Clarity Testing Services Blog

Nobody wants to get the flu, but every year, about 50 million people do. In the flu epidemic of 1918, 50 million people died of flu-related complications. Flu is not only a dangerous, debilitating disease, it costs businesses billions of dollars in lost productivity.

There is no foolproof way to guarantee that your employees will not get the flu, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta recommends a flu shot. These vaccinations provide protection against the top three strains of the flu for the coming year. This year's shot will protect those who get it from the H1N1 virus as well as two other of the most common types.

While some of your employees will no doubt take the initiative to get a flu shot on their own, many will not. A great way to encourage your employees to get a flu shot is to host an onsite flu vaccination clinic.

Promote the flu clinic with an all-out campaign by placing posters around your facility. If your company has an intranet site or newsletter, make sure the flu clinic is mentioned prominently. Have a company executive send out a company-wide email announcing the flu clinic. It's a great idea if you make it a business goal to get employees vaccinated against the flu.

The CDC offers a toolkit containing posters and information for businesses and employers who choose to host an onsite flu vaccination clinic. This kit includes some of those promotional items.

Here are some more tips to make your flu clinic successful:

• Get managers and other leaders vaccinated first to set an example.
• Offer incentives. Here are some ideas:
  • Give the shot free or at very low cost. (Balance the cost of the vaccine against how much you would lose if that employee got the flu.)
  • Extend the offer to the families of the employee for free or at low cost.
  • Allow employees to get their shots during working hours without having to punch out.
  • Hold a contest and offer prizes to the department with the highest participation.
  • Provide simple refreshments at the clinic.
• Set up a comfortable and convenient location for the clinic.
• Make sure the clinic is as convenient as possible for employees.

When you consider the contagious nature of the flu, you can see that every one of your employees protected against it can help to ensure the health of your whole workforce.

While hosting a flu vaccination clinic may seem like a benevolent thing to do for your employees, it is also a very smart business practice. If you can reduce the number of your employees who contract influenza this year you will probably reduce your costs in absenteeism and medical costs. After all, how much of the $10.4 billion pie do you really want to pay for?

More info available:

http://www.flu.gov/

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

References:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/business/Toolkit_Seasonal_Flu_For_Businesses_and_Employers.pdf

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/kidsandtheflu/a/05_late_shots.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

http://answers.flu.gov/questions/4253

This entry was posted on October 2, 2011 at 5:54 PM and has received 147 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

This summer, OSHA launched a National Emphasis Program (NEP) focused on helping protect workers in the primary metals industries from chemical and physical hazards. A NEP is an initiative by OSHA aimed at raising awareness and safety in a particular area. In this case, the NEP will help identify harmful chemical and physical hazards in establishments producing metal products and reduce or eliminate worker exposures to them.

Primary metals industries are those which extract and refine metals from rocks containing iron, lead, nickel, tin and other elements. Examples include manufactures of:

• Nails
• Insulated wires and cables
• Steel piping
• Copper and aluminum products

Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, the primary metals industries has long been an area of safety concern. Primary metal industries may expose employees to metal dusts, fumes, carbon monoxide, lead, silica, and other potentially dangerous substances. Additionally, noise exposure and heat hazards are not uncommon in such workplaces. The Primary Metal Industries NEP is aimed at drawing attention to these hazards and, in that way, protecting workers.

Potential Hazards in the Primary Metal Industries

Substances frequently present in the primary metals industry can be dangerous and even life threatening. Many of them have been associated with:

• Irritation or damage to eyes, nose, throat and skin
• Breathing problems
• Chest pain
• Joint pain

The goals of the primary metal industry NEP are to minimize or eliminate exposure to such substances along with reducing physical hazards common in the industry (noise exposure and heat).

Inspections

Expect that OSHA will beef up inspections of facilities that manufacture primary metals and metal products. Should such inspections cause OSHA to issue citations or make recommendations, expect them to conduct follow-up site visits to ensure that proper corrective steps have been put into effect.

