Chapter
6
Hazard
Communications in the Shop
This
chapter deals with all forms of hazard communications in the shop
including:
Chemical
Exposures
OSHA's
hazard communication standard (HCS);
Community
right-to-know;
Signs,
markings and color coding;
Dangers
of carbon monoxide and diesel exhaust;
Hazardous
Material Transportation Training;
Confined
Spaces;
Noise;
and
Asbestos
in buildings.
Approximately
60,000 people die prematurely each year from occupational health-related
exposures, according to some leading occupational health specialists.
From this, it can be estimated nearly 1,500 shop personnel die
prematurely each year from occupational illnesses. These are not from
sudden injuries but generally from the long-term effects from exposure
to not-so-obvious hazards.
Chemical
exposures in a typical vehicle/equipment maintenance shop are largely
controllable. They must be considered when developing your approach to
safety and health issues and the prevention of illnesses, diseases and
disorders.
6.1
Chemical Exposures
Hazardous
substances enter the body through:
Inhalation
through the lungs 90%
Absorption
through the skin 8%
Ingestion
(swallowing)
2%
Overexposure
to certain chemicals causes serious health effects such as lung and
liver cancers, brain tumors and deterioration of the nervous system.
Inhalation
A
good example of a potential health hazard from exposure to chemicals is
when an employee uses gasoline as a solvent. Gasoline gives off a heavy
concentration of vapors that are heavier than air and seek the lowest
level. These vapors are not only explosive but are easily inhaled and enter the bloodstream through the lungs. Gasoline, which is a blend
of naptha solvent, and its hazardous aromatic constituents may also be
absorbed through the skin.
Gasoline
contains benzene, a chemical for which OSHA has designated a Permissible
Exposure Limit (PEL) of 1 parts per million (ppm). Benzene exposure has
been linked to diseases like leukemia and other cancers in laboratory
animals.
Wherever
there is potential exposure to hazardous mists, fumes, dusts or gases,
use personal protective equipment (PPE) or ventilation or both.
Skin
Absorption
Exposure
to chemicals may also cause skin diseases—the number one work-related
illness. The skin is the largest organ of the body and is the first body
barrier to come into contact with industrial hazards of every type.
Surveys indicate one out of every four workers is exposed to some form
of skin irritant.
Of
over 585,000 registered chemicals, there are over 2,000 chemicals
classed as primary irritants—and many of these are present in the
vehicle/equipment maintenance facility. Thousands of new chemical
formulations enter the market every year. Other chemical compounds, such
as strong soaps and detergents, are only mildly irritating, but
prolonged use can cause skin problems.
An
employee may also become sensitized to certain chemicals after prolonged
exposure. If this occurs, even the slightest exposure will result in a
reaction. Some people are more chemically sensitive than others.
The
key to preventing occupational skin diseases is the elimination or
minimization of skin contact with potential irritants and sensitizers.
Any one of the elements commonly found in a vehicle/equipment
maintenance facility, such as grease, brake fluid, gasoline, pesticides,
oil, soap, cleansers and insects, could cause skin problems. When hands
are placed into a solvent, the body’s natural layer of oil that
protects the skin is removed.
In
addition to checking the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for potential
hazards prior to using a chemical, follow these suggested ways to
further protect workers from exposure:
n
Provide PPE including gloves. Synthetic
rubber or plastic gloves are recommended for protection against
solvents, acids or alkaline. Use neoprene gloves to provide protection
against oils, acids, alkalines and other chemicals.
n
Barrier creams applied to the hands are
also effective in providing skin protection. Barrier creams must be
reapplied after each hand washing and should:
-
Provide actual protection
-
Be easy to apply and remove
-
Be nonirritating and nonsensitizing
-
Not separate or deteriorate while in storage
n
Personal cleanliness is one of the most
effective ways to avoid skin diseases, so encourage employees to wash
their hands as often as possible, especially before eating.
Some
of the substances and hazards shop employees can be exposed to are:
Carbon
monoxide
Welding
fumes
Noise
Brake
dust/asbestos
Gasoline
vapors
Oil/petroleum
products/used oil
By
controlling exposure to these compounds, you can reduce the potential
health threat to you and your employees, customers and visitors. An
understanding of OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) provides
an excellent starting point for addressing these concerns. It also sets
a foundation for other safety and environmental issues in the shop.
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