MODULE 4
CONTROL
MEASURES FOR
OSH HAZARDS
28
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this module, the student will able to:
1. identify and explain the different work environment control measures
2. recognize appropriate control measures to reduce or eliminate the different hazards
3. understand how environment control concepts, particularly industrial ventilation, can
be applied to the environmental hazards
4. identify the different respiratory protective equipment .
Introduction
In this module, we will introduce you to the different work environment control measures
and discuss the importance of each in detail. We hope you will understand how these control
measures can be applied in your respective work setting.
Environmental Control Measures
There are three general environmental control measures that are useful in the
workplace: engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment.
Hierarchy of environmental controls:
1. Engineering Controls - eliminate the hazard by considering safety and health provisions,
substitution, modification of process/equipment, isolation, wet methods and industrial ventilation.
Engineering methods of control are the most effective in preventing or reducing work
environment factors or stresses. Among these methods are:
a. Proper design and planning – Initial consideration regarding safety and health aspects
must be made in the planning and construction stage. We should bear in mind that once
the control measures are in place, it is already very hard to alter or modify the design,
especially when we realize that the control measure being adopted is ineffective.
Besides it is more expensive and will cost the company a lot to do so. The correct
identification of the problem and careful evaluation should be ensured and we have to
make sure that the intervention or control measure to be employed is the most cost
effective.
b. Substitution/replacement of materials used. One of the control methods is through
substitution of non-toxic chemicals for the highly toxic ones. A number of years ago,
paints contain toxic chemicals such as benzene, toluene di isocyanate (TDI) and other
toxic organic solvents which are known to cause adverse health effects. Due to the
advancement in material and chemical sciences, paints nowadays are being
reformulated and its toxic components are eliminated and replaced by safer non-toxic
substitutes (from solvent based to water based paints). However, an industrial hygienist
must exercise extreme caution when substituting one chemical for another, to ensure
that some previously unforeseen hazards do not occur along with the substitution.
c. Modification in the process/equipment. A change in the process offers an ideal
chance to concomitantly improve working conditions. Most changes are made to
improve quality or reduce cost of production. However, in some cases, a process is
modified to reduce the hazard. For instance, in modifying a process, automation can be
used to lessen worker’s exposure to the contaminant. In modifying equipment, the use of
lids can prevent dispersion of dust during mixing.
Construction Occupational Safety and Health
Engr. MARILOU D. NAVAL/Engr. BIENVINIDO C. BALANLAY Jr, PhD
29
d. Isolation. Hazardous operations should be isolated to minimize exposure of workers.
The isolation can be a physical barrier, such as acoustic panels, to minimize noise
transmission from a genset, whining blower or ripsaw. The worker may also be isolated
or enclosed in a soundproof control booth with a clean source of air supplied to the
booth. Isolation can also be in terms of time or distance.
e. Wet methods. Airborne dust hazards can be minimized or greatly reduced by applying
water or other suitable liquids. Dampening powder materials or suppressing dust
generation through misting or spraying of water will definitely control dust dispersion.
Dampening or drenching powder materials to prevent it from getting airborne is one of
the simplest methods for dust control. Its effectiveness, however, depends upon proper
wetting of the particulates. Its application also depends on the nature of process and
product. Some powder conveying systems provide auxiliary water piping systems with
sprinklers or water sprays at the unloading side since formation of dust clouds occur
when powder materials drop.
f. Industrial ventilation. A very important aspect of engineering control has to do with
ventilation. Industrial ventilation is the process of supplying fresh air and/or removing
contaminant laden air by natural or mechanical means to and from any space.
Purpose:
1. To provide workers with a comfortable working condition.
2. To renew the air in the workplace, therefore diluting eventual air contaminants
to acceptable levels.
3. To prevent hazardous air contaminants from reaching the workers breathing
zone.
Types of Industrial Ventilation
General Ventilation – is classified into mechanical ventilation which utilizes
fans and blowers and natural ventilation which uses natural airflow (wind)
caused by difference in temperature, room air pressure through open doors or
windows, roof ventilators, and chimneys, etc.