It is anticipated that these inspections will focus on:

• Respiratory protection
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Noise and hearing conservation
• Heat stress safety
• Silica and lead hazards and safety
• Hazard communication standard

According to Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels, "Workers who are not properly protected from the hazards of metals refining are at increased risk of serious, potentially deadly health effects. OSHA's new enforcement program will raise awareness of the dangers of exposure to metals and other chemicals, so that employers can correct hazards and comply with OSHA standards."

Key Takeaways for the Primary Metal Industries

Get the OSHA directive for this latest NEP to help your company prepare. Be sure to follow OSHA directives. Expect to see heightened scrutiny and more inspections.

References:

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=19935

http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/Directive_pdf/CPL_03-00-013.pdf

http://blog.msdsonline.com/2011/06/osha-targets-primary-metals-industry-focus-on-injury-and-illness-msds-ppe%E2%80%99s/

http://ehstoday.com/standards/osha/osha-establishes-nep-primary-metal-industries-0603/

This entry was posted on September 22, 2011 at 7:35 PM and has received 170 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Overexposure to lead is one of the most common overexposure dangers found in industry today. Lead exposure is a leading cause of workplace illness. Between 0.5 and 1.5 million workers are exposed to lead in the workplace every year. Lead exposure can cause damage to the nervous system, kidneys, blood forming organs and reproductive system.

Who is at Risk for Lead Exposure?

At greatest risk are employees in lead-related industries including:

• Painters and remodelers
• Battery manufacturers and recyclers
• Automotive radiator manufacturers and repairpeople
• Employess involved in casting and machining lead, brass, bronze, pewter, and white metal
• Metal platers
• Manufacturers of leaded paints, inks, dyes, glazes, or pigments
• Employees who work with leaded paints, inks, dyes, glazes, or pigments
• Lead solderers, such as in the electronics industry
• Employees at gun firing ranges
• Ship builders
• Those working in salvaging and recycling scrap metal
• Manufacturers of ceramics
• Manufacturers of leaded glass or crystal
• Manufacturers of ammunition and explosives
• Employees who compound plastic resins
• Auto body repairpeople
• Stained glass artists

Preventing Lead Exposure

The best way to prevent lead poisoning is to prevent contact with lead. An employer's first line of defense is proper engineering controls, such as a local exhaust ventilation system. Lead exposure can also be controlled by:

• Safety training
• Safe work practices, possibly including the use of a respirator and protective clothing
• Switching to lead-free materials and/or controlling lead at the source

Second-Hand Lead Exposure

Those who are exposed to lead in the workplace can carry lead dust on their clothes or skin and expose family members. Following these simple rules when working with lead can stop this "second-hand" exposure to lead.

• Do not eat, drink or smoke in lead-contaminated work areas
• Wash hands before eating, smoking, or touching the face after doing any work with lead
• Wear protective equipment over clothing whenever working with lead.
• Shower, wash the hair and change into clean clothes (including shoes) before leaving the workplace
• Store street clothes in a separate area from work clothes
• Maintaining a well-balanced diet with proper nutrition can help reduce lead levels

These steps are particularly important, since "take-home lead" can contaminate vehicles and the home and is particularly harmful to small children.

Blood Tests

Those employed in a lead-related industry or work with lead should undergo a blood test. The amount of lead in the blood is measured in micrograms of lead per deciliter of whole blood (µg/dl). This type of measurement provides the blood lead level, or BLL. The typical BLL for U.S. adults is less than 5 µg/dl.

The first blood test establishes what might be considered the baseline. Periodic blood tests thereafter can determine if lead levels are rising. Note that a blood test measures lead levels at the time the test is taken.

