Disaster Site Worker Safety

1. Disaster Site Worker Safety Module 9 Safe Work Practices: Health Hazards

2. Objectives • List common airborne health hazards potentially present during disaster site and demolition operations. • Give an example of an appropriate decontamination procedure for exposure to harmful materials or contaminants. • Identify the stages of heat stress. • Discuss the significance of ergonomics when working at a disaster site. • List some additional health and safety concerns that may be encountered. • Explain the procedure for correcting health safety issues that may expose disaster site workers to hazards.

3. Airborne Contaminants • Silica • Lead • Asbestos

4. Silica Exposure • Silicosis is a disabling, nonreversible, and sometimes fatal lung disease caused by overexposure to respirable crystalline silica • 100 percent preventable if employers, workers, and health professionals work together to reduce exposures. • Associated with other diseases, such as bronchitis and tuberculosis

5. Lead Exposure • In the construction industry, most over-exposures to lead traditionally have been found in the trades such as plumbing, welding, and painting • Significant lead exposures can also arise from removing paint from surfaces previously coated with lead-based paint, such as in bridge repair, residential renovation, and demolition

6. Sources of Lead Exposure • Flame-torch cutting, welding, the use of heat guns, sanding, scraping and grinding • Abrasive blasting of bridges and other structures containing lead-based paints • Use of torches and heat guns, and sanding, scraping, and grinding lead-based paint surfaces • Maintaining process equipment or exhaust duct work

7. Asbestos Exposure • Asbestos is found in products such as: • Sprayed-on fireproofing • Pipe insulation • Floor tiles • Cement pipe and sheet • Roofing felts and shingles • Ceiling tiles • Fire-resistant drywall • Drywall joint compounds • Acoustical products

8. Cadmium Exposure • In the construction industry, most over-exposures to Cadmium traditionally have been found in the trades such as plumbing, welding, and painting or hazardous waste sludge's and Ni-Cad Batteries. • Significant lead exposures can also arise from removing paint from surfaces previously coated with Cadmium-based paint, such as in bridge repair, cadmium paints being Oxy-Acety cut, and demolition or waste sludge removal by inhalation or ingestion • OSHA says workers need training certification in Cadmium tasks and there are strict medical requirements

9. Decontamination Procedures • Physically remove the harmful materials • Inactivate harmful materials by chemical interaction • Isolate harmful materials by removing protective equipment and packaging it in drums or bags for future decontamination or disposal

10. Heat Stress • Heat stress is caused by a number of interacting factors, including: • Environmental conditions. • Type of protective clothing worn, the work activity required. • Individual characteristics of the employee.

11. Heat Exhaustion • Headaches, dizziness/light headedness, weakness • Mood changes (irritable, or confused/can’t think straight) • Feeling sick to your stomach, vomiting/throwing up • Decreased and dark-colored urine, fainting/passing out, and pale clammy skin

12. Humidity and Temperature Humidity Temperature

13. Heat Stroke: Medical Emergency • Dry pale skin (no sweating) • Hot, red skin (looks like a sunburn) • Mood changes (irritable, confused/not making any sense) • Seizures/fits • Collapse/passed out (will not respond)

14. Cold Stress • Cold-related illnesses can slowly overcome a person who has been chilled by low temperatures, brisk winds, or wet clothing. • Hypothermia can occur when land temperatures are above freezing or water temperatures are below 98.6oF/37oC.

15. Hypothermia: a Medical Emergency • Normal body temperature (98.6oF/37oC) drops to or below 95oF (35oC); fatigue or drowsiness; uncontrolled shivering; cool, bluish skin • Slurred speech; clumsy movements; irritable, irrational • Confused behavior

16. Noise • Any high noise level can damage your hearing permanently • High noise sources include: • Machinery • Power Tools • Demolition • Explosives

17. Basic Types of Hearing Protection • Ear Plugs – Inserted into the ear cavity to dampen loud noises • Ear Muffs – Cover the entire ear Hearing protection devices must provide a complete seal to be effective.

18. Bloodborne Pathogens • Workplace Transmission • Body fluids such as saliva, semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, amniotic fluid, blood, and other body fluids • Body fluids DO NOT include sweat and tears. • Unfixed tissue or organs other than intact skin from living or dead humans

19. BBP Safety Rules • Follow universal precautions. • Use the required personal protective equipment. • Wash exposed areas with antibacterial soap. • Treat all human body fluids & items soiled with human body fluids as contaminated. • Report any suspected exposure to your supervisor. • Disinfect all spills of body fluid.

20. Ergonomics • Reduce stress and eliminate injuries and disorders associated with the overuse of muscles, bad posture, and repetitive motion. • Some jobs expose workers to excessive vibration and noise, eyestrain, repetitive motion, and heavy lifting.

21. Hazard Prevention and Control • Engineering Controls • Work Practice Controls • Training

22. Additional Health Safety Concerns • Fatigue, chemicals, alcohol and drug use, vibration, radiation, psychological and physiological stressors are additional health and safety concerns for disaster site workers, especially due to extended work day or work shifts.

23. Fatigue • Fatigue is a message to the body to rest • Fatigue become distressing and overwhelming • Some symptoms: • Weariness • Irritability • Reduced alertness, concentration, and memory • Increased susceptibility to illness • Headache • Loss of appetite and digestive problems

24. Chemical Hazards • Amount of exposure needs to be reevaluated to ensure that acceptable levels are not exceeded. • Any method for determining exposure levels for the extended workday should be used with caution and under supervision.

25. Vibration • Vibration-induced white finger (VWF) is the most common condition among the operators of hand-held vibrating tools. • Vibration can cause changes in tendons, muscles, bones and joints, and can affect the nervous system. • Collectively, these effects are known as Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).

26. HAVS Symptoms • Attacks of whitening (blanching) of one or more fingers when exposed to cold • Tingling and loss of sensation in the fingers • Loss of light touch • Pain and cold sensations between periodic white finger attacks • Loss of grip strength • Bone cysts in fingers and wrists

27. Stress • Physiological • Psychological • Behavioral

28. Making Choices and Decisions • It is the responsibility of each individual to make safe choices and decisions in accordance with established safety work practices and regulations • The decision of a moment to perform an unsafe act may have consequences that last a lifetime

29. Reporting Unsafe Conditions • Workers should contact their supervisor or the site safety officer regarding these conditions in order to correct the problem • Workers, if given the authority and have the ability, should correct or minimize the condition when it is discovered. • Actions and steps taken must be reported to the supervisor or site safety officer.