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Element 8: Physical
and Psychological
Health Hazards and
Risk Controls
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this element, you should be able to
demonstrate understanding of the content through the
application of knowledge to familiar and unfamiliar
situations. In particular you should be able to:
Unit IGC 2
Element 8.1
Noise
Noise
Health effects:
Temporary:
reduction in hearing
(temporary threshold shift)
ringing in ears
Permanent:
tinnitus
noise-induced hearing loss
(permanent threshold shift)
Physical damage to hearing mechanisms
Stress
Safety issues:
Group Activity
Occupations at Risk
Construction workers
Plant, machinery, e.g. concrete breakers
Uniformed services
Small arms and artillery
Terminology
Sound pressure level
Decibel (dB)
sound pressure level, loudness
Frequency
pitch
human ear detects 20Hz to 20,000Hz
A-weighting
C-weighting
Decibel Levels
Measurement
in dB(A)
0
20-30
50-60
65-75
90-100
140
Sound
Faintest audible sounds
Quiet library
Conversation
Loud radio
Power drill
Jet aircraft on take-off at 25m
S O U N D S O U R C E
P A IN T H R E S H O L D
1 3 0
J e t A ir c ra ft o n T a k e o ff 2 0 m e tr e s a w a y
R iv e t in g H a m m e r
T H R E S H O L D O F F E E L IN G
1 20
H e lic o p t e r
11 0
C h a in s a w s l
1 0 0
M e t a l F a b r ic a t io n S h o p
9 0
L a r g e G o o d s V e h ic le
8 0
B u s y m a in r o a d t r a f f ic
7 0
L o u d H i- F i
6 0
N o r m a l C o n v e r s a tio n
5 0
Q u i e t O f fic e
4 0
B a c k g r o u n d M u s ic
3 0
Q u i e t L ib r a r y
2 0
B a c k g r o u n d i n Q u ie t H o u s e
T H R E S H O L D O F H E A R IN G
Noise Assessment
Simple sound meter
measures instant noise levels
simple surveys
Dosimeters
worn by worker
personal noise exposure
Duration of exposure
Noise assessment
Information, instruction and
training
Provide hearing protection
Noise assessment
Reduce noise exposure by engineering
means,
Group Exercise
A noise survey has been
carried out and there are 2
work areas of concern:
Machine shop - noise levels
83 dB(A) throughout the shift
Wood working area - noise
levels 87 dB(A) throughout
the shift
Discuss the actions that would
could be taken in each area
Structure
pathway
Receiver
Acoustic haven
Hearing protection
Eliminate
Substitute
Modify process
Damping
Silencing
Maintenance
Pathway
Insulation
Isolation
Absorption
Group Exercise
Re-design or
maintain
Acoustic
Guard
- Damping
Noise
Shadow
Absorb or Shield
Enclose the
person or
machine
Noise Transmission
Pathways
Hearing Protection
Ear Defenders (muffs)
Encase the ear and bones
surrounding the ear
Ear plugs
Fit into the ear canal
Hearing Protection
Ear defenders or muffs
Advantages
Limitations
Uncomfortable
Higher level of
protection possible
Can integrate with
other PPE
Reusable
Efficiency affected by
long hair, spectacles
etc
Must inspected,
cleaned and
maintained
Hearing Protection
Ear plugs
Advantages
Limitations
Disposable
More comfortable,
range of designs
Need to be correctly
sized for individual
Do not interfere
with other PPE
Effectiveness decreases
with usage
Hearing Protection
Information, instruction,
training
Safe storage
Cleaning
Maintenance
Replacement
Hearing Protection
Attenuation (reduction)
Information is required on the:
Noise in the workplace
from survey
Attenuation characteristics
(decrease of the effect or not)
hearing protection
from manufacturer
Ear muffs give higher attenuation
than ear plugs
Health Surveillance
Audiometry allows:
Removal/exclusion of such
workers from high noise areas
Investigation of noise controls
to rectify problems
Unit IGC 2
Element 8.2
Vibration
Effects of Exposure to
Vibration
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome
(HAVS)
5 Million
Workers
Exposed
to HAVS
2 Million
Works at
potential
danger
level of
exposure
300,000
Workers
with
Advanced
Symptom
s
HAV Effects
Neurological Disorders
(numbness and tingling)
Circulatory Disorders
(vibration induced white
finger)
Muscular Disorders
(grip difficulties and
Reduced dexterity)
Articular Effects
(bone and joint problems)
Group Exercise
What occupations are most at
risk of exposure to vibration?