Take-Away Messages

Lead exposure is a serious concern, but there are steps that can be taken to prevent it or at least reduce its risk. Of particular concern is second-hand exposure to lead that may endanger an employee's family. Click here to learn more about OSHA's lead standards

References:

http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3142.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_poisoning

http://www.ct.gov/dph/LIB/dph/environmental_health/EOHA/pdf/Work_Lead.pdf

http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurricane_Facts/LeadHazards.pdf

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/lead/

This entry was posted on September 22, 2011 at 6:58 PM and has received 134 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Most people who work outdoors probably have at least a passing familiarity with poison ivy and the discomfort that it can cause. Yet one particular plant that can pose a much more serious health threat may be completely unknown to many people, including employers. This one is even listed by the federal government as a noxious weed. Meet the giant hogweed.

Originally from the Caucasus Mountain area (between Europe and Asia), giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), a member of the carrot family, was introduced to the United States in the early 1900s as an ornamental garden plant. Today it is established in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Oregon, Washington, Michigan, Virginia, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. It spreads via seeds distributed by animals and waterways.

When giant hogweed sap touches human skin, it prevents the skin from protecting itself from sunlight. This, in turn, may lead to a very bad sunburn, which can even resemble a chemical burn. This is known as phytophotodermatitis and it can start as soon as 15 minutes after contact. The skin reaction can be made even worse by heat and moisture (even from sweat or dew). The severe irritation may lead to blistering, permanent scarring and, if the sap gets in the eyes, blindness, which can be permanent. Often the skin retains the appearance of a bad burn for months or even years after contact.

Giant hogweed is an herb that can grow to 12 feet or taller. Its stems are hollow and ridged, measure two to four inches in diameter and had dark red-purple blotches on them. They also produce rugged bristles. Its large compound leaves can grow up to 5 feet wide. Its white flower heads can grow up to 2 1/2 feet in diameter. The giant hogweed identification page describes the plant and its parts in detail, shows many photographs and compares this dangerous plant to several look-alikes. Northeastern residents may notice it bears a resemblance to the smaller, harmless weed known as Queen Anne's lace.

The toxic sap is located in all parts of the giant hogweed. Contact usually occurs when skin touches the bristles on the stem, broken stems, or the leaves. If you think you've been exposed to giant hogweed sap you should:

• Wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and COLD water as soon as possible
• Avoid exposing the area to sunlight/UV rays for 48 hours
• If sap goes in eyes, rinse them with water and wear sunglasses
• See a physician as soon as possible; this is a medical emergency
• Topical steroids may reduce the reaction's severity if applied early

Anyone who works in areas where giant hogweed may be present should know what it looks like in order to avoid it. Do NOT attempt to remove the plants unless you know how to completely protect yourself. More information about giant hogweed is available on New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation webpage.

References:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/39809.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noxious_weed

This entry was posted on September 8, 2011 at 12:30 PM and has received 122 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Whether you call them "standard precautions," "bloodborne pathogen precautions" or "universal precautions," OSHA's standard 1910.1030 was drafted to keep people safe from diseases that can be transmitted by body fluids. Universal precautions were mainly directed at the healthcare field, particularly to those workers involved in the care of patients, all employers—even outside the healthcare industry—ought to be aware of universal precautions. They can apply to just about any organization where people may be exposed to others who fall sick or become injured.

Universal?

The purpose of universal precautions is to prevent contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials such as other body fluids including vomit, urine, saliva, feces and mucus.

If an accident happens and body fluids are present, there is the theoretical potential for disease to spread if another person comes in contact with even a tiny amount of that fluid. Universal precautions treats all people ("universal") as if they might be a carrier of a blood-borne pathogen.

The Basics of Universal Precautions

The foundation of Universal Precautions is to avoid contact with the body fluids of another person. In some occupations, such as nursing or dentistry, contact with body fluids is to be reasonably expected during the course of the workday. For such employees, personal protective equipment should be used (gloves, goggles, face shields, gowns, and so on).

