Safety Briefing: Chemical, Biological and Respiratory Hazards | Safety for Contractors | Best Supply

The safety hazards at any typical jobsite seem to have no limit. The most common risks are referred to by OHSA as the Fatal Four because they account for two-thirds of construction deaths and a large share of injuries:

• Falls
• Being struck by objects
• Electrocution
• Getting caught between machinery or objects
  
  

Chemical Exposure

The most common chemical hazards in construction are from solvents used in paints, adhesives, sealants and cleaners. Also known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), some of the most common solvents are alcohol, acetone, toluene, DCM (dichloromethane), xylene, mineral spirits and ethyl acetate, according to information from the British government’s version of OSHA, Health and Safety Executive.

Some solvents can burn or damage skin and eyes on contact. But the most common risk tends to be from inhaling solvent vapors given off as paints and sealants cure; spray applications in particular can produce dangerous levels of exposure.

Inhaling vapors can exacerbate symptoms of asthma and cause coughing, throat irritation and lung damage. Atlantic Environmental Inc., which provides environmental consulting and testing, adds that “certain solvents possess neurotoxic properties, potentially impairing cognitive function and inducing neurological disorders over time.”  

Asbestos and lead present additional chemical-based safety concerns. Though these substances haven’t been used in construction materials in roughly 30 years, they are commonly present in building rehab projects.

Asbestos enters the body through inhalation, and can cause lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma – an aggressive cancer that can develop in various parts of the body. It also causes serious non-cancerous diseases like asbestosis – in which asbestos fragments scar the lining of the lungs, causing pain and difficulty breathing.

Lead enters the body through inhalation of fumes, or ingestion of contaminated particles of paint, dust and dirt. Lead exposure is cumulative and affects the brain, liver, kidney and bones. While it’s especially dangerous to children and pregnant women, it can have serious impact on adults, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and kidney damage. Excessive exposure can damage the central nervous system, causing convulsions, coma and death.

The World Health Organization advises that even for adults, there is no level of exposure to lead that is considered safe.

Mitigation Steps

Risks of chemical exposure on the jobsite are managed through:

• Training: Ensure that workers are trained to know when hazardous chemicals are present, how to handle them and how to dispose of them properly.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Mandate and monitor use of protective gloves, goggles, clothing and properly specified respiratory gear whenever chemicals are present.
• Ventilation: Provide adequate ventilation systems to minimize the concentration of airborne chemicals.
• Substitution: Whenever possible, substitute hazardous chemicals with low-VOC alternatives.
• Emergency Procedures: Establish and communicate clear procedures for dealing with chemical spills and exposures.

Biological Hazards

Biological hazards include mold; sewage and wastewater; and rodent, bird and other animal droppings.

Exposure to mold can cause allergic reactions; worsen asthma; irritate the eyes, nose and throat; and in extreme cases can lead to lung infections and neurological issues.

Mold is stubborn and difficult to get rid of. Construction Management vendor Safelyio advises that, while small areas of mold or fungus can be remediated by construction crews themselves (wearing PPE), anything larger than about 10 square feet should be addressed by a mold removal specialist to ensure the remediation is complete and effective.

Sewage and wastewater can be home to harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites that can cause a wide range of illnesses – from respiratory to gastrointestinal to permanent liver damage.

Exposure to rodent and other animal feces can cause a number of illnesses ranging from mildly inconvenient to potentially fatal – such as hantavirus and rat bite fever, according to Weeklysafety.com. The diseases spread when pathogens in dirt and nesting materials are disturbed and enter the body by inhalation or by touching fingers to the eyes, nose or mouth.

Mitigation Steps

The following steps can help prevent and control biological hazards:

• Training: As always, ensuring that workers are educated about the hazards is the first step in any risk management regimen.
• Inspection: Routinely inspect the jobsite for standing water and dampness that encourages the growth of mold, and that could indicate presence of contaminated water.
• Good housekeeping: Store food, water and garbage in sealed containers at all times, and remove trash regularly to discourage rodents, birds and other animals from nesting at jobsites.
• PPE: Enforce use of appropriate protective gear when cleaning, handling or working near potential biological contaminants.
• Health monitoring: Monitor workers' health and follow up promptly on reports of biological hazards.

 Respiratory Hazards

Respiratory hazards on jobsites stem from routine construction activities. Demolition work kicks up irritating dust and contaminants. Cutting concrete and stone releases harmful silica dust that can cause lung cancer, silicosis and heart disease. OSHA indicates that welding fumes and exhaust from equipment contain a bouquet of harmful substances connected with a variety of cancers and other serious diseases of the organs, digestive system and nervous system.

Mitigation Steps

To safeguard against respiratory hazards, consider these measures:

• Training: Once again, education is central to mitigating risk.
• Dust control: Use water sprays, vacuum systems and wet cutting techniques to reduce airborne dangers.
• PPE: Enforce the use of masks and respirators in and around areas where cutting and grinding are being done.
• Air monitoring: Make use of commercially available air monitoring services or systems to detect and respond to airborne hazards.
• Work practices: Limit time spent in high-risk areas, and use enclosed spaces for particularly hazardous tasks.
• Health checks: Encourage or provide regular health checkups for workers exposed to respiratory hazards.

To learn about a general methodology for jobsite safety, download the free Best Supply e-book, Making Sense of Jobsite Safety.