Element 8 - Chemical & Biological Health Flashcards
Outline the different physical forms by which Chemicals are encountered?
- Solids: a solid block of material (lead ingot).
- Dusts: very small particles normally created by grinding, polishing, milling, blasting, etc. Capable of becoming airborne (flour or rock dust).
- Fumes: very small metallic particles that condensed from the gaseous state during work with molten metal (welding) to create an airborne cloud.
- Gases: a basic state matter, which expands to fill the space (carbon dioxide).
- Mists: very small liquid droplets suspended in the air, normally created by spraying (paint spraying).
- Vapours: the gaseous form of substance that exists as a solid or liquid at normal temperature and pressure (solvent vapour).
- Liquids: a basic state matter, free flowing fluid (water).
Identify some Biological agents which can be hazardous to health?
- Fungi.
- Bacteria.
- Viruses.
- Prions.
List the main classifications of Chemicals hazardous to health?
- Toxic.
- Harmful.
- Corrosive.
- Irritant.
- Carcinogenic.
They can be BROADLY classified as: - Physico-chemical effects.
- Health effects.
- Environmental effects.
Explain the meaning of “Sensitising Agents”?
- The chemical is capable of producing an allergic reaction that will gradually worsen on repeat exposures.
Outline the 2 groups of sensitising chemicals?
- Respiratory sensitisers: Can cause asthma on inhalation into the lungs.
- Skin sensitisers: Can cause allergic dermatitis on contact with the skin.
Give a definition of Asthma?
A condition where the airways of a persons lungs become irritated in response to a trigger, constricting in size and producing excess mucus, making breathing difficult.
Give the definition of “Dermatitis”?
- A non-infectious skin condition where the skin becomes dry, flaky, cracked and painful. Usually reversible treatment.
What are the 2 main types of Dermatitis?
- Primary contact dermatitis.
- Allergic or secondary contact dermatitis.
Identify the four main routes of hazardous substances entering the body?
- Inhalation.
- Ingestion.
- Absorption through the skin.
- Injection through the skin.
Outline the relevant sources of information when assessing exposure to hazardous substances?
- Product labels.
- HSE Guidance Note EH40.
- Material Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
When making assessments and monitoring risks of exposure to hazardous substances, what equipment can be used?
- Stain tube detectors.
- Passive samplers.
- Smoke tubes.
- Dust-Monitoring equipment.
- Dust lamps.
Identify the 2 main defence mechanisms the body has to combat attack by biological agents and chemicals?
- Cellular defence (internal defence).
- Superficial defence (external defence).
Define “Time-Weighted Average”?
- Average exposure to a contaminant over a specified period of time, usually a nominal 8 hours.
What are the “Occupational exposure limits - Workplace Exposure Limits) in the UK?
- They are the maximum concentrations of airborne substances, averaged over a reference period, to which employees may be exposed by inhalation.
What do short term (15 min) exposure limits combat?
- Sudden acute effects of exposure.
What do long term (8 hour) exposure limits combat?
- Long term chronic effects.
What do COSHH Regulation require in order to prevent or control exposure?
- That the “8 principles of good practice” are applied.
What does a typical Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) system consist of?
- Intake hood.
- Ductwork.
- Filter system.
- Fan.
- Exhaust duct.
What are the 2 main categories of RPE?
- Respirators.
- Breathing apparatus.
Identify the various types of respirators?
- Filtering face-piece respirator.
- Half-mask or ori-nasal respirator.
- Full-face respirator.
- Powered respirator.
Identify the different types of breathing apparatus?
- Fresh-air hose BA.
- Compressed air BA.
- Self-contained BA.
Outline the factors affecting the suitability of RPE?
- Concentration of the contaminant and it’s hazardous nature.
- Physical form of the substance, e.g. Dust or vapour.
- Level of protection offered by the RPE.
- Presence or absence of normal oxygen concentrations.
- Duration of time that it must be worn.
- Compatibility with other items of PPE that must be worn.
- Shape of the users face and influence on the fit.
