Worker Exposure to Common Chemicals. Tom Estabrook The New England Consortium UMass Lowell 11/15/16

Transcription

1 Worker Exposure to Common Chemicals Tom Estabrook The New England Consortium UMass Lowell 11/15/16

2 The New England Consortium Health and Safety Training for public and private sector workers. Focus on: Hazardous Materials Operations and Emergency Response All hazards preparedness construction safety confined space entry/rescue roadway work zone safety natural disaster preparedness infectious disease preparedness

3 Worker Populations Trained in Health and Safety Manufacturing food production, solar technologies Hazardous Waste Remediation remediation companies, consultants, government agencies Municipal Public Works DPWs, housing agencies, school departments Regional Water and Wastewater Public Works Private Construction Companies Energy Production coal/natural gas utilities, solid waste to energy facilities Public Health Officer all hazards preparedness Health Care Personnel infectious disease preparedness

4 Common Chemical Exposures Ammonia refrigerant, air pollution mitigation Chemical cleaners building maintenance Chorine/Sodium hypochlorite water, wastewater treatment Hydrogen sulfide wastewater systems Asphalt fumes road tarring operations Crystalline silica construction related operations Process chemicals energy production

5 Exposure to anhydrous ammonia refrigerant in food manufacturing Ammonia tanks in engine room or next to building. 50K lbs. in system Evacuation, then repair of leak by on-site ER team. Large release: 2-mile evacuation. Convalescent home < ¼ mile away.

6 Chlorine exposure in water/wastewater treatment Large shift from chlorine gas to Sodium hypochlorite. Air monitoring? Respiratory protection?

7 Switch from Chlorine to UV light in water disinfection Potential mercury release when changing UV light bulbs

8 On-site Haz Mat response to chemical releases in wastewater treatment

9 Hydrogen sulfide exposure Hydrogen Sulfide exposures in sewer lines, treatment plant. Low level exposures, long duration. Portable air monitoring? Respiratory and skin protection?

10 Coal-Fired/Natural Gas Power Plant Ammonia used in pollution reduction Inconsistent practices by workers when alarm sounds Use nose sniff test, sometimes use air monitor Rarely use respiratory protection Other chemicals of concern: hydrazine, mercury

11 Custodial workers exposure to cleaning and laboratory chemicals

12 Chemical waste exposure in municipal custodial work and public works

13 Sanitary workers exposure to waste chemicals (pesticides, etc.)

14 Municipal worker and private contractor exposure to asphalt fumes Air monitoring? Respiratory protection? Right to Know training?

15 Municipal worker and private contractor exposure to silica dust Air monitoring? Respiratory protection?

16 Risk communication in Research Facilities Pharma research company Chemical purchasing/use officer and Health & Safety officer not in clear communication about chemicals present. Research Hospital Research Section and Hospital Safety Section not in clear communication about chemical hazards present.

17 Lessons Some organizations are controlling hazards very well. Other organizations seem to be well prepared in terms of controls, but suffer from poor communication between offices/personnel. Level of training and attention to worker protection is highly uneven throughout public sector workplaces. Private facilities have uneven use of best practices to protect worker health.

18 Question for TUR Planners How can processes and practices be changed to achieve safer worker environments in public works, building maintenance, energy production, refrigeration facilities? Your suggestions for our future training of these worker populations?