I need your help to complete 1.6 - Discussion in the lab 2.4 - Discussion in the lab 3.7 - Results

CLUSTER OF APPLIED SCIENCES (CAS) & LEANER MANAGEMENT DIVISION (LMD)

EXPERIMENT 1

TITLE: CHEMICAL MONITORING

1. 1. Introduction

Chemicals used in the workplace may be dispersed into the air in various forms (e.g. particulates, aerosols, gas and vapours). In most situations an atmosphere will contain some combination of contaminants rather than a single one. They can be breathed in together with the air, thus causing harm or illness. Therefore, monitoring these air impurities in the workplace is an important part of the assessment of risks to health. Under the Occupational Safety and Health (Use and Standard of Exposure of Chemicals Hazardous to Health) Regulations 2000, the employers shall ensure that the exposure of chemicals hazardous to health is monitored in accordance with an approved method of monitoring and analysis. The purposes of the air monitoring are:

• To identify the source of air impurities for implementation of suitable control measures; and

• To evaluate the effectiveness of existing or the newly implemented control measures.

1. 1. Approaches for Air Monitoring

There are TWO approaches for air monitoring in the workplace:

• Personal monitoring; and

• Fixed-point monitoring (Area monitoring).

1. 1. Sampling Methods

There are two general methods for approaching the issue of air sampling:

• Direct-reading; and

• Integrated sampling.

1. 1. Types of Air Contaminants

There are two broad groups of air contaminants based on their physical characteristics:

• Particulate; and

• Gases, mist and vapour.

1. 1. Task: Perform personal monitoring

Personal monitoring can establish the concentration of air impurities within the breathing zone and hence evaluate the exposure of the worker to these substances. This monitoring approach requires the sampler to be placed within the worker’s breathing zone, i.e. the space within 30 cm from the worker’s nose and mouth (refer figure 1.1).

Figure 1.1 Breathing zone for personal monitoring

Equipment Used:

• SKC AirCheck XR5000

• SKC 210 – 500

• SKC SureSeal

• SKC 225 – 5

• SKC 226 – 01

• SKC 226 – 51

• SKC 226 – 35

Sampling for:

• Particulate;

• Gases; and

• Vapors.

1. 1. Discussion in the Lab

Use the following questions to guide the discussion on Exposure Monitoring Sampling Strategy:

• Which employee or employees are to be sampled?

• Where should the sampling device be located in relation to the employee sampled?

• How many samples should be taken on each workday sampled to define an employee’s exposure?

• How long should the sampling interval be for a measurement sample?

• What periods during the workday should the employee’s exposure is sampled?

• How many workdays during a year should be sampled, and when?

Based on the discussion:

• Provide a proposal on Exposure Monitoring Sampling Strategy for your organisation.

• Draw a flowchart to illustrate the sampling strategy.

(30 marks)

(10 marks)

TOTAL: 40 MARKS

References

Nims, D.K. (1999). Basics of Industrial Hygiene. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Department of Occupational Safety and Health. (2002). Guidelines on Monitoring of Airborne Contaminant for Chemicals Hazardous to Health.

NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) 5th Edition. Retrieved at

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nmam/

TITLE: CHEMICAL HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT

1. 1. Introduction

It is a primary duty of an employer under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (OSHA 1994) to protect employees from the adverse effects of chemicals. Under the Occupational Safety and Health (Use and Standard of Exposure of Chemicals Hazardous to Health) Regulations 2000, it is the duty of employer to perform an assessment of health risks arising from the use of chemicals hazardous to health at workplace and employers are not permitted to use any chemicals hazardous to health unless an assessment has been conducted.

The purposes of the chemical health risk assessment (CHRA) are:

• To identify the hazards posed by each chemical substance used, stored, handled or transported within the place of work;

• To evaluate the degree of exposure of employees to the chemicals hazardous to health, either through inhalation, skin absorption or ingestion;

• To evaluate the adequacy of existing control measures;

• To conclude on the significance of the health risk posed by the chemicals hazardous to health; and

• To recommend further appropriate control measures to prevent or reduce risks.

1. 1. Approaches for Assessment

There are TWO approaches for CHRA in the workplace:

• Generic Assessment; and

• Full Assessment.

1. 1. Assessment Concepts

Before going into assessment, there are a few basic concepts that the assessor must understand:

• Hazard, exposure and risk;

• Rating hazard, exposure and risk; and

• Similar risk groupings or Work units.

