE or both eyes, organic or
progressive disease of any part of
The candidate's eyes will be the eyes, a thorough ophthalmic
tested and the result of the test checkup and report from the
recorded in accordance with the specialist in ophthalmology is
following rules: essential.

(c) VISUAL ACUITY

Standard of visual acuity with or without glasses will be as follows:-

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distance visual acuity Near visual acuity
Age Better eye Worse eye Better eye Worse eye
----------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Below 6/9 (20/30) 6/9 (20/30)
35 yrs or Sn 0.6 Sn 0.6

6/6 (20/13) 6/12 (20/40)

(20/15)
(20/17)
(20/18)
(20/20)

35 yrs. 6/12 (20/40) 6/12 (20/40)

& above or Sn 0.8 Sn.0.8
6/9 (20/30) 6/18 (20/50)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any organic disease or a (d) FUNDUS EXAMINATION
progressive refractive error
which is likely to result in (i) In case of myopia, fundus
lowering of the visual acuity will examination should be carried
be considered as a out and the report from the
disqualification. specialist is essential. In the
event of a pathological
                           36
 condition being present, which in Manufacturing,
is likely to be progressive and Maintenance, Technical
affect the efficiency of the Services, R & D, Projects,
candidate, he/she will be Medical departments; Refinery
declared unfit. Operator, Refinery Technician,
Operator, Chemist,
The total amount of myopia Draughtsman, Crane Operator,
(including the cylinder) shall Driver of all categories, Nurse,
not exceed (-) 4.00 D. The Nursing Assistants, Fireman,
total amount of hypermetropia Security, Engineer, Doctor,
(including the cylinder) shall Materials Management, etc.,
not exceed (+) 4.00 D in each and jobs where perception of
eye. colours is considered essential.

(ii) Fundus and media should be (f) SQUINT

healthy and within normal
limits. For technical category where the
presence of binocular vision is
(iii) No degenerative signs of essential, squint, even if the
vitreous or choriorentinitis to be visual acuity is of prescribed
present, suggesting progressive standards, will be considered as
myopia. a disqualification. For others, the
presence of squint will not be
(e) COLOUR VISION considered as a disqualification if
the visual acuity of each eye is of
The testing of colour is essential prescribed standard.
for all candidates. Colour vision
will be tested with Ishihara's (g) ONE EYED PERSON
Isochromatic plates in good light.
For regular service, one eyed
COLOUR BLINDNESS individual will be considered as
unfit except for ministerial and
(i) PERMISSIBLE allied jobs where binocular vision
is not considered essential. It
This will not be a will be ensured that the prognosis
disqualification for such jobs of the functioning eye is good
wherein defective colour vision and its vision is not likely to be
is not likely to interfere with endangered by the condition of
his/her work or create risk for the worse eye and the prescribed
others working with him/her; visual acuity standards are fully
for example, employment in satisified.
Personnel, Finance,
Administration, Training & (h) CONTACT LENSES
HRD departments.
Use of contact lenses for
(ii) NOT PERMISSIBLE correction will be accepted for
employment only for such jobs as
Colour blindness is a personnel, finance,
disqualification for the administration, training & HRD,
following jobs like employment etc.
                           37
 (i) NIGHT BLINDNESS Scars, if any, of the previous
removal of tubercular glands
No standard test for testing of should be normal and there must
night blindness or dark not have been any active disease.
adaptation is prescribed. The
medical officer will record visual (11) SKIN DISEASE
acuity with reduced illumination
or by making the candidate Candidates suffering from
recognize various objects in a leprosy or chronic inveterate skin
dark room after he/she has been conditions will be declared unfit.
there for 20 to 30 minutes. Vitiligo cases are acceptable.

