Controlling Hazards

Controlling Hazards

You have been hired at a local industry and must conduct your first workplace visit.  Go to OSHA eToollink and select an industry:  https://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/oshasoft/index.html

 

Grading Rubric:

 

•             Part A:  Identifying Hazards (15 points)

 

•             Part B:  Controlling the Hazard (65 points)

 

•             References (20 points) – provide for each section in proper APA format.

 

Part A:  Identifying Hazards(15 points)– Under each eTool, there might be multiple types ofoperationsto choose from.  Select oneand evaluate for the chemical or physical hazard.This website will provide a lot of information for your research: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/text_index.html

 

NOTE:I have included examples of information in each area so please delete those before completing your evaluation.

 

Name of Process:

 

Battery Manufacturing – Oxide Production

 

Describe the process (the work environment, layout, conditions, etc.):

 

Lead oxide is made from refined lead. The oxide is then made into a paste by mixing it with water, acid, and other chemicals. In a process parallel to the production of paste, grids are cast from lead alloy. The paste and grids are later combined in the pasting process.

 

The major source of lead exposure in the oxide production process comes from leaking equipment and system upsets.

 

Reference:  OSHA eTool:  Battery Manufacturing.  Retrieved from:  https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/battery_manufacturing/oxide_grid/oxide_production.html

 

Potential Hazard:

 

Lead Dust

 

Applicable OSHA Standard:

 

29 CFR 1910.1025

 

Part B: Controllingthe Hazard (65 points):  Nearly every process in any industry has a form of chemical exposure.  Select one chemical component from your process to evaluate.

 

Type of Hazard (Chemical, Physical or Ergonomic):

 

Chemical

 

Potential Source(s) of Exposure:

 

Lead dust can become airborne due to improper air flow or exhaust ventilation, which results in “puffing” of lead oxide at the mill inlet.

 

Reference:  OSHA eTool:  Battery Manufacturing.  Retrieved from:  https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/battery_manufacturing/oxide_grid/oxide_production.html.  

 

OSHA Safety and Health Topics:  https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/batterymanufacturing/hazards.html

 

Route(s) of Exposure:

 

Inhalation of dust particles; ingestion of dust particles

 

OSHA Safety and Health Topics:  https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/batterymanufacturing/hazards.html

 

Associated Health Hazards:

 

Exposure to high levels of lead may cause anemia, weakness, and kidney and brain damage. Very high lead exposure can cause death.

 

Lead can cross the placental barrier, which means pregnant women who are exposed to lead also expose their unborn child. Lead can damage a developing baby’s nervous system. Even low-level lead exposures in developing babies have been found to affect behavior and intelligence. Lead exposure can cause miscarriage, stillbirths, and infertility (in both men and women).

 

Generally, lead affects children more than it does adults. Children tend to show signs of severe lead toxicity at lower levels than adults. Lead poisoning has occurred in children whose parent(s) accidentally brought home lead dust on their clothing. Neurological effects and mental retardation have also occurred in children whose parent(s) may have job-related lead exposure.

 

REFERENCE:  NIOSH (n.d.).  Lead: Information for Workers.  Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/lead/health.html#:~:text=Exposure%20to%20high%20levels%20of,a%20developing%20baby’s%20nervous%20system.

 

OSHA Safety and Health Topics:  https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/batterymanufacturing/hazards.html

 

Engineering Controls Options:

 

•             Local exhaust ventilation around dust generation points or

 

•             Isolate the process:Separate the operation from the rest of the plant and keep it under negative pressure.Build a positive pressure control room for the operator.

 

Reference:  OSHA eTool:  Battery Manufacturing.  Retrieved from:  https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/battery_manufacturing/oxide_grid/oxide_production.html

 

Administrative Controls Options:

 

•             Implement written policy and procedure to notify supervisor of oxide leaks and perform temporary repairs immediately.

 

•             Implement routine maintenance and monitoring schedule to ensure that the local exhaust ventilation is working properly.

 

•             Housekeeping procedures:  Vacuum all oxide spills immediately with a central vacuum system or a HEPA vacuum whenever possible during each shift.

 

•             Provide a change of clothes, and shower rooms to minimize contamination spread.

 

Reference:  OSHA eTool:  Battery Manufacturing.  Retrieved from:  https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/battery_manufacturing/oxide_grid/oxide_production.html

 

Personal Protective Equipment

 

OSHA Lead Requirements >> Protective Clothing and Equipment:

 

The following protective clothing and equipment must always be used when lead levels are above the PEL: [29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(1)] (Figure 1)

 

?             Coveralls or similar full-body work clothing; [29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(1)(i)]

 

?             Gloves, hats, and shoes or disposable shoe coverlets; and [29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(1)(ii)]

 

?             Face shields, vented goggles, and other appropriate protective equipment. [29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(1)(iii)]

 

Clean and dry protective work clothing must be provided daily or weekly depending on exposure levels. [29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(2)(i)]

 

?             Cleaning, laundering, or disposal of protective clothing and equipment must be provided. [29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(2)(ii)]

 

?             Protective clothing and equipment must be repaired or replaced as needed to maintain its safety an effectiveness. [29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(2)(iii)]

 

?             All protective clothing must be removed at the end of a work shift in change rooms provided for that purpose. [29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(2)(iv)]

 

?             Contaminated protective clothing, which is to be cleaned, laundered, or disposed of, must be placed in a closed, labeled container in the changing area. [29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(2)(v)]

 

?             Persons who clean or launder protective clothing or equipment must be informed in writing of the potentially harmful effects of exposure to lead. [29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(2)(vi)]

 

Containers of contaminated protective clothing and equipment must be appropriately labeled. [29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(2)(vii)]

 

Reference:  OSHA.  29 CFR 1910.1025.  Retrieved from:  https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/battery_manufacturing/requirements/ppe.html#Clothing