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Risks are present whenever people are in contact with:  Natural or organic materials  Substances of animal origin  Food and food products  Organic dust  Waste, wastewater, compost  Blood and other bodily fluids 4

Four broad classes of biohazard micro-organisms that can interact with humans are:  Bacteria  Fungi  Viruses  Protozoa 5

Industry sectors that are susceptible to biohazard risks include:  Agriculture  Agricultural products  Animal handlers  Clinical and research laboratories  Construction and building maintenance  Day care workers  Health care workers  Hospitality workers  Metal and wood manufacturing plants  Museums, archival storage and libraries 6

Legionnaires disease causes:  Headaches  Fever  Chills  Muscle aches  A dry cough  Shortness of breath  Diarrhoea  Mental confusion  Kidney failure  Death 7 Legionella bacteria is widespread and can contaminate water systems such as:  Air conditioning cooling towers  Evaporative condensers  Hot and cold water services  Humidifiers  Spa and whirlpool baths  Showers  Ornamental fountains

Biohazards are also transmitted in the following ways:  Airborne  Ingested  Eye surfaces  Skin surface  Puncture/cut/scraped skin 8

Control measures should include:  Appropriate hygienic measures in place  Closed processes  Separate contaminated areas  Reduce dust and aerosol generation  Regular maintenance and decontamination of machinery  Regular filtering and decontamination of fluids  Safe handling of infectious material  Safe handling/cleaning of blood spills and other body fluids  Install microbiological safety cabinets  Ensure proper signage is installed  Provide adequate protective equipment 9

Chemicals can be put into the following classifications:  Acids  Alkalis (Bases)  Cryogenic gases  Cyanides  Fillers  Metals  Oxidisers  Resins  Solvents 10

The main physical forms of chemicals are:  Solids  Dusts  Liquids  Vapours  Gases 11

There are three main ways for chemical substances to enter the human body:  Inhalation  Absorption  Ingestion 12

Parts of the body that can be effected or damaged by chemical exposure include:  Skin  Liver  Kidneys  Lungs  Eyes  Reproductive systems  Nervous systems 13

The WHS management system should include:  Identification of chemicals in use  Information of their hazards  An inventory list of all chemicals used on the site  Assessment of chemical hazards  Priorities set concerning the safety on the site  Emergency plans for the assessed hazards  Occupational health care  A monitoring system for chemical hazards  Estimation of occupational exposure to chemicals  Records of accidents and sicknesses  Involvement of Safety Representatives/Committees 14

The control of chemical hazards can also be achieved through:  Technical measures  Engineering control  Good housekeeping  Material safety data sheet (MSDS)  Handling areas  Storage planning  Chemical waste disposal 15

Synthetic mineral fibres (SMF) are man-made materials made into wool from fibres of glass, rock, clay and other minerals. Effects of SMF on the body include:  Skin irritation  Eye infections  Breathing difficulties 16

Safe work practices include:  Wearing gloves and a dust masks  Wearing loose-sleeved long-fitting clothing  Washing fibres off the skin with flowing, warm soapy water  Washing work clothes separately from other clothes  Wiping out the washing machine between  Wearing safety glasses with side shields  Never using compressed air to clean dusty areas or objects.  Using hand tools should to trim or cut SMF  Storing SMF materials in low traffic areas  Using respirators in confined spaces or dusty areas  Cleaning up waste material as quickly as possible. 17

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