Source and Hazard Identification and Characterization

Steps

• Define scope

• Workplace

• Workforce

• Characterization of agents

• Characterization of existing controls

• Past assessments/results

• Historical exposure data

• Environmental emission data

• Past biological monitoring data

Define Scope

• How narrow or broad is the scope of your investigation?– Are you investigating the risk to one worker? Are you

investigating one incident involving one or more workers?

– Are you investigating the risk to the workforce from one agent or part of the facility?

– Are you investigating the risk to the workforce at one facility?

– Are you investigating the risk to the workforce in an entire industry?

Workplace Characterization

• What is the process?• Activities?• Raw materials?• Products?• By-products?• Waste products?• Processing aids?

Process Description

Sources of Information– International Labor Organization: Encyclopedaedia of

Occupational Health and Safety, 3rd Edition, Geneva: ILO, 1983.

– Burgess, WA: Recognition of Health Hazards in Industry, New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1995.

– Kirk-Othmer: Concise Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, New York: John Wiley Sons, 1985.

Process Description

• Tanneries

Process Description

• Tanneries– hide curing– beamhouse operations– tanning– finishing

Process Description

Raw Materials

• Tanneries

Raw Materials

• Tanneries– raw animal skins and hides– chemicals used to process hides

Products/By-Products

• Tanneries

Products/By-Products

• Tanneries– finished leather

Waste Products

• Tanneries

Waste Products

• Tanneries– waste water (contaminated with multiple

chemicals including chromium)– animal fat– animal hair– air emissions (solvents, acids)

Processing Aids

• Tanneries

Processing Aids

• Tanneries– machinery used to wash, lime, delime, tan,

split, centrifuge, dry, etc– heat– material handling (manual and machine)

Workforce Characterization

• job title / job description• task analysis• exposure duration

– shift length; continuous

• number of workers• other considerations

– children

Characterization of Agents

• Form of agent– chemical

– physical

– biological

– traumatic/ergonomic

– psychosocial

• Health effects– toxicology

– epidemiology

• Exposure Limits

Characterization of Agent

• Form of Agent– chemical– physical– biological– traumatic/ergonomic– psychosocial

Characterization of Agent

• Chemical– solid– liquid– gas– vapor– aerosol

• dusts, mists, fumes, soot

Characterization of Agents

• Physical– temperature extremes (heat, cold)– noise and vibration– ionizing radiation– non-ionizing radiation (uv, visible, ir,

microwave/radiowave, power transmission)

Characterization of Agents

• Biological– bacteria– viruses– allergens– genetically modified organisms

Characterization of Agents

• Traumatic/ergonomic– acute– repetitive or cumulative

Characterization of Agents

• Psychosocial– shiftwork– overtime– child labor– job security– stress– violence

Hazard Identification

• Tanneries– exercise

Characterization of Agents

• Health Effects– Sources of Information

• International Chemical Safety Cards

• International Hazard Datasheets on Occupation

• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

• Toxicology Literature

• Epidemiology Literature

• Internet

Characterization of Agents

• Exposure Limits– Regulatory (vary by country/state)– Non-regulatory

Other Information• Characterization of existing controls

– permits, walkthrough

• Past assessments/results– literature, company records

• Historical exposure data– past permits, regulatory agency data, company data

• Environmental emission data– regulatory agency data, permits, company data, literature

• Past biological monitoring data– company data, health department data

International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

• Developed by the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) of the International Labour Organization (ILO)

• Summarizes essential health and safety information about chemicals

• Intended for use at the “shop floor” level by workers and employers

• ICSCs are not legally binding documents

Material Safety Data SheetChemical Agents

• Identity used on the label• Physical and chemical characteristics• Physical hazards (fire, explosion, reactivity)• Health hazards including signs and symptoms of

exposure• Primary route(s) of entry• OSHA PEL, ACGIH TLV, any other exposure limit

used or recommended by the chemical manufacturer

Material Safety Data Sheet (continued)

• Listed in the NTP Annual Report on Carcinogens or has been found to be a potential carcinogen by IARC or by OSHA

• Any generally applicable precautions for safe handling and use, including appropriate hygienic practices, protective measures during repair and maintenance of contaminated equipment, and procedures for clean-up of spills and leaks

Material Safety Data Sheet (continued)

• Any generally applicable control measures, such as appropriate engineering controls, work practices, or personal protective equipment

• Emergency and first aid procedures• Date of preparation of the MSDS or the last change to it• Name, address and telephone number of the chemical

manufacturer, importer, employer or other responsible party preparing or distributing the MSDS

Control Banding

• Stage 1: Find the hazard classification• Stage 2: Find out how much of the

substance you are going to use• Stage 3: Find out how much of the

substance is going to et into the air• Stage 4: Find the control approach• Stage 5: Find the task-specific control

guidance sheet(s)

Outcome

Complete summary of available essential information on workers, tasks, agents, potential exposures, and potential health effects