OSH Practice Report

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OSH PRACTICE OCT 2022

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT

GROUP MEMBERS:

NAME MATRIC NUMBER

HAMZAH ASADULLAH BIN AHMAD DOSH 2010-2295

KHAIRIL AZRI BIN MOHD AFFANDI DOSH 2010-2256

JAYSHERN S GOPINATH DOSH 2010-2517


Contents
DEFINITION..........................................................................................................3
STATISTIC............................................................................................................4
LAW.....................................................................................................................6
Prevention and mitigation...................................................................................8
CURRENT ISSUES................................................................................................16
REFERENCE........................................................................................................19
DEFINITION

SAFETY ISSUES
A safety concern is anything that you believe has the potential to harm people, property,
or the environment. Examples include loose stair railings, tripping hazards, and other
conditions, practices, or violations that significantly increase the risk of physical harm, property
loss, and/or environmental impact. Any workplace should place a high focus on safety to help
safeguard assets, personnel, clients, clients, vendors, suppliers, and other stakeholders. In
2020, 2.7 million employees suffered non-fatal injuries at work, according to the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics. Poorly packed pallets, oil on the floor, trailing wires in the office, and other
hazards are clear to any observer looking for them. Safety representatives cannot rely on a
cursory visual inspection to demonstrate whether or not their workplace is safe and healthy
because many workplace risks are not at all evident.
In the workplace, school, and home, slips, trips, and falls result in innumerable fatalities
and injuries. Slips happen when there is insufficient friction or traction between the footwear
and the floor. A trip occurs when a foot bumps against or collides with an item, losing balance
and frequently leading to a fall. According to studies, 66% of trips or slips result in falls that
happen on the same level. There are many different reasons why these kinds of dangers exist,
but there are steps that may be taken to reduce the risk of trips, slips, and falls. Finding
common causes is the first step in removing these occupational dangers. Common reasons
people slip: greasy or moist surface, equipment that is unanchored or has loose matting,
flooring or floor surfaces with uneven amounts of traction throughout, weather risks (ice, rain,
etc.) Next is typical reasons for trips: Bad lighting, uneven floor covering, exposed cables, clutter
and view obstruction.
Next is about electricity and fire. Electrical fires may result from faulty electrical parts or
wiring. The majority of electrical fires are brought on by damaged sockets, cables, circuit
breakers, wires, or outlets that are improperly grounded. We used 62 billion kWh of energy
every day in the world in 2018. We depend heavily on energy to run our homes, companies,
and, in an increasing number of cases, our cars. Don't assume that just because your electrical
systems operate normally on a daily basis that everything is fine. There is always a risk of fire
with electrical equipment. Your risk of a fire will be reduced if you are aware of the typical
causes of electrical fires and take preventative steps to maintain your electrical equipment.
HEALTH ISSUE
A health issue happens when a workers physical, mental and social well-being of a worker is not
taken care of such as not maintaining and promoting the workers’ health, working conditions or
working environment not being conducive to a workers’ health and management not
developing measures to prevent health issues in the future. That is why, the world health
assembly urges every country to develop national policies and action plans and to build
institutional capacities on occupational health, scale up the coverage with essential
interventions for prevention and control of occupational and work-related diseases and injuries
and occupational health services and ensure in collaboration with other relevant national
health programs such as those dealing with communicable and non-communicable diseases,
prevention of injuries, health promotion, mental health, environmental health, and health
systems development.
There are four hazards that need to be checked for at any workplace in regards to workers
health which are chemical hazards which occur when employees are exposed to solid, liquid, or
gas chemicals, biological hazards which are usually associated with industries that work with
people, animals, or infectious plant material that they can get diseases from, ergonomic
hazards which is when strain is put in the body part which can cause damage in the long term
and physical hazard which is anything in the environment that cause damage to the body such
as excessive noise and extreme temperatures.

