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30 June 2011

Occupational Hazards


Occupational Hazards
A worker may be exposed to five types of hazards, depending upon his/her occupation:
·               Physical Hazards
·               Chemical Hazards
·               Biological Hazards
·               Mechanical Hazards
·               Psychosocial Hazards

  • Physical Hazards
1. Heat and Cold
In India, the most common physical hazard is heat. The direct effects of heat exposure are burns, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and heat cramps; the indirect effects are decreased efficiency, increased fatigue and enhanced accident rates. Many industries have local “hot spots” – ovens and furnaces, which radiate heat. Radiant heat is the main problem in foundry, glass and steel industries, while heat stagnation is the principal problem in jute and cotton textile. High temperatures are also found in mines. Physical work under such conditions is very stressful and impairs the health and efficiency of the workers. For gainful work involving sustained and repeated effort, a reasonable temperature must be maintained in each work room.
Important hazards associated with cold work are chilblains, erythrocyanosis, immersion foot, and frostbite as a result of cutaneous vasoconstriction. General hypothermia is not unusual.
2. Light
The workers may be exposed to the risk of poor illumination or excessive brightness. The acute effects of poor illumination are eye strain, headache, eye pain, and lachrymation, congestion around the cornea and eye fatigue. The chronic effects on health include “miners’s nystagmus”. Exposure to excessive brightness or “glare” is associated with discomfort, annoyance and visual fatigue. Intense direct glare may also result in blurring of vision and lead to accidents. There should be sufficient and suitable lighting, natural or artificial, wherever persons are working.
3. Noise
Noise is a health hazard in many industries. The effects of noise are of two types:
(i)    Auditory effects - which consist of temporary or permanent hearing loss
(ii)   Non-auditory effects – which consist of nervousness, fatigue, interference with communication by speech, decreased efficiency and annoyance.

The degree of injury from exposure to noise depends upon a number of factors such as intensity and frequency range, duration of exposure and individual susceptibility.
4. Vibration
Vibration, especially in the frequency range 10 to 500 Hz. May be encountered in work with pneumatic tools such as drills and hammers. Vibration usually affects the hands and arms. After some months or years of exposure, the fine blood vessels of the fingers may become increasingly sensitive to spasm (white fingers). Exposure to vibration may also produce injuries of the joints, of the hands, elbows and shoulders.
5. Ultraviolet Radiation
Occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation occurs mainly in arc welding. Such radiation occurs mainly affects the eyes, causing intense conjunctivitis and keratitis (welder’s flash). Symptoms are redness of the eyes and pain; these usually disappear in a few days with no permanent effect on the vision or on the deeper structures of the eye.
6.  Ionizing Radiation
Ionizing radiation is finding increasing application in medicine and industry, e.g. x-rays and radio active isotopes. Important radio-isotopes are cobalt60 and phosphorus32. Certain tissues such as bone marrow are more sensitive than others and from a genetic standpoint; there are special hazards when the gonads are exposed. The radiation hazards comprise genetic changes, malformation, cancer, leukemia, depilation, ulceration, sterility and in extreme cases death. The International Commission of Radiological Protection has set the maximum permissible level of occupational exposure at 5 rem per year to the whole body.
  • Chemical Hazards
There is hardly any industry which does not make use of chemicals. The chemical hazards are on the increase with the introduction of newer and complex chemicals. Chemical agents act in three ways: local action, inhalation and ingestion. The ill-effects produced depend upon the duration of exposure, the quantum of exposure and individual susceptibility.
1. Local Action
Some chemicals cause dermatitis, eczema, ulcers and even cancer by primary irritant action; some cause dermatitis by an allergic action. Some chemicals, particularly the aromatic nitro and amino compounds such as TNT and aniline are absorbed through the skin and cause systemic effects. Occupational dermatitis is a big problem in industry.
2. Inhalation
(i)                  Dusts – Dusts are finely divided solid particles with size ranging from 0.1 to 150 microns. They are released into the atmosphere during crushing, grinding, abrading, loading and unloading operations. Dusts are produced in a number of industries – mines, foundry quarry, pottery, textile, wood or stone working industries. Dust particles larger than 10 microns settle down from the air rapidly, while the smaller ones remain suspended indefinitely. Particles smaller than 5 microns are directly inhaled into the lungs and are retained there. This fraction of the dust is called “Respirable dust”, and is mainly responsible for pneumoconiosis. Dusts have been classified into inorganic and organic dusts; soluble and insoluble dusts. The inorganic dusts are silica, mica, coal, asbestos dust, etc.; the organic dusts are cotton, jute and the like. The soluble dusts dissolve slowly, enter the systemic circulation and are eventually eliminated by body metabolism. The insoluble dusts remain, more or less, permanently in the lungs. They are mainly the cause of pneumoconiosis. The most common dust diseases are silicosis and anthracosis
(ii)                Gases – Exposure to gases is a common hazard in industries. Gases are sometimes classified as simple gases (e.g. oxygen, hydrogen), asphyxiating gases (e.g. carbon monoxide, cyanide gas, sulphur dioxide, chlorine) and anesthetic gases (e.g. chloroform, ether, and trichloroethylene). Carbon monoxide hazard is frequently reported in coal-gas manufacturing plants and steel industry.
(iii)               Metals and their Compounds – A large number of metals and their compounds are used throughout industry. The chief mode of entry of some of them is by inhalation as dust or fumes. The industrial physician should be aware of the toxic effects of lead, antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, cobalt, manganese, mercury, phosphorus, chromium, zinc and others. The ill-effects depend upon the duration of exposure and the dose or concentration of exposure. Unlike the pneumoconiosis, most chemical intoxications respond favorably to cessation, exposure and medical treatment.
3. Ingestion
Occupational diseases may also result from ingestion of chemical substances such as lead, mercury, arsenic, zinc, chromium, cadmium, phosphorus, etc. Usually these substances are swallowed in minute amounts through contaminated hands, food or cigarettes. Much of the ingested material is excreted through faces and only a small proportion may reach the general blood circulation.
  • Biological hazards
Workers may be exposed to infective and parasitic agents at the place of work. The occupational diseases in this category are brucellosis, leptospirosis, anthrax, hydatidosis, psittacosis, tetanus, encephalitis, fungal infections, schistosomiasis and a host of others. Persons working among animal products (e.g. hair, wool, hides) and agricultural workers are specially exposed to biological hazards.
  • Mechanical hazards
The mechanical hazards in industry centre round machinery, protruding and moving parts and the like. About 10% of accidents in industry are said to be due to mechanical causes. 
  • Psychosocial hazards
The psychosocial hazards arise from the workers’ failure to adapt to an alien psychosocial environment. Frustrations, lack of job satisfaction, insecurity, poor human relationships, and emotional tension are some of the psychosocial factors which may undermine both physical and mental health of the workers. The capacity to adapt to different working environments is influenced by many factors such as education, cultural background, family life, social habits and what the worker expects from employment.
The health effects can be classified in two main categories –
a)      Psychological and behavioral changes – including hostility, aggressiveness, anxiety, depression, tardiness, alcoholism, drug abuse, sickness absenteeism
b)      Psychosomatic ill health – including fatigue, headache; pain in the shoulders, neck and back; propensity to peptic ulcer, hypertension, heart disease and rapid aging.
The physical factors (heat, noise, poor lighting) play a major role in adding to or precipitating mental disorders among workers. The increasing stress on automation, electronic operations and nuclear energy may introduce newer psychosocial health problems in industry. Psychosocial hazards are there fore assuming more importance than physical or chemical hazards.  

