.

CHEMICAL HAZARDS

EXAMPLES OF THE PATTERNS OF EFFECTS

FROM EXPOSURE TO CHEMICAL HAZARDS

i. Acute immediate effect from high

dose exposure (e.g. pesticide

poisoning)

ii. Chronic - effects from low dose long

term exposure (e.g. lead poisoning,

cancer from benzene)

iii. Carcinogenic effect

iv. Allergic reaction/ effects, etc.

ROUTES OF ENTRY OF CHEMICAL HAZARDS

INTO THE HUMAN BODY

i. skin (absorption)

ii. gastrointestinal tract (ingestion)

iii. respiratory tract/ lungs (inhalation)

In the occupational setting, the most

frequent and most important route of

absorption is through the lungs or

inhalation.

ROUTES BY WHICH THE BODY EXCRETES

THE CHEMICAL HAZARDS

i. Gastrointestinal tract through the

feces

ii. Kidneys through the urine

ii. Lungs as one exhales

iv. Secretory structures through the

sweat glands, breast milk, etc.

FACTORs WHICH AFFECT ABSORPTION OF

CHEMICAL HAZARDS

i. Water solubility

ii. Particle size

ii. Defense mechanisms of the host/

human body

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE WORKERS

RESPONSE TO HAZARDS

i. Genetic or Heredity

ii. Age

ii. Gender

iv. Medical History

VARIABLES THAT INFLUENCE EFFECTS OF

HAZARDS TO THE WORKERS

i Physical properties of the hazards

ii. Multiplicity of exposure to the

hazardss

iii. Duration of exposure to the hazards

iv. Timing of exposure

V. Magnitude of exposure

An immediate response may be

produced due to intense exposure to the

hazard or the response may result from

longer exposure at a lower intensity.

1.2 APPROXIMATE DECIBEL LEVEL

(dB) Examples

0 The quietest sound you can hear

30 Whisper, quiet library

60 Normal Conversation, sewing

machine, typewriter

70-80 Television

90 Lawnmower, shop tools, truck

traffic,

(8 hours per day is the maximum

exposure)

100 Chainsaw, pneumatic drill,

snowmobile

115 Sandblasting, loud rock concert,

auto horn

140 Gun muzzle blast, jet engine

1.4 HARMFUL EFFECTS OFE NOISE

i. Hearing damage

ii. Interferes with work performance

i. Disturbs relaxation and sleep

iv. Hypertension

v. Hyperacidity

vi. Palpitations
vii. Stress-related disorders

1.5 PATTERNS OF HEARING DAMAGE

FROM NOISE EXPOSURE

i. Acute Effects: From loud/ excessivve

noise such as blasts (140-160 dB,

damages the eardrums)

ii. Chronic Effects: Due to iong term

exposure to hazardous noise levels

1.6 TYPES OF NOISE INDUCED

HEARING LOSS

i. Temporary Threshold Shif

(Auditory Fatigue)

.Temporary loss of hearing acuity

afer exposure to loud noise

Recovery within 16-48 hours

i. Permanent Threshoid Shif

Irreversible loss of hearing

Usually afer prolonged

unprotected exposure to noise

greater than the permissible limit

1.7 EARLY SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS

i. Difficulty in understanding spoken

words in a noisy environment

ii. Need to be near or look at the person

speaking to help understand words

iii. Familiar sounds are muffled

iv. Complaints that people do not speak

clearly

V. Ringing noises in the ears (tinnitus)

2.2 POTENTIAL OCCUPATIONAL

EXPOSURES

WHOLEBODY SEGMENTAL

VIBRATION VIBRATION

Truck drivers Chain sawyers Ge

Pneumatic tool

operators(chippers,

Bus drivers staple gun operators,

construction & road

operations)

Heavy equipment Mining (jack leg & C

cE

operators hand tool)

Farm vehicle and Electrical grinder

tractor operators operators

Foundry workers

(mold shakeout, Wood products

metal extrusion manufacturing

operators Dist

Forklif trucks,

overhead cranes)

Railroads (engineers,
conductors,

Track repair workers

Forklif operators

2.3 HEALTH EFFECTS OF

VIBRATION

Whole-body Segmental

vibration vibration(Hand-Arm)