(8) EAR /NOSE/THROAT (12) VENEREAL DISEASES

The candidate should be free Candidates who have suffered or

from signs or symptoms of ear are suffering from venereal
diseases. Audiometric screening diseases will not be declared fit
to measure the pure tone air unless detailed examination of
conduction hearing threshold will urethral smear and serological
be carried out. Impairment of test proves negative.
hearing acuity in one or both
ears, perforated ear drum, chronic (13) FITS
ear discharge, etc., will be
considered as disqualification. A Candidates suffering from
report from the specialist in ENT epilepsy (seizure disorder) will
is essential and should be duly be declared unfit.
recorded.
(14) PREGNANCY
A candidate should be free from
any active disease of the nose. If at the time of medical
examination a candidate is
Throat, palate, gums, jaws, pregnant, she will be declared
temporomandibular joints and temporarily unfit until she has
dentition should be within normal completed six weeks after
limits. confinement/miscarriage and the
candidate will be required to
(9) BLOOD PRESSURE (B.P.) undergo a medical examination
of fitness.
The normal limits of blood
pressure will be assessed as: (15) Signs of mental retardation will
Normotension < 140 SBP render a candidate unfit for
and <90 DBP. Candidates employment.
diagnosed as a case of
hypertension will be declared (16) DEFECTS
unfit.
Congenital or acquired defects, if
(10) GLANDS any/noticed, will be recorded on
the medical examination forms,
There should not be generalised with a clear opinion as to whether
enlargement of lymph glands. it is likely to interfere with the
                           38
 efficient performance of the for pregnancy (detection of
duties for which the candidate is human chorionic gonadatrophin
under consideration for (HCG) in the urine), (for women
employment. candidates); routine urine
examination; Eye examination
(17) SYSTEMIC EXAMINATION tests for colour vision, visual
acuity etc; Pulmonary function
Examination of all systems is tests-spirometry; Pure tone
very essential to rule out any airconduction audiometry;
pathological condition which will Electrocardiogram-all leads (at
make a candidate unfit for rest); X ray chest PA view. The
employment (eg. hypertension, candidates who require further
diabetes mellitus, heart disease, clinical evaluation/additional
tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, tests will be referred to the
fits (seizure disorder), malignant concerned specialists.
disease, potentially malignant
conditions, renal failure, collagen 6.0 PERIODIC HEALTH
disease, cerbrovascular EXAMINATION
insufficiency, parkinsonism,
schizophrenia, glaucoma, The periodic examination should
diseases of the retina, cataract, be carried out at regular intervals
psoriasis, etc. after the initial preplacement
examination. It may not always
(18) RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION be necessary to conduct a full-
scale medical examination at the
Skiagram chest of all the routine periodic check-ups,
candidates will be essentially especially if there are no overt
required. Cases diagnosed as signs of illness.
suffering from pulmonary
tuberculosis will be declared The procedure for periodic health
unfit. checks is different from that for
preplacement examinations. A
(19) The content of the medical special form needs to be
examination usually includes a designed, with emphasis on the
medical history, occupational aspects of the history and
history, clinical examination physical examination most
supplemented by laboratory tests. relevant to the exposure in
The laboratory tests that will be question. The scope and
performed include TC; DC; Hb; periodicity of the health
ESR; Platelets; HCT; RBC; examination should depend on
Blood group & Rh; Blood the nature and extent of the risk
sugar(Random); Glucose involved. The examination
Tolerance test if required; Serum should focus on the body organs
Creatinine; Blood R.P.R, (Rapid and systems most likely to be
Plasma Reagin test)/V.D.R.L. for affected by the harmful agents in
serodiagnosis of syphilis; test for the workplace. For example,
detection of antibodies to HIV 1 audiometry is the most important
& HIV 2 in blood; test for test for those working in a noisy
detection of hepatitis B surface environment. For each harmful
antogen (HBs Ag) in blood; test agent, the period between
                           39
 exposure and the development of environmental concentration of
a health impairment (latency a chemical is related to the body
period) is a major factor in burden of the same chemical
determining the frequency of under specified conditions only.
examination. However, in many To further evaluate a potential
cases the latency period is not health hazard in the workplace,
known. For such agents, the biological monitoring should be
frequency should be determined used.
on the basis of: (a) the natural
history of the disease, including Biological monitoring can be
the rapidity with which the defined as assessment of
biochemical, morphological employee exposure by
behavioural, etc. changes might measurement of some "index"
occur or be detected by screening chemical in a body fluid as
tests; (b) the level of exposure to evidence of exposure to a
the hazardous agent and to any chemical.
other interacting agent or agents;
(c) the anticipated susceptibility The Biological Exposure Index
of the exposed population and (BEI) is defined as an "index"
individuals. chemical that appears in a
biological fluid or in expired air
6.1 BIOLOGICAL MONITORING following an exposure to a
workplace chemical. The BEI
Measurement of the serves as a warning of exposure
concentration of substances in by (1) the appearance of
breathing zone air does not chemical or (2) the appearance
ensure that the employee is of biological response indicative
totally protected from adverse of exposure. The BEI is
health effects resulting from primarily an index of exposure
exposure to chemicals in the and not a sentinel of some
workplace. The actual body health effect that may have been
burden of the chemical resulting produced from exposure to a
from all routes of exposure is workplace chemical.
more directly related to potential Permissible Biological
adverse health effects. The Exposure Indices for various
uptake of the workplace chemical chemicals are given in the
by the inhalation route, Table - 6.1. (Table - 6.4 may be
absorption of the chemical referred to regarding
through the skin or the periodicity of the examination).
gastrointestinal tract and non
occupational exposure to the
chemical all influence the body
burden. Interaction of the
chemical with other
environmental and workplace
chemicals may stimulate or
inhibit its metabolism and
elimination and thus influence
the toxicity of the chemical in the
employee. Thus, the
                           40
 TABLE - 6.1

