Industrial Hygiene for Construction

Pete Rice CIH, CSP

Introduction

Industrial Hygiene Awareness in the Construction Industry

• Welcome! Over the 60 min., this course will provide basic information on the science and art of industrial hygiene.

– Job of the industrial hygienist (IH)

– Discussion of construction worksite health hazards: • air contaminants,

• chemical,

• biological,

• physical,

• ergonomic

Introduction

Knowledge Assessment

1. True or false: The environment and its relation to worker health was recognized as early as the fourth century B.C . A. True!

B. False

2. Which of the following is a way that proper industrial hygiene can save a company money? A. Lowering insurance premiums

B. Increasing productivity

C. Preventing fines

D. All of the above

Introduction

Knowledge Assessment (cont.) 3. Which of the following is most likely to be an industrial hygiene concern

in the construction industry?

a. Protection from radiation

b. Proper airflow

c. Comfortable office design

d. Protection from communicable diseases

4. True or false: Information must be available regarding the identities and hazards of all hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

a. True

b. False

5

OSH Act of 1970

• The purpose of the OSH Act is to

“assure so far as possible every working,

man and woman in the nation safe and

healthful working conditions and to

preserve our human resources.”

Industrial Hygiene Background

What Is Industrial Hygiene?

• Industrial hygiene: art and science of anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling workplace conditions that may cause injury or illness.

• Industrial hygienists:

– Use monitoring and analytical methods

– Detect extent of worker exposure

– Employ methods to control health hazards

History of Industrial Hygiene

History of Industrial Hygiene

• Fourth century B.C.: Hippocrates noted lead toxicity in mining industry

• First century A.D.: Pliny the Elder devised a face mask for those working with zinc and sulfur

• In 1700: in Italy, first comprehensive book on industrial medicine

• 1788: Chimney-Sweepers Act in England

• 1913: First state industrial hygiene programs

History of Industrial Hygiene

MSHA and OSHA

• The U.S. Congress has passed 3 landmark pieces of legislation aimed at safeguarding workers’ health:

– Metal and Nonmetallic Mines Safety Act of 1966

– Federal Coal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1969

– Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

Safety Tip: Today, nearly every employer is required to implement

the elements of an industrial hygiene and safety, occupational

health, or hazard communication program. To learn more about the

laws, visit the Mine Safety and Health Administration at

http://www.msha.gov and the Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA) at http://www.osha.gov.

Nature of IH Work

IH’s Prevent Harm

• IHs and hygiene technicians help prevent harm to: workers, property, environment, general public

– Make the workplace safer and more healthful.

– Increase worker productivity (reduce absenteeism and equipment downtime).

– Save money (lower insurance premiums and workers’ compensation payments; prevent fines).

Safety Tip: The term Occupational Hygiene (used in the UK and Commonwealth Countries

as well as much of Europe) is synonymous with Industrial Hygiene (used in the U.S., Latin

America, and other countries that received initial technical support or training from U.S.

sources).

Nature of IH Work

Analyze and Design

• IHs analyze environments and design programs to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury.

– Chemical, physical, radiological, biological hazards

– More ergonomic equipment

– Inspections

– Advise management on cost effectiveness.

– Provide training.

Nature of IH Work

IH Measurement

• IHs prepare and calibrate scientific equipment.

– Collect and handle samples according to strict sampling and analytical methodology.

– Coordinate with laboratory scientists.

– Ship samples according to strict regulations.

– Objective: ensure personal safety and accurate, compliant test results.

Nature of IH Work

Inspections

• IH inspection may include:

– PPE used according to regulations

– Hazardous materials stored correctly

– Testing for potential accident and health hazards

– Talking with workers

– Observing work and elements of the environment

– Studying causes of injury, illness, or accident

Nature of IH Work

Teamwork / Recordkeeping

• IH communications may include:

– Checking in with management about programs

– Consulting with engineers, physicians, chemists, security specialists, first responders

– Writing reports and filling out OSHA forms

– Preparing documents used in legal proceedings

– Giving testimony in court

– Developing policies, procedures, manuals

Nature of IH Work

Varied Responsibilities

• The responsibilities of IHs vary by industry.