Localized stressor to

the fingers and hand

General stressor which can cause

damage to the bones

and joints of the

upper extremities

Hand-Arm Vibration

Syndrome

(Raynaudd's

phenomenon or

Changes in the "white fingers") -

central nervous fingers blanch or turn

system white especially

when vibration

exposure is also

accompanied by

exposure to cold

weather

Damage in bone Tenosynovitis

structure

Disturbance in nerve Dupuytren's

conduction Contractures

Disturbances in vision

and gastrointestinal

function

Increase in oxygen

consumption

Increase in

pulmonary

ventilation

2.4 PREVENTION OF VIBRATION

!NJURIES

i. Information and training of workers

ii. Proper work schedule: rotation of

workers, adequate rest

ii. Proper job and production design

iv. Minimize smoking and use of drugs

which affect circulation

V. Use of personal protection such as

vibration dampening gloves or shock

absorbers

3.2 RECOMMENDED ILLUMINATION

LEVELS

Area of Operation Min Lighting Level

(lux)

Cutting Cloth 22000

Fine machining

Transcribing

handwriting 1000
Drafing

Welding

First Aid station 500

Lunch Room

Rest Room 300

3.3 USUAL COMPLAINTS OF

INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION

i. Visual Fatigue

ii. Double Vision

ii. Headaches

iv. Painful irritation

V. Lacrimation, Conjunctivitis

iii. More Mistakes

iv. Lowering of Quality

V. Visual Complaints
4.0 HEAT

4.1 HEAT IS A FORM OF THERMAL

ENERGY WHICH MAY COME FROM:

i. Body metabolismn

ii. Increase physical activities

iii. Radiation from hot surfaces/ objects

or from the sun and byproducts of

industrial processes.

4.2 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR

WORKING IN HOT CONDITIONS

i. Acclimmatization is necessary

ii. Encourage drinking small amount of

fluids at frequent intervals

ii. The greater the heat and physical

load, the more frequent the coolinng

periods.

iv. Source of drinking water should be

made available and if possible near

the workers.

V. Proper clothing should be Worn,

clothing adequate enough to shield

workers from the heat source.

4.3 COLD STRESS

4.3.1 OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES

i. Cooling room workers

ii. Dry ice workers

ii. Ice makers

S iv. Out of door workers during cold

f weather

V. Cold storage workers

4.3.2 COLD INDUCED INJURIES

i. FROSTBITE
fingers, toes, cheeks, nose, and

ears are most susceptible

characterized by reddening of the

skin, localized burning pain, and

numbness

ii. TRENCH FOOT (IMMERSION

FOOT

results from prolonged exposure

of the ower extremities to cold

and moisture (32°F to 50°F or C°

to 10°C)

neurovascular damage, and tissue

anoxia follows

characterized by numbness,

painful paresthesia, followed by

leg cramps, vesiculation,

ulceration and gangrene

iii. GENERAL HYPOTHERMIA

results from being in cold

weather or submerged in cold

water

characterized by dizzinesSS,

fatigue can lead to

unconsciousness and death

4.3.3 CONTROL MEASURES

i. Provide adequate clothing

including insulated gloves,

footwear and headgear

ii. Build barriers around the

worksite to block the wind

N iii. Supply workers with warm

beverages

5.0 RADIATION

5.1 1ONIZING RADIATION any

electromagnetic or particulate radiation

capable of producing ion pairs by interaction

with matter, particularly important

biologically since media can be altered.

5.1.1 IONIZEDATOM IN DNA

MOLECULE MAY BE ALTERED CAUSING:

i. Cell death

ii. Change in cell reproduction and

division

iii. Mutation

iii. Mutation

EXAMPLES OF GENERAL

IONIZING RADIATION POPULATION

EXPOSURE

Alpha particles Medical

Beta particles Radon

Neutrons Terrestrial

CosmiC

Xand Gamma rays Fallout

Industrial

Internal

5.1.2 ACUTE EFFECTS OF 1ONIZING

RADIATION (WITHIN DAYS, 4 WEEKS TO 3

MONTHS)