STATISTIC

SAFETY STATISTIC

Employers in the home services sector are extremely concerned about slips, trips,
and falls since their staff is most at risk for these accidents to result in serious physical
harm. Suits, workers' compensation claims, and lost productivity are all obstacles to the
profitability and expansion of your company. Slips, trips, and falls account for more than
25% of all injuries across all industries. 16% of all workplace accidents involved falls to
the ground as a result of slips, stumbles, and falls. Unfortunately, falls between two or
more stories were the cause of more than 5% of industrial injuries. The figure about
trips and slips that do not result in falls is also noteworthy to notice. Slips and trips
without a fall accounted for more than 3% of all workplace mishaps that required time
off.

Here are some data about non-fatal workplace injuries for the construction and home
services industries: Siding contractors had a 154% higher risk of suffering a fall to a lower level
than roofing contractors, who only have a 52% higher risk. Slips, stumbles, and falls were to
blame for 29% of plumbing and HVAC contractors' injuries. Contractors working with tile and
terrazzo are 474% more likely to get hurt when they raise or lower anything too heavy. Most
people picture the most hazardous occupations, such as firefighters, deep-sea fisherman, and
pilots, when they think about the professions with the highest rates of occupational injuries and
diseases. In actuality, contractors, plumbers, HVAC experts, and other professionals sustain
accidents and illnesses on a daily basis.

It's simple to dismiss the possibility of an electrical fire. You might believe your system is
functioning properly as is. However, have you ever observed burning smells or flickering lights
coming from your outlets? Those are indications that an electrical system needs to be repaired
because it is deteriorating. A fire in your home or property could perhaps be started by an
overused electrical system. The following are some concerning electrical fire statistics. The
second most common reason for house fires, according to a research by the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA), is faulty electrical installation. Equipment that was left running
unattended, such as a space heater, was the primary cause of house fires. 13% of residential
structure fires between 2012 and 2016 were brought on by damaged or dysfunctional electrical
equipment. The primary source of heat for fires was electrical arcing. When electricity jumps
from one connection to another, it is said to be electrical arcing.

HEALTH STATISTIC

Research shows approximately 20 percent of asbestos workers develop a related disease later
in life and is asbestos exposure is the number 1 cause of work-related death in the world.
Approximately 90,000 people die from asbestos-related diseases globally each year and an
estimated 125 million people worldwide remain at risk of occupational exposure to asbestos.
According to a 2022 report by the European Commission, over 70,000 workers died in 2019
from past exposure to asbestos.

OSHA estimates that 35,000 workers would be covered by its beryllium proposal. The agency
also estimates that 300,000 workers are exposed to cadmium; 558,000 workers are exposed to
hexavalent chromium; and 804,000 workers in general industry, and another 838,000
construction workers face lead exposures

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 22 million workers are exposed to
potentially damaging noise at work each year.
LAW

SAFETY ISSUE
There are numerous state and federal requirements that make up the workplace
safety law. To protect the health and safety of employees, these regulations are
imposed on businesses. A number of standards are also in place to lower the possibility
of accidents and illnesses at work. Everyone has a right to an atmosphere at work that is
secure and protected. It is your duty and moral obligation as an employer to make sure
that workplace health and safety standards are met. You might need to hire a workplace
safety attorney to make sure your company is operating legally. The major law
controlling workplace safety is administered by the Occupational Health and Safety
Administration (OSHA), a government organisation. They have the power to look into
infractions and cite anyone for not complying. If this legislation is broken, there could be
monetary fines and, in the worst instance, jail time or other legal repercussions.

While "whistle-blowing" is commended, those who do so frequently require legal


counsel when disclosing wrongdoing. However, workplace safety lawyers typically
represent enterprises. These attorneys concentrate on assisting employers in creating
policies that guarantee legal compliance. If necessary, they will also represent them in
administrative processes. There’s also a huge number of law that are related to safety
issue. Below are some example of safety issue law.

