Hazard Substance Management in the Workplace - Essay Example

Name: Course: Tutor: Date: Hazard Substance Management in the Work place. Hazardous substance management involves identification, classification and control of substances that are harmful to the human health. A hazardous substance is that with the potential hazard when used, stored or disposed. Institutions or organizations are required to have hazardous substance management programs that help reduce risks on the employee’s health (Tweedy 2005). This paper will analyze the hazardous management program for Casee Laboratory as well as design a management control system for one hazardous substance, showing how it should be handled, in purchasing, storage, transportation, recording and placarding. Casee Laboratory Hazard Substance Management Program. Casee Laboratory program is a program relating to university students and staff who were to conduct research with the hazardous and dangerous substances. The purpose of Casee Laboratory program is to record all hazardous, non-hazardous substances and dangerous substances, outlining how to manage them in order to reduce health effects in the workplace and ensure safety instead (Human Resources Unit 2009). This program consists of definitions, its purpose, procedure, training, the roles and responsibilities of each person who is to work in the laboratory, the training required, risk assessment, hazardous substance purchase, labeling, emergency dangerous goods manifest, transportation of the hazardous substances, performance measures, Material Safety Data Sheets, storage, disposal of the hazardous substances, substance register and information on research with bio-hazardous agents/chemicals. Definitions are given about substances considered to be hazardous and dangerous. The students, lectures and the university staff in the research laboratory were to work with a carcinogenic substance which is defined as that with the ability to cause cancer, teratogenic substances and mutagenic substances. Other definitions include; those of what dangerous goods are, of what a hazard is and what a hazardous substance is. Below is a summary of Casee Laboratory hazardous substance management program (Human Resources Unit 2009). The program gives information about class labels of the substances, what labels are, risk management and a Material Safety Data Sheet. It also indicates in its introductory part, the responsibilities of the students, the staff, the supervisors and the line managers. The management control system of Casee Laboratory hazardous substance management includes; training of those who were to handle the hazardous substances, rules and guidelines on how to purchase the substances, risk assessment, the use of material data safety sheets for chemicals in use and stored, a register for the substances, an emergency dangerous goods manifest for use by emergency providers, rules that hazardous substances must be labeled, guidelines on storage, disposal and transportation of the substances and abiding by the rules of the university on research with bio-hazardous agents or chemicals (Human Resources Unit 2009). Analysis of Casee Laboratory Hazardous Substance Management A hazardous substance management program should be able to identify and classify the hazardous substances and have a control system for such substances (Safety Science in Practice Mod.3). Casee Laboratory’s hazardous substance management program is according to what the program should be. It has identified the hazardous substances, has classified them and even developed a control system for the substances. The substance identified as hazardous in the laboratory are classified as teratogenic, carcinogenic and mutagenic (Summers & Smith 2006). A hazard substance management program should also have four parts, which include getting and passing knowledge about the hazardous substances, assessment of the hazards that can arise due to the use, storage and disposal of such substances, how to control the substance to avoid affecting the users and monitoring of the control program implemented to determine if it is effective (Safety Science of Practice Mod.3). Casee Laboratory implemented program, has knowledge about hazardous substances presented to the users including their roles in the research and offers training, which requires university staff and students to complete a learning program about the standard operating procedures for the process of handling the hazardous substances. The program includes risk assessment of the substances that could cause certain kind of health damage to the students and university staff members that was only to be carried out by trained staff on substance management principles (Human Resources Unit 2009). Control of the hazardous substances is handled by the control system, which as has been noted earlier, included storage guidelines, purchase guidelines, the use of material safety data sheets with records about the substances to avoid confusion, the use of substance registers, use of emergency dangerous goods manifest which is important in cases of emergency for emergency providers, labeling of chemicals or hazardous agents to reduce risks of misuse and confusion, transportation guidelines, disposal guidelines, and conformation to the rules of the university about research with bio-hazardous agents (Human Resources Unit 2009). In the society, people can be