i. Skin erythema

ii. Bone Marrow depressed white cell

count, impaired immune system

ii. Intestines depletion of intestinal

villi, can result in fatal dysentery like

syndromne

iv. Testes decreased sperm count,

sterility

V. Lungs Pneumonitis, respiratory

failure

vi. Lens of the Eve opacities,

cataracts

5.1.3 DELAYED EFFECTS

probability of an effect is proportional to the

dose; severity is independent of the dose

i. Skin cancer

ii. Leukemia

ii. Effects on Prenatal Irradiation

Pre-implantation embryonic

death

Development and formation of

organs congenital abnormalities

SAFETY ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT FOR MEC

G 5.2 NON-IONIZING RADIATION

5.2.1 SOURCES AND EFFECTS OF

NON-1ONIzING RADIATION

i. Ultravioletrays erythema,

premature aging of the skin, skin

cancers, cataracts, retinal injury,

welder's flash

l
ii. infrared - corneal and conjunctival

burns, cataracts, retinal injury

ii. Lasers Potential hazar ds to the skin

and eyesS

iv. Microwave Current conduction,

heat

V. Radiofrequency Current conduction,

heat

vi. Extremely low frequency current

conduction

vii. Static fields static electric shock

Il. BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS

Biological hazards caused by living

organisms which include insects, molds,

fungi, viruses and bacterial contamination

from defects in sanitation and housekeeping

procedures, such as in the provision of

potable water, removal ofindustrial

wacscm

Waste and sewage, food handling and

personal cleanliness.

A. COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS FROM

BIOLOGIC HAZARDS

1.0 TUBERCULOSIS (TB)

chronic bacterial infection that is

characterized by formation of

granulomas (scarring of tissues) in

infected tissues.

In 1993, was the 5th leading cause of

death in the Philippines

60% of deaths occur among the 15-64

years of age (productive age group)

readily transmitted by an infected

person through respiratory secretions

during coughing, sneezing,

vocalizing
easily treated with antimicrobials,

preventable

manifests as muscle spasm, lock

jaw, sustained contraction of

muscles in the face & back,

convulsions/ seizures.

can be prevented through active

immunization with tetanusS

vaccine and careful wound

management

3.0 VIRAL HEPATITIS

systemic infection caused by a

virus affecting the liver

patients suffering from hepatitis

usually manifest similar signs and

symptoms

fever, nausea, vomiting, fatigue,

body weakness, jaundice (yellow

skin discoloration)
iii. Hepatitis C - transfusion-

associated, intravenous

drug injection

iv. Hepatitis D endemic

among those with HB

V. HepatitisE ingestion of

virus

4.0 HIVI AIDS

ii

Acquired immunodeficiencCY

Syndrome (AIDS)

a chronic and fatal illness

affects the body's immune

system making it unable to

combat infection.

caused by the Human

Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

to be transmitted, the virus must

enter the blood stream in large

enough quantities

of importance to the working

population because the statistics

of those infected are increasing

4.1 MODES OF TRANSMISSION

. During unprotected sex

ii. Through transfusion with infected

blood and blood products

- iii. From an HIV(+) mother to her

S baby

For the prevention and control of HIV/ AIDS,

the Philippine National Aids Prevention

and Control Act of 1998 was established

for the provision of the following:

f
i. Basic information on HIV/ AIDS

i. Non-mandatory testing

. Confidentiality of results

iv. Prohibition of discrimination and

termination from work

B. DISEASES CAUSED BY VIRUSES

UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT

INFECTIONS are due to a huge

number of viruses and account for a

very large proportion of sickness

absence among workers. Studies have

shown the possibility of such viruses

being transmitted through air

conditioning systems.

ii. HEPATITIS B INFECTION it is

widespread in many parts of the

world especially in developing

countries. Health personnel have

occasionally been infected by

accidentally pricking themselves with

infected needles or surgical or dental

instruments. In areas of high

endemicity, it is ofen advisable for

all susceptible health personnel to be

immunized against this infection.

f. ACQUIRED IMMUNEDEFICIENCY

SYNDROME (AIDS) this disease was

first reported in the USA in mid- 1981.

The disease is characterized by a

defect in the whole immune system.