 Legislative Framework of Occupational Safety and Health in Malaysia

The Constitution of Malaysia governs the legal framework for workplace safety and
health. The three main pieces of law are the Petroleum (Safety Measures) Act 1984, the
Factories and Machinery Act 1967, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (or "OSHA
1994"). This article will concentrate on government measures to lower occupational accidents
in Malaysia as well as laws relating to safety and health at work.

 Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (“OSHA”)

The FMA 1967, which governs factories, only covers industries like manufacturing, mining,
quarrying, and construction, which is why the OSHA 1994 was created. The percentage of the
workforce that is covered by the FMA 1967 is only 24%, whereas 90% of the workforce is
covered by OSHA 1994. A division of the Ministry of Human Resources is the Department of
Occupational Safety and Health ("DOSH"). This division is in charge of guaranteeing employee
health, safety, and welfare at work and defending the public from dangers to their health and
safety in the industry sectors included in the OSHA First Schedule of 1994.
 Employees’ Social Security Act 1969

This legislation provides social security for job injury contingencies in favour of


employees, is another significant piece of legislation that safeguards workers during the
course of their employment. Employees are entitled to make claims under the Act for a
variety of benefits, including medical care, disability benefits, constant attendance pay,
dependents' benefits, funeral benefits, survivor's pensions, and invalidity pensions.

HEALTH ISSUE
There are several laws that protect the health of the workers such as:

 Section 15 of Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (“OSHA”)

15. General duties of employers and self-employed persons to their employees.

General duties of employers and self-employed persons to their employees. (1) It shall be the
duty of every employer and every self-employed person to ensure, so far as is practicable, the
safety, health and welfare at work of all his employees.

Which means that employers are responsible for ensuring the safety, health and welfare
of all employees.

 Section 16 of Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (“OSHA”)

16. Duty to formulate safety and health policy.

Duty to formulate safety and health policy. Except in such cases as may be prescribed, it be the
duty of every employer and every self-employed person to prepare and as often as may be
appropriate revise a written statement of his general policy with respect to the safety and
health at work of his employees and the organisation and arrangements for the time being in
force for carrying out that policy, and to bring the statement and any revision of it to the notice
of all of his employees.

Which means that it is the duty of the employer to make a safety and health policy for the
workers to follow
Prevention and mitigation
Safety issues: Slips, trips and falls
Slips
Wet surfaces, spills, and weather risks like ice or snow can all contribute to slips. When you
rush or sprint, wear the improper shoes, or don't pay attention to where you're walking, you
run a higher risk of slipping. By taking these safety measures, you can help prevent slips:

 Develop safe walking techniques. On slick terrain, take little steps and point your feet
slightly outside to maintain your balance.
 Immediately clean up spills or report them. Spills of any size can be quite dangerous.
 Make sure grease doesn't build up at the office.
 On smooth surfaces like freshly waxed floors, proceed with additional caution. Walking
on loose carpet should also be avoided.

Trips
Anytime your foot strikes a surface while you are travelling quickly enough to lose your
equilibrium, you trip. To avoid tripping hazards:

 Make sure you can see where you are going while you walk.
 Keep places used for walking and working well-lit, particularly at night.
 Keep your workspace neat and orderly.
 Place supplies and equipment in the proper storage locations.
 Maintain walking spaces properly and notify the appropriate authorities of any potential
maintenance-related risks.
Falls
The following precautions can help you prevent falls:

 Avoid jumping off loading docks or landings. Utilize the stairs.


