Hazards engineering controls

The first and best strategy is to control the hazard at its source. Engineering controls are the best choice, unlike other controls that focus on the employee exposed to the hazard. The basic concept behind engineering controls is to the extent feasible, the work environment and the job itself should be designed to eliminate hazards or reduce exposure to hazards. Engineering controls can be simple in some cases and are based on the following principles ... 

Q Implement appropriate controls to prevent exposure. Preventing exposru e to isocyanates is a critical step in eliminating the health hazard. Engineering controls such as closed systems and ventilation should be the principal method for minimizing isocyanate exposvu e in the workplace. Other controls, such as worker isolation and use of personal protective equipment such as respirators and personal protective clothing to prevent dermal exposures may also be necessary. Early recognition of sensitization and prompt and strict elimination of exposures is essential to reduce the risk of long-term or permanent respiratory problems for workers who have become sensitized. 

It is important that the formaldehyde addition rate be balanced with the alkali content of the system and the engineering control capability. At high alkali contents, the exotherm will be more vigorous and create more load on the heat exchangers. At low alkali contents, the reaction rate may be quite slow. While this temporarily reduces the difficulty in instantaneous heat load, it may permit potentially hazardous levels of unreacted formaldehyde to accumulate. Such accumulations could become dangerous as batch temperature rises. In both cases. 

The HASP is the model for performing work safely and, if properly designed, will help to integrate all site- and task-related hazards and control measures. Wlien working with the DOE or the Corps of Engineers there may be additional documents that should be considered when developing a plan. Make sure that you understand all site-specific needs. 

Has the employer implemented the use of engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment to reduce and maintain employee exposure to or below published exposure levels for hazardous substances and health hazards not regulated by 29 CFR Part 1910, Subparts G and Z (e.g., heat stress, lifting hazards) [OSHA Reference. 120(g)(2)]... 

Engineered control The removal or reduction of a hazard through implementation of an engineered solution, such as material substitution, process change, or installation of an exhaust ventilation system. 

Because personal protection is limited to the user and the equipment must be worn for the duration of the exposure to the hazard, it should generally be considered as a last line of defence. Respiratory protection in particular should be restricted to hazardous situations of short duration (e.g. emergencies, maintenance, or temporary arrangements while engineering control measures are being introduced). Occasionally, personal protection may be the only practicable measure and indeed even a legal requirement. If it is to be effective, its selection, correct use and condition are of paramount importance. 

OSHA requires employers of workers who are occupationally exposed to a toxic or hazardous substance to institute engineering controls and work practices that maintain or reduce their exposure to a level that is at or below the permissible exposure limit (PEL) established for the substance. For occupational exposures to lead, the employer must use engineering controls and work practices to achieve an occupational exposure of 50 pg/nr3 (0.006 ppm) or lower, based on an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) (OSHA 1995). When employee exposures to lead can not be maintained at or below 50 pg/rn3... 

Sandhya, S. Prabu, S. K., and Sundari, R. B. T., Microbial-Degradation of Dibenzothiophene by Nocardioides. Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part a-Environmental Science and Engineering Toxic and Hazardous Substance Control, 1995. 30(9) pp. 1995-2006. 

Assessment. An analysis of the hazards present in this laboratory show the most significant hazard to be the release of vapor CSM from engineering controls and into the workplace. The significance of this hazard mandates further efforts in system safety in the form of a Preliminary Hazard List (PHL) and a Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA). The user must in this instance take an active role in the design review process. 

Active—using controls, safety interlocks, and emergency shutdown systems to detect potentially hazardous process deviations and take corrective action. These are commonly referred to as engineering controls. 

Mushrush, G. W., Basak, S. C., Slone, J. E., Beal, E. J., Basu, S., Stahck, W. M. and Hardy, D. R. (1997) Journal of Environmental Science Health, Part A Environmental Science Engineering Toxic Hazardous Substance Control, 32, 2201-2211. 

The standard presents OSHA s determination that exposure to cotton dust presents a significant health hazard to employees and establishes permissible exposure limits for selected processes in the cotton industry and for non-textile industries where there is exposure to cotton dust. The cotton dust standard also provides for employee exposure monitoring, engineering controls and work practices, respirators, employee training, medical surveillance, signs and record keeping. 

The information on each substance in the book includes, as available, synonyms, trade names, physical description, health effects, toxicity/exposure limits, industry use data, and NIOSH National Occupational Exposure Survey data. NIOSH National Occupational Hazard Survey data OSHA/exposure data, engineering controls, personal protective equipment, and storage... 

This document [63] also suggests exposure control measures in the following hierarchical form eliminate (i.e. avoid using hazardous substance), substitute (i.e. replace with less risky material), enclose (i.e. perform operations in enclosed cabins), engineering control (i.e. carrying out potential dust formation processes with extract ventilation), procedural control (i.e. limiting the number of personnel exposed, their time and the process to specified areas), and personal protective equipment (i.e. use of protection measures to limit inhalation and dermal exposure). 

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