Occupational Diseases


Occupational Diseases
There is no internationally accepted definition for the term “occupational disease”. However, occupational diseases are usually defined as diseases arising out of or in the course of employment. For convenience, they may be grouped as under:
I. Diseases due to physical agents:
1. Heat                                      Heat hyperpyrexia, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, heat
 cramps, burns and local effects   such as prickly heat.
2. Cold                                      Trench foot, frost bite, chilblains
3. Light                                     Occupational cataract, miner’s nystagmus
4. Pressure                               Caisson disease, air embolism, blast (explosion)
5. Noise                                     Occupational deafness
6. Radiation                               Cancer, leukaemia, aplastic anaemia, pancytopenia
7. Mechanical factors                 Injuries, accidents
8. Electricity                               Burns
II. Diseases due to chemical agents:
1.      Gases: CO2, CO, HCN, CS2, NH3, N2, H2S, HCl, SO2 – these cause gas poisoning
2.      Dusts (Pneumoconiosis): 

 Inorganic dusts:
      - Coal dust           Anthracosis
      - Silica                 Silicosis
      - Asbestos           Asbestosis, cancer lung
      - Iron                   Siderosis
Organic (vegetable) dusts:
      - Cane fibre              Bagassosis
      - Cotton dust           Byssinosis
      - Tobacco               Tobacossis
- Hay or grain dust Farmer’s Lung
 3.      Metals and their compounds:
Toxic hazards from lead, mercury, cadmium, manganese, beryllium, arsenic, chromium, etc.
4.      Chemicals: Acids, alkalies, pesticides
5.      Solvents: Carbon bisulphide, benzene, trichloroethylene, chloroform, etc.
III. Diseases due to biological agents:
Brucellosis, leptospirosis, anthrax, actinomycosis, hydatidosis, psittacosis, tetanus, encephalitis, fungal infections, etc.
IV. Occupational cancer:
Cancer of skin, lungs, bladder
V. Occupational dermatosis:
Dermatitis, eczema
VI. Diseases of psychological origin:
Industrial neurosis, hypertension, peptic ulcer, etc.