In other workplaces, there is no reasonable expectation that an employee would come into contact with another person's body fluids during the workday—but accidents do happen. For example, if someone vomits or gets cut and bleeds in the workplace, the potential for possible blood-borne pathogen transmission exists. In such organizations, the best defense is to wear gloves as a barrier if an employee might have to clean or come in contact with the fluid. The best choice for protective gloves are non-porous, non-latex gloves. (Latex gloves work fine but some people are allergic to latex.)

A Few Tips

• Be prepared. If your organization is not one that reasonably expects to have contact with blood-borne pathogens, you should still have some non-porous gloves available to employees at all times in the workplace.
  • Gloves come in four main sizes (small, medium, large, and extra-large). The supply should include gloves that fit all employees. Individuals with large hands may not be able to fit into a small glove. However, if the glove is too large, it may slip or allow intrusion of fluid.
  • A variety of sizes is best for a large workplace.
  • Although latex gloves are fine, some people are allergic to latex. Non-latex is a good choice that works for everyone.
  • Always dispose of used gloves; never re-use them.
  • Encourage employees to change gloves if they become soiled, that is, an employee cleaning up body fluids may need to use more than one pair of gloves for one task.
  • Do not assume that hands are clean, even when gloves are worn. Always wash hands thoroughly when gloves are removed.
  • Speaking of hand hygiene...Hands should be washed thoroughly before and after using gloves. The CDC's Hand Hygiene Basics offers more information. [LINK: http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/Basics.html.]
• Cleaning personnel may come in contact with body fluids and should be considered as part of Universal Precautions (for instance, cleaning of restrooms, emptying trash).

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can also be used, particularly when changing gloves (from one pair to another). As a general rule, hand sanitizers can be used when there is no visible soiling of the hands but hands may have come in contact with pathogens. Whenever there is any kind of visible soiling of the hands, soap and water should be used instead of an alcohol rub. Do not use soap and water along with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer at the same time since it dilutes the hand sanitizer.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_precautions

http://safety.lovetoknow.com/OSHA_Standard_Precautions

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=10051

CDC hand hygiene

http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/Basics.html

This entry was posted on September 8, 2011 at 12:20 PM and has received 114 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Mosquitoes have long been a major source of misery for the human race. The diseases they carry have often changed the course of history. In Philadelphia in 1793, a yellow fever epidemic killed 10% of the population and lost the city its status of being the nation's capital. In the Civil War, diseases carried by mosquitoes killed more soldiers than bullets. Yellow fever and malaria forced the French to abandon their efforts to build the Panama Canal. It wasn't until the United States took on the project and employed vigorous mosquito control that the job was finally completed.

Recently a new danger is being spread by mosquitoes: the West Nile Virus. West Nile Virus had been known in Africa, Eastern Europe, Western Asia, and the Middle East for many years. It was unknown in the Western Hemisphere until 1999, when cases occurred in the New York City area. Since then, it has spread throughout the country, mainly by migratory birds. The virus is transmitted from birds to humans via mosquitoes.

Symptoms of West Nile Virus may include:

• Headache
• Fever
• Body aches
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Skin rash

More serious case can have these signs and symptoms:

• Headache
• High fever
• Stiffness in the neck
• Disorientation (in very severe cases, coma)
• Tremors and convulsions
• Muscle weakness (in very severe cases, paralysis)

Farm workers, loggers, landscapers, groundskeepers, construction workers, painters, summer camp workers, pavers, and other outdoor workers are likely to be exposed to West Nile Virus through their outdoor work. Highway repairs and paving are frequently done at night, when it is less disruptive to traffic and cooler. Unfortunately, the time between dusk and dawn are when mosquitoes are most active.

How can workers' health be protected?

• Be aware of equipment or areas where water may accumulate and provide a breeding area for mosquitoes
• Get rid of sources of stagnant or standing water
• Use a insect repellent containing DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide)
• Take extra precautions whenever mosquitoes are present and biting
• Do not touch dead birds with bare hands
• Report dead birds and forward the report to local authorities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has links to state and local government sites.