– Mining: proper airflow, no buildup of gases

– Environmental: proper handling of waste

– Ergonomic: comfortable, safe office design

– Health physicists: protection from radiation

– General Industry and Construction: wide range of activities.

Safety Tip: IHs examine the workplace for health hazards such as exposure to

lead, asbestos, pesticides, or communicable diseases.

Nature of IH Work

Situational Analysis

• You are an employee of a nuclear weapons production facility. Why would you expect to find a health physicist onsite?

A. A health physicist specializes in disease control, including cancer.

B. A health physicist specializes in protection from hazardous radiation exposure.

Example Classification of Occupational Safety and Health Hazards

CHEMICAL PHYSICAL BIOLOGICAL ERGONOMIC SAFETY

Fumes* Cold Stress Insects Circadian Rhythm Construction/Maintenance*

Gases* Heat Stress/Illness* ants, bees, (shift work/rest cycles) Electrical*

Liquids* Ionizing Radiation* scorpions, spiders Fatigue Emergencies*

Mists* alpha, beta, Microbes Hand tools* Environmental Conditions*

Particulates/Dusts* gamma, x-rays Bacteria Manual Material Fire/Explosions*

Vapors* Noise* -tuberculosis** Handling** Mechanical and

Non-Ionizing* Parasites (biomechanics) machinery systems*

Radiation Viruses lifting, pushing, Motorized Equipment*

lasers, RF, Hepatitis B, HIV*, Hanta pulling, carrying Pressurized Systems*

microwaves, Avian Flu virus Mental Task Overload Fall Protection*

U.V. light Poisonous (toxic) plants Stress (occupational and Motor Vehicle Occupant

O2 Deficiency* Reptiles non-occupational) Safety**

Pressure Snakes Substance Abuse

Vibration Sanitation* Work Station Design**

Small Mammals dials, controls, signals,

dogs, rodents, labeling, office (computer)

skunks workstations

Potentially violent people* Repetitive Motion*

* Employee safety and health regulations adopted.

** Employee safety and health regulation in development (2009)

All hazards must be addressed in employer’s overall safety and health program if present at work site.

Construction IH

• Chemical Hazards

• Physical Hazards

• Biological Hazards

• Ergonomic Hazards

General overview of the various health hazards to which construction workers may be exposed:

Construction IH Construction work is dynamic, diverse, and constantly changing. This poses a great challenge in protecting the health and safety of construction workers.

Construction workers are at risk of exposure to various health hazards that can result in injury, illness, disability, or even death.

Risk Factors in Construction

• constantly changing job site environments and conditions

• multiple contractors and subcontractors

• high turnover; unskilled laborers

• constantly changing relationships with other work groups

• diversity of work activities occurring simultaneously

• exposures to health hazards resulting from own work as well as from nearby activities (“bystander exposure”)

Factors increasing the health risk of construction

workers include:

Types of Health Hazards

• Chemical

• Physical

• Biological

• Ergonomic

Health hazards are generally grouped as:

Ergonomic hazards are the most frequently occurring health hazards

in construction and the cause of most injuries.

Occupations Potential Health Hazards

Brickmasons Cement dermatitis, awkward postures, heavy loads

Drywall installers Plaster dust, heavy loads, awkward postures

Electricians Heavy metals in solder fumes, awkward posture, heavy loads, asbestos

Painters Solvent vapors, toxic metals in pigments, paint additives

Pipefitters Lead fumes and particles, welding fumes, asbestos dust

Carpet layers Knee trauma, awkward postures, glue and glue vapor

Insulation workers Asbestos, synthetic fibers, awkward postures

Roofers Roofing tar, heat

Carpenters Noise, awkward postures, repetitive motion

Drillers, earth, rock Silica dust, whole-body vibration, noise

Excavating and loading machine operators

Silica dust, histoplasmosis, whole-body vibration, heat stress, noise

Hazardous waste workers

Heat stress, toxic chemicals

Some Examples of Construction Health Hazards

Chemical Hazards Chemicals can exist in the form of:

• dusts, fumes, fibers (solids)

• liquids, mists

• gases, vapors

• welding fumes

• spray paints

• cutting oil mists

• solvents

• hexavalent chromium

Examples of chemical hazards found in

construction work:

• asbestos

• lead

• silica

• cadmium

• carbon monoxide

Chemicals are found in variety of products used at construction sites. Workers

may also be exposed to chemicals generated during construction activities.

