PPE, Respirators, asbestos, confined spaces, lock out/tag out

PPE, Respirators, asbestos, confined spaces, lock out/tag out

Identification of potentialWork Site Safety Hazards

ElectricalFire / ExplosionSlips, Trips and

FallsHorseplayImproper Use of

Hand ToolsLack of Observance

of SurroundingsDrugs and Alcohol

Use

Poor LightingStress, Fitness for

DutyConfined SpacesNoisePPEOther Medical

EmergenciesHousekeeping

Work Site Safety Hazards Sharp objects Slippery surfaces Falling objects Terrain Unstable surfaces Burns Improper lifting

Ergonomic hazards

Pinch points Environmental

(weather, animals, poisonous plants)

Struck-by / Roll Over Public/Other

Contractors Dehydration

Work Place Work Place HazardsHazards

OSHA’s Hierarchy of Controls

Personal Protective Equipment

• 29 CFR 1910.132• “Protective equipment, including personal

protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices…shall be provided, used and maintained whenever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment… capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.

Personal Protective Equipment

• Protective Clothing• Tyvex versus poly spun • Two suit protocol?• Hoods and boots• Respirator inside of hood• Oversize suits for ease of movement• Reinforce suits with duct tape• Tape wrists to gloves, ankles

Respiratory Protection

• Respirators are the last option after:

– engineering controls

– administrative controls

– work practices

– alternative materials

– other methods

Definition:

“A respirator is a personal device designed to protect the wearer from the inhalation of hazardous atmospheres.” (ANSI Z88.2, 1992)

Exposure Assessment

• know potential airborne hazards

• assume a hazard is present until assessment is complete

• testing to be performed by competent person

Employer Responsibilities

• employees must have proper protection

• employees must be medically fit

• employees must be trained

• required fit testing

• written respiratory protection program

Selection of Respirators

• use only approved respirators

• what you need to know when selecting respirators

• other important factors

Types of Respirators

• air-purifying respirators

– negative-pressure air purifying respirators

– powered air-purifying respirators

• supplied-air respirators

• self-contained breathing apparatus

Respirator Cartridge Color Codes

Atmospheric Contaminants to BeProtected Against Color Assigned1

Acid Gases WhiteHydrocyanic acid gas White with ½ inch green stripe completely around the

canister near the bottomOrganic vapors BlackAmmonia gas GreenAcid gases and ammonia gas Green with ½ inch white stripe around the canister near the bottomCarbon monoxide BlueAcid gases and organic vapors YellowHydrocyanic acid gas and chloropicrin vapor Yellow with ½ inch blue stripe completely around the

canister near the bottomAcid gases, organic vapors, and ammonia gases BrownRadioactive particles, asbestos, lead mold Purple (Magenta)(High Efficiency Particulate Filter)Particles (dusts, fumes, mist, fogs, or smoke) Canister color for contaminant as designated above,in combination with any of the above gases with ½ inch gray stripe completely around the canisteror vapors near the topAll of the above atmospheric contaminants Red with ½ inch gray stripe completely around the canister near the top

1Gray shall not be assigned as the main color for a canister designed to remove acids or vapors.Note: Orange shall be used as a complete body, or stripe color to represent gases not included in this table. The user will need to refer to the canister label to determine the degree of protection the canister will afford. For LEAD particles or fume the cartridge for PARTICLES is needed. It has a high-efficiency HEPA filter which is purple (magenta).

Protection Factors

• contaminants inside the respirator

• ratio of contaminant inside to outside

• who determines protection factor

Type of Respirator APF

½ mask air-purifying (HEPA filter) 10loose-fitting hood or helmet powered air-purifying (HEPA filter) 25hood or helmet supplied-air - continuous flow mode 25tight-fitting powered air-purifying (HEPA) 50full face piece air-purifying (HEPA) 50½ mask or full face piece supplied air - continuous flow mode 50½ mask supplied air in pressure-demand mode 1,000full face piece supplied air in pressure-demand mode 2,000full face piece SCBA in pressure-demand mode >2,000

*Assigned Protection Factor

Protection Factors

Respirator Fit

• initial fit test and re-testing requirement• types of fit tests

– qualitative• depends upon ability of wearer to detect

irritant inside respirator

– quantitative• substance measured inside & outside of

respirator

Fit Checks

• rationale for the fit check

• negative pressure check– why - how - when

• positive pressure check– why - how - when

Other Important Issues• Medical fitness to wear a respirator

• Facial hair & respiratory protection

• Care & cleaning of respirators

• Inspection of respirators

• Cleaning & disinfection

• Repairs

• Storage

Respiratory Program

– written SOP

– MSHA/NIOSH certified respirators

– appropriate for hazard

– training of wearer

– individual respirators

– cleaning & disinfection

– respirator storage

– inspection & repair

– work area monitoring

– medical review

– annual evaluation of respiratory program

• Minimum Requirements:

NIOSH Recommendation:

"Respiratory protection may be necessary for certain operations or methods such mold removal and paint removal by chemicals, heat gun, or abrasive techniques, and some set-up, and cleaning operations. However, respirators are the least preferred method of controlling airborne Mold exposure, and they should not be used as the only means of preventing or minimizing exposures. Respiratory protection requirements are not an acceptable substitute for adequate training, supervision, appropriate engineering controls, and environmental or medical monitoring. Initial respiratory protection requirements for abatement work (which may be based on conservative assumptions) should be modified with appropriate job-specific requirements based on air monitoring results. Respirator selection for each job category at every worksite should be determined by an industrial hygienist or other qualified individual, based on

maximum airborne exposures measured."

NIOSH

Respirators

• 29 CFR 1910.134

• In any workplace where respirators are necessary to protect the health of the employee or whenever respirators are required by the employer, the employer shall establish a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures.

Asbestos What Is It?

• Asbestos minerals share some common characteristics

Naturally occurring from Ores rich in Magnesium, Calcium, Silica, and Iron

High tensile strength along the axis of the fiber

Chemically inertNon-combustible

ACM Categories

Surfacing Materials Sprayed/trowled-on

materials

Thermal System InsulationsInsulating material used to

prevent heat loss/gain

Miscellaneous Materials

Any ACM that is not considered to be surfacing material or thermal system

insulting

Surfacing Material

Ceiling Plaster

Mold on Asbestos Containing Materials

ACM- Pipe insulation (T.S.I)

ACM- Spackle/Joint compound

Damaged Pipe Insulation

Damaged Boiler Insulation

Fire-Stop Insulation

Duct Insulation

Definition

• ACM= Asbestos Containing Materials• This is any material that contains greater than 1% asbestos

fibers• PACM=Presumed Asbestos Containing Materials• This is any TSI, Surfacing, or Misc vinyl/asphalt flooring or

roofing installed before 1980It should be noted that New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL), United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) all have specific requirements for the testing, handling and disposal of ACM, also for licensing and training. One should always check with all applicable regulations before disturbing any Known or suspect ACM/PACM present on a mold remediation/Assessment

Lead Based Paint

On Mold remediation projects Lead based paint can also be impacted. •It will typically be in the paint on or near the areas with mold growth

•Demolition or removal of these painted surfaces can create potentially dangerous exposures to Lead dust and lead contaminated debris

Why are Dust and Debris a Problem?

• Remediation activities that disturb lead-containing materials create dust and debris

• Lead-contaminated dust is poisonous• Very small amounts of lead-contaminated dust can

poison children and adults– Children swallow dust during ordinary play activities. – Adults swallow or breathe dust during work activities.

• Workers can bring lead-contaminated dust home and poison their families

• Definition of a confined space is any space that– A person can enter– Has a limited opening for entry or exit– Is not designed for continuous occupancy

• A confined space that has any associated hazard is considered a permit-required confined space

• Hazards can include oxygen deficient or enriched atmospheres, toxic or flammable atmospheres, mechanical or electrical hazards, falls, engulfment, etc.

www.environmentaleducation.com

•Do not enter a confined space to attempt to rescue unless you are properly trained and outfitted with the correct protective equipment (including your own safety retrieval harness, with someone tending your line).

• Respirators are limited in their ability to protect the wearer from atmospheric hazards. For example, a negative pressure or powered air purifying respirator will not protect you against insufficient oxygen or a host of other contaminants for which the respirator was not designed. Therefore, only self-contained breathing apparatus can be worn during confined space rescues.

60% of confined space deaths are among would-be rescuers.

Don’t become a statistic!

Electrical Hazards

• Electrocution and electric shocks are among the most common hazards.

• Incorrect wiring, improper grounding, and lack of proper insulation result in over 1,000 people being electrocuted each year

Worker Responsibilities

• Being aware of potential hazards

• Knowing how hazards should be treated

• Knowing what to do to protect themselves from electrical shock while working in a regulated abatement work area.