Natural Ventilation – utilizing roof ridge opening
General Exhaust Ventilation – utilizing supply and exhaust fans
(Mechanical Ventilation)
Construction Occupational Safety and Health
Engr. MARILOU D. NAVAL/Engr. BIENVINIDO C. BALANLAY Jr, PhD
30
General ventilation is used when:
Only small quantities of air contaminants are released into the workroom
at fairly uniform rates.
There is sufficient distance between the worker and the contaminant
source to allow sufficient air movement to dilute the contaminant to safe
levels.
There is no air cleaning device to collect or filter the contaminants before
the exhaust air is discharged into the community environment (no dust
collector used).
There is no corrosion or other damage to equipment in the workroom as a
result of contaminated room air (no. scrubber used).
General Exhaust Ventilation - a system normally used to remove hot air and
other airborne contaminants in a general work area. Exhaust fans mounted on
roof and walls and other openings also constitute general exhaust ventilation.
Dilution Ventilation - using fresh air supply, a fraction of air is introduced into
the workroom such that airborne contaminants or heat are diluted to levels not
harmful to health.
The major disadvantage of general or dilution ventilation is that worker exposures
can be very difficult to control near the source of contaminant. This is why local
exhaust ventilation is most often the best method to control exposure to toxic
contaminants.
When air is removed from a work area through exhaust, make up or replacement
air must be provided. Air make- up volumes should be matched or equal to the
air being removed such that room pressure is maintained on a safe level.
Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) - Local exhaust ventilation system
incorporating hoods, ductworks, air cleaning device, fans and blowers and
exhaust ducts is commonly used in industrial ventilation.
The purpose of LEV is to remove air contaminants generated or dispersed from
the work process before they can reach the breathing zone of the workers in
harmful concentration. Particularly in combination with adequate enclosures, it is
the most efficient engineering control measure for airborne chemical agents and
particulates in the working environment.
LEV is used when:
Contaminants are moderately or highly toxic or hazardous
Only one or few emission sources are present
There is a risk of direct exposure of workers
A major advantage of local exhaust ventilation is that the system requires less
exhaust airflow than general exhaust ventilation system. The total airflow is
necessary for plants that are cooled since air-conditioning costs are important
operating expense.
Construction Occupational Safety and Health
Engr. MARILOU D. NAVAL/Engr. BIENVINIDO C. BALANLAY Jr, PhD
31
Principles of LEV
Enclose the contaminant
Capture contaminant with adequate air velocities
Keep contaminant out of the worker’ breathing zone
Discharge exhausted air outdoors
Basic Elements of LEV
Hoods
Duct work
Fan and motor
Air cleaning device
Exhaust stack
The design of local exhaust ventilation systems should be carefully considered.
The type of exhaust hoods must be properly selected and located such that air
contaminants can be easily captured; duct works and the fan motor must be
calculated to draw the correct volumetric flow rates of air. Hood selection is
based on the characteristics of the contaminants and how they are dispersed.
Classifications/Types of hood
Enclosure-type
Exterior type
Receiving type
Receiving type Exterior typer
Enclosure type
Construction Occupational Safety and Health
Engr. MARILOU D. NAVAL/Engr. BIENVINIDO C. BALANLAY Jr, PhD
32
2. Administrative Controls - control employees’ exposure by scheduling hazardous work
process; reduced working hours in hot processes and work areas with excessive noise levels;
assigning workers to other less hazardous work areas of production and training of workers on
various health and safety aspects.
a. Reduction of work periods. Reduction of work periods is a method of control in limited
areas where engineering control methods at the source are not practical.
b. Adjusting work schedules. For workers who must labor in a compressed-air
environment, schedules of maximum length work shift and length of decompression time
have been prepared. The higher the pressure, the shorter the work shift and the longer
the decompression time period.
c. Job Rotation. Job rotation when used as a way to reduce employee exposure to toxic
chemicals or harmful agents must be used with care. While rotation keeps exposure
below recommended limits exposes more workers to the hazard.
