HEALTH and SAFETY AWARENESS

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OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE TRAINING ASSOCIATION

The Occupational Hygiene Training Association (OHTA) is a UK based registered charity

affiliated with a US based OHTA chapter that also has not-for-profit status.
The organization is made up of experienced Health & Safety volunteers with the goal
of promoting better standards of occupational hygiene practice throughout the world.
We do this on a volunteer basis by:
• Developing training materials and making them freely available for use by students
and training providers.
• Promoting an international qualifications framework so that all hygienists are trained
to a consistent, high standard, recognized in all participating countries.
• Working with other not-for-profit national and international organizations with goals
similar to ours.
For more information, see our website at OHlearning.com.

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 PURPOSE of OHTA COURSE

This health and safety awareness training is intended as a general

introduction to safety and industrial hygiene (occupational health) for persons
who generally will not have primary responsibility for these programs, but
are involved in their implementation.

It is intended to provide an overview of the issues and common solutions for

persons such as supervisors and managers such that they can recognize some
common hazards, understand the hierarchy of controls and know when to ask
for technical help in resolving problems.

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 OHTA ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• Zack Mansdorf Ph.D., CIH, CSP, QEP, Course Editor, OHTA

• Chris Laszcz-Davis, MS, CIH, COH, FAIHA, AIC Fellow, OHTA Co-Chair,
Contributor and OHTA slide deck reviewer
• Marianne Levitsky, MS, CIH, ROH, Contributor, WHWB
• Debbie Dietrich, MS, CIH, Contributor
• Melissa Gould, CRSP, CHSC, Contributor, LMA
• David Hiipakka, CSP, CIH, MPH, Contributor, OHSS
• Ross Di Corleto, PhD, COH, Contributor, OHTA
• Alan Leibowitz, CIH, CSP, OHTA slide deck reviewer

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 COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

This material is provided under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike license
agreement.
You are free to:
Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even
commercially.
Under the following terms:
• Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license,
and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but
not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
• ShareAlike — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must
distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally
restrict others from doing anything the license permits.

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 WAYS THIS COURSE CAN BE USED

• Self Instruction-download the course and view it at your convenience

• Instructor Lead - this course presented by an instructor who is
knowledgeable in the course subject matter
• To Produce Another Course - using the materials from this course to
structure a course that includes information unique to your local situation,
rules and requirements
• As Part of a Larger Training Program - using the materials and the course as
part of a large training effort in safety and health at work or part of other
training

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HEALTH and SAFETY AWARENESS

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 HOW THIS COURSE IS STRUCTURED

• Slides and knowledge checks.

• The slides are sequential, but each section can be taken independently
• The emphasis of the course is on best practices
• The course does not focus on rules or regulations that are country
specific, but there are some refences to practices in the United States
(example: Fire Classifications)
• The course is designed to be completed in 2 to 4 hours.

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 COURSE CONTENT

• Why Effective Safety & Health (S&H) Programs Are Important

• S&H Program Elements
• Worksite Analysis/Risk Assessment
• Hazard Prevention & Control
• Worker and Management Training
• Chemical Hazards
• Hazard Communication and GHS
• Occupational Health
• Biological Hazards
• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention

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 COURSE CONTENT (continued)
• Heat Stress
• Electrical Safety
• Fire Safety
• Confined Spaces
• Compressed Gases
• Walking and Working Surfaces
• Machine Guarding
• Forklift Safety
• Cranes and Hoist Safety
• Ergonomics
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Situational Awareness

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WHY SAFETY and HEALTH PROGRAMS are
IMPORTANT

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 IMPORTANCE of EFFECTIVE SAFETY and HEALTH
PROGRAMS

• Ensure workers go home as healthy as when they

started work
• Reduce the extent and severity of work-related
injuries and illnesses
• Improve employee morale, productivity & quality of
life
• Strengthen operational practices
• Reduce costs

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SAFETY and HEALTH PROGRAM ELEMENTS

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SAFETY and HEALTH PROGRAM ELEMENTS

An effective occupational safety and health program

will address the following four elements:

1. Management commitment and employee

involvement, including joint S&H committees
2. Worksite analysis/ risk assessment of hazards
3. Hazard prevention and control
4. Safety and health training, including situational
awareness

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 Management Commitment and Employee
Involvement
• Management commitment and employee involvement are
critical:
• Management commitment provides the motivating force, direction
and resources
• Employee involvement makes things happen operationally
• Both are necessary for an effective program
• Joint labor/management safety and health committees can be an
effective way to help establish this partnership

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 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

Effective worker safety and health programs are

important because they can (check all that apply):
❑ Reduce the extent and severity of work-related
injuries and illnesses.
❑ Improve employee morale, productivity and
quality of life.
❑ Demonstrate a commitment to a healthful and
safe work environment .
❑ All of the above.
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 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

Effective worker safety and health programs are

important because they can (check all that apply):
❑ Reduce the extent and severity of work-related
injuries and illnesses.
❑ Improve employee morale, productivity and
quality of life.
❑ Demonstrate a commitment to a healthful and
safe work environment.
X All of the above
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 SPECIFIC SAFETY and HEALTH
PROGRAM ELEMENTS
• Worksite analysis/risk assessment
• Accident/incident investigation
• Facility inspection and hazard analysis
• Hazard prevention and control
• Medical surveillance
• Worker and management training
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Controls & procedures for specific hazards

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EXAMPLES: CONTROLS and PROCEDURES for
SPECIFIC HAZARDS
• Occupational Health hazards
• Chemicals, hazardous materials,
e.g. lead, silica
• Biological hazards, e.g. blood-borne
pathogens, COVID-19
• Physical hazards, e.g. noise, heat
• Ergonomic hazards
• Improperly adjusted workstations
and chairs
• Frequent lifting
• Poor posture
• Awkward repetitive movements
• Having to use too much force
• Vibration

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EXAMPLES: CONTROLS and PROCEDURES for
SPECIFIC HAZARDS

• Safety hazards
• Forklift Safety
• Working and Walking Surfaces
• Machine Guarding
• Confined Spaces
• Compressed Gas Cylinders
• Electrical Safety
• Control of Hazardous Energy
(Lockout/Tagout)
• Crane and Hoist Safety
• Elevated Work and other Fall Hazards
• Fire Prevention

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 WORKPLACE HAZARDS

• We will discuss the majority of the items we have

listed as hazards in more detail later in the course

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WORKSITE ANALYSIS and RISK ASSESSMENT

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WORKSITE ANALYSIS

• Worksite analysis involves identifying existing hazards,

as well as conditions, practices and operations which
could create hazards
• Risk assessment is the determination of the potential
impact of the hazard and the likelihood of the hazard
causing harm
• It is a management responsibility to anticipate and
eliminate or otherwise effectively control hazards