References:

http://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib082903b.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004457/

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/surv&control.htm

This entry was posted on September 8, 2011 at 12:11 PM and has received 118 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

In the U.S. more than 150,000 cases of Lyme disease have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) since 1982. The CDC's Lyme disease risk map identifies certain areas of the country as high risk, including the Northeast, areas around the Great Lakes and parts of Northern California. Yet, employers everywhere whose worksites include outdoor areas should be aware of Lyme disease and steps they can take to help minimize the risk to their workers because the risk level can vary even within counties or over time.

Lyme disease is an inflammatory disease caused by a bacterium that is spread through a deer tick bite. Early symptoms may be flu-like and include aches in the muscles and/or joints, headaches, fever, fatigue. If left untreated, Lyme disease can result in severe symptoms that could include heart disease, and/or brain and nerve disorders which can be chronic and disabling.

Some outdoor jobs that can pose the greatest risk of exposure to deer ticks include:

• Construction
• Clearing brush
• Farming
• Forestry
• Land surveying
• Landscaping
• Oil field work
• Park and wildlife management
• Railroad work
• Utility line work

While some work requires entering brushy, overgrown, grassy or woody areas, if workers can do their jobs while avoiding such areas, they should. Other tips for reducing the likelihood of tick bites are:

• Remove leaves, tall grass and brush from around work areas
• Apply tick-toxic chemicals to work areas. (Important: Use chemicals according to federal, state and local regulations.)
• Wear light-colored clothing, which makes it easier to spot and remove ticks before they reach the skin and attach
• Wear long-sleeved shirts
• Wear tall boots or at least shoes that cover the whole foot
• Tuck pants into socks or boots
• Wear a hat
• Use insect repellants according to directions
• Wash and dry clothes at high temperature to kill ticks
• After being outdoors, carefully check the entire body, especially armpits, groin, scalp and other hidden areas
• If a tick is found attached to the body, remove by grasping firmly near the head and pulling without twisting. You can kill the tick with alcohol and clean the area with antiseptic.

Workers at risk should be advised of the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease, as well as preventive measures for this disease. If such signs and symptoms occur or are even suspected, medical care should be sought.

There is a vaccine for Lyme disease. Your physician or medical officer can advise whether this is a useful precaution and explain the potential risks as well as benefits of this vaccination. More detailed information regarding various aspects of Lyme disease prevention can be found on the CDC web site.

OSHA has published a hazard information bulletin (HIB) to provide guidance to people who reside in high- or moderate-risk areas in the United States and who are exposed to ticks during the course of their work and thus at risk of contracting Lyme disease. You can obtain that report free.

References:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002296/

http://www.aldf.com/lyme.shtml

http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_LymeFacts/lymefac.pdf

This entry was posted on August 17, 2011 at 2:28 PM and has received 111 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Workers who are exposed to respirable silica dust over long periods of time are at risk for developing silicosis. Silicosis, caused by the accumulation of silica dust in the lungs, is a serious disease which can lead to permanent heart and lung disease and even be life threatening. OSHA estimates that silicosis is responsible for between 200 to 300 worker deaths per year.

Silica Dust

Since silica is the main component in sand, sandstone, granite and other rocks, it is present in a great many workplaces. Silica is present whenever these common materials are in use:

• Concrete
• Tiles
• Cement products
• Clay bricks

Silica dust can be inhaled when such materials are cut, drilled or otherwise handled so that fine particles become airborne. Silica dust is not necessarily visible, so it may be present even if you cannot see it. Silica is not the same as ordinary household dust.