d. Education of supervisors. The education of supervisors usually is process equipment-
oriented. The aim of the safety and health professional should be to teach them about
the safety and health hazards that may be found in work areas. Supervisors should be
knowledgeable and well-informed about hazardous processes, operations and materials
for which they are responsible.
e. Employee information and training. The worker must know the proper operating
procedures that make engineering control effective. If performing an operation away
from an exhaust hood, the purpose of the control measure will be defeated and the work
area may become contaminated. Workers can be alerted to safe operating procedures
through manuals, instruction materials, signages, labels, safety meetings, and other
educational devices.
f. Emergency response training and education. Also, be sure to give employees
training on how to respond to emergencies. OSH training on when to respond or not is
also critical. Many deaths have occurred when untrained workers rushed in to save
fallen co-workers and were overcome, themselves.
g. Housekeeping and maintenance. Good housekeeping plays a key role in the control of
occupational health hazards. Remove dust on overhead ledges and on the floor before it
can become airborne by traffic, vibration, and random air currents. Stress that good
housekeeping is always important; but where there are toxic materials, it is of paramount
importance.
3. Use of Personal Protective Equipment - should be considered as the last resort when
engineering controls are not feasible or are not sufficient to achieve acceptable limits of
exposure. PPE can be used in conjunction with engineering controls and other methods.
However, PPEs protective devices have one serious drawback - they do nothing to reduce or
eliminate the hazard. The fact that a protective device may become ineffective when the wearer
lacks sufficient knowledge on how to use it.
The use of this should be confined to situations…
a. where temporary control measures are necessary before engineering controls installed.
b. where engineering controls are not practicable.
c. to supplement engineering controls in reducing exposure during maintenance and repair.
d. during emergencies .
PPEs vary in design, equipment specifications, application and protective capability. Proper
selection depends on the toxic substance involved, conditions of exposure, human capabilities
and equipment fit. In this module though, we will be giving particular attention to respiratory
protective equipment.
Construction Occupational Safety and Health
Engr. MARILOU D. NAVAL/Engr. BIENVINIDO C. BALANLAY Jr, PhD
33
Types of Respirators
a. Air-purifying respirators - clean the air by filtering contaminants before they are inhaled.
Cleaning devices are made of filters to remove dust or chemical cartridges for absorbing gases,
fumes, vapors and mists. Air-purifying or filtering respirators are also used when there’s enough
oxygen (19.5%), but it’s contaminated with gases, vapors, dusts, etc. The respirator may screen
out the dangerous materials or divert the air through a chemical that “washes” the air so you can
breathe it.
Kinds of air purifying respirators:
Mechanical Filter Respirators
Chemical Cartridge Respirators
Combination Mechanical Filter/Chemical Cartridge
Gas Masks
Powered Air-Purifying respirators
b. Air-supplying respirators – provide a continuous supply of uncontaminated air and offer the
highest level of respiratory protection. Air can be pumped from a remote source (connected to a
high-pressure hose) or from a portable supply such as from a cylinder or tank containing
compressed air or oxygen. This type is known as self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
The selection of respirators should consider the following criteria:
The identification of contaminants
Maximum possible concentration of contaminants in the work area
Acceptability in terms of comfort.
Compatibility with the nature of the job
Proper fit to the face of the user to prevent leakage
Activity:
Write your answer on a paper.
1. Enumerate and discuss the general environmental control measures that are useful in
the workplace:
2. How would you control hazardous contaminants?
3. Enumerate the different respiratory protective equipment .
Feedback
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References
Occupational Safety and Health (As Amended 1989)
DOLE s. 2016
Fundamental Principle of Occupational Health and Safety,
Benjamin O. Alli, 2nd Ed, 2008
Fundamental of Occupational Safety and Health (2018)
Mark A. Friend, 7th Edition, 2018
Construction Occupational Safety and Health
Engr. MARILOU D. NAVAL/Engr. BIENVINIDO C. BALANLAY Jr, PhD