Introduction to Occupational Hygiene

Module 1: Occupational Hygiene - Section 1: Introduction to Occupational Hygiene

OH1.4: Identification and Evaluation of Health Hazards

IDENTIFICATION OF HEALTH HAZARDS:

Identifying potentially hazardous agents in the workplace and where they are located is the starting point for any hazardous substance management. To recognise health hazards, one must be familiar with the work process and understand properties of the chemicals used as raw materials and the nature of products and by-products manufactured.

Identification forms the basis on which decisions involving hazardous substances are made. The information to assist in the identification of hazardous substances or agents can be gathered from many sources including inventory, labels, material safety data sheets, and walk-through inspection.

An inventory of all hazardous substances brought into the workplace should be made and kept current. The inventory provides useful information such as location of the substance in the plant, amount handled and the total quantity stored in the plant.

Labels are usually the first source of information on hazards. Hazardous substance containers should be labelled with appropriate warning and identification labels. It is important for labels to contain relevant and accurate information.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) are documents used to convey information about safe use of substances to the user. MSDS contains information on the identity, chemical and physical properties, potential health effects, and precautions for the safe use and handling of substances. There are equivalent documents (e.g. International chemical safety cards Chemical cards*).
Information in MSDSs is often not sufficient and does not cover chronic health effects.

A walk-through inspection allows systematic gathering of information to gauge whether potential hazards exist and whether monitoring is required.The inspection of the workplace focuses on each identified work area to enable assessment of the risks posed by hazardous substances or agents. Observation and discussion are crucial in identifying potential health hazards. Good note keeping of all observations is important for further decision-making and interpretation of any results. To be effective an inspection should be made up of a representative team of people with knowledge of the workplace, work process and occupational heath and safety.

A diagram / outline of the workplace layout process flow, which includes equipment, storage and handling areas, controls and specific work areas, is a valuable tool. The aim is to follow the start of the process from the receipt of raw materials into the workplace, through to the transfer of the finished products from the workplace.