Chemical Hazards

• inhalation

Chemicals can enter the body through:

– breathed in

• ingestion

• absorption

– accidental swallowing through eating, drinking, or smoking

– absorbed through contact with skin or eyes

Inhalation is typically the most common way chemicals can enter the body in a work situation.

Injection, in which a chemical enters the body when the skin is punctured, occurs rarely (e.g., paint from a high-pressure spray gun).

Chemical Hazards

HEALTH EFFECTS EXPOSURE EXAMPLE

ACUTE

Appears immediately or within short time following exposure, (minutes or hours); death possible from some hazardous substances

Typically sudden, short-term, high concentration

Headache, collapse or death from high levels of carbon monoxide

CHRONIC

Usually develops slowly, as long as 15-20 years or more

Continued or repeated for a prolonged period, usually years

Lung cancer from exposure to asbestos

Some chemicals can have both acute and chronic effects, e.g., carbon monoxide.

Two types of health effects from chemical exposure

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IH Basics

Exposure Limits Air Contaminants • OSHA

– Occupational Safety and Health Administration

• NIOSH

– National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

• ACGIH

– American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists

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IH Basics

Exposure Limits Air Contaminants

• OSHA

– PEL, STEL, Ceiling

• NIOSH

– REL’s, TWA, STEL, Ceiling

• ACGIH

– TLV’s, TWA, STEL, Ceiling

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IH Basics

Exposure Limits Air Contaminants

• TWA

– takes into account variable exposure through a full shift, 8 hour work day

• STEL

– limit of exposure during a short period, 15 minutes

• CEILING

– absolute maximum level of exposure not to be exceeded

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IH Basics

Exposure Limits Air Contaminants

• Legally enforceable

– OSHA PEL

– OSHA AL (action level)

– OSHA EL (excursion limit)

Asbestos

Construction workers may be exposed to asbestos during demolition or remodeling of older buildings built before 1980 which can contain asbestos insulation, or other asbestos containing products. Asbestos removal can only be done by specially trained asbestos workers. Asbestos exposure can cause breathing problems, lung cancer and cancer of the lung lining many years after exposure.

Welding Fumes

Welding fumes contain a variety of chemicals depending on what is being welded on, chemical makeup of welding rods, fluxes and shielding gases. Generally, welding in confined spaces or welding on stainless steel which generates hexavalent chromium, are the most hazardous welding activities.

Solvents A variety of solvents with varying degrees

of toxicity are used in construction. They

are in paints, glues, epoxies and other

products.

Generally, the possibility of exposure to

excessive amounts of solvent vapors is

greater when solvents are handled in

enclosed or confined spaces.

Solvents can: - Irritate your eyes, nose or throat,

- Make you dizzy, high, sleepy, give you a headache or cause you to pass out,

- Affect your judgment or coordination,

- Cause internal damage to your body,

- Dry out or irritate your skin.

Silica – more than just dust

Silica or quartz dust exposure is very common in construction from drilling, cutting or grinding on concrete, sandblasting, rock drilling or in masonry work. Exposure to excessive silica dust causes lung scarring and lung disease over time.

Brick cutting Concrete cutting Blowing concrete dust with

compressed air

Lead

Construction workers can be exposed to lead on bridge repair

work, lead paint removal on metal structures or buildings or

demolition of old buildings with lead paint, or using lead solder.

Lead is highly toxic and can cause severe, long term health problems.

Confined Spaces

Exposure to chemicals or lack of oxygen in confined

spaces can be deadly.

Airborne chemicals can quickly

reach dangerous levels in confined

spaces that are not ventilated.

Carbon monoxide, hydrogen

sulfide, welding fumes and solvent

vapors are typical confined space

chemical hazards.

In some confined spaces, oxygen

deficiency will cause the person

entering to instantly collapse.

Confined spaces include manholes, sewers, vaults, tanks, and boilers in

new construction or in repair and maintenance work.

As many co-workers who attempt rescue die in confined spaces as the

original worker who collapsed.