BIOLOGICAL EXPOSURE DETERMINANTS

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airborne chemical/ Sampling Biological Exposure
Determinant time Indices
(BEI)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Acetone

- Acetone in urine End of shift 100 mg/l

Arsenic

- Inorganic arsenic End of workweek 50 ug/g

metabolites in urine creatinine

Benzene

- Total phenol in urine End of shift 50 mg/g

creatinine
- Benzene in exhaled air Prior to next
shift
mixed exhaled 0.08 ppm
end exhaled 0.12 ppm

Carbon monoxide

- Carboxyhaemoglobin in End of shift Less than 8% blood

haemoglobin

- CO in end-exhaled air End of shift Less than 40 ppm.

Chromium

- Chromium in urine End of shift at 30 ug/g

end of workweek creatinine

Cobalt

- Cobalt in urine End of shift at 15 ug/l

end of workweek
- Cobalt in blood --do-- 1 ug/l

Furfural

- Total furoic acid End of shift 200 mg/g in urine

Creatinine

n-Hexane
- 2,5 hexanedione in End of shift 5 mg/g urine
creatinine
                           52
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airborne chemical/ Sampling Biological Exposure
Determinant time Indices
(BEI)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lead

- in blood not critical 50 ug/100ml

- in urine not critical 150 ug/g Creatinine

- Zinc protoporphyrin After one month 100ug/100 ml

in blood exposure blood.

Methanol

- Methanol in urine End of shift 15 mg/l

Methemoglobin
inducers

- Methaemoglobin in During or end of 1.5% of

blood shift haemoglobin

Methyl ethyl ketone

- MEK in urine End of shift 2 mg/l.

MIBK

- MIBK in urine End of shift 2 mg/l

Naphtha

- Phenol in urine End of shift 50 mg/g

creatinine
Phenol

- Total phenol in urine End of shift 250 mg/g

Creatinine
PNA compounds

- Phenol in urine End of shift 50 mg/g

creatinine
Toluene

- Hippuric acid End of shift 2.5 g/g

in urine Creatinine

- Toluene in End of shift 1 mg/l

                           53
 venous blood

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airborne chemical/ Sampling Biological Exposure
Determinant time Indices
(BEI)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vanadium

- Vanadium in urine End of shift 50 ug/g

Xylene

- Methylhippuric acid End of shift 1.5 g/g in urine

Creatinine
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6.2 CLINICAL AND SCREENING Measurement of vibration

LABORATORY TESTS sensitivity

Clinical and Screening Neurophysiological tests - nerve

Laboratory Tests for the early conduction tests
detection of occupational
diseases in the main organs and Psychological tests (optional)
systems are as follows:
BLOOD AND BLOOD
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM FORMING SYSTEM

Medical and occupational history Complete haematology profile

(questionnaire on respiratory
symptoms, modified version of Estimation of Carboxy Hb
that approved by British Medical
Research Council Committee on Estimation of methaemoglobin
research into chronic bronchitis)
LIVER
Physical examination
Medical history
Lung function tests - spirometry
Physical examination
Chest radiography, using
standard ILO X rays on Liver function tests- Serum
radiographs bilirubin (total, direct and
of pneumoconiasis. indirect, total protein, albumin,
globulin; SGOT; SGPT; Alkaline
NERVOUS SYSTEM phosphatase, gamma G.T.