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WORKSITE ANALYSIS

• Conducting comprehensive baseline and periodic hazard

surveys
• Analyzing planned and new facilities, processes, materials and
equipment to eliminate potential S&H hazards
• Performing routine job hazard analyses
• Investigating accidents and “near miss” incidents, to identify
their causes and prevent them in the future
• Analyzing injury and illness trends over time for patterns with
common causes that can be identified and prevented

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WORKSITE ANALYSIS

• Worksite analysis for hazards includes an estimation of risk

• What is the difference between hazard, harm and risk?
• Hazard = something that can cause harm if not controlled or
eliminated
• Harm = What happens when the hazard is uncontrolled
• Risk = The combination of the probability (likelihood) that an
outcome will occur, and the severity of the potential harm

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 RISK ASSESSMENT
WHAT IS HIGH and LOW RISK?
• High risk - something that will cause great harm that is very
likely to happen:
– Driving your car too fast in the rain with bald tires
• Low risk - something that either will not cause much harm or
is very unlikely to happen:
– Driving your car slowly on a residential street with good
tires
• Recap:
– Great harm and very likely=high risk
– Little harm and not likely to happen=low risk (usually
acceptable)

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 RISK ASSESSMENT

• High Risk - an unguarded punch press must be

corrected immediately
• High Risk - storing a flammable solvent next to an
open flame must be corrected immediately
• Low Risk - work on an extra low voltage (<50 Volts
AC) wiring system
• Low Risk - most clerical work

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 EXAMPLES—RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESSES
• Brainstorming potential hazards and outcomes with
workers and management from the facility area being
evaluated
• Safety and Health Checklists
• Job Safety Analysis (JSA) & Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)
• Process Hazard Analysis (used commonly in chemical
plant operations)
• Ergonomic Hazard Analysis
• Chemical Risk Assessment
• Review by internal or external subject matter experts
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WHY DO ACCIDENTS HAPPEN?

• Accidents occur for a

variety of reasons
• The next two slides will
list typical reasons– both
apparent direct causes
and underlying root
causes (we use root
cause as the primary
factor since there can be
many)
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 Direct Causes of Accidents
Substandard Acts Substandard Conditions
• Operating equipment without authority ▪ Inadequate guards or barriers
• Failure to warn ▪ Inadequate or improper protective equipment
• Failure to secure ▪ Defective tools, equipment or materials
• Operating at improper speed (rushing) ▪ Congestion or restricted action
• Making safety devices inoperative ▪ Inadequate warning system
• Using defective equipment ▪ Fire & explosion hazards
• Failing to use Personal Protective Equipment ▪ Poor housekeeping / disorder
(PPE) properly ▪ Noise, radiation, temperature exposure
• Improper loading ▪ Inadequate or excess illumination
• Improper placement ▪ Inadequate ventilation
• Improper lifting ▪ Presence of harmful materials
• Improper position for task ▪ Inadequate instructions / procedures
• Servicing equipment in operation ▪ Inadequate information / data
• Horseplay ▪ Inadequate preparation / planning
• Under influence of alcohol / other drugs ▪ Inadequate support / assistance
• Using equipment improperly ▪ Inadequate communications hardware / software /
• Failure to follow procedure, policy, practice process
• Failure to identify hazard / risk ▪ Road conditions
• Failure to check / monitor ▪ Weather conditions
• Failure to react / correct
• Failure to communicate / coordinate

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 Root Causes of Accidents
Personal Factors System Factors
Inadequate mental / physical capability Inadequate leadership / supervision
Mental / physical stress Inadequate engineering
Lack of Knowledge Inadequate risk assessment
Lack of experience Inadequate consideration of ergonomics
Inadequate training Inadequate or improper controls
Misunderstood directions Inadequate evaluation of changes
Lack of Situational Awareness Inadequate purchasing
Inadequate ID of hazardous materials
Lack of Skill
Inadequate contractor selection
Inadequate initial instruction
Inadequate maintenance
Inadequate / infrequent practice
Preventative / Reparative
Lack of coaching / review
Inadequate tools and equipment
Improper Motivation (Complacency)
Inadequate work standards
Improper attempt to save time / effort
Development/Communication/Updating
Improper attempt to avoid discomfort
Excessive wear & tear
Improper performance tolerated
Inadequate communications
Abuse or Misuse

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Analyzing Accidents and Near Misses
That Have Already Occurred
Accidents and Near Misses:
• Identify the Direct Causes (substandard acts and conditions)
• Identify the Root Causes (personal and system factors)
Good investigations will go beyond direct causes to identify
the root causes.
When investigating, ask “why” five (or more) times!
1.WHY did she fall? She stepped on a banana peel.
2.WHY was the banana peel on the floor? It fell out of the trash.
3.WHY did it fall out of the trash? The can was too full and the lid unsecured.
4.WHY was the can too full? Maintenance missed a trash pick-up.
5.WHY was the schedule not followed? It was not documented and a new
employee did not know to pick up that can daily.
ROOT CAUSE – Poorly documented and trained process.

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 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

Asking why the accident happened after each response

(5 times) is a way to get at:

❑ The root cause of the accident (e.g., lack of training)

❑ Unsafe conditions (e.g., unguarded machine)
❑ To get at the truth
❑ All of the above.

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 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

Asking why the accident happened after each response

(5 times) is a way to get at:

X The root cause of the accident (e.g., lack of training)

❑ Unsafe conditions (e.g., unguarded machine)
❑ To get at the truth
❑ All of the above.

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HAZARD PREVENTION and CONTROL

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HAZARD PREVENTION and CONTROL

• Triggered by a determination that a hazard or potential

hazard exists
• Where feasible, prevent hazards by effective redesign of
the job or job site
• Where elimination is not feasible, control or manage
hazards to prevent unsafe and unhealthful exposure
• Elimination or control must be accomplished in a timely
manner

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HAZARD PREVENTION and CONTROL

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 HAZARD PREVENTION and CONTROL
The best solution is always elimination or substitution
which is at the top of the hierarchy of controls
• Elimination
– Eliminate the hazard, such as moving a valve to
ground level so that a ladder is not needed to open
or close it
• Substitution
– Using a significantly less hazardous material or
approach such as substituting a non-flammable
cleaning agent for one that is flammable

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 HAZARD PREVENTION and CONTROL

• Timely correction or control of hazards includes:

‒ Engineering Controls, where feasible and
appropriate, controlling hazards at the source using
engineered systems (exhaust ventilation).
‒ Examples include:
• Local ventilation systems
• Process enclosure (Noise-hazardous equipment)
• Lock Out / Tag out of hazardous energy
• Machine guarding

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 HAZARD PREVENTION and CONTROL

• Administrative controls include:

‒ Warning signs and labels: Must be properly communicated.
‒ Procedures for safe work : Standard job procedures are
understood and followed as a result of training, positive
reinforcement, correction of unsafe performance, and
enforcement by supervisors
‒ For Example: Asbestos or mold removal work protocols
‒ Example: How to operate during normal operations, shut
down, start up and during emergencies.
‒ Example: Work changes such as starting earlier in the day
during hot seasonal work
‒ Example: Rotation of workers where the work is tedious

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HAZARD PREVENTION and CONTROL

• Timely control of hazards includes:

‒ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): This should be a
temporary measure until engineering or long-term controls
are implemented where feasible.
‒ For example:
• Use of safety glasses and face shields for sight
• Use of ear plugs or muffs to protect hearing
• Use of respirators to protect the respiratory system
• Use of gloves and protective clothing for the skin
• Safety shoes and boots for protection of the feet

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HAZARD PREVENTION and CONTROL

• Other hazard prevention and control measures include:

• Facility and equipment maintenance to prevent failures
• Planning and preparing for emergencies such as severe weather
• Evaluating the need for first aid on site and the availability of
emergency medical care nearby
• Facility inspections
‒ Safety & health inspections using simple checklists developed by
qualified persons
‒ Training workers to survey their own areas to report unsafe conditions

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 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

The Hierarchy of Controls is a model for handling identified

hazards. The least effective measure in the Hierarchy of Controls
is: (check all that apply):
❑ Eliminate the hazard
❑ Substitute a less hazardous material or approach
❑ Provide engineering controls such as ventilation
❑ Provide administrative controls such as work practices and rest
breaks
❑ Use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respirators or
hearing protection

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 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

The Hierarchy of Controls is a model for handling identified

hazards. The least effective measure in the Hierarchy of controls
is: (check all that apply):
❑ Eliminate the hazard
❑ Substitute a less hazardous material or approach
❑ Provide engineering controls such as ventilation
❑ Provide administrative controls such as work practices and rest
breaks
X Use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respirators or
hearing protection

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WORKER and MANAGEMENT TRAINING

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 WORKER and MANAGEMENT TRAINING

Training requirements vary by location and country but

should include:
• Training on the safety and health program and
responsibilities of labor and management
• Training on required controls and practices to protect
themselves and their co-workers.
• Training of management on their responsibilities to
make sure required controls are in place and workers
follow good safety practices

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 WORKER and MANAGEMENT TRAINING

• Specific training on worksite hazards is covered in the

next section and in other sections such as the section
on personal protective equipment

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CHEMICAL HAZARDS

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 CHEMICAL HAZARDS
• All chemicals can be hazardous if used incorrectly
– Acetic acid at 5% is vinegar and used in your salad
– Acetic acid at concentrations above 10% can cause
skin irritation or burns above 25%
• Some chemicals are inherently more hazardous
than others
– Gasoline is highly flammable and can be explosive if
in a closed environment

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 CHEMICAL HAZARDS
• Chemicals can present a variety of hazardous
features including corrosivity, flammability,
reactivity, toxicity, and others
• We will feature human health effects in the next
section

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 CHEMICAL HAZARDS

• Chemicals can cause adverse health effects such as:

• Burns
• Permanent disabilities
• Death

• Sometimes adverse effects occur immediately (Acute effect)

• For example – contact with corrosive chemicals can cause immediate
skin burns

• Sometime the adverse effects may not show for years or require
long periods of exposure to show (Chronic effect)
• for example, years of exposure to silica can cause severe lung disease

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CHEMICAL ROUTES of ENTRY into BODY

• Inhalation
• Absorption
• Ingestion
• Injection

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 ROUTES of ENTRY into BODY

• Inhalation-you breath
in the substance such
as the case with silica
dusts. This can effect
the nose, throat and
lungs or even lead to
systemic poisoning

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 ROUTES of ENTRY into BODY

• Absorption-The
substance permeates
the skin or mucous
membranes (e.g.,
eyes, mouth) and can
enter the blood
stream and lead to
organ damage or
systemic poisoning
(e.g., nitroglycerin) 55
 ROUTES of ENTRY into BODY

• Ingestion-you
inadvertently swallow
the substance which
leads to toxicity. Lead
is an example of this
route of entry from
contaminated hands

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 ROUTES of ENTRY into BODY

• Injection-an
uncommon route of
entry where the
substance enters the
body when the skin is
punctured such as
from a high- pressure
hose or sharp object

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 SAFE HANDLING
of CHEMICALS and HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
• Chemicals and hazardous materials are potentially
dangerous if not handled properly
• Know what you are handling
• Know the hazards associated with the material
• Know the measures you can take to protect yourself and
others
• Handle all packages with care even though properly
contained

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 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

Hazardous chemicals can produce both acute and

chronic effects. What is an example of an acute effect
from exposure (contact): (check all that apply):
❑ Lung disease from silica exposure
❑ Skin cancer from sun exposure
❑ Chemical burn of the skin from an acid
❑ Liver damage from low level solvent exposure

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 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

Hazardous chemicals can produce both acute and

chronic effects. What is an example of an acute effect
from exposure (contact): (check all that apply):
❑ Lung disease from silica exposure
❑ Skin cancer from sun exposure
X Chemical burn of the skin from an acid
❑ Liver damage from low level solvent exposure

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 HAZARD COMMUNICATION and
GLOBALLY HARMONIZED SYSTEM (GHS)

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 MOST COUNTRIES REQUIRE WORLD-WIDE
GHS* HAZARD COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
• Purpose: communicate information about hazardous
chemicals to employees so they can work safely
• A hazardous chemical means any chemical which is a physical
hazard (flammable, reactive, explosive, etc.) or a health
hazard (exposure results in acute or chronic health effects)
• Training should given to employees on the GHS upon initial
employment and when new hazards are introduced into the
workplace

*GHS = Globally Harmonized System of Classification and

Labelling of Chemicals
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 ELEMENTS
HAZARD COMMUNICATION/GHS PROGRAMS
• Materials Inventory
‒ A list of the hazardous materials present in the work area
• Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
‒ A detailed description of each hazardous material in the
workplace
‒ GHS requires a specific SDS format
‒ Chemical suppliers are required to provide SDSs to customers
• Labeling
‒ Identification of material within a container and warning of its
potential hazards
• Training
‒ How to identify and work safely with hazardous materials
• Written Program
‒ One document which ties all of the above together
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 GHS and the HAZARD COMMUNICATION
GHS Pictograms: The pictogram on the label is determined by the chemical hazard classification
Carcinogen Flammables Irritant (skin and eye)
Mutagenicity Pyrophoric Skin Sensitizer
Reproductive Toxicity Self – Heating Acute Toxicity
Respiratory Sensitizer Emits Flammable Gas Narcotic Effects
Target Organ Toxicity Self – Reactive Respiratory Tract Irritant
Aspiration Toxicity Organic Peroxides Hazardous to Ozone

Skin Corrosion / Burns Explosives

Gases Under Pressure Eye Damage Self - Reactive
Corrosive to Metals Organic Peroxides

