Occupational Health Clinic Ontario Workers

Occupational Health Clinic Ontario Workers

Safety and Air Quality in
Manufacturing Laboratories
Presented By:
James Miuccio, Occupational Hygienist
Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario
Workers Inc.
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
OHCOW
Occupational
Health
Clinic
Ontario
Workers
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
1
Locations
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
Services
Group Assessments
Medical Evaluations
Research
Inquiry
Research
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
2
Services
Service Provide by
Occupational Hygienists
Ergonomic Specialists
Nurses
Physicians
Client Service Co-ordinators
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
What is Occupational Hygiene?
Occupational Hygiene Association of Ontario
definition:
“The anticipation, recognition, evaluation and
control of workplace hazards or stresses which
may lead to illness or discomfort”
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
3
IAQ Assessment
Indoor Air (Environmental) Quality
Assessment was requested by a Pedorthist
Laboratory owner.
OHCOW
Non-profit
Works with JH&SC
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
IAQ Assessment
Walkthrough Inspection (Info gathering)
Identify hazards
Watch how work is performed
What material and equipment is being used
Obtain any MSDS (material safety data sheets)
Take pictures
Note any odors or dust present
Note any excessive noise
Talk to workers
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
4
Pictures
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
MSDS Review
Adhesives
Solvents, ethyl acetate cyclo-hexane,
hydrocarbons
Coating and Paints
Fillers, putties, thinners
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
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MSDS Review
Dye - Aerosol spray
solvents – acetone, butane, propane, toluene,
xylene + pigments
Dyes
Solvents + pigments
Polyethylene + pigments
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
Solvents and IAQ
How do solvents affect air quality?
Solvents are ‘Volatile’
Evaporate quickly
Classified as ‘Volatile Organic Compounds’
Carbon based
Acetone
Ethyl Acetate
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
6
Solvents and IAQ
Health Effects of Solvents
Acute
Headaches, nausea, dizziness
Eye and upper respiratory tract irritation
Central nervous system
Chronic
Asthma
Blindness
Leukemia – Benzene (classic)
Liver damage – Carbon tetrachloride
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
Measurement of VOCs
Total Volatile Organic Compounds
Easily measure (parts per billion)
Rae ppb meter
Individual compounds (VOCs)
Laboratory analysis of filters.
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
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Exposure Limits
Acetone
500 ppm (500,000 ppb)
ACGIH (American Conference of Industrial
Hygienists)
Ethyl acetate
400ppm (400,000 ppb)
ACGIH
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
Ethyl Vinyl Acetate (EVA)
Ethylene and vinyl acetate
Trace amounts of vinyl acetate monomer (un-
reacted)
Elevated processing temps may generate fumes
and vapors which may cause irritation of the nose
and throat.
Melting point 72-102°C
IARC status 2B
Possibly Carcinogenic to humans
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
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Adhesives
Helmitin - Helmifix, Masters Glue, Petronio,
Jetset etc.
Review MSDS sheets for ingredients and
appropriate personal protective equipment.
Many contain solvents, ie. toluene
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
Routes of Exposure
Inhalation
Primary route of exposure
Controlled by ventilation and respirators
Skin absorption
Many solvents are readily absorbed by the skin
Have systemic (neurotoxic) effects
Ingestion
Accidental or improper hand hygiene practices.
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
9
Routes of Exposure
Example – Benzene
1 - Inhalation (lungs)
2 – Skin (readily absorbed through the skin)
Occupational exposure limit based on leukemia
Controlling exposure
Ventilation
Respirators
Skin protection – often overlooked and glove selection
should be made with manufacturer. Suitable materials
include: polyvinyl alcohol or Viton®.
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
Noise
NIHL
Noise induced hearing loss
Interfered with communication in the lab
Source
Sanding belts
Motor and grinding of surface
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
10
Recommendations
Priority order of control methods
Enclose source (100%)
Isolate worker (100%)
Partial enclosures/Barrier wall
Worker rotation
PPE (hearing protection)
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
Noise Measurements
Sound Level Meter
Larson Davis LxT1
Measure Decibels A-Scale
Single point in time
Personal dosimeter
Record and average over time
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
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Exposure Limits
Duration/Day
Sound Level dBA
16
82
8
85
4
88
2
91
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
Ventilation
Local Exhaust Ventilation
Lab hood used to capture contaminants (VOCs)
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
12
Evaluation of hoods
Smoke tube test
Qualitative
Irritant smoke (titanium tetrachloride)
Visualize airflow into hood
Velometer
Measure velocity
Feet per minute
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
Evaluation Ducts
Measure pressure changes in system
Pitot tube show changes in pressure
From pressure – calculate velocity and air flow
Ft/min, cf/min
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
13
Recommendations
Local exhaust (moveable)
Not enough room to work under hood
Need to capture contaminants
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
Recommendations
Ventilation for oven
Enclose and move air
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
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Recommendations
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
Conclusion
IAQ problems are multifactorial and unique
Emissions should be controlled at the source
Contaminants not always easily measured
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
15
Conclusion
Care and guidance of selection of Personal
Protective Equipment is needed
Occupational Exposure limits are meant to
protect ‘nearly all workers’ and do not
protect the sensitized worker
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
Questions…[email protected]
Occupational Health Clinics
for Ontario Workers Inc.
Centres de sante des travailleurs
(ses) de l’0ntario Inc.
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