29 CFR 1926 Subpart D Occupational Health & Environmental Controls

Major Topics Medical Services & First Aid Sanitation Occupational Noise Exposure Ionizing Radiation Non-ionizing Radiation Gases, Vapors, Fumes, Dusts, & Mists IlluminationVentilation Hazard Communication Methylenedianiline (MDA) Retention of DOT Markings Lead

Medical Services & First Aid – Medical services shall be available within a reasonable distance from the worksite; at minimum someone certified in First Aid/CPR should be at the site to render assistance to the injured worker First Aid supplies shall be accessible When eyes or body of worker is exposed to corrosive materials, facilities should be available for flushing with water

Universal Precautions Anytime you are exposed to someone’s bodily fluids (especially blood) you should proceed with extreme precaution in the event that they are carriers of a blood borne disease Protect yourself at all times with gloves, face shields, masks and eye protection or other appropriate PPE

Sanitation – Sufficient supply of potable water shall be provided for workers Containers used to store water shall be clearly marked & not used for other purposes Disposable cups shall be stored in a sanitary container & disposed of properly

Sanitation con’t Toilet facilities shall be provided according to Table D-1 If temporary field conditions exist—a min. of 1 toilet shall be available Sleeping, food handling and washings facilities shall be sanitary and comply with related laws, ordinances, & regulations

Noise Exposure – major hazards: –Distraction of worker –Loss of hearing Key components include: –Monitor hearing hazards –Implement engineering or administrative controls –Use PPE –Record keeping

Engineering/Administrative Controls Engineering controls –Reduce noise at the source –Interrupt the noise path –Install sound-absorbing material –Reduce vibration which may increase noise levels

Controls con’t Administrative –Change the work schedule in order to reduce exposure time –Dosimeter used to test work areas for noise levels Permissible Noise Exposure (PNE)– depends on exposure per day (hours) and the sound level (decibels- dBA) See Table D-2 for PNE See textbook, p 151, figure 7-5

Ionizing Radiation – Radioactive materials and X-rays See terms on page of textbook Figure 7-9 on page 164 Personal monitoring system should be used Areas at risk shall post caution signs & labels

Non-Ionizing Radiation – Ultraviolet, microwave, radio, infrared May cause blisters & blindness – cancer suspected through current research Warning symbol seen in figure 7-14, pg. 170 Appropriate PPE shall be provided

Airborne Toxic substances – Inhalation, ingestion, skin absorption are major routes of entry Engineering & administrative controls shall be used to limit exposure Appendix A shows various substances and their “Threshold Limit Values”

Illumination – Table D-3 shows minimum intensities in Foot-candles

Ventilation – When a workplace contains hazardous substances that require a ventilation system, it shall: –Contain local exhaust systems –System shall be designed, installed, & maintained according to this section of the standards

Hazard Communication – Comply with all parts of Major components: –Written program –Labeling of containers –Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) pg. 174 of textbook

Methylenedianiline – May also be known as MDA CAS # In the form of vapor, liquid, or solid (also includes any salts from MDA) MDA is found in epoxy hardener Primary exposure is on skin Key health risks include: cancer, liver damage

Lead – Action Level – exposure, w/o using respirators, to an airborne concentration of 30 micrograms per cubic meter of air calculated as an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) PEL – Permissible exposure limit – employer shall assure that no employee is exposed to lead concentrations greater than 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air averaged over an 8 hour period

Exposure Assessment Appropriate respiratory protection & other protective clothing Change areas Hand washing facilities Biological monitoring (blood tests) Training

Chelation – (j)(4) See page 75 of CFRs Any reduction of lead in blood level of employee MUST be performed by a licensed physician

References Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1926, Subtitle B - Regulations Relating to Labor, Chapter XVII - Occupational Safety and Health Administration. CCH (2008) with Amendments as of January 2008 Goetsch, D.L. (2003) Construction Safety and Health. Pearson Education Inc. Prentice Hall.