Oxidizers Aquatic Toxicity Acute Toxicity

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 LABELS, TAGS and MARKINGS

• The employer should ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in

the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with the following:
‒ Identity of the hazardous chemical
‒ Appropriate hazard warnings

• Labels must be legible and prominently displayed

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 SAFETY DATA SHEETS (SDS)

• Chemical safety data sheets (SDSs) contain information that

includes chemical ID, physical characteristics, hazardous
ingredients, health hazards, handling precautions, first aid,
reactivity data and control procedures
• The SDS will also detail recommended personal protective
equipment, handling and storage recommendations and what
to do in the event of a spill (“accidental release”)
• The SDS has 16 sections and there is a lot more technical
information provided
• An SDS is required for every hazardous chemical on site and
must be accessible to everyone

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LABELS

67
Some countries or places also use an NFPA
(National Fire Protection Association) label

Specific hazard information

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 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be

provided based on the SDS recommendations
or use recommendations by site operations
• PPE is not a substitute for engineering, work
practice and/or administrative controls
• Use of PPE does not eliminate the hazard, so if
the equipment fails, then exposure occurs
• PPE must be worn to provide protection

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 CHEMICAL STORAGE

• Containers should be inspected periodically, and at least

annually, to assure container and label integrity
• Secondary containment (a spill pan) can prevent serious spills
and subsequent reactions
• All hazardous materials must be stored according to
compatibility so that accidental mixing does not occur, such as
not storing acids and bases next to each other. Applies to gas
cylinders as well.

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 CHEMICAL SPILLS

Causes of chemical spills include:

• Inappropriate handling techniques;
• Inappropriate storage containers;
• Damaged storage containers;
• Uncontrolled access to chemical storage;
• Lack of chemical-related training; and
• Lack of supervision.

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 DANGERS of CHEMICAL SPILLS

• Slip, trip, fall hazard

• Contamination of other materials
• Risk of fire
• Possible hazardous chemical release to the
environment

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 SPILL PREVENTION PLANNING

• Only buy and store the amount of material

needed
• Buy the least hazardous materials possible
• Use secondary containment for hazardous
liquids (container to capture any leaks)
• Minimize traffic in the area
• Store liquid wastes in secondary containers
• Regularly inspect containers to ensure
integrity
• Be aware of evacuation routes and
emergency equipment

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 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

Every hazardous material used or stored at the worksite

must have an SDS which all employees can have access
to:
❑ True
❑ False

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 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

Every hazardous material used or stored at the worksite

must have an SDS which all employees can have access
to:
X True
❑ False

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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

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 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

• Workers may be exposed to chemical, physical or biological

hazards which could affect their health
‒ These hazard should be evaluated, If possible, by qualified
S&H professionals, such as industrial or occupational
hygienists or safety professionals
‒ The hazards should be quantified when possible, such as by
air sampling for comparison to occupational exposure limits
or recommendations.
‒ Hazards exceeding required or recommended exposure
limits require action following the earlier Hierarchy of
Controls strategy

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 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS

• General classes of occupational health hazards

• Chemicals – hazardous materials
• Biological: infectious disease and blood-borne pathogens
• Physical: vibration, noise, heat

• Exposure to occupational health hazards may require medical

surveillance to assure the health of the workers

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 MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE

• Medical Surveillance of exposed workers

‒ Workers potentially exposed to certain hazardous agents may require
periodic medical surveillance:
‒ Examples of exposures that may require medical surveillance include:
‒ Lead exposure
‒ Silica exposure
‒ High level noise exposure (may require annual hearing testing)
‒ Certain solvent exposures such as benzene
‒ Workers with abnormal results may have work restrictions or other
requirements until more appropriate controls are implemented
‒ Medical surveillance may also be required with the use of certain types
of personal protective equipment such as respirators

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BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS

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 WHAT are BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS?

Biological hazards are those organisms and biological

substances (e.g. allergens) that pose a threat to the
health of people
• This can include blood-borne pathogens (most at risk
are those in the medical profession), animal vectors,
especially for animal handlers (mites, ticks and fleas),
bacteria and fungi (e.g., black mold), infectious
disease and others.

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 WHAT are BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS?

• Infectious microorganisms in human blood that can

cause disease in humans.
• Examples: hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Workers may be exposed by direct contact with body fluids or

injuries from needlesticks and other contaminated sharp objects.

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 BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

• Do not touch or try and clean up any bodily fluids such

as blood or vomit
• A direct exposure to bodily fluids could result in
contracting a bloodborne illness
• Only trained employees with appropriate gloves &
safety glasses should handle infectious materials

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 INFECTIOUS AGENTS
THAT CAUSE WIDESPREAD DISEASE
• Infectious agents are organisms that are capable of
producing infection or infectious disease. Examples of
virus caused disease include Zika, COVID-19 and
Influenza.

Zika Vector –Ades Species

Mosquitoes

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 INFECTIOUS AGENTS
that CAUSE WIDESPREAD DISEASE
• Infectious agents have a long history of
epidemics (local) and pandemics (global)
• Our current experience with COVID-19
demonstrates that they can have the capacity
to drastically alter our lives and work

85
 EPIDEMICS (LOCAL)

– Smallpox
– Measles
– Polio
– TB
– Ebola
– MERS

Measles Virus (source CDC)

86
 PANDEMICS (GLOBAL)

• Pandemics have included:

– 1346–1350: The Black Death
– 1899–1923: Sixth cholera
pandemic
– 1918–1920: Spanish flu
(H1N1)
– 1957–1958: Asian flu (H2N2)
– 1968–1969: Hong Kong flu
– 2009–2010: Swine flu (H1N1)
– 2020: COVID-19

COVID19: Source CDC

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PHYSICAL HAZARDS

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SENSORINEURAL
HEARING LOSS

• Permanent damage to
the inner ear and/or
acoustic nerve
• Painless “injury”
• Gradual hearing loss
• Cannot be corrected
medically or surgically
• Can affect ANYONE
89
 NOISE INDUCED HEARING LOSS

• Damage to the inner ear (usually permanent)

• Significant change in hearing can occur
• Usually difficulty understanding speech,
• Sometimes includes ringing in the ear(s)

90
CAUSES of NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS

• Short bursts of very loud noise

• Continuous exposure to loud
noise

91
HEARING PROTECTION

• Ear-muffs
• Hand-formed plugs
• Preformed plugs
‒ Single Flange
‒ Triple Flange

92
 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

Hearing loss usually occurs suddenly

❑ True
❑ False

93
 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

Hearing loss usually occurs suddenly

❑ True
X False –most hearing loss is painless and gradual

94
HEAT STRESS

95
 BODY’s REACTION to HEAT AFFECTED BY:
• Environmental heat and humidity
• Workload
• Clothing
• Individual personal factors (physical condition)

Heat strain is how the body responds to those stressors.