 Fix or replace any damaged or loose stairways or handrails.
 Keep corridors and hallways well-lit and clutter-free.
 Put on footwear with the proper non-slip soles.
The flooring at the workplace should be reasonably slip-resistant. Pick a material for the
walkway's surface that will operate well under the circumstances. For instance, certain surfaces
have excellent slip resistance while they are dry or clean but lose some of those qualities when
they are wet.
To assess whether surfaces can be seen adequately inside, outdoors, and at night, conduct a
lighting evaluation. On slick surfaces, a mix of mats may be necessary, such as one to remove
moisture and another to remove debris. Find out from the staff what kinds of mats are
required, where they are needed, and how far they must travel. Additionally, make sure the
mats have a proper care plan in place because they can become wet or develop worn edges.
To keep floors in good condition, it's important to have a good self-inspection routine that
includes checking that walkways are clear of anything that can cause someone to slip, trip, or
fall. A good floor and housekeeping routine are also essential. Find out how to clean a floor the
best way by speaking with the manufacturer.
Employee footwear is another frequently disregarded element in minimizing trips, slips, and
falls. Most companies don't think in those terms, but a lot of fast-food restaurants have started
providing slip-resistant shoes for workers because they understand how important it is.
Another location where there are significant dangers of trips, slips, and falls is stairwells. Make
sure stairwells are well lit, and check that the steps are well-maintained and have a decent grip.
Employees should receive correct handrail usage instruction.

Safety issues: Electricity and fire

The importance of cleanliness.


In addition to making, it more difficult to do regular activities at work, clutter can also make it
harder to use emergency exits such as fire escapes and even add fuel to a fire that has already
started. Because of this, it is advised to minimize clutter to an absolute minimum in any type of
working environment.

Maintain machinery and electrical equipment.


Maintaining machinery and electrical equipment in good operating order lowers the risk of
overheating, unprotected sparks, and short circuits, which helps prevent workplace fires. If an
employee is not properly qualified to do so, they shouldn't try to fix electrical equipment.
Additionally, all potential electrical hazards or issues need to be notified right away.

Keep all electrical control panels and fire alarm equipment easily accessible.
Access to all electrical panels must be kept entirely clear and free of all clutter, including
furniture, tools, and other objects. In the case of an emergency, it will take longer to shut these
systems down if this is not done. Equipment for fire alarms should be kept free of obstructions
to ensure that it can operate effectively in the case of a fire.

Regularly test the fire alarm system


Every year, too many workplace fires break out due to faulty fire alarm systems. All smoke
alarms and fire detection systems must be tested monthly in accordance with code. This will
allow you to plan maintenance or repair work on damaged units before they become a fire
hazard.

Use and Store Chemicals Carefully


It is imperative to verify that all personnel who utilize chemical items have read and
comprehended the guidelines for doing so safely. Any chemical-based materials should be
stored in places that are both well-ventilated and kept at a comfortable temperature. In the
storage and consumption facilities, no open flames should be allowed either.

Smoke only in designated areas.


Smoking should never be authorized in storage spaces, chemical storage locations, or work
areas where sparks are present. Ensure that employees only smoke in defined places, or not at
all if the workplace is deemed too dangerous for open flames.
Make sure each high-energy equipment has its own outlet.
Many high-energy devices consume so much electricity that they can easily overwhelm a power
outlet. Portable heaters, microwaves, huge printers, and some computers are examples of high-
energy gadgets. Each high-energy item should have its own power outlet with a specified power
rating that meets its needs.

Maintain an electrical distribution blueprint.


As an employer or executive, you should have a printed blueprint of your workplace's electrical
architecture. This blueprint can be used to renovate or repair a structure. Workers may
inadvertently destroy or modify circuit lines, resulting in fires. If you have a blueprint, you can
see where the power fuses, circuit breakers, and transformers are so you know where they
should be and can catch any problems if they occur.

Provide quick access to fire extinguishers.


There are two ways to put out an electrical fire in an electrical panel: either a fire extinguisher
or an automatic fire suppression system. Make sure the fire extinguisher you use can put out
Class C fires. The drawback of fire extinguisher use is that someone must be present when a fire
starts.

When not in use, unplug heat-generating devices.