It is caused by infection with a virus

called human immunodeficiency virus

(HIV). Sexual intercourse,

contaminated injection, needles and

less commonly through transfused

blood or its components spread AIDS.

iv. RABIES this disease occurs among

dogs, bats and many other wild

animals. Trappers and other animal

handlers may get infected. Nervous

system involvement is severe and

ofen fatal.

C. DISEASES CAUSED BY BACTERIA

i. LEPTOSPIROSIS can be transmitted

to man from rodents, pigs, cattle,

dogs and wild animals usually through

the urine of infected animals but

sometimes by direct contact. The

leptospira enter the body through

cuts or abrasions in the skin or

through the intact mucous

membranes of the conjunctivae, nose

or mouth. Occasionally, the infection

may be foodborne. Wading through

Contaminated water in sewers,

puddles, streams and paddy fields

are common ways of getting infected.

The handling of infected animals in

animal husbandry or laboratories has

also led to the disease.

ii. TETANUS is an acute disease caused

by Clostridium tetaní, a bacillus that

is very common in soil and the feces

of man and many animals. The

tetanus organism forms spores that

gain access into the human body

through any break in the skin or

mucous membranes. Industrial and

agricultural workers Constit.ute a

group especially vulnerable to

tetanus because of the penetrating

and contaminated with soil or road

dust.

ii. TUBERCULOSIS is a leading cause of

morbidity and mortality in many

hospitals and other developing

countries. The disease is caused by

Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The

most common form is pulmonary

infection. However, this organismn

can cause disease virtually anywhere

in the body. Extrapulmonaryy

infection is particularly common in

HIV infected individuals.

Tuberculosis adenitis, pleural

effusion, urinary tract infection,

peritonitis, bone and joint infection

and meningitis are the most

Commonly encountered

Extrapulmonary infection.
IV. ERGONOMICS

The International Labor Organization

defines ergonomics as the application of

human biological science in conjunction

with the engineering sciences to achieve

optimum mutual adjustment of human to

the work, the benefits being measured in

terms of efficiency and well-being.

To summarize, ergonomics Can be

defined as "fitting the job to the

worker

The different fields of expertise needed

for the application of ergonomics include

biomechanics, physiology,

anthropometry,

psychological/behavior al sciences and

engineering.

Biomechanics describes motion of

various body parts and determines forces

acting on these body parts.

Physiology is concerned with the

function and actions of the different

organ systems.

Anthropometryis concerned with the

size and form of the human body.

Psychology/Behavioral Sciences is

Concerned with motivations and

attitudes.

Finally, engineering aims to design the

tools, workstations and systems in the

workplace.

ERGONOMIC STRESSORS

Ergonomic stressors commonly seen in

the workplace are improperly designed

tools or work areas, improper lifing or

reaching, poor visual conditions or

repeated motions in an_awkward

position that may be responsible for

fatigue, stress and strain and may lead to

accidents in the OCCupational

environment

Outcomes of ergonomic problems on

perfornmance include low productivity,

high rate of errors, material wastage

and equipment damage.

Musculoskeletal, vascular, visual,

hearing, skin and psychological

problems are some of the perceived

health problems resulting from

ergonomic problems.

1.0 NOISE

Any unwanted or undesirable sound

1.1 EFFECTS OF NOISE DEPEND ON

Intensity (loudness)

ii. Duration of the sound

iii. Frequency of the sound

2.0 VIBRATION

Physical factor which affects man by

transmission of mechanical energy from

oscillating sources

2.1 SUBDIVISIONS

i. Whole-body vibration

ii. Segmental vibration

3.0 INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION

3.1 EVALUATION FOR

ILLUMINATION SHALL CONSIDER:

i. Quantity depends on task (too

much too little)

i. Quality shadows, silhouettes,

overcast, reflections, glares

3.4 OCCUPATIONAL EFFECTS OF

VISUAL FATIGUE

i. Loss of productivity

ii. Increased Accident Rate

2.0 TETANUS
caused by a bacteria, Clostridium

tetani, usually from

contaminated wounds

affects the nervous system

3.1 ROUTE OF INFECTION

i Hepatitis A fecal-oral

route (Contanminatedd food

&water)

ii. Hepatitis B blood,

sexual, perinatal