Symptoms include:
• Sweating
• Increased heart rate
• Elevated core temperature

Various kinds of heat illness (heat stress) can result

96
 ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRIBUTIONS
to HEAT ILLNESS
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Air movement
• Radiant temperature of surroundings
• Clothing
• Physical activity

Note that certain molten metal industries contribute

high heat loads due to radiant heating (direct transfer
of heat via infrared radiation)

97
 PROGRESSION of EFFECTS

• Initial symptoms are fatigue and lethargy

• Increasing risk of heat disorders
• Increasing rate of mistakes and accidents
• Decreased performance and lower productivity

98
ACUTE HEALTH IMPACTS

• Heat Cramps -painful muscle cramps, especially in abdominal or

fatigued muscles
• Heat Rash (prickly heat) -Itching skin, reduced sweating, skin
rashes
• Heat collapse- fainting
• Heat exhaustion - high pulse rate, profuse sweating, low blood
pressure, insecure gait (walk), pale skin, collapse
• Heat Stroke - red face, disorientation, hot dry skin (usually no
sweating), erratic behavior, collapse, shivering, unconsciousness,
convulsions, body temp > 40◦C (104◦F)
HEAT STROKE IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY
99
FLUID REPLACEMENT

• Thirst alone is an inadequate indicator

• Rule of Thumb: Drink until thirst is satisfied, then have
one more drink. Drink frequently.
• Water is universally recommended, but sports drinks
may also be acceptable
• Pre and post-hydration is important when there are
restrictions on drinking

100
 ACCLIMATIZATION

• A complex physiological response that results in

increased tolerance for working in hot conditions
• May take a week or longer to develop
• Is rapidly lost in part or whole when away from the
conditions
• As a general practice, reduce expectations during
periods of acclimatization (work/rest intervals)

101
 STANDARDS for HEAT STRESS

• Most countries have standards

for exposure to heat
• The exposure standards are
typically based on estimated
heat stress using a Wet Bulb
Globe Temperature (WBGT).
This instrument estimates
heat stress
• The higher the WBGT, the
greater the need for rest
between work periods (e.g.,
work 45 minutes, rest 15
minutes)
102
 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

• The correct order of increasing severity for heat stress is:

❑ heat cramps, heat stroke, heat rash, heat exhaustion
❑ heat cramps, heat rash, heat exhaustion, heat stroke
❑ heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat rash, heat cramps
❑ heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heat rash, heat cramps

• Noise induced hear loss can be fixed with surgery

❑ True
❑ False

103
 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

• The correct order of increasing severity for heat stress is:

❑ heat cramps, heat stroke, heat rash, heat exhaustion
❑ heat cramps, heat rash, heat exhaustion, heat stroke
❑ heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat rash, heat cramps
❑ heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heat rash, heat cramps

• Noise induced hear loss can be fixed with surgery

❑ True
❑ False

104
ELECTRICAL SAFETY

105
 ELECTRICAL SAFETY

• The sections that follow are general rules and

recommendations. Local requirements can vary between
countries and within countries (e.g., in Europe most standard
voltage is approximately 220V while it is 110V in the USA).

106
 ELECTRICAL SAFETY

• There are four main types of electrical injuries:

• Electrocution
• Electrical shock
• Burns
• Falls

107
 Dangers of Electric Shock in milliAmperes (mA)
(mA is a measure of the current)
Perception level.
1 mA Slight tingling sensation.
Dangerous under certain conditions.

Slight shock felt. Not painful but disturbing.

5 mA Average individual can let go.
Strong involuntary reactions to shocks in this range may lead to injuries.

6 mA to Painful shock, muscular control is lost.

30 mA This is called the freezing current or "let-go" range.

Extreme pain, respiratory arrest, severe muscular contractions. Individual cannot let go.
50 mA to
Ventricular fibrillation (the rhythmic pumping action of the heart ceases) possible.
150 mA
Death is possible.

Ventricular fibrillation likely.

1000 mA to
Muscular contraction and nerve damage occur.
4000 mA
Death is likely.

Cardiac arrest.
> 4000 mA Severe burns.
Death is probable.

108
 GUARDING LIVE PARTS
(General Standards which may vary by country)
• Live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 volts or more must be
guarded against accidental contact by approved cabinets or other forms of
approved enclosures, or by any of the following means:
‒ By location in a room, vault, accessible only to qualified persons
‒ By permanent, substantial partitions or screens
‒ By location on a balcony or platform as to exclude unqualified persons
‒ By elevation of 8 feet or more above the floor or working surface

109
SPACE AROUND ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT
MUST BE MAINTAINED—NO STORAGE

110
 FLEXIBLE CORDS
Flexible cords and cables should not be used:
• As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure
• Where run through holes in walls, ceilings, or floors
• Where run through doorways, windows, or similar openings
• Where attached to building surfaces
• Where concealed behind building walls, ceilings, or floors
• Where installed in raceways, except as otherwise permitted

111
 FLEXIBLE CORDS

Flexible cords and cables must be protected from accidental

damage
• Sharp corners and projections shall be avoided

112
 BOXES, CABINETS and FITTINGS

• The knockouts in
cabinets, boxes, and
fittings should be
removed only if
conductors are to be run
through them

• Open knockouts and

other holes must be
closed

113
 PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Employees working in areas where there are potential electrical

hazards should be provided with and use electrical protective
equipment that is appropriate for the specific parts of the body to
be protected and for the work to be performed
• Protective equipment should be maintained in a safe, reliable
condition and shall be periodically inspected or tested

114
 ARC FLASH HAZARDS

An arc flash can occur when electric current leaves its intended path and travels
through the air from one conductor to another, or to ground. Arc flashes are
violent and can result in serious injury or death.

115
 PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
BEFORE and AFTER ARC FLASH

Before After
116
 INSULATED TOOLS
• When working near exposed energized conductors or circuit parts, each
employee should use insulated tools or handling equipment if the tools or
handling equipment might make contact with conductors or electrical parts

117
ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROGRAM ELEMENTS

• Ensuring appliances and equipment have the UL/EC or

other certifying label
• Supervising extension cord use
• No overloading electrical circuits
• Ensuring Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) devices are used
where needed (moist environments, extension cords, etc.)
• Making sure all electrical equipment is properly grounded
• Wearing proper PPE (arc flash shields, certified gloves)
where required
• Ensuring power is off before working on electrical devices
• If you are not sure and something appears wrong, asking
for someone qualified such as an electrician
• Never bypassing fuses

118
 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

As little as 50 mA could lead to a serious electrical shock:

❑ True
❑ False

Extension cords can be permanent if well designed in industrial

settings:
❑ True
❑ False

119
 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

As little as 50 mA could lead to a serious electrical shock:

X True
❑ False

Extension cords can be permanent if well designed in industrial

settings:
❑ True
X False

120
FIRE SAFETY

121
 2 TYPES of FIRE HAZARDS

• Common
‒ Likely to be found in almost all occupancies
‒ Not associated with a specific:
• Occupancy
• Process or activity

• Special
‒ Arises from the process or operations taking place in the
space
FIRE TYPICALLY REPRESENTS THE SINGLE
GREATEST RISK TO WORKERS
122
 TYPES of FIRES (USA CLASSIFICATION)

• Class A
‒ Wood, cloth, paper, cardboard
• Class B
‒ Flammable or combustible liquids, gases
• Class C
‒ Energized electrical equipment
• Class D
‒ Combustible metal

123
 TYPES of FIRES (EU CLASSIFICATION)
• Class A
• Wood, cloth, paper, cardboard
• Class B
• Flammable or combustible liquids

• Class C
• Flammable gases
• Class D
• Combustible metal
• Class K
• Electrical Fires

124
 GENERAL FIRE SAFETY

• Housekeeping-inside
‒ Storage and disposal of trash and debris to reduce
any potential fuel for a fire
‒ Containers - selected by waste type
• General (non-combustibles)
• Smoking materials
• Oily rags (can spontaneous combust)
• Highly combustible materials such as flammables

125
 HOUSEKEEPING
• Keep areas near your work including outside areas
‒ Free of wastepaper
‒ Weeds
‒ Litter
‒ Combustible waste & rubbish

126
 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

• Ratings
‒ Based on use by untrained operator
• Class A
• Class B
• Class C
• Class D

127
 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

• Check the fire extinguishers to determine whether:

‒ In the proper location and accessible
‒ Discharge nozzle or horn are not obstructed, cracked or
dirty
‒ Operating instructions on the nameplate are legible
‒ Lock pins and tamper seals are in place
‒ Extinguishers are full and ready for use
‒ Extinguishers have an inspection tag (normally inspected
monthly)

128
 FIRE EXTINGUISHER USE

Extinguishers have a limited range and amount of

extinguishing agent. They are effective against small fires,
BUT should not be used in any of the following:
• You have not been properly trained to use the fire
extinguisher
• The fire spreads beyond its immediate area
• The fire could block your escape route

129
 FIRE EXTINGUISHER USE

• Discharge the extinguisher within

its effective range using the
P.A.S.S. technique (pull, aim,
squeeze, sweep).
• Back away from an extinguished
fire in case it flames up again.
• Evacuate immediately if the
extinguisher is empty and the fire
is not out.
• Evacuate immediately if the fire
progresses beyond the incipient
stage.
130
 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

If a fire can block your exit, you should immediately evacuate:

❑ True
❑ False

Class A fire extinguishers in most of the World are for chemical

fires such as flammable liquids:
❑ True
❑ False

131
 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

If a fire can block your exit, you should immediately evacuate:

X True
❑ False

Class A fire extinguishers in most of the World are for chemical

fires such as flammable liquids:
❑ True
X False (Class A is for wood, cloth, paper and carboard fires)

132
CONFINED SPACES

133
 CONFINED SPACE GENERAL AWARENESS

• Confined Spaces are defined as:

‒ Large enough for human occupancy
‒ Limited access and egress
‒ Not designed for human occupancy

• Permit required (entry requires specific authorization) confined

spaces are those which present a hazard to humans
‒ Typically identified by warning signage

• Rules vary by country, but most require special permits for

entering into potentially hazardous confined spaces

134
DIFFERENCE - STANDARD and PERMIT SPACES

Standard Confined Space Permit Required Confined Space

135
COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS

136
 COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDER
HANDLING and STORAGE

• Never accept compressed gas cylinders (CGCs) that were

shipped in a horizontal position

• Store CGCs upright

• Keep CGCs secured

with chains or cables

137
 COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDER HANDLING and
STORAGE

• Group cylinders by type of gas

• Store full and empty cylinders apart
• Store gases so that old stock is
removed and used first
• Do not store acetylene and oxygen
together (or any fuel and oxygen)

138
 COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDER
HANDLING and STORAGE

• Keep protective caps

on stored CGCs

• Prevent the dropping

or banging of CGCs

• Don’t roll CGCs along

the bottom rim

139
 COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDER
HANDLING and STORAGE

• Ensure that valves, hoses,

connectors, and regulators
are in good condition and
turned off when not in use

140
 COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDER
HANDLING and STORAGE
• Empty CGCs must be labeled “MT” or “Empty”
• Keep oil and grease away from oxygen
CGCs, valves, and hoses

141
 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

Compressed gas cylinders can be rolled to their storage

location

❑ True
❑ False

142
 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

Compressed gas cylinders can be rolled to their storage

location

❑ True
X False-Never roll a gas cylinder, it could fall or be
damaged. Use a gas cylinder cart or device to move
them.

143
MACHINE GUARDING

144
MACHINE GUARDING

• Four Types of Guards

‒ Fixed
‒ Interlocked
‒ Adjustable
‒ Self-Adjusting

145
MACHINE GUARDING

• Fixed Guards
‒ A permanent part of the machine
‒ Not dependent on any other part to perform the
function
‒ Usually made of sheet metal, screen, bars or other
material which will withstand the anticipated
impact
‒ Generally considered the preferred type of guard.
‒ Simple and durable

146
MACHINE GUARDING

• Interlocked Guard
‒ Usually connected to a mechanism that will cut off
the power automatically
‒ Could use electrical, mechanical or hydraulic
systems
‒ Should rely on a manual reset system

147
MACHINE GUARDING

• Adjustable Guard
‒ Very flexible to accommodate various types of stock.
‒ Manually adjusted

148
MACHINE GUARDING

• Self-Adjusting
‒ The opening is determined by the movement of the
stock through the guard.
‒ Does not always provide maximum protection.
‒ Common complaint- reduced visibility at the point
of operation.... “I can’t see what I’m doing!”