Physical Hazards

• Noise

• Vibration

• Temperature extremes

• Radiation

• Pressure

Physical hazards are different types of energy which may be

hazardous to workers. They include:

Physical Hazards – Noise Probable noise levels of some common construction

equipment at operator’s ear

Prolonged exposure to excessive noise levels can cause noise-induced hearing loss. Noise levels above 85 decibels can cause hearing loss.

When you are exposed to excessive noise levels, the first stage is temporary hearing loss.

Over time, the hearing loss becomes permanent.

Equipment or Tool Noise level will probably exceed:

Back hoe 85 decibels

Bulldozer 87 decibels

Chopsaw 92 decibels

Grader/scraper 107 decibels

Front end loader 90 decibels

Jackhammer 102 decibels

Nail-gun 97 decibels

Router 90 decibels

Welding equipment 92 decibels

Source: U.W. Dept. of Environmental & Occupational

Health Services – Rick Neitzel July, 2005

Physical Hazards – Noise

• Type of equipment being operated

• Condition/maintenance of the equipment

• Other equipment running at the same time

• Enclosed or partially enclosed spaces

Several factors influence the noise levels to which workers are exposed:

High noise levels can be sporadic in construction. Damage to hearing is

cumulative and exposure limits are based on 8-hour averages. Workers not

using or operating equipment are often exposed to excessive noise as

much as the operators.

Physical Hazards – Whole Body Vibration

Whole-body vibration can occur from operating large mobile equipment, such as drillers, air hammers, pile drivers, tractors, graders, excavators, earth-moving equipment, and other large machinery.

Physical Hazards – Vibration Hand-arm vibration can result from using hand-held power tools, such as pneumatic drills and hammers, and disc grinders.

Hand-arm vibration may cause carpal tunnel syndrome, a disease that affects the fingers and hands. In the long run, permanent damages to the nerves will result in a loss of the sense of touch and dexterity.

Working in a cold and damp environment can aggravate the harmful effects of hand-arm vibration.

Physical Hazards – Temperature Extremes

A change in body temperature due to extreme work environmental conditions can lead to stress or illness from heat or cold. If not treated in time, both heat and cold stress/illness can develop into life-threatening situations.

Heat illnesses:

• Heat rash

• Fainting

• Heat cramps

• Heat exhaustion

• Heat stroke

Cold illnesses and injuries:

• Frost nip

• Immersion injury (trench foot)

• Frost bite

• Hypothermia

Heavy work in high temperatures can cause muscle cramps, dehydration, sudden collapse, and unconsciousness.

Cold temperatures can lead to fatigue, irregular breathing, confusion, and loss of consciousness (hypothermia).

Physical Hazards – Heat

• prolonged work under direct sunlight in summer (e.g., asphalt paving or roofing in summer)

• wearing impermeable protective clothing when doing heavy work

Hot conditions can occur from:

• working in an enclosed area with a strong heat source, poor ventilation, and high humidity (e.g., heavy equipment operators in an enclosed cab with without sufficient ventilation)

Physical Hazards – Cold

• cold air temperatures

• rain, snow, sleet, or other wet weather conditions

• windy conditions

• underground construction work

• working over water and falling in

Cold conditions:

Physical Hazards – Ionizing Radiation

• X-rays and gamma rays from equipment used to gauge the density and thickness of pipes, to inspect welds, or for detecting weakness of metal structures

• radioactive isotopes from flow meters

Health effects: increased risk of developing cancer and genetic disease.

Physical Hazards – non-ionizing radiation

• ultraviolet light from sunlight & welding

• infrared radiation from torch welding and cutting

• radio waves from radio transmission devices ( roof-top dishes & antennas)

• lasers used for aligning, ranging, and surveying are usually low-powered but can cause eye injuries if directly viewed for extended time

• skin cancer

• eye damage

• premature skin aging

• burns

Health effects:

Biological Hazards

• Microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi, molds)

Diseases or illnesses can occur from biological sources:

Some of these diseases are minor infections; others can be serious or deadly.