Occupational and medical history URINARY SYSTEM

Clinical examination Urine analysis - appearance of

urine; reagent strip for protein
                           54
 and glucose; quantitative
determination of total protein in Medical history
urine; Blood analysis - Blood
urea, creatinine, Beta 2 Physical examination
microglobulin
Radiography of skeletal system,
CARDIOVASCULAR if required.
SYSTEM
Various Biochemistry and
Medical history Haematological Tests alongwith
the normal range of values are
Clinical examination given in the Table - 6.2.

12-lead ECG - at rest and Table - 6.3 gives Analytical

computerised stress ECG; Techniques for Biochemical
Parameters.
24 hour holter monitoring if
required at work place; Recommended Clinical Laboratory
Tests for early detection of work
Chest radiograph related illness in the main organ and
system are given in the Table - 6.4.
MUSCULOSKELETAL
SYSTEM

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 Table - 6.2

BIOCHEMISTRY AND HAEMATOLOGY TESTS

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parameter Findings Normal Range
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GTT: Whole Blood Sugar (75 gms of glucose)

(F) : mg/dl upto 100 mg/dl

(1 Hour) : mg/dl upto 180 mg/dl

(2 Hour) : mg/dl upto 120 mg/dl

Blood Sugar (PP) : mg/dl upto 140 mg/dl

Blood Sugar (R) : mg/dl upto 140 mg/dl

Urea : mg/dl 10 - 40 mg/dl

Creatinine : mg/dl 0.5 - 1.2 mg/dl

Uric acid : mg/dl 3.0 - 7.6 mg/dl

Total Cholesteral : mg/dl 120 - 240 mg/dl

Triglycerides : mg/dl 10 - 170 mg/dl

HDL Cholesterol : mg/dl 30 - 70 mg/dl

LDL Cholesterol : mg/dl 120 - 180 mg/dl

Ratio of Total
Chol./HDL Chol : upto 4.5

Bilirubin Total : mg/dl 0.2 - 1.0 mg/dl

Direct : mg/dl 0.1 - 0.4 mg/dl

Indirect : mg/dl

Total Protein : g/dl 6.0 - 8.0 g/dl

Albumin : g/dl 3.5 - 5. g/dl

Globulin : g/dl

SGOT : u/l 5.0 - 40 u/l

SGPT : u/l 5.0 - 37 u/l

Alkaline Phosphatase : u/l 60 - 170 u/l

Gamma GT : u/l 5 - 37 u/l

Calcium : mg/dl 8.4 - 10.4 mg/dl

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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parameter Findings Normal Range
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sodium : mmol/l 135 - 155 mmol/l

Potassium : mmol/l 3.5 - 5.5 mmol/l

Chloride : mmol/l 98 - 109 mmol/l

Glycosylated Hb : % 4.5 - 8.0 %

HAEMATOLOGY

Total WBC Count : cells/cumm

Differental Count :

Haemoglobin : g/dl

Total RBC : million cells/cumm

HCT : %

ESR : 1/2 Hour: mm, 1 Hour: mm

Platelets : lakhs
MCV : Cu.u
MCH : uugm
MCHC : %
Blood Group :
Rh Factor :

SEROLOGY

VDRL/RPR :

HbsAg :

URINE

Specific Gravity :

Colour :

Appearence :

Reaction :

Sugar (F) :

(1 Hour) :
(2 Hour) :

(PP) :

(R) :

                           57
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parameter Findings Normal Range
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Albumin :

Acetone :

Bile Salts :

Bile Pigments :

Urobilinogen :

Deposit :

STOOL

MACROSCOPIC

Colour :

Consistancy :

Reaction :

Blood :

Mucous :

MICROSCOIC

Ova :

Cyst :

Amoeba :

Flagellates :

Trophozoites :

Crystals :

Puscells :

OCCULT BLOOD :

(Assistant Chemist-Medical Lab.)

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 Table - 6.3

ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES FOR BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parameter Method
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Glucose Enzymatic(Glucose Oxidase/peroxidase

Urea Enzymatic (Urease)

Creatinine Alkaline piruvate method

Uric acid Enzymatic (Uricase-P-aminophenazone)

Cholesterol Enzymatic(Cholesterol esterase-

cholesterol oxidase-peroxidase)

Triglycerides Enzymatic(Glycerol-3,phosphate
oxidase p-amino antipyrine)

HDL Enzymatic (phospho tungstate-p, amino

antipyrine

Total protein Biuret method

Albumin Bromo cresol green method

Bilirubin T&D Jendrassik-Grof method

SGOT UV Kinetic

SGPT UV Kinetic

Alk. Phosphate P-nitro phenyl phosphate method

Gama GT Szasz method

Sodium Kinetic/Flame photometry

Potassium Kinetic/Flame photometry

Chloride Kinetic/Flame photometry

Calcium Spectrophotometry

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Table - 6.4

Recommended Clinical and Laboratory Tests for early

Detection of Work -Related Illnesses in the Main
Organs and Systems

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7.0 INFRASTRUCTURE FOR all the activities of
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH Occupational Health
MONITORING Monitoring.