149
MACHINE GUARDING

• This shows a pulley

system which has a
fixed guard to
keep fingers and
tools away from
pinch points

150
BASIC PRINCIPLE of MACHINE GUARDING-
Prevent guarding entry of body parts or clothing
• Over

• Under

• Around

• Through

151
TYPES of MECHANICAL MOTIONS

• In-Running Nip Points, also

known as “pinch points,”
develop when two parts move
together and at least one
moves in rotary or circular
motion, and occur whenever
machine parts move toward
each other or when one part
moves past a stationary object
‒ Typical nip points include gears, rollers,
belt drives, and pulleys

152
MACHING GUARDING REQUIREMENTS

• One or more methods of machine guarding should be

provided to protect the operator and other employees
in the machine area from hazards
• Guards should be affixed to the machine where
possible and secured elsewhere if for any reason
attachment to the machine is not possible
‒ The guard itself must not create a new hazard
• Special hand tools for placing and removing material
without the operator placing a hand in the danger
zone can be used to supplement protection provided

153
MACHING GUARDING REQUIREMENTS
• Revolving drums, barrels, and containers guarded by an
enclosure which is interlocked with the drive mechanism, so
that the barrel, drum, or container cannot revolve unless the
guard enclosure is in place

154
FORKLIFT SAFETY

155
EYE HEARING STEEL TOED
PROTECTION PROTECTION SHOES

156
RESPONSIBILITIES

• As a pedestrian:
• If possible, provide pedestrian walkways
• Always be aware of forklift traffic
• Yield to forklifts (they may not see you)

• As a Forklift driver
• Always be aware of your surroundings
• Check for and yield to pedestrians
• Avoid driving backward or with obstructed vision

157
WALKING and WORKING SURFACES

158
WALKING and WORKING SURFACES

• Slips and falls are accidents that are very easily avoided
‒ Require adequate footwear (e.g., no sandals)
‒ Be aware of your surroundings
‒ Provide adequate lighting for walking and work surfaces
‒ Housekeeping
• Quickly clean up spills especially coolants and oil
‒ Ensure clean, hot, soapy water is used along with a clean
mop head
• Keep walkways clear of obstructions
• Do not permit uncovered hoses and electrical cords in
walkways unless clearly marked

159
WALKING and WORKING SURFACES

‒ Maintenance
‒ Assure holes, cracks and uneven walking surfaces
are fixed
‒ Provide anti-slip coatings for slippery areas
‒ Provide railings for stairs
‒ Observe ladder safety requirements
‒ Communicate all potential hazards to fellow workers

160
CRANES and HOISTS

161
 CRANES and HOISTS

• Cranes can lift loads and move then horizontally

• Hoists can only lift and lower loads

162
CRANES and HOISTS

• All cranes and hoists must have written weight limits clearly identified
• Only trained and certified operators should operate cranes and hoists
• Never place any part of your body under a raised crane load
• Use a hoist to heavy parts and tools

163
 HOIST at UPPER LIMITS
• Operators must be trained not to run hoist’s hook up to its upper
limits
• Chain failures on hoists can result from hooks being run with
force up to their upper limits.

164
ERGONOMICS

165
 ERGONOMICS

Ergonomics is derived from two Greek words:

Ergon meaning work and
Nomos meaning principles or laws

Ergonomics = The Science of Work

Ergonomics is not a new science, although the term has
become more common lately. The phrase was first
coined in 1857

166
 ERGONOMICS

• Poor ergonomics can lead to work related Musculoskeletal

Disorders (MSDs)
• MSDs are caused or made worse by work methods and
environment. They occur when the physical capabilities of the
worker do not match the physical requirement of the job
• Common MSDs:
• Tendonitis
• Epicondylitis (tennis or golfer’s elbow)
• Bursitis
• Trigger Finger, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Back Strain

167
 WHAT CAN CAUSE MSDs?

Prolonged, repeated or extreme exposure to

multiple work-related MSD risk factors. Risk Factors:

 Repetition  Excessive Force

 Awkward Postures  Vibration
 Static Postures  Compression
 Cold Temperatures  Inadequate Recovery

168
AWKWARD POSTURES
Postures outside neutral (between knees & shoulders)

Neutral is the optimal position of each joint providing the most

strength and control.
Awkward or unsupported
postures that stretch
physical limits, can
compress nerves and
irritate tendons

Before: Lab technician Ergonomic Improvement:

tilts his neck forward to Worker easily views the
view the screen into a screen from a neutral
non-neutral posture. posture. The workstation
He also bends over adjusts to accommodate
resting on his forearms different working heights
to write on the and users. When
documents. standing, work should be
about elbow height. 169
 AWKWARD POSTURES
Postures outside of neutral
Examples of Awkward Postures:
 Repeatedly raising or working with
the hand(s) above the head or the
elbow(s) above the shoulder(s) for
more than 2 hours per day
 Kneeling or squatting for more than
2 hours total daily
 Working with the back, neck or
wrist bent or twisted for more then
2 hours per day
 Sitting with feet unsupported

170
 FORCE = A strong physical exertion

Exertion = the tension produced by muscles and transmitted

through tendons Before: Three workers
climb on refuse bin to
dump laundry cart full
of waste. They risk
back strain and
lacerations while
tipping cart over to
empty it.

Excessive muscle tension can

Ergonomic
contract muscles to their Improvement: One
maximum capability which can worker easily dumps
waste in half the time.
lead to fatigue and possible
damage to the muscles and
other tissues.

171
 FORCE

Examples of forceful exertions:

 Lifting (standards vary by country)

 more than the approximately 50 pounds at any one time
 more than 25 pounds from a height below the knees, above the shoulders,
or at arms length more than 25 times per day

 Pushing / pulling with more than 20 pounds of initial force for

more than 2 hours per day
 Pinching (pencil type grip) an unsupported object weighing 2 or more
pounds per hand for more than 2 hours per day
 Gripping an unsupported object weighing 10 pounds or more per
hand for more than 2 hours per day

172
 VIBRATION - Single Point

Hand and Arm exposure results from vibrating objects such as power tools.
Examples of vibrating tools:
 Using vibrating tools or
equipment that typically have
high vibration levels for more
then 30 minutes a day (chain
saws, jack hammers, percussive
tools, riveting or chipping
hammers)
Before: Boat worker is exposed to vibration
 Using tools or equipment that
above the guidelines typically have moderate
Ergonomic Improvement: Lower vibration tool vibration levels for more then 2
reduces vibration to safe levels
hours total per day (jig saws,
grinders or sanders)

173
COMPRESSION = soft tissue is compressed between the
bone and a hard or sharp object

Compression, from grasping or contacting edges like tool handles, can

concentrate force on small areas of the body, reduce blood flow and
nerve transmission and damage tendons and tendon sheaths

Before: Worker rests his wrists Ergonomic Improvement: Worker

on the sharp tray edges. His rests her wrists and forearms on a
wrist is extended into a non- padded surface. Wrist and
neutral posture. forearms are in a neutral position.
174
 PERSONAL FACTORS
that can CONTRIBUTE to MSDs
• Age and Gender • Pregnancy
• Hobbies • Obesity
• Previous Injuries • Medications
• Physical Condition • Smoking
• Medical conditions (diabetes and arthritis) • Fatigue

175
 AVOIDING MSDs
Work Smarter, Not Harder!
• Work in neutral postures • Use proper lifting
• Reduce excessive force & techniques and lift aides
repetition • Ask for assistance with
• Keep everything in easy reach difficult tasks
and at proper heights • Take micro-breaks (stand,
• Keep warm stretch, change tasks)
• Minimize static unsupported • Maintain a comfortable
postures and pressure points environment

176
ERGONOMIC PROBLEM AREAS YOU HAVE SEEN

Warehouse materials must be

raised off the floor with
shelving, to least knee level to
minimize back injury risks
177
 VALUE of GOOD ERGONOMICS

The anticipated benefits of good workplace design:

• Improved safety and health by reducing work-related injuries
and disorders

• Improved comfort, morale and job satisfaction

• Improved productivity with reduced worker injuries and

employee turnover

178
 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

Heavy lifts of more than 50 pounds (23 Kilos) are ok as long as they
are not repeated to often
❑ True
❑ False

179
 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

Heavy lifts of more than 50 pounds (23 Kilos) are OK as long as

they are not repeated too often
❑ True
X False-50 pounds is the maximum recommended weight and
could lead to injury and may be difficult for some small persons.
Furthermore, there is still risk at this weight even if not lifted too
frequently.