affected by the use of hazardous agents even if not involved in the actual process of using them. This is the reason why institutions and governments formulate policies on the use of such substances. The organizations and the people working with hazardous substances have to abide by certain specific rules that provide safety to all (Ridley & John 2003). It is important therefore to note that Casee Laboratory hazard substance management program did not ignore this. It has in its management control system, a rule that the research involving hazardous substances must conform to the policies of the university (Human Resources Unit 2009). Management Control System for Asbestos Control systems are meant to prevent risks before they occur. They include guidelines on how to purchase the product, how to store it, what protective clothing one should wear in order to avoid being affected and so many more (Control of Asbestos 2002). Different hazardous substances cause different health effects and cause these effects through so many different ways. Some cause medical problems through inhalation, some just by contact with the skin, and some through ingestion. Asbestos, toluene, pool chemicals are some of the hazardous substances (Harris 2000; Strong & Irvin 1996). Control of these substances therefore requires knowledge of how these substances can affect the human health, which means conducting risk assessment; know where they are used, who should handle them and what materials should be used to handle them in order to reduce cases of health problems due to their effects (Strong & Irvin 1996). This section will describe a design for control of Asbestos. Knowledge about this substance has to be known so that implementation of how it can be transported, stored, purchased and controlled can be done (Summers & Smith 2006). Asbestos Asbestos is a general term used to refer to six naturally occurring minerals, which are, Crocidolite, Amosite, Tremolite, Chrysotile, Anthophyllite and Actinolite. It is mostly Amosite and Chrysotile that are commercially used. Chrysotile accounts for the highest percentage of Asbestos used worldwide with 98% of it used worldwide. This type of mineral has high tensile strength, high flexibility, spin ability and is resistant to alkalis. Chrysotile Asbestos is used for reinforcing pipes, sheets and shingles; it is used as a cohesive in asphalt surface roadways and in other building regions for example on floor tiles (Asbestos Institute 2009). Inhalation of Asbestos dust results into Asbestos-related diseases such as Asbestosis, lung cancer and Mesothelioma. Asbestosis is the scarring of the tissues of the lungs that result into the impairment of normal respiratory function. This could then lead to lung cancer. Dust concentrations of more that 200f/cc results to harmful effects of workers in an asbestos dealing company (Asbestos Institute 2009). Purchasing of Asbestos The fibers of this substance if inhaled causes lung diseases, precautions should be taken to avoid inhalation. Purchase of Asbestos should be according to the code of conduct, which indicates that they should be packed in bags that cannot expose people to danger. Before receiving the purchased Asbestos, a well-trained worker with knowledge about Asbestos and it effects and how to handle it should list the type and size of the container used and when it was delivered at the workplace. It is also appropriate to write down the name of the suppliers and address. The material should then be taken to its place of storage before use and other measures to control risk of inhalation taken (Control of Asbestos 2002). Asbestos should only be received when in pressure packed polythene or paper bags of 50 kilograms or less (Asbestos Institute 2009). Asbestos Storage Asbestos is a hazardous substance and should be kept in its storage facilities. No one except a trained worker with knowledge of assessing the risks of Asbestos is allowed to open the facility and give instructions on its removal. If Asbestos is to be removed, assessment risks have to be conducted considering the safe handling of the substance (University of Georgia Physical Plant Division 1991). The substance should be stored in pressure packed polythene or paper bags with a weight not exceeding 50kilograms. They should also be covered with stretch wrapped plastic or shrink for more protection (Asbestos Institute 2009). Asbestos Use When using this hazardous substance, the trained workers should put on protective gears. Asbestos causes lung diseases and cancer through inhalation of the dust. In a work place where it is used, workers should have respiratory protection, which protects them from inhaling the hazardous dust. The class to be worn depends on the size of the dust particles, period of exposure and how much protection is needed (Safety Science in Practice Mod.3). Since inhalation of Asbestos dust exceeding 200f/cc is dangerous and continuous exposure to the substance is also harmful (Asbestos Institute 2009), class P3 respiratory protection is efficient. Class 3 is the most effective respiratory protective wears with a penetration not exceeding 0.05%. Workers should put on high efficiency since Asbestos dusts are very small and cannot be seen with nude eyes. A worker has to ensure that the respiratory protection gears are well fitting or else he/she is at risk of inhaling the dust (Safety Science in Practice Mod.3). Work