Heat-producing devices are particularly prone to fires when equipment is plugged in for an
extended period of time. Additionally, leaving heat-generating gadgets plugged in for a long
time increases the risk of the electrical system overheating, sparking, and catching fire. After
utilizing these kinds of appliances, unplug them.

For electrical panel fires, install an automatic fire detection and suppression system.
Electrical arcing and other problems can easily cause fires to ignite in electrical cabinets and
panels. Installing a detection and suppression system helps put out a fire at its source because
they can start at anyplace where there is an electric connection.
Health issues: Exposure to asbestos, heavy metal, carbon dioxide

Exposure to asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring material found in soil and rocks that is composed of fibres of
various size and shape. It is also resistant to heat and most chemicals. It is widely utilised in the
manufacture of a variety of industrial items, primarily roofing, insulating materials, ceramic
floors, asbestos cement products, automotive components (brake and clutch), textiles, gaskets,
and protective apparel. Asbestos is a carcinogenic substance that can lead to lung cancer.

Here are some ways to evaluate and control exposure:


1. Employee exposure shall be determined using breathing zone air samples typical of each
employee's 8-hour TWA and 30-minute short-term exposures.
2. Conduct medical surveillance
3. Exposure monitoring
4. Controlling exposure
Controlling asbestos exposure can be accomplished by engineering controls,
administrative efforts, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Isolating the source
and employing ventilation systems are examples of engineering controls. Administrative
initiatives such as restricting workers' exposure time and providing showers are
examples of administrative actions. Wearing appropriate respiratory protection and
clothes is part of personal protective equipment.

Exposure to heavy metal

Heavy metals are still widely used in many countries. As a result, industrial employees
and employers must be thoroughly informed on the adverse health effects of exposure
to these elements, including the risk of developing occupational cancers.

Heavy metal toxicity is determined by a variety of factors, including:

 The substance's quantity or concentration


 The exposure path (inhalation, dermal asborption, ingestion)
 Age and genetic predispositions are examples of personal factors.
The first step in reducing occupational cancer hazards in industrial environments is education.
Employers are responsible for informing and teaching their employees about the hazards of
using, handling, and processing heavy metals.
Training should be relevant and include a wide range of topics, including:

 The toxicity of items discovered on the jobsite


 Personal protective equipment should be used correctly.
 Which respirators to use, when to use them, and how to ensure they are effective
 Practices in hygiene, sanitation, and housekeeping that reduce the risk of exposure
 How to avoid bringing heavy metal particles home after work
Employers are also responsible for supplying the necessary PPE to safeguard employees from
job risks. In the case of heavy metal toxicity, this will mostly include respirators to avoid inhaling
exposure and gloves and other protective garments to avoid cutaneous absorption.
Exposure to carbon dioxide
If there is a risk of carbon dioxide overexposure, you should:

 Keep an eye on the level of carbon dioxide in the workplace.


 Before entering the workspace, make sure there is enough ventilation.
Elimination or substitution
The most effective control is to eliminate the hazard by using a safer procedure or substance
whenever possible:

 Use a less hazardous material


 A process that produces less CO2

Engineering controls
The most effective control is to eliminate the hazard by using a safer procedure or substance
whenever possible:

 Area should be monitored or measured for CO2


 Ventilation should be improved.
 Carbon dioxide-producing jobs should be surrounded by barriers to prevent it from
leaking into other sections of the workplace.

Administrative control
These include modifying work procedures and policies. Administrative controls include
providing awareness tools and training. All of these measures can help to reduce the danger of
carbon dioxide exposure:

 Develop an exposure plan


 Post warning signs in work area
 Post signs that explain exposure symptoms
 Post written safe work procedures

Personal protective equipment


This is the least effective method of control. When utilised, at least one additional control must
always be present:

 Make sure workers have supplied air respirators


 Make sure supplied air respirators are tested to ensure that it is working properly
Health issues: Noise and vibration
To reduce noise in the workplace, occupational safety and health professionals and employers
should adopt the following steps. Consider the following options when developing your hearing
loss prevention program:

 Choose and buy low-noise tools and gear.


