Lecture 10: Basic Principles of Hazard Prevention and Control

Question 1

Fundamental Assumptions

Answer 1

1. All hazards can be controlled
2. alternative approaches
3. more than one control may be useful
4. some control methods are more cost-effective and energy-efficient

Question 2

Control Implementation Methods

Answer 2

characterize hazard, identify exposure, characterize source, characterize worker involvement with source, characterize air movement, identify all alternative control technologies, choose most effective control, implement,
** FOLLOW UP **

Question 3

Hierarchy of control options

Answer 3

elimination, process change, substitution, engineering controls (isolation, ventilation), administrative controls, personal protection equipment

Question 4

engineering controls vs administrative controls

Answer 4

engineering: change the environment
admin: spread risk around: safer practices, deployment, education

Question 5

pros and cons of engineering controls

Answer 5

pros: built into industrial process, if effective no further work required
cons: capital cost, not 100% effective

Question 6

descibe Process Changes

Answer 6

a process change often results in a production process that reduces exposure (and saves annual operating costs)

frequently involves new equipment (aka improved efficiency)

Question 7

Substitution - 2 cautions and 2 truths

Answer 7

high risk of previously unforseen hazard along with substitution

always experiment on small scale first

likely the least expensive and most positive

reluctance to change status quo can be balanced by substantial savings

Question 8

Isolation and Enclosure, def and 3 distinctions

Answer 8

physically separating employees

1) either enclose the process, or the workers
2) minimizes/prevents contamination of local env
3) first measure considered after substitution

** may substantially increase exposures of workers within enclosure

Question 9

Ventilation - 2 types

Answer 9

1) local exhaust ventilation
2) generation ventilation to provide circulation of fresh air without drafts (also controlling temp humidity radiant heat etc)

Question 10

Administrative Controls - general strategies, considerations, strengths and weaknesses

Answer 10

strategies: schedule and tracking of jobs, part of burden of protection on worker, use in conjunction with engineering controls
considerations: job rotation, reduction of exposure time, work practices, preventative maintenance programs, good housekeeping, training, education, monitoring, personal hygiene, special controls

strength: management is engaged, accountability
weakness: human error, passing responsibility to down the chain

Question 11

Role of PPEs

Answer 11

• OSHA regards them as only interim
• continued only if engineering controls not feasible or effective
• examples: clothing, headgear, boots
• essential for evaluation and training to occur before PPE

Question 12

Notes on Education and Training

Answer 12

required to supplement all controls, supervisor and worker education, special training is required by OSHA

Question 13

4 Roles of EH/OH management

Answer 13

• ensure implementation of appropriate actions
• ensure continuing awareness
• ensure availability of training modules
• ensure availability of resources