Protective Measures

Employers and employees actually have several methods of protection against inhaling silica dust. OSHA suggests the following:

• Replace crystalline silica materials with safer substitutes, whenever possible.
• Provide engineering or administrative controls, where feasible, such as local exhaust ventilation, and blasting cabinets.
• Where necessary to reduce exposures below the permissible exposure limits (PEL), use protective equipment or other protective measures.
• Use all available work practices to control dust exposures, such as water sprays.
• Wear only a N95-NIOSH-certified respirator, if respirator protection is required.
  • Do not alter the respirator.
  • Make sure the respirator creates a tight seal. A beard or mustache may interfere with this if the respirator fits too tightly.
• Wear only a Type CE abrasive-blast supplied-air respirator for abrasive blasting.
• Wear disposable or washable work clothes and shower as soon as possible, if facilities are available.
• Vacuum the dust from your clothes or change into clean clothing before leaving the work site.
• Participate in training, exposure monitoring, and health screening and surveillance programs to monitor any adverse health effects caused by crystalline silica exposures.
• Be aware of the operations and job tasks creating crystalline silica exposures in your workplace environment and know how to protect yourself.
• Be aware of the health hazards related to exposures to crystalline silica.
• Smoking adds to the lung damage caused by silica exposures.
• Do not eat, drink, smoke, or apply cosmetics in areas where crystalline silica dust is present.
• Wash your hands and face outside of dusty areas before performing any of these activities.

Silica can be deadly dangerous if it is inhaled, but there are many protective steps to reduce or even eliminate this often-invisible hazard.

You can get the full OSHA report here. http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/crystalline-factsheet.pdf.

References:

http://www.workershealth.com.au/facts060.html

http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/crystalline-factsheet.pdf

http://www.paintsquare.com/news/?fuseaction=view&id=5430&nl_versionid=885

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicosis

http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=201010&RIN=1218-AB70

This entry was posted on June 17, 2011 at 10:21 PM and has received 197 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Toxic metals are a major occupational health hazard since they are commonly used in many types of industrial products and processes. Measures must be taken to protect workers from exposure, as these metals typically accumulate in the body and lead to organ failure and even death.

Below is a very brief listing of the most prevalent toxic metals, their uses and sources of exposure.

Arsenic

Uses:

• Strengthening alloys of copper.
• Semiconductors.
• Lead alloys for lead shots and bullets.
• Glass.

Common sources of exposure:

• Hazardous waste sites.
• Areas with high levels naturally occurring in soil, rocks, and water.

Beryllium

Uses:

• Electronic substrates.
• Alloying, e.g. beryllium copper.
• Window material for X-ray equipment.
• Nuclear applications.
• Gemstones, beryl, aquamarine, morganite, and emerald.

Common sources of exposure:

• Mining.
• Extraction.
• Processing of beryllium alloys.
• Dust from machining the metal or oxide.

Cadmium

Uses:

• Alloys for low friction bearings.
• Yellow pigment.
• Television phosphors.
• Batteries.

Common sources of exposure:

• Processing ore.
• Smelting operations.
• Inadvertently welding cadmium containing alloys.

Hexavalent Chromium

Uses:

• Pigments and mordants.
• Chrome plating.
• Stainless steel and other alloys.
• Welding, although not a use for hexavalent chromium, nontoxic trivalent chromium can be chemically converted to the harmful hexavalent form by high temperatures.

Common sources of exposure:

• Dust.
• Contamination.
• Pigments containing chromate.

Hexavalent chromium is a known human carcinogen.

Lead

Uses:

• Batteries.
• Radioactive shielding.
• Weights (for diving, etc).
• Ceramics (coloring).
• Sound dampening (lead sheets in walls).
• Glassware (Lead Crystal).
• Automotive tire balancing (weights on the side of wheels).
• Solder.
• Sculptures.
• Pigments.

Common sources of exposure:

• Occupational exposure.
• Construction work.
• Most smelter operations.
• Radiator repair shops.
• Firing ranges.

Lead is the most prevalent toxic metal hazard.

Mercury

Uses:

• Florescent lighting.
• Pharmaceuticals.
• Fungicides.
• Dental fillings.
• Pigments.
• Electrical switches.

Common sources of exposure:

• Mining, production, and transportation of mercury.
• Gold and silver mining.
• Exposure to mercury vapor.
• Broken florescent lighting.