 Maintain tools and equipment on a regular basis (such as lubricate gears)
 Reduce vibration.
 Isolate the source of the noise in an insulated chamber or enclosure.
 Put something between the noise source and the employee.
 Isolate the employee in a room or booth from the source (such as sound wall or
windows)
Examples of controlling exposure to vibration:

 Anti-vibration tools
 Anti-vibration gloves
 Safe work practices
 Training employees
CURRENT ISSUES
SAFETY ISSUES

Most common and currently hot topic of the safety issues are “slips, trips and fall”
also “electricity and fire”. These two issues are one of the most troublesome issues
because how easy it is for them to happen or to befall employees. Firstly is about the
slips, trips and fall issues.

SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS.

These three issues have the same yet different definition, meanings those three
issues are almost similar. On the surface, trips, slips, and falls might not seem like a big
deal. People won't fall all that far. Where is the harm? 172,050 injuries every year,
besides the obvious embarrassment if others are present. That's accurate. quite
humiliating. The HSE records show that a staggering 31% of all nonfatal injuries reported
were caused by slips and trips on the same level. Slips, stumbles, and falls can result in
serious injuries as well as minor ones. Fractures and other serious injuries like
dislocations are also possible. The reasons of trips, slips, and falls are frequently simple
and inexpensive to solve.

Slips can be caused by a variety of things, not just the obvious spillages. Let's look at some
common examples people might find in their workplace.The first one is damp flooring.
Numerous factors can contribute to wet floors. Spillages are a clear offender. Wet floor
surfaces can also be produced by cleaning activities. When it rains outdoors, entrance
areas may get wet because raindrops from people's shoes and clothing are tracked
inside. Additionally, poorly maintained structures may leak and let the outside in. The
next one is slick surfaces. If glossy polished floor tiles are utilised in an inappropriate
location, such as a bathroom or entrance, where the floor may become wet, they can be
a slip hazard. Even in dry weather, flooring may be slick depending on the style of shoes
worn.

Now that people are aware of the reasons of slips, what about trips? Any type of
work setti ng can have trip risks, and people need to be aware of more than simply
cables. Firstly, obstacles. Trips at work are sometimes caused by people leaving items,
tools, or equipment laying around, particularly in walkways. You must need tools in
order to work, correct? However, putti ng a tool or item in the incorrect location might
surprise someone else. Waste and packaging are frequently to blame for creating trip
hazards. Secondly, slippery floors. So we pointed out that unfastened floor coverings
and matti ng could present a slip hazard. They might also present a trip risk. Unlevel tile,
a floorboard that was loose and sticking up, and a rug that was curled at the corner.

Anything in the workplace that could accidentally induce a loss of balance or bodily
support and lead to falling is considered a fall issue. Workers are urged to anticipate falling
dangers and remove or control them by implementing safety precautions before they result in
injuries. Using a fork truck without an appropriate personnel platform, neglecting to utilise a
guardrail on a scaffold, carrying heavy things, hauling ledges without enough railing, etc. are
examples of fall dangers.

ELECTRICAL AND FIRE


Now that the explaination of the slips, trips and fall are known, next is about the
electricity and fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical failure or
faults cause, on average, over 34,000 residential fires annually, resulting in 440 fatalities and
hundreds of millions in direct property damage (NFPA). Homes constructed before the 1950s,
when electrical wiring standards were less strict than they are now, are particularly at risk from
this. Even modern dwellings, though, are susceptible to electrical fires. The majority of newer
homes require 100 to 200 amps of power, whereas previous homes were designed to
withstand 30 amps. The wiring and electrical system of a home are significantly strained by this
demand. The following are the main reasons for electrical fires. Faulty wiring installation,
extension cables and circuits that are overloaded, faulty or inefficient connectors, switches, and
outlets misuse and inadequate lights maintenance.