180
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
(PPE)

181
 PPE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• Hazard assessment and equipment selection

• Identifying hazards that require PPE
‒ There should be documentation of the equipment selection
(required in some countries)
• Selecting PPE should be based on
‒ Hazard assessment
‒ Proper fit
• Communicate selection decision to each affected employee

182
 PPE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• Training
‒ Everyone required to wear PPE should be trained to know at
least the following
• When PPE is necessary
• What PPE is necessary
• How to don (put on), doff (take off), adjust and wear PPE
• Limitations of PPE
• Proper care, use and maintenance

183
 EXAMPLES: Limitations of PPE

• Safety Glasses are not fully sealed

• They are designed to provide impact protection and basic deflection of
small airborne liquid and debris of a non-hazardous nature
• Goggles and face shields must be used with corrosive or hazardous
materials
• Ear plugs only work when properly inserted and worn at all times
• Improper insertion of the ear plug drastically reduces its Noise Reduction
Rating (NRR)
• Not wearing them for as little as 10 minutes out of an 8-hour day is
equivalent to a 50% reduction in their protective rating (NRR)
• Gloves are designed to work with specific materials
• They are not universal and must be evaluated for their effectiveness for
each task they will be used for

184
CARE of PPE

• Inspect all PPE prior to each use

‒ If any part of your PPE is damaged, see your supervisor for a
replacement

• Store all PPE in a clean, dry and secure place

• Earplugs should be frequently cleaned or replaced to prevent

ear infections

185
SAFETY GLASSES

186
SAFETY GLASSES - Proper Fit

• There should be no uncomfortable pressure points on the side of the head

or behind the ears
• The nose piece should be comfortable and contact your nose without
pinching
• You should be able to see in all directions without major obstruction
• The overall weight of your safety eyewear should be evenly distributed
between your ears and your nose so that frames sit comfortably on your
face without distracting from tasks
• Frames should fit close to the face without hitting your eyelashes. The space
around the frames and your face should be less than a pencil width. Gaps of
less than or equal to 6-8mm are preferred
• Eyewear should stay in place when you move your head front to back and
side to side
187
GLOVES

188
 SELECTION OF GLOVES
Must Be Based On The Hazard
• Gloves selection must be based on the hazards
• Thermal (hot and cold)
• Physical (grip strength, cut resistance, puncture resistance)
• Chemical (permeation and degradation resistance)
• Biological (provides an effective barrier to disease)
• Radiological (provides shielding against radiation)

189
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

190
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

• Where respirators are required:

‒ Procedures for selecting respirators
‒ Medical evaluations
‒ Fit testing procedures
‒ Procedures for ensuring air quality and quantity for air
supplied respirators
‒ Procedures and schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing,
inspecting, repairing and discarding respirators
‒ Employee training in respirator use (routine use and
emergencies) to include donning and doffing (put on and
take off)

191
 AIR-PURIFYING RESPIRATORS
Types of Filtration and Absorbents
• Mechanical
• Chemical
• Combination
• Gas Mask

192
 AIR-PURIFYING RESPIRATORS

• Disposable (single use normally)

193
 AIR-PURIFYING RESPIRATORS

• 1/2 Mask (with chemical cartridges)

194
 AIR-PURIFYING RESPIRATORS

• Full-Face (FF) with chemical cartridges

195
 AIR-PURIFYING RESPIRATORS

• Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR)

196
 SELECTION of RESPIRATORS

• Respirators (cartridges also) should be selected based on the

contaminant and the physical state of the contaminant
‒ Gases
‒ Vapors
‒ Particulate
‒ Other

197
 RESPIRATOR MAINTENANCE and CARE

• Cleaning and Disinfecting Intervals:

‒ One user - As often as necessary to maintain
sanitary condition
‒ Two or more users - Before being used by different
user
‒ Emergency use - After each use

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 RESPIRATOR TRAINING

• Employers should assure that each employee can

demonstrate knowledge of at least the following:
‒ Why respirators are necessary
‒ How improper fit, usage, or maintenance can affect
protection
‒ Limitations and capabilities
‒ Proper inspection procedures

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 RESPIRATOR TRAINING

• Employers should ensure that each employee can

demonstrate knowledge of at least the following:
‒ Proper donning and doffing procedures
‒ Proper seal check procedure
‒ Maintenance and storage
‒ Medical signs and symptoms of overexposure

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 RESPIRATOR TRAINING

• Retraining should be done at least annually or when

‒ Changes in workplace or respirator use render the
previous training obsolete
‒ Employees cannot demonstrate the proper use of
respirators
‒ Training requirements can vary based on local
regulations

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 Limitations of PPE

PPE ALONE CANNOT

PROTECT YOU
AGAINST ALL
WORKPLACE
HAZARDS
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 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

People who wear respirators should be trained in

recognizing the symptoms of overexposure in case the
respirator fails
❑ True
❑ False

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 KNOWLEDGE SELF-CHECK

People who wear respirators should be trained in

recognizing the symptoms of overexposure in case the
respirator fails
X True
❑ False

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SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

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 WHAT is SITUATIONAL AWARENESS?

• Situational awareness is taking responsibility for your

own safety as well as others
• Situational awareness involves:
‒ Being aware of your immediate surroundings
‒ The impact of your or other’s actions as it relates to
the well-being of yourself and those around you
‒ Requires the use of knowledge from your
experiences
‒ Proper training/education to accurately assess and
determine your level of safety and risk

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 10 WAYS
TO IMPROVE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
1. Learn to Predict Events
2. Identify Elements Around You
3. Trust Your Instincts
4. Limit Situational Overload
5. Avoid Complacency
6. Be Aware of Time
7. Begin to Evaluate and Understand Situations
8. Actively Prevent Fatigue
9. Continually Assess the Situation
10. Monitor Performance of Others

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 SUGGESTIONS and COMMENTS on this COURSE

• Please send your suggestions or comments to OHTA

• Our general website with lots of information is:

http://ohlearning.com/default.aspx

• To contact us, please email team@ohlearning.com

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Congratulations on Completing the Course

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