• Cords can be damaged by:– Aging

– Door or window edges

– Staples or fastenings

– Abrasion from adjacent materials

– Activity in the area

– Improper use can cause shocks, burns or fire

• “Authorized “ person will de-energize all sources

• Locking device will be applied at energy source

• Lock must be unique in appearance and used for no other purpose

• Tag deactivated controls

• Tag de-energized equipment and circuits at all points where they can be energized

• Tags must identify equipment or circuits being worked on

• A separate tag and lockout is provided for each crewmember requiring de-energizing of same line or equipment

• When to Lock Out/Tag Out?

• Any time injury could result from unexpected start-up of machinery

• Any time injury could result from release of energy– Electrical energy– Chemical energy– Hydraulic pressure– Air pressure– Steam pressure


Steps for Reducing Electrical Hazards

• Inspect for wiring faults• Remove all electrically powered equipment• Protect cables lines and outlets

• Protect from contact and damage, and don’t allow to lay on the ground


• Plastic or rubber covering is missing

• Damaged extension cords & tools

• Tools plugged into improperly grounded circuits may become energized

• Broken wire or plug on extension cord

• Some of the most frequently violated OSHA standards

Hazards may result from:

• Too many devices plugged into a circuit, causing heated wires and possibly a fire

• Damaged tools overheating• Lack of overcurrent protection• Wire insulation melting, which

may cause arcing and a fire in the area where the overload exists, even inside a wall

• Tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses

• Warm tools, wires, cords, connections, or junction boxes

• GFCI that shuts off a circuit

• Worn or frayed insulation around wire or connection

Scaffolds

Specific OSHA standards apply to the specific use of scaffolding, which must be reviewed prior to construction or use

The height of the scaffold should not be more than four times its minimum base dimension unless guys, ties, or braces are used


Employees can’t be on a moving scaffold unless: Surface is level Height to base ratio is 2 to 1 Outriggers are installed on both

sides of scaffolds Employees can’t be on scaffold

while it is being moved


Slips, Trips and Falls

• Mold remediation sites present some significant risks for slips, trips and falls.

• Non-slip rubber boots or shoes with non skid soles can greatly reduce slips and falls when working on wet polyethylene

• No running, jumping, or “horseplay” should be allowed in the work area

• If you can fall more than 6 feet, you must be protected

• Use fall protection on:– walkways & ramps, open sides & edges,

holes, excavations, roofs, wall openings

• Protective measures include guardrails, covers, safety nets, and Personal Fall Arrest Systems


Fire Emergency Procedures

• OSHA requires a written emergency action fire prevention plan The manner in which emergencies are communicated Emergency escape procedures and emergency escape

routes Procedures for any employee who must stay back to deal

with critical plant operations which may take time to safely shut down

Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation Rescue and medical duties

• The body naturally tries to cool itself by sweating• If you are wearing an impermeable suit, your body heat

cannot escape• Your lungs are already in overdrive due to the added

stress of the respirator• The Air Conditioning has been shut off for the summer,

and the air in the work area is much warmer than the air outside

• Perfect conditions for the onset of HEAT STRESS or HEAT STROKE

• Take frequent breaks, reduce body temperature

• Drink small amounts of cool liquids as often as possible

• Monitor heart rate after breaks – should return to within 10% of normal

• Body core temp should remain below 102 degrees

• Noise from power equipment

• OSHA requirements– Action Level– Permissible Exposure Level

• Types of protective equipment

Hazard Communication Right to Know

• If chemical hazards are introduced to the workplace, the employer must have a written hazard communication program to inform employees of these hazards.

• Hazardous materials may be present on mold remediation sites for a number of reasons.

• Examples of potentially hazardous materials include spray adhesives, surfactants, fungicides/biocides-, disinfectants, paints and coatings, mastic removers, solvents and cleaning agents.

Hazard Communication Plan Elements

Comprehensive written program

• Labeling of hazardous materials in the workplace

• Availability of Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

• Employee training


A written Hazard Communication Program which must include:•Plans to meet the criteria of the standard relating to the labeling, safety data sheets, and employee training.• A list of hazardous chemicals/materials.


Labels• All containers in the work place must be labeled,

marked, or tagged with the identity of the hazardous material contained and the appropriate hazard warnings, and the name and address of a responsible party.

• An exception from labeling is given for containers used by a single individual which hold only sufficient product for use during one shift.

• Roll-over protective structures• Reverse alarms• Operator will look out for workers but workers

must be aware of “blind spots”• Always make eye contact before approaching

operator• Beware of “swing range” and areas near

stabilizer pads

Documents

PPE, Respirators, asbestos, confined spaces, lock out/tag out