19 April 2011

Electrical Safety

Industrial Consumers
S.No.  DO'S   DON'TS 
1.Place men working sign boards
on all switches before commencing work

Don't close any switches unless you are familiar with the circuit which controls and know the reason for its being kept open.
2.Ensure that all the controlling switches are opened and locked or the fuse withdrawn before working on any circuit or apparatus.Don't touch or tamper with any electrical gear or conductor. Unless you have made sure it is Dead and Earthed. High voltage apparatus may give leakage shock or flash over even without touching
3.Treat circuit as alive until they are proved to be dead.Don't test a circuit with bare fingers or hand or other make shift devices to determine whether or not it is alive.
4.Turn away your face whenever an arc or a flash is expected.Don't close or open a switch or fuse slowly or hesitatingly. Do it quickly, positively and firmly.
5.Please see that all splices and connections are securely made.Don't use wires with poor and deteriorated insulation.
6.Discharge to earth thoroughly all cables before working on the cores.Don't be haste and careless. This cause many accidents.
7.Do test rubber gloves periodically.Don't throw water on live electric equipment in case of fire. It is dangerous.
8.Do place rubber mats in front of electrical switch boards.Don't use fire extinguishers on electrical equipment unless it is clearly marked as suitable for that purpose.
9.Make sure that all employees are familiar with the location and use of fire fighting apparatus.Don't work on a pole or elevated position when line is alive, without safety belt and rubber gloves and unless a competent person stands on the ground nearby to direct operations and give warning.
10.Make sure, when using fire hose, that the jet of water breaks into a fine contact with live electrical apparatus.
Don't use a ladder without a lashing rope otherwise the ladder should be held firmly by another person.
11.Check fire extinguishers periodically to ensure that they are all in good conditions.Don't go near running belts and machines.

Tips About Sitting

1.Most of us sit too much. The average person sits more than 8 hours per day.
Many office workers sit as much as 15 hours per day. Think about all the
sitting in your typical day; sit at breakfast, sit on your way to work, sit at
work, sit on your way home from work, sit for dinner, and then sit to watch TV
or surf the internet.

2.Sitting puts your metabolism to sleep. 60 to 90 minutes of inactivity (like
sitting) is enough to shut down the enzymes responsible for producing HDL- the
good cholesterol, and for regulating blood sugar. Chronic inactivity is
now thought to contribute to our diabetes epidemic.

3.Sitting is harder on your back than standing. Sitting tenses the hamstrings
and causes a flattening of normal curve in the low back. This distortion of the
spine increases the internal strain of the back. Sitting upright or sitting in a
forward bent position is particularly hard on the back. (see the Trunk and Back
Pain link above for more on this subject)

4.Sitting with an open hip angle of greater than 90° reduces back tension.
Sitting in a reclined posture, thighs-declined, or even slouched back against
the back cushion can reduce tension in the spine. This reduces the hamstring
tension and shifts some of the upper body weight onto the back cushion.

.Sitting provides more stability and control for detailed work as opposed to
many types of stand up work. Sitting is easier on the Musculo-skeletal system
(except as noted above in number 3).

6.An hour of daily exercise won't counteract the negative health effects of
sitting. Running, biking and other types of exercise are great for improving
fitness, but they don't counteract the negative health effects of prolonged
sitting. Exercisers who sit most of the day are known as active couch potatoes.

7.You need to stand and move each hour or more to maintain health. Sitting puts
your metabolism to sleep. Movement like standing, walking, and other leg-muscle
activity stimulates your metabolism and restarts your body.

8.Adjust your chair for comfort, support, and movement. You chair should fit you
and your physique, and it should allow for a variety of postures and movement.
Adjust the back rest cushion up/ down to fit the curve of your low back, adjust
the seat height for a comfortable leg support, and set the backrest to allow
supported relining and movement back and forth. While seated you should fidget,
squirm, contract/relax your muscles, and flex/extend your legs. Remember
movement is good, sitting still for long periods is bad.

9.Your best posture is your next posture. There is no single best ergonomic
posture. Most experts recommend a variety of positions and postures including
these four reference postures; upright supported, reclined seated, thighs
declined, standing.

10.Don't sit if you can stand, don't stand if you can walk. Thomas Jefferson
and Ben Franklin both knew that standing for work was a good thing. Both of
these great Americans had stand up workstations.

Dont Sit on Wallet

Your wallet can be real pain for your back and the buttocks, and it can even lead to shooting pains down the legs. Sitting on a wallet for prolonged hours every day can compress sciatic nerve which passes beneath piriformis muscle and leads to piriformis syndrome, low back pain & self-inflicted sciatica.  
The wallet acts as a wedge that forces the pelvis, spine and body out of alignment. Just as you would not sit on a brief case or a rock for an extended period of time, you should not sit on your wallet. Anyone who drives more than a half hour sitting on a wallet, is a candidate for sciatica or back pain.
The healthiest option is to move the wallet to your front pocket. If it’s must to keep your wallet in your back pocket, you should remove it before you sit down. 
You will immediately have a feeling of enhanced well-being, knowing that your pelvis is perched on a level surface and all the musculoskeletal structures above it are better off for your effort. 


SHARED WITH US BY 
Dipil Kumar V
Safety Professional

Learn From Accidents -1

Heater Flameout and Explosion

http://www.mediafire.com/?ze68z0gd2h9hl0pSSV

Fire Extinguisher checklist

Hope this check list will be useful
http://www.mediafire.com/?zx0r622w88szy74

SSV