Employers must provide a safe work environment by conforming to OSHA regulations regarding these substances. It is important to bear in mind that cumulative doses—rather than a single exposure—must be considered. This means that even small exposures will add up to dangerous doses over time.

References:

http://chemistry.about.com/library/blperiodictable.htm

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/metalsheavy/index.html

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hexchrom/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/200667-uses-of-hexavalent-chromium/

This entry was posted on June 17, 2011 at 10:13 PM and has received 158 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Despite what we read in the news about hurricanes and tornadoes and earthquakes, heat is the greatest weather-related killer. More than 1,500 people die each year from heat stroke. Over the years, heat-related deaths exceeded those due to tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and lightning combined. Last year more than 30 outdoor workers died as a result of heat stroke. In addition, more than 2 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year, more than breast, colon, lung and prostate cancers combined.

Heat is extremely dangerous to outdoor workers, but the dangers of heat sometimes get minimized or downplayed. That's why OSHA, the National Weather Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) came together with the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention to make the public aware of heat-related illness prevention.

OSHA is educating workers and employers with their "Water, Rest, Shade" campaign that heat exposure can be dangerous, even lethal.

Those exposed to heat without adequate intake of fluids may suffer from heat exhaustion which, if not addressed, can turn into heat stroke.

These are some of the symptoms of heat exhaustion:

• Heavy sweating
• Paleness
• Muscle cramps
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fainting
• Skin: may be cool and moist
• Pulse rate: fast and weak
• Breathing: fast and shallo

People suffering from heat exhaustion often feel relatively cool to the touch, although they are perspiring heavily. Rather than being red-faced from the heat, those with heat exhaustion are often pale.

If a person is even suspected of having heat exhaustion, he or she should be treated immediately:

• Move the person to a cool, shady place
• Stop all exertion; it is best if the person can sit or lie down
• Drink plenty of water or healthful beverages (such as a sports drink)
• Get help
• Monitor the person over the next half hour or hour to determine if symptoms subside

Heat exhaustion can quickly develop into heat stroke. Heat stroke is very serious. The body becomes unable to control its temperature. Body temperature rises rapidly and the body loses the ability to sweat, preventing the body from cooling down. Body temperatures can rise to 106°F or higher within a quarter hour. Death or permanent disability can occur if emergency treatment is not given. Look for:

• An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
• Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
• Rapid, strong pulse
• Throbbing headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea

If heat stroke is suspected, get emergency help immediately. Damage from heat stroke can occur very quickly, so it is important to get the person's body temperature back under control This requires expert medical care. While waiting for help, move the person to a cool area, have the person rest, and offer water.

The best strategy in terms of heat-related injury or death is to prevent it before it happens. Since employers cannot change the weather, OSHA has recommendations for keeping outdoor employees safe on hot days:

• Educate employees about the dangers of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
• Make sure employees know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
• Have all outdoor workers drink water every 15 minutes at least, even if they do not feel thirsty
• Employees should know to avoid alcohol consumption when outdoors in the heat
• Outdoor workers should wear light-colored clothing, since it reflects heat and is cooler than similar dark-colored clothing
• Outdoor workers should wear a hat when out in the heat
• All outdoor workers should know their exact work location in case they need to call 911 for a person in distress
• When possible, outdoor workers should rest in the shade or a cool area

Employees who regularly work outside in the heat can build up a degree of tolerance to heat-related stress. (Nobody is every 100% immune from heat-related injury, however). Employers must be cognizant of the fact that new employees, those who are returning to work after an absence of a week or more, those who are recovering from an illness, or those not used to working in hot climates, will not be able to work as well in hot conditions as those who are used to hot-weather jobs. Employers should take steps to allow these workers to acclimate themselves to exerting themselves in hot weather.

References:

http://www.noaawatch.gov/themes/heat.php

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/3431_wksiteposter_en.pdf

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/trainingresources.html

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/edresources.html

http://www.noaawatch.gov/themes/heat.php

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/index.html

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/notification/pns11heat_awareness.htm

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