However, by being aware of the most frequent causes of electrical fires and making sure
that specific protections and checks are carried out, this danger can be reduced as much as
possible. Next is the most frequent reasons for electric fires. The majority of electrical fires are
brought on by damaged electrical outlets or corroded, improperly grounded sockets. The wiring
that supports outlets and sockets deteriorates with time, becomes looser over time, and may
eventually break and start a fire. Other than that, lamps, lightbulbs, and other lighting fixtures
are another frequent source of electrical fires. People should always adhere to the specified
amounts of watts for all of their home's light fixtures and lights. A fire may start if a light bulb
with a high enough power is used. Placing items like cloth or paper over lamp shades can
potentially spark a fire because they can heat up and catch fire. Lamps and lampshades
shouldn't ever be covered as a result. Lastly, When numerous appliances are plugged into
extension leads, a single socket may get overloaded with power and become unable to support
it.
HEALTH ISSUES
The current issues for health that we have chosen is exposure to asbestos, heavy metal, carbon
dioxide and noise and vibration.
Exposure to asbestos, heavy metal, carbon dioxide
Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestosis is a chronic lung disease which is caused by inhaling
asbestos fibers. Prolonged exposure to these fibers can cause lung tissue scarring and shortness
of breath. Asbestosis symptoms can range from mild to severe, and usually don't appear until
many years after initial exposure. The people most heavily exposed to asbestos are those in
construction trades, pipe fitters, shipyard workers, military workers and automobile mechanics.
Exposure to heavy metal can cause heavy metal poisoning which is the result of exposure to
heavy metals like lead, mercury and arsenic. Heavy metals bind to parts of your cells that
prevent your organs from doing their job. Symptoms of heavy metal poisoning can be life
threatening and they can cause irreversible damage. This mainly affects those engaged in
industrial metals-based activities where air monitoring is not being done or not done properly.
Exposure to CO2 can produce a variety of health effects. These may include headaches,
dizziness, restlessness, a tingling or pins or needles feeling, difficulty breathing, sweating,
tiredness, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, coma, asphyxia, and convulsions. That
is why NIOSH has recommended that the permissible exposure limit be changed to 10,000 ppm
averaged over a work shift of up to 10 hours per day, 40 hours per week, with a ceiling of
30,000 ppm averaged over a 10-minute period.
Noise and vibrations
Noise is one of the most common health issue and prolonged exposure can cause a person to
suffer temporary or permanent hearing loss. It can even cause psychological problems such as
losing focus, productivity or interfere with communication. The occupational exposure limit
(OEL) for noise is set at a time-weighted average (TWA) of 85dB.
Vibration exposure is also a dangerous health issue as long-term or regular exposure to HAV is
known to lead to potentially permanent and debilitating health effects known as hand-arm
vibration syndrome (HAVS), such as vibration white finger and carpal tunnel syndrome. WBV is
caused by vibration transmitted through the seat or the feet by workplace machines and
vehicles. That is why it is best to limit a workers use of vibration tools by using shift rotation.
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toxicity#:~:text=Heavy%20metal%20poisoning%20(toxicity)%20is,they%20can%20cause
%20irreversible%20damage.
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/chemical/carbondioxide.htm#:~:text=Exposure%20to
%20CO2%20can%20produce,coma%2C%20asphyxia%2C%20and%20convulsions .
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/81-123/pdfs/0103.pdf?id=10.26616/
NIOSHPUB81123#:~:text=NIOSH%20has%20recommended%20that%20the,consulted%20for
%20more%20detailed%20information.
https://www.osha.gov/noise/health-effects
https://www.hsa.ie/eng/topics/physical_agents/vibration/vibration_at_work/#:~:text=Long
%2Dterm%2C%20regular%20exposure%20to,by%20workplace%20machines%20and
%20vehicles.

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