practices of where Asbestos is used: The Company handling Asbestos should have basic practices as wetting whenever necessary to avoid contamination through air, cleaning up of any wastes after manufacturing and conducting vacuum cleaning or wet removal of small pieces or chips in the company. Dry sweeping is also forbidden as it increases chances of large amounts of chips spreading in the air. Cleaning by use of compressed air is also forbidden (Asbestos Institute 2009). Transportation of Asbestos Asbestos has to be transported in small 50-kilogram pressure packed polythene bags placed in other bigger bags and covered with stretch wrapped plastic or shrink for more protection. During transportation, maximum protection measures have to be taken; these bags have to be placed on wooden pallets, which are transported using ships, truck or rail when in containers. Appropriate machines for removal of these bags from the containers after shipping should be in place. The containers should be removed using a hoist, a crane, a forklift or any other safe method that cannot cause spilling. In cases of spillage, the dust should be removed by use of HEPA vacuum cleaner (Asbestos Institute 2009) Recording Information about Asbestos handling should be recorded. Just like in the hazardous survey forms, Asbestos records should indicate the type of Asbestos, where used, the supplier, how it was purchased, where it was used and for what purpose it was used (Safety Science in Practice Mod.3). An example: A table should be created showing the records of chrysotile as a type of Asbestos, where it was used, the amount used, who the supplier was and how it was purchased. Material safety data sheets of Asbestos should also be available including the updated versions for record purposes (New South Wales Government 2006; Summers & Smith 2006) Placarding It is important to train the staff about Asbestos’s dangers and put placards wherever the hazardous substance is, to notify the employees and other workplace members. In cases of emergency, placards reading “Asbestos Dust!” or “Risk of Inhaling Hazardous Dust!” should be placed in such places and entry into such areas restricted. The placards should show the emergency teams where help is required (Summers & Smith 2006). They should be placed in places such as when there is spillage and where control is needed to avoid contamination (Safety Science in Practice Mod.3; Corn 1999). Disposal of Asbestos Finally with the knowledge about Asbestos and its effects to the people in the environment, the substance should be packed in 200µm polythene bags not exceeding 900mm by 1200mm if meant for disposal. It should not be disposed into the waters or the sewer systems. The disposal bags should have written information cautioning handlers, for example, “ASBESTOS. DO NOT INHALE DUST. DO NOT DAMAGE BAG!” (Safety Science in Practice Mod.3 pp.3.58; National Occupational Health and Safety Commission, 1992; Summers & Smith 2006). References Asbestos Institute, 2009, ‘The Asbestos Family Fibers, Work Practices’. Retrieved on 20th March 2009 from: http://www.asbestos-institute.ca/main.html Control of Asbestos, 2002, ‘Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002’, Statutory Instrument 2002 No. 2675, Retrieved on 20th March 2009 from: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2002/20022675.htm Corn, Jacqueline K., 1999, ‘Environmental Public Health Policy for Asbestos in Schools: Unintended Consequences’, CRC Press, San Diego: California. Harris, Michael K, 2000, ‘Essential Resources for Industrial Hygiene: A Compendium of Current Practice Standards and Guidelines’, AIHA Practice Standards and Guidelines Committee, AIHA, Australia. Human Resources Unit, 2009, ‘Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare’, Retrieved on 20thMarch 2009 from: http://www.unisa.edu.au/ohsw/procedures/hazardsub.asp National Occupational Health and Safety Commission, 1992, ‘Asbestos: Guide to the Control of Asbestos Hazards in Buildings and Structures: Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos: Guidance Note on the Membrane Filter Method for Estimating Airborne Asbestos Dust’, Australian Govt. Pub. Service, Australia. New South Wales Government, 2006, ‘Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances Code of Practice’, 2006, retrieved on 20th March, 2009 from: http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/Documents/Publications/LawandPolicy/CodesOfPractice/control_of_workplace_hazardous_substances_code_of_practice_0153.pdf Ridley, John R. and John Channing, 2003, ‘Safety at work’, Ed. 6, Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston. Safety Science in Practice, Module 3, ‘Hazardous Substance Management’. Strong, Clyde B. and Irvin, T. Rick, 1996, ‘Emergency Response and Hazardous Chemical Management: Principles and Practices’, CRC Press, San Diego: California. Summers, J & Smith, B, 2006, ‘Communication Skills Handbook: How to Succeed in Written and Oral Communication’, 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons, Milton, Queensland. Tweedy, James T., 2005, ‘Healthcare Hazard Control and Safety Management’, Ed.2, CRC Press, San Diego: California. University of Georgia Physical Plant Division, 1991, ‘Asbestos in the Workplace: Managing Small-scale Abatement, Physical Plant Division’, University of Georgia, Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers. . Read More