– West Nile virus – Lyme Disease – Histoplasmosis (fungus in bird droppings) – Hantavirus

• Plant toxins – poison oak & sumac;

– stinging nettles

Biological Hazards Exposure may occur during demolition, renovation, sewer work, work on air handling systems, or other construction work from contact with contaminated or disease-carrying:

• soil

• water

• insects (mosquitoes, ticks)

• bird or bat droppings

• animals

• structures

Ergonomic Hazards Ergonomic hazards can cause painful and disabling injuries to joints and muscles. The can occur from:

• heavy, frequent, or awkward lifting

• repetitive tasks

• awkward grips, postures

• using excessive force, overexertion

• using wrong tools for the job or using tools improperly

• using improperly maintained tools

• hand-intensive work

Ergonomic hazards are the most frequently occurring health hazards in

construction and the cause of most injuries.

Ergonomic Hazards

• strains and sprains –

one of the most common injuries among construction workers

• tendonitis

• carpal tunnel syndrome

• low back pain

• fatigue

can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and injuries:

Multiple health hazards

In some cases, workers can be exposed to several health

hazards at the same time or on the same worksite over time.

IH Monitoring Instruments

• IH Monitoring Instruments

• 2 Types of Monitoring Methods:

– IH Monitoring

• Area Monitoring

• Perimeter Monitoring

– Personal Monitoring

• Integrated Sampling

IH Monitoring Instruments

• Direct Reading (Real Time) Instruments

– Direct reading instruments enable rapid detection of:

• Flammable or explosive atmospheres

• Oxygen deficiency

• Gasses/vapors

• Radiation

Air Monitoring Instruments

• Specialty Toxic Gas Meters

– Specialty meters designed to monitor specific contaminants

• Mercury

• Carbon Monoxide

• Hydrogen sulfide

• Ozone

• Others

Air Monitoring Instruments

• Direct Reading Colorimetric Indicator Tubes

– Characteristics:

• Measure concentrations of specific gases and vapors

• Indicator chemical reacts with sampled compound

• Stain/color change is interpretable

• Subject to chemical interference, cross sensitivity.

IH Monitoring: Unique Hazards

• Radiation Detectors – Ionizing detectors/dosimeters

include those which detect: • Alpha radiation

• Beta

• Gamma

• X-Rays

• Detectors display readout in R/hr, rems/hr, or counts per minute

– Non-ionizing • Microwaves

• Radar energy

• UV

IH Monitoring Instruments

• Direct Reading Instruments

– Drawbacks:

• Usually detect/measure only certain chemicals

• Not designed to detect very low concentrations

• Interference/false readings

Personal Monitoring

• Personal Monitoring

– Method: samples collected in breathing zone

• If respirators are worn, wear outside facepiece

• Personal samples collected to measure inhalation exposure

Personal Monitoring

• Personal Sample – Method:

• Typically collected by battery operated pump on worker

• Pump draws a specific amount of air at constant flow

• After period of time, collection sent to lab

Personal Monitoring Advantages/Drawbacks

The greatest advantage is:

• Accuracy down to parts-per-billion range

Biggest drawback:

• Lab analysis may take several days and cost of some analysis.

Monitoring Principles

• Perimeter Monitoring

– To determine offsite migration of airborne contaminants:

• Helps to determine if site control strategies are working

IH Monitoring - Noise

• Noise Monitoring

– Several sound measuring instruments are available:

• Noise dosimeters

• Sound Level Meters

• Octave-band analyzers

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IH Basics

OSHA Hierarchy of Control

Engineering controls

Work practice controls

Administrative controls

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Summing Up

In Summation

• OSHA recognized industrial hygiene as an integral part of a healthful work setting early on.

• By recognizing and applying the principles of industrial hygiene to the work environment, America’s construction jobsites have and will become more healthful and safer.

Summing Up

Additional Information on Industrial Hygiene

• For information on a career as an IH, contact:

– American Industrial Hygiene Association, 2700 Prosperity Ave., Suite 250, Fairfax, VA 22031 (http://www.aiha.org)

• For information on the certified IH or associate IH:

– American Board of Industrial Hygiene, 6015 West St. Joseph Hwy., Suite 102, Lansing, MI 48917 (http://www.abih.org)

Safety Tip: Additional information is available in OSHA’s pamphlet on industrial

hygiene, which can be viewed at

http://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3143/OSHA3143.htm.