How can you reduce the risks?
(Consider the use of a
mechanical sander at home)
Effects of Exposure to
Vibration
Whole-Body Vibration
Damage to spinal discs
Vertigo(sort of dizziness / off
balance)
Occupations:
dumper truck driving
aircraft cabin crew
Vibration Assessment
Vibration dose is
determined as a
personal exposure to
vibration averaged over
8hrs
Vibration dose
determined by:
vibration magnitude
(ms-2 )
duration of exposure
(hours/mins)
Exposure Standards
Exposure limit values and action values for hand-arm
vibration
(a) the daily exposure limit value is 5 m/s2 A(8)
(b) the daily exposure action value is 2.5 m/s2 A(8)
Action Limits
0.5m/s2.
Vibration Exposure
Standards
Standards vary according to national law
At or above the Daily Exposure Action Value
Vibration risk assessment
Reduce exposure level
Training
Health surveillance
Control of Vibration
Source:
Eliminate
Substitute
Change work
method
Maintenance
Pathway:
Isolate
Duration:
Limit time
exposed
Job rotation
Person:
PPE
Health Surveillance
At or above the Exposure Action
Value
Health surveillance allows:
Removal/exclusion of such
workers from vibration sources
Investigation of vibration sources
to rectify problems
Reproduced under the
terms of the click-use
licence
Unit IGC 2
Element 8.3
Radiation
Radiation
Two types:
Ionising
higher energy
can change the structure of atoms
Non-ionising
lower energy
heating effects
does not change the structure of
atoms
Ionising Radiation
Alpha particles
Beta particles
X-Rays
Gamma rays
Neutrons
Alpha Particles
Weak penetrating power
Stopped by thin material, e.g. paper,
skin
Health effects:
- outside body - not particularly
hazardous
- inside body (ingestion/inhalation) - very
hazardous
Occupational uses:
- smoke detectors, medical labs
Beta Particles
Occupational uses:
- sterilisation, thickness gauges
X-Rays
Can be generated and switched off
High penetrating power
Health effects:
- inside and outside body - very
hazardous
Occupational uses:
- medical radiography
- baggage security
scanners
Gamma Rays
Very penetrating
Health effects:
- Inside and outside body - very
hazardous
Occupational uses
- industrial radiography, e.g. pipelines
Neutrons
Emitted by some radioactive sources
Very high penetration
Health effects:
- outside body - very hazardous
Occupational uses
- nuclear power stations
Time
Distance
Shielding
Distance:
Alpha, beta cant travel long distances through air
Shielding:
Depends upon type of radiation
Dose Limits
International Commission on
Radiological Protection (ICRP)
Recommendations on exposure:
Radon Gas
Naturally occurring in Devon,
Derbyshire, etc.
Radioactive gas
Alpha particles
Health effects:
- outside body - not particularly
hazardous
- inside body (ingestion/inhalation) hazardous
Radon Gas
Radon-
Non-Ionising Radiation
Non-Ionising Radiation
Types
Ultra-violet
(UV)
Sources
Health Effects
Sunlight
Arc welding
Skin burns
Arc eye
(photokeratitis)
Skin cancer
Temporary blindness
Redness and skin
burns, retinal burns,
cataracts
Radiowaves Radio, TV
radar
Arc Eye
Organ damage
Internal heating
Organ damage
Protection
Infra-red (IR)
Microwaves
Safe distance
Isolate and lock off
Radiowaves
Safe distance
Isolate and lock off
Health Surveillance
May be legally required by an
approved physician:
Before working as a classified worker
During periodic health reviews (medicals)
Special surveillance if dose limit is
exceeded
After ceasing work as a classified worker
Health Surveillance
Skin checks
Respiratory checks
Exposure records
Sickness records
Unit IGC 2
Element 8.4
Stress
Stress
Stress is:
An adverse reaction to
excessive pressure
Health effects:
psychological
physical
behavioural
serious ill-health if prolonged
Group Exercise
Causes of Stress
Change - uncertainty
Demands - excessive
Control - weak
Support - poor
Relationship - difficult
Role
- undefined
Effects of Stress
Psychologic Physical
al
Anxiety
Low selfesteem
Depression
Sweating
Heart rate
Blood
pressure
Skin rashes
Muscle
tension
Headache
Dizziness
Behavioural
Sleeplessness
Poor
concentration
Poor decisionmaking
Mood swings
Irritability
Alcohol
consumption
Drug misuse
Absence from
work
Relationships
- clear job descriptions,
Role
Change