- Facial hair that might interfere with an effective seal.
- Physical requirements of the job such as the need to move freely.
- Physical fitness of the wearer.
List the serious ill-health conditions that asbestos causes?
- Asbestosis.
- Lung cancer.
- Mesothelioma.
- Pleural plaques.
List the duties of those who are responsible for managing asbestos on premises?
- Identifying Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACM).
- Recording their locations and condition.
- Assessing the risks of exposure.
- Making and implementing an asbestos management plan.
- Providing information to those who might potentially be exposed.
Who can carry out higher risk work on asbestos containing materials?
- HSE licensed contractors…they must use a safe system of work.
List other hazardous substances found in the workplace, that can cause severe ill-health to those exposed?
- Blood borne viruses (Hep B).
- Carbon monoxide.
- Cement.
- Legionella bacteria.
- Leptospira bacteria.
- Silica.
- Wood dust.
Define Zoonotic Disease or Zoonoses?
- A disease which can be passed from animals to humans (e.g. Rabies).
Define “Silica”?
- A component of rock commonly encountered in the mining, quarrying, pottery and construction industries.
Outline the hierarchy of “Waste Management”?
- Waste prevention.
- Preparing for re-use.
- Recycling.
- Other recovery.
- Responsible disposal.
What would be standard Asbestos Policy/Best Practice?
- Substitute Asbestos with Non-Asbestos materials.
- Use Engineering Administrative controls & use PPE where substitution is not possible.
What is Asbestos?
- Mineral based material.
- Resistant to Heat & Corrosive Chemicals.
- Fibres range from coarse to silky.
Where is Asbestos typically found?
- Suspended ceilings.
- Fireproof drapes/curtains.
- Friction products (brakes, etc).
- Piping, sewers, etc.
- Insulation and lagging (high temperature machinery, boilers, etc.)
What does Friability mean?
The likelihood that fibres will break loose and become airborne.
What can lead to fibre release?
- Chemical spills, leaks & fumes.
- Fans & blowers.
- Vibration.
- Impact from other objects.
- Drilling.
How does Asbestos enter the body?
- Inhalation.
- Ingestion.
What is Mesothelioma?
A rare malignant tumour of the lung membrane which lines the chest and abdominal cavity.
What is Asbestosis?
A progressively restrictive fibrosis of the lung and is recognised as a disabling and fatal occupational disease.
What is Bronchial Lung Cancer?
A malignant tumour of the bronchial tubes.
What should you do when working with Asbestos?
- Dampen/wet the environment to prevent airborne emissions.
- Do not Drink, Eat, Smoke, Apply creams etc.
- Use PPE (full body coverall, hood, rubber gloves with inner pair, slip resistant plastic shoes/boots, face shields, vented googles, respiratory equipment).
- Cordon/restrict access to areas where work is taking place.
- Display warning signs on cordons.
- Procedures in place for changing (Shower facilities, separate changing rooms, etc).
- Have adequate disposal procedures in place.
- Provide adequate training.
Give some key disposal procedures?
- Containers must be properly labelled with standard Asbestos warnings.
- Asbestos waste containers must be colour coded for easy recognition.
- Containers must be adequately wetted.
- Double bagged in heavy duty plastic.
- Exercise care when handling, so as to not rupture bags.
What does COSHH require from employers?
- To control exposures to hazardous substances.
- To protect both employees and others who may be exposed from work activities..
What is a hazardous substance?
Anything that can harm your health when you work with them if they are not properly controlled.
What must employers do in relation to hazardous substances?
- What are the hazardous substances in the workplace.
- What are the risks to people’s health.
- Decide upon the precautions needed before work starts.
- Prevent people’s exposure to hazardous substances. If this is not reasonably practicable, then they must CONTROL the exposure.
- Control measures are used and maintained, safety procedures are followed.
- Monitor exposure of employees.
- Carry out health surveillance if required.
- Prepare plans and procedures to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies.
- Make sure employees are properly informed, trained and supervised.
