Occupational Disease in Construction ­ Part 2

by Dru Sahai, M.Sc.(A), ROH, Project Coordinator, CSAO

"Be on the lookout for safer alternatives."

 

Our winter issue indicated that more construction deaths result from disease than from injury (Volume 12, Number 4). This naturally raises the question of prevention. The following article focuses on ten basic ways to prevent occupational disease.

1 - Know what you're working with.

The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) helps to protect workers by providing information about the chemicals they work with. Labels, material safety data sheets (MSDSs), and training are all used to convey product-specific information on health hazards, safe handling, first aid, etc. If workers know about the chemicals they work with, they are more likely to take precautions to protect themselves and others.

2 - Use safer alternatives.

Employers should always be on the lookout for products less toxic than those currently used. Sometimes it's possible to substitute a less hazardous product. Examples include using

• water-based paints instead of solvent-based paints when feasible
• Black Beauty grit or high pressure water blasting instead of silica sand
• water-based glues instead of formaldehyde-based glues.

Check frequently with manufacturers regarding safer substitutes.

3 - Control dust.

Using water is an excellent way to suppress dust. The best example is wetting down asbestos before removal. Wet cutting of concrete significantly reduces dust as does hosing down the worksite during demolition operations.

4 - Ventilate.

There are two types of ventilation: general and local exhaust ventilation.

General exhaust ventilation introduces outside air to dilute airborne contaminants. This can be done by opening doors and windows and using fans that exhaust air to the outside--for instance, where propane equipment is being used inside a building. This method should not be used for hazardous materials.

Local exhaust ventilation captures air contaminants before they can get into a worker's breathing zone. The ventilation system must be very close to the source of the contaminant or be built into the equipment generating the contaminant. A dust extractor on a drywall-sanding machine is one example.

5 - Practise good personal hygiene.

This is an extremely important control method when the chemical causes skin irritation, is hazardous by ingestion, or causes allergic skin reactions. For all work involving chemicals that cause such reactions there should be

• no smoking or eating in contaminated areas
• wash-up facilities so that workers can clean up as necessary.

6 - Avoid excessive sun exposure.

Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun's rays can have health effects on the skin and eyes, including increased risk of skin cancer and cataracts. Protect your eyes by wearing UV-blocking safety eyewear. Protect your skin by

• covering exposed areas with clothing
• periodically applying sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15.

7 - Talk to your doctor.

Tell your doctor

• where you work
• the kind of work you do
• which workplace chemicals you are exposed to (provide MSDSs for your medical file)
• whether you feel your health is being affected by your work.

This information can help your doctor determine whether exposure at work may be affecting your health or causing a particular condition or illness.

8 - Limit exposure.

During work that can affect other trades (spray fireproofing, for instance), consider

• working at nights or on the weekend
• enclosing the operation and restricting access to authorized workers only.

 

"Educate and train workers."

 

9 - Educate and train workers.

Education and training in occupational health should be provided by a competent person and cover

• health effects of the chemical in question
• how to control the hazard
• the importance of good hygiene
• how to use and care for respiratory and other protective equipment.

10 - Use respiratory protection properly.

• Use respirators only as a last resort.
• Make sure the respirator is right for the task. There are different respirators for different hazards; using the wrong one can be fatal.
• Use only NIOSH-approved respiratory protective equipment (NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). Paper masks or surgical masks without a NIOSH approval number must NOT be used because they do little to protect workers.
• Fit-test each respirator by a competent person to ensure that it makes a proper seal with the face.
• Make sure that workers are clean-shaven before wearing respirators. Beards, even stubble, will let some contaminants bypass the respirator and be inhaled.
• For information on respirators, refer to Personal Protective Equipment: User's Guide (M028). Call Customer Service for your copy: 1-800-781-2726.