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Disaster Site Worker Safety

Module 9

Safe Work Practices: Health Hazards

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Objectives

List common airborne health hazards potentially present during disaster site and demolition operations.

Give an example of an appropriate decontamination procedure for exposure to harmful materials or contaminants.

Identify the stages of heat stress. Discuss the significance of ergonomics when working

at a disaster site. List some additional health and safety concerns that

may be encountered. Explain the procedure for correcting health safety

issues that may expose disaster site workers to hazards.

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Airborne Contaminants

Silica

Lead

Asbestos

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Silica Exposure

Silicosis is a disabling, nonreversible, and sometimes fatal lung disease caused by overexposure to respirable crystalline silica

100 percent preventable if employers, workers, and health professionals work together to reduce exposures.

Associated with other diseases, such as bronchitis and tuberculosis

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Lead Exposure

In the construction industry, most over-exposures to lead traditionally have been found in the trades such as plumbing, welding, and painting

Significant lead exposures can also arise from removing paint from surfaces previously coated with lead-based paint, such as in bridge repair, residential renovation, and demolition

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Sources of Lead Exposure

Flame-torch cutting, welding, the use of heat guns, sanding, scraping and grinding

Abrasive blasting of bridges and other structures containing lead-based paints

Use of torches and heat guns, and sanding, scraping, and grinding lead-based paint surfaces

Maintaining process equipment or exhaust duct work

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Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is found in products such as: Sprayed-on fireproofing

Pipe insulation

Floor tiles

Cement pipe and sheet

Roofing felts and shingles

Ceiling tiles

Fire-resistant drywall

Drywall joint compounds

Acoustical products

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Cadmium Exposure

In the construction industry, most over-exposures to Cadmium traditionally have been found in the trades such as plumbing, welding, and painting or hazardous waste sludge's and Ni-Cad Batteries.

Significant lead exposures can also arise from removing paint from surfaces previously coated with Cadmium-based paint, such as in bridge repair, cadmium paints being Oxy-Acety cut, and demolition or waste sludge removal by inhalation or ingestion

OSHA says workers need training certification in Cadmium tasks and there are strict medical requirements

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Decontamination Procedures

Physically remove the harmful materials

Inactivate harmful materials by chemical interaction

Isolate harmful materials by removing protective equipment and packaging it in drums or bags for future decontamination or disposal

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Heat Stress

Heat stress is caused by a number of interacting factors, including: Environmental conditions.

Type of protective clothing worn, the work activity required.

Individual characteristics of the employee.

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Heat Exhaustion

Headaches, dizziness/light headedness, weakness

Mood changes (irritable, or confused/can’t think straight)

Feeling sick to your stomach, vomiting/throwing up

Decreased and dark-colored urine, fainting/passing out, and pale clammy skin

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Humidity and Temperature

70 %

60 %

50 %

40 %

30 %

100°F/ 37.8°C

95°F/ 35°C

90°F/ 32.2°C

85°F/ 29.4°C

80°F/ 26.7°C

Dangerous

Caution

Less Hazardous

70 %

60 %

50 %

40 %

30 %

100°F/ 37.8°C

95°F/ 35°C

90°F/ 32.2°C

85°F/ 29.4°C

80°F/ 26.7°C

70 %

60 %

50 %

40 %

30 %

100°F/ 37.8°C

95°F/ 35°C

90°F/ 32.2°C

85°F/ 29.4°C

80°F/ 26.7°C

100°F/ 37.8°C

95°F/ 35°C

90°F/ 32.2°C

85°F/ 29.4°C

80°F/ 26.7°C

Dangerous

Caution

Less Hazardous

Dangerous

Caution

Less Hazardous

Humidity Temperature

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Heat Stroke: Medical Emergency

Dry pale skin (no sweating)

Hot, red skin (looks like a sunburn)

Mood changes (irritable, confused/not making any sense)

Seizures/fits

Collapse/passed out (will not respond)

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Cold Stress

Cold-related illnesses can slowly overcome a person who has been chilled by low temperatures, brisk winds, or wet clothing.

Hypothermia can occur when land temperatures are above freezing or water temperatures are below 98.6oF/37oC.

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Hypothermia: a Medical Emergency

Normal body temperature (98.6oF/37oC) drops to or below 95oF (35oC); fatigue or drowsiness; uncontrolled shivering; cool, bluish skin

Slurred speech; clumsy movements; irritable, irrational

Confused behavior

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Noise

Any high noise level can damage your hearing permanently

High noise sources include: Machinery

Power Tools

Demolition

Explosives

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Basic Types of Hearing Protection

Ear Plugs – Inserted into the ear cavity to dampen loud noises

Ear Muffs – Cover the entire ear

Hearing protection devices must provide a complete seal to be effective.

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Bloodborne Pathogens

Workplace Transmission Body fluids such as saliva, semen,

vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, amniotic fluid, blood, and other body fluids

Body fluids DO NOT include sweat and tears.

Unfixed tissue or organs other than intact skin from living or dead humans

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BBP Safety Rules

Follow universal precautions.

Use the required personal protective equipment.

Wash exposed areas with antibacterial soap.

Treat all human body fluids & items soiled with human body fluids as contaminated.

Report any suspected exposure to your supervisor.

Disinfect all spills of body fluid.

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Ergonomics

Reduce stress and eliminate injuries and disorders associated with the overuse of muscles, bad posture, and repetitive motion.

Some jobs expose workers to excessive vibration and noise, eyestrain, repetitive motion, and heavy lifting.

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Hazard Prevention and Control

Engineering Controls

Work Practice Controls

Training

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Additional Health Safety Concerns

Fatigue, chemicals, alcohol and drug use, vibration, radiation, psychological and physiological stressors are additional health and safety concerns for disaster site workers, especially due to extended work day or work shifts.

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Fatigue

Fatigue is a message to the body to rest Fatigue become distressing and overwhelming Some symptoms:

Weariness Irritability Reduced alertness, concentration, and memory Increased susceptibility to illness Headache Loss of appetite and digestive problems

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Chemical Hazards

Amount of exposure needs to be reevaluated to ensure that acceptable levels are not exceeded.

Any method for determining exposure levels for the extended workday should be used with caution and under supervision.

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Vibration

Vibration-induced white finger (VWF) is the most common condition among the operators of hand-held vibrating tools.

Vibration can cause changes in tendons, muscles, bones and joints, and can affect the nervous system.

Collectively, these effects are known as Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).

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HAVS Symptoms

Attacks of whitening (blanching) of one or more fingers when exposed to cold

Tingling and loss of sensation in the fingers

Loss of light touch

Pain and cold sensations between periodic white finger attacks

Loss of grip strength

Bone cysts in fingers and wrists

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Stress

Physiological

Psychological

Behavioral

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Making Choices and Decisions

It is the responsibility of each individual to make safe choices and decisions in accordance with established safety work practices and regulations

The decision of a moment to perform an unsafe act may have consequences that last a lifetime

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Reporting Unsafe Conditions

Workers should contact their supervisor or the site safety officer regarding these conditions in order to correct the problem

Workers, if given the authority and have the ability, should correct or minimize the condition when it is discovered. Actions and steps taken must be reported to

the supervisor or site safety officer.