For effective implementation of

the occupational health
Monitoring group in the oil
industry, occupational health (ii) Occupational Hygienist
centre should be provided with
the minimum of following One Occupational Hygienist
facilities : having educational background
with a graduate degree in
(1) Building chemistry/ physics/
environmental toxicology and
Oil industry will make available experience in occupational
premises to adequately house hygiene practice.
Occupational Health Monitoring
Facilities with necessary (iii) Occupational Health Nurse
provisions for power and water
supplies, air conditioning, access One Nurse for employees upto
and other indispensable facilities. 1500-2000; he/she will have
The functional units of educational background with a
Occupational Health Monitoring degree in B.Sc.(Nursing) or
will include occupational Diploma in general nursing of 3
medicine, occupational hygiene years duration and midwifery
and toxicology, biochemistry, of 6 months duration and a
health education, health statistics minimum experience of 3 years
and emergency medical care. in an industrial set-up or
recognised hospital.
(2) Man Power
(iv)Medical laboratory technologist
(i) Occupational Health Physician
One Medical laboratory
One full time medical doctor technologist for employees
for employees upto 1000, upto 1500.He/She will have
preferably a specialist in educational background with a
occupational health/public degree in B.Sc
health or adequately trained in (Biochemistry)/Medical Lab.
occupational medicine for a Technology/Chemistry, and
minimum period of three with diploma in clinical
months, recognised by the pathology laboratory and a
Government, or a minimum minimum experience of 3 years
experience of 3 years in an in a clinical pathological
industrial setting/a large laboratory in an industrial or
hospital. The doctor will be large hospital. Experience with
incharge of Occupational the use of auto analyzer and
Health Monitoring to ensure automated haematology testing
administrative supervision of equipment is desirable.
all the staff and responsible for
                           97
 (v) Others reading colorimetric tubes-
short term, long term;
The Occupational Health Intrinsically safe,battery
Monitoring Group will have operated personal sampling
adequate number of pumps with suitable media for
paramedical and administrative collection (liquid media
staff. samplers, solid - sorbent tubes
etc.; for gases and vapour.
(3) Equipment
(v):Intrinsically safe, battery
The equipment will comprise of operated personal sampling
medical diagnostic equipment, pumps with suitable media for
toxicology laboratory and collection - filters, cyclones etc
sampling equipment and - for Particulate matter.
occupational hygiene field testing
equipment. Occupational Health (vi) U.V. -Vis Spectrophotometer
Monitoring Group should also be
equipped with technical books (vii) Gas Chromatograph
and periodicals etc. Some of the
equipment required are given Occupational Medicine Unit
below :
Equipment for vision
performance screening
Occupational Hygiene and
Toxicology Unit Audiometry - Pure tone air
conduction audiometer
(i) Wet Bulb Globe Temperature
(WBGT) instrument - for Equipment for spirometry - lung
evaluation of heat stress. function measurement

(ii) Sound level meter with Octave Electrocardiogram

filter set and impulse noise
meter,Acoustic calibrator and Neurometer
Personal noise dose meter - for
evaluation of exposure to noise Biochemistry Unit

(iii)Luxmeter - for illumination Auto analyser

measurement.
Haematology cell counter

(iv)Direct reading instrument Incubator

intrinsically safe portable
infra-red analyzer; Direct Microscope

8.0 REFERENCES

(i) ILO Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health & Safety, Vol. I & II

(ii) Early detection of occupational diseases - publication of WHO, Geneva, 1986

                           98
 (iii) WHO Technical Report Series No.862 on "Hypertension Control", 1996

(iv)Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological
Exposure Indices - ACGIH (1995-96)

(v) Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene, Third edition, National Safety Council, USA, 1994

(vi) Guidelines manuals on Industrial Hygiene and Occpational Health Surveillance - prepa
by Shri Sagar Dhara, Shri R.T.N.Bali and Dr. Raman Dhara.

****

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