Workplace Information

Biological monitoring m the workplace - Information for employees on its application to chemical exposure... 

Students are required to acquire ten core competencies and undertake a number of specified specialist/optional units of competence. Core units of competence are common to all sectors in the food processing industry, e.g. dairy processing, flour and stock feed milling, general foods, pet food, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Such core competencies include application of basic mathematical concepts, basic quality assurance practices, communication in the workplace, the collection, presentation and application of workplace information, and the implementation of occupational health and safety principles and procedures. 

The estimate must be based on reliable information, e.g. measurements in their own workplace, information from other similar workplaces, or data from suppliers of machinery. 

Employers are responsible for creating a written hazard communication program that addresses the information from the standard that applies to a given workplace. Information on how to physically create a written program is contained in a separate chapter within this text. The written program mnst address certain issues as delineated by the regulation ... 

In order to ensure chemical safety in the workplace, information must be available about the identities and hazards of the chemicals. 

In the event that a new hazardous material is introduced to the workplace, information about the material shall be immediately transmitted to all employees who will be working with that material. 

Toxicity Data on Af- Vinyl-2-Pyrrolidinone. Results of a chronic inhalation study in rats warrant a review of industrial hygiene practices to assure that VP vapor concentrations are maintained at a safe level. One of the manufacturers, ISP, recommends that an appropriate workplace exposure limit be set at 0.1 ppm (vapor) (9). Additionally, normal hygienic practices and precautions are recommended, such as prompt removal from skin and avoidance of ingestion. In case of accidental eye contact, immediately flush with water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention. Refer to the manufacturers Material Safety Data Sheets for more detailed information. Table 3 provides some toxicity data. 

Summary of Main features ofMshestosj Health Regulations at the Workplace, AlA Information Memorandum (AIM) No. 3/80, Asbestos International Association, Epson, Surrey, UK, Nov. 1990. 

Is there potential that the product may result m the environmental or non-workplace release of a highly hazardous substance or an environmentally difficult material If yes did the toller receive a life cycle evaluation (for example, disposal of products, handling returns and rejects) Does the Toller understand the information Was written acknowledgment obtained indicating that the information was received ... 

In addition to printed compilations, more and more of the information is available on CD-ROM and latterly also on-line on the internet. This last is a feature of the service provided by MSI, Materials Science International Services in Stuttgart. This organisation, under the working name of MSIT Workplace (http //www.msiwp.com), provides information on the entire corpus of phase diagram compilations. 

Cover means of communicating health and safety information m all workplaces. Include illuminated signs, alarms, verbal communication, fire safety signs, marking of pipework, etc. 

The motivation for ensuring good indoor air quality should be obvious. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 emphasizes the need for standards to protect the health and safety of workers. To fulfill this need, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has developed a strategy for disseminating information that assists employers to protect their workers from workplace hazards. This strategy includes the development of Special NIOSH Hazard Reviews, which support and complement the major standards development and hazard documentation activities of the Institute. These documents deal with... 

MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet - a document that provides pertinent information and a profile of a particular hazardous substance or mixture. An MSDS is normally developed by the manufacturer or formulator of the hazardous substance or mixture. The MSDS is required to be made available to employees and operators whenever there is the likelihood of the hazardous substance or mixture being introduced into the workplace. Some manufacturers prepare MSDS for products that are not considered to be hazardous to show that the product or substance is not hazardous. 

The first step is to identify the substances present at the workplace. As a starting point, knowledge of the process is needed in order to formulate a list of all chemical agents used in the establishment. The list should include not only primary products but also intermediate and final products, as well as reaction products and by-products. For the chemical agents in the list, it is necessary to know their chemical properties, especially hazardous ones their OEL values, including biological limit values and, where these are not available, other technical criteria that can be used to evaluate the risk. It is also helpful to include any information on the safety and health risks of those substances provided by the supplier or other readily available sources. This information on dangerous substances and preparations, in the form of safety data sheets, is intended primarily for industrial users, to enable them to take the measures necessary to ensure the safety and health of workers. 

Ergonomics The science dealing with the application of information on physical and psychological characteristics to workplace design. 

Provides information on handling, abatement, and management of asbestos in schools, the workplace, and the home. Hours 8 00 a.m. to 4 30p.m. Monday through Friday, EST. 

The Information Contained in Procedures Is Correct, but It Is Not Cast in a Form Usable by the Individual at His or Her Workplace. 

This checklist presents detailed information for assessing VDU terminals and their workplaces. The items concern technical information about VDU characteristics but they do not directly consider the nature of the task performed using the VDU system. 

Probably one of the most important safety and healtli standards ever adopted is tlie OSHA hazard communication standard, more properly known as tlie right to know laws. The liazard communication standard requires employers to communicate information to tlie employees on liazardous chemicals tliat e.vist witliiii the workplace. The program requires employers to craft a written luizard communication program, keep material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for all haztirdous chemicals at the workplace and provide employees with training on tliose hazardous chemicals, and assure tliat proper warning labels are in place. 

Social Factors. The personalities of co-w orkers and supervisors arc also factors to be considered when evaluating Uie workplace. The liigher Uie employee morale, Uie lower Uie potcnUal for accidents. Another factor is Uie relationship of one job to another, and wheUier Uie job requires Uie coordinating of information, materials, and human effort. 

All appropriate warning signs must comply with the Safety Signs Regulations 1980 and must be displayed prior to commencement and for the duration of the work to be carried out (see BS 5378). Workplaces must be kept safe and tidy and all access/exit areas clear of obstruction. Additional information is available from HSE publications. 

Employers must ensure that their workers know the potential hazards of the chemicals they work with, how to protect themselves against those hazards (e.g., safe practices, personal protection equipment, etc.), and what to do in case of an emergency. Accordingly, OSHA has established basic communication requirements under the Hazard Communication Standard to inform workers about chemicals in use in the workplace. Under this standard, chemical makers must meet the following requirements ... 

Search MSDS on CCINFOWeb. All databases on CCINFOWeb may be searched for free. The MSDSs are contributed by North American sources, many that are multi-national companies marketing chemical products worldwide. This database meets a growing international requirement for health and safety information on specific chemical products. It helps thousands of users worldwide manage their responsibilities under workplace, environmental and other right-to-know legislation. The MSDS database can be searched quickly and easily for product names and other product identifications, manufacturer or supplier names, dates of MSDSs, or any term used in the text of the MSDS itself. 

In contrast to that, mentoring is seen as an effective method of enhancing the development of people, precisely because it t)q)ically improves both learning retention as well as the transfer of the learned information to real life situations (e.g. the workplace). Emphasizing the motivation for adopting mentoring, Jossi (1997) points out that ... 

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research on occupational diseases and injuries, responds to requests for assistance by investigating problems of health and safety in the workplace, recommends standards to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), and trains professionals in occupational safety and health. Contact NIOSH, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20201 Phone 800-356-4674 or NIOSH Technical Information Branch, Robert A. Taft Eaboratory, Mailstop C-19, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cinciimati, OH 45226-1998 Phone 800-35-NIOSH. 

The National Occupational Exposure Survey (NOES), conducted by NIOSH from 1980 to 1983, estimated that 3,205 workers in the agricultural services industry were exposed to endosulfan in the workplace in 1980 (NIOSH 1984). The NOES database does not contain information on the frequency, concentration, or duration of exposure of workers to any chemicals the survey provides only estimates of the number of workers potentially exposed to chemicals in the workplace. 

This is an example of a policy statement that you can use, fill in and keep in your workplace. However, you do not have to use this document or format. You are free to record and store the information in any form you choose. This format gives you an idea of the kind of information you need to record. 

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