The procedures in carrying out a CHRA are as follows:

• Step 1: Deciding the assessor

• Step 2: Gather information about chemicals, work & work practices

• Step 3: Divide into work units

• Step 4: Determine degree of hazards

• Step 5: Evaluate exposure

• Step 6: Assess adequacy of control measures

• Step 7: Conclude the assessment

• Step 8: Identify actions to be taken

• Step 9: Reporting the assessment

• Step 10: Review assessment

Documents needed:

• Chemical register

• Chemical safety data sheet

• Form A: List of Chemicals

• Form B: Work Unit Description

• Form C: Workplace Assessment

• Form D: Workplace Assessment Result

• Form E: Risk Matrix

• Form F: Actions to be Taken

1. 1. Discussion in the Lab

• Identify the requirements for each step in CHRA.

• With an aid of a flowchart, propose a CHRA for your organisation.

(10 marks)

(20 marks)

TOTAL: 30 MARKS

References

Department of Occupational Safety and Health. (2000). Guidelines for the Preparation of a Chemical Register.

Department of Occupational Safety and Health. (2000).Assessment of the Health Risk Arising from the Use of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace.

TITLE: INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ)

1. 1. Introduction

Good indoor air quality (IAQ) is required for a healthy indoor work environment. Poor indoor air quality can cause a variety of short-term and long-term health problems. Health problems commonly associated with poor IAQ include allergic reactions, respiratory problems, eye irritation, sinusitis, bronchitis and pneumonia. IAQ problems occur in buildings that are served by a mechanical ventilating and air conditioning (MVAC) system including air-cooled split unit. IAQ problems can be due to indoor air pollutants or to inadequate ventilation. There are many sources of indoor air pollutants and among the common ones are environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) emitted due to burning of tobacco products; various chemical substances such as formaldehyde emitted from furnishings; volatile organic compounds emitted from the use and application of solvents; and ozone emitted from photocopiers and laser printers. It should be noted here that ETS has been recognized as a human carcinogen by the International Agency from Research on cancer (IARC) in 2002 and exposure to it will increase the risk of coronary heart disease.

1. 1. Objectives of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Assessment

Objectives of conducting assessment of IAQ are:

• To identify the sources of the indoor air contaminants either within the place of work or from the outside air;

• To evaluate the exposure of the occupants to the indoor air contaminants either from indoor or outdoor sources;

• To determine the air temperature, relative humidity and air movement at the place of work;

• To determine the adequacy of mechanical ventilation at the place of work;

• To conclude on the compliance to the recommended standard on indoor air quality; and

• To recommend necessary actions to be taken to improve the indoor air quality at the place of work.

There are basically TWO types of assessment methods:

• Real-time measurements; and

• Integrated sampling with subsequent laboratory analysis.

1. 1. Parameters to Indicate Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Status

The parameters to indicate whether an indoor environment is comfortable and healthy or otherwise can be summarised as follows:

• Chemical contaminants, such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS);

• Physical conditions, such air temperature, air velocity and humidity;

• Biological agents, such as mites, virus, and spores; and

• Radiation such as radon.

1. 1. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Investigation Process

Investigation of indoor air quality problem It shall be the responsibility of the building owner or building management to investigate concerns about indoor air quality when:

• Complaints are received;

• The occupancy in the space exceeds the recommended number of occupancy in the original design; or

• Renovations are made that involve significant changes to the ventilation system

e.g. a room without supply or return air.

1. 1. Task 1: Perform Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Investigation Process

Perform the IAQ investigation process as shown in Figure 3.1. Go through and complete the following documents available in the Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality 2010.

• Appendix 3-A: Checklist for Walkthrough Inspection; and

• Appendix 3-B: Questionnaire for Building Occupants.

1. 1. Task 2: Perform Carbon dioxide (CO2), Temperature and Humidity IAQ Measurement

Equipment:

• TSI VelociCAL 9565p

• TSI980

3.7 Results

Assuming the air data collection below as a refference from your organization.

Table 1: Carbon dioxide (CO2), Temperature and Humidity IAQ

1. Compare the measurement with relevant standards or guidelines
2. Discuss the result
3. Conclusion

• Explain the health effects due to poor IAQ.

(10 marks)

• Explain in detail, IAQ sampling strategy.

(10 marks)

TOTAL: 30 MARKS

Figure 3.1

Department of Occupational Safety and Health. (2010). Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality.

1