ARC 410 Construction Safety Homework #6 Health Hazards Subpart D, E, Z Due on Th
ID: 358926 • Letter: A
Question
ARC 410 Construction Safety Homework #6 Health Hazards Subpart D, E, Z Due on Thursday, November 16th F9 1. What are the four categories of health hazards in construction? 2. What is the most common means of chemical entry into the body? 3. Identify common operations in construction where the following exposures might occur: a. Lead: b. Asbestos: c. Silica, crystalline: 4. To eliminate or reduce hazards, employers must first use all feasible controls, and then controls. When these controls are not feasible or do not provide suficient protection, what does OSHA require employer to provide to employees, at no cost to them? 5. What are OSHA's requirements for first aid kit at a worksite? Answer: Standard: 1926.50 6. OSHA requires that an adequate supply of portable water will be provided in all places of employment. What requirement does OSHA have regarding containers that are used to dispense this drinking water? Answer: Standard: 1926.51Explanation / Answer
1) The four categories of health hazards in construction are :
Physical Hazards - This is the most common type of workplace hazards. Examples of physical hazards include slips, trips, falls, exposure to loud noises, working from heights, vibrations, and unguarded machinery.
Ergonomic Hazards - Every occupation places certain strains on a worker’s body. Ergonomic hazards occur as a result of physical factors that can harm the musculoskeletal system. This type of hazard is not easily identified, examples of this hazard are poor lighting, repetitive motion, awkward movements, and poor posture.
Chemical Hazards - Chemical hazards are present anytime workers are exposed chemical substances. Examples include cleaning solutions and solvents, vapors and fumes, carbon monoxide and any other gases.
Biological Hazards - Healthcare professionals are at most risk for this type of hazard. Biological hazards occurs due to working with people, animals or infectious plant material. Examples include blood or other bodily fluids, animal care, insect bites, bacteria or viruses.
2) The most common means of chemical entry into the body are -
Inhalation is the primary route of entry for hazardous chemicals in the work environment. Nearly all materials that are airborne can be inhaled.
Absorption through the skin is another route of entry. The skin is the largest organ of your body and a common exposure site for liquid and airborne chemicals. Absorption through the skin can occur quite rapidly if the skin is cut or abraded. Intact skin is an effective barrier to many hazardous materials.
Ingestion - toxic materials can be swallowed and enter the body through the gastrointestinal tract. In the workplace, people can unknowingly ingest harmful chemicals when you eat, drink, or smoke in a contaminated work areas.
Injection occurs when a sharp object punctures the skin, allowing a chemical or infectious agent to enter your body. For example, injection can occur when a contaminated object such as a rusty nail punctures the skin.
Respiratory System (Inhalation)
The respiratory system is the major route of exposure for airborne chemicals. Once air contaminants are inhaled into your respiratory system, they may harm the tissues of the respiratory tract or lungs; cause serious scarring (local effect); and/or be dissolved in the blood and transported throughout the body (systemic effect).
The most serious damage is caused by contaminants that penetrate deep into the lower regions of the lung (alveoli).
3) Common operations in construction for - Lead, Asbestos, Silica, Crystalline
“Lead-based paint” is defined in the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (also known as Title X) as “paint, varnish, shellac, or other coating on surfaces that contain 1.0 mg/cm² or more of lead or 0.5 percent or more lead by weight.”
The inhalation of asbestos fibers by workers can cause serious diseases of the lungs and other organs that may not appear until years after the exposure has occurred. For instance, asbestosis can cause a buildup of scar-like tissue in the lungs and result in loss of lung function that often progresses to disability and death.
Construction workers could be exposed to silica when cutting, grinding, drilling, sanding, mixing, or demolishing materials containing silica. The size of the airborne silica particles determines the amount of risk. Smaller particles can be inhaled deep into the lungs where they can cause damage. Larger particles, such as beach sand, are not as great a concern because they are too large to inhale.