SIMPLIFIED METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING THE RISK DUE TO EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL AGENTS AND RESULTS OF STUDY İlknur ÇAKAR OHS Expert Chemical Engineer, MSc 27 MAY 2010, ANKARA Ankara

OUTLINE INTRODUCTION SIMPLIFIED RISK ASSESSMENT METHOD FOR CHEMICAL AGENTS WORKPLACE STUDY RESULTS OF STUDY CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION RISK ASSESSMENT 89/391/EC Framework Directive 98/24/EC Protection of the health and safety of workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work “the employer shall first determine whether any hazardous chemical agents are present at the workplace. If so, he shall then assess any risk to the safety and health of workers arising from the presence of those chemical agents,

The variables generally used;  intrinsic hazards of chemical agents  frequency/duration of exposure  quantity of chemical agents used or present  volatility or dust generation of chemicals  method of use INTRODUCTION

Table1. Risks arising from the presence of hazardous chemical agents RisksRisk Factors Risks due to hazardous chemical reactions -Chemical reactivity and instability of hazardous chemical agents -Unreliable system for controlling key variables in the reaction Risks of fire and/or explosion-Physical state -Pressure/temperature -Flammability of the hazardous chemical agents -Sources of ignition Risks due to inhalation of the agent/absorption through the skin of the agent -Toxicity of the hazardous chemical agent -Exposure time -Particularly sensitive workers Risks due to ingestion-Personel hygiene habits - Possibility of eating, drinking or smokin at work Risks due to contact between the skin or eyes and the chemical agents - Incorrect use of personel protective equipment - Inappropriate work procedure

Risk Assessment Methods Simplified assessmentsComplex assessments Risk Due to Exposure Simplified Methodology for Assessing the Risk Due to the Exposure to Hazardous Chemical Agents Measurements according to EN 689: 1995 Risk of AccidentSimplified Methodology for Assessing the Risk of Accident, Fire and Explosion Due to the Presence of Hazardous Chemical Agents - HAZOP - Fault Trees - Even Trees Table 2. Methods for assessing the risks due to the presence of hazardous chemical agents in the workplace

When are simplified models useful? Initial risk assessment Identification of slight risk As a documental help when, in the view of the hygienist, the scenary is acceptable There is no occupational exposure limit established Possible use by SME (small and medium enterprises)

Risk Assessments for Chemicals Identification of Chemical Agents Hazard Working Conditions Risk Assessments (Simplified) Risk Assessments ( Detailed) Preventive measures : priorisation-planification -implementation Review

Assessment of the risk of exposure by inhalation Hazard Exposure Risk F-Chem properties Toxicol. properties Physical form - label - MSDS - Limit Value - others Concentration volatility or dustiness form of use quantity used control measures Time duration frequency

Simplified assessment:  No airborne measurements  These methodologies do not constitute an alternative to an detailed risk assessments  They do just first diagnosis of the situation

COSHH Essential Hazard (R phrases) Volatility or dustiness Amount of substance Risk level Control measures +

Chemical hazard (according to R phrases) A R36, R36/38, R38, R65, R67 Substances with R-phrases that dont belong to bands BtoE B R20, R20/21, R20/21/22, R20/22, R21, R21/22, R22 C R23, R23/24, R23/24/25, R23/25, R24, R24/25, R25, R34, R35, R36/37, R36/37/38, R37, R37/38, R41, R43, R48/20, R48/20/21, R48/20/21/22, R48/20/22, R48/21, R48/21/22, R48/22 D R26, R26/27, R26/27/28, R26/28, R27, R27/28, R28, Kans. Kat 3 R40, R48/23, R48/23/24, R48/23/24/25, R48/23/25, R48/24, R48/24/25, R48/25, R60, R61, R62, R63, R64 E Mut. Kat. 3 R40, R42, R42/43, R45, R46, R49, Mut. Kat. 3 R68

Proce ss Temperature, ºC High Medium Boiling Temperature, ºC Volatility Low

Dustiness Low: Pellets and similar. Little dust is seen during use Medium: crystalline, granular solids When used, dust is seen but settles out quickly High: Fine, light powders There are dust clouds that can remain for minutes

Amount of substance used in the operation Small: Grams or mililitres Medium: Kilograms or litres Large: Tons or cubic metres

Hazard Level A Volatility/Dust Generation Quantity Used Low Volatility/Dust GenerationMedium VolatilityMedium Dust GenerationHigh Volatility/Dust Generation Low1111 Medium1112 High1122 Hazard Level B Volatility/Dust Generation Quantity Used Low Volatility/Dust GenerationMedium VolatilityMedium Dust Generation High Volatility/Dust Generation Low1111 Medium1222 High1233 Hazard Level C Volatility/Dust Generation Quantity Used Low Volatility/Dust GenerationMedium Volatility Medium Dust GenerationHigh Volatility/Dust Generation Low1212 Medium2333 High2444 Hazard Level D Volatility/Dust Generation Quantity Used Low Volatility/Dust Generation Medium VolatilityMedium Dust GenerationHigh Volatility/Dust Generation Low2323 Medium3444 High3444 Hazard Level E In all situation involving substances of this hazard level, the level of risk will be regarded as 4

Hazard group C Volatility/ Dustiness Amount used Low Volatility or Dustiness Medium Volatility Medium Dustiness High Volatility or Dustiness Small 1212 Medium 2333 Large 2444

Risk bands RB1: Can be controlled with: General Ventilation RB2: Can be controlled with: Partial enclosure and local exhaust ventilation RB3: Can be controlled with: Total enclosure RB4: An expert in industrial hygiene is needed

Workplace Study In this study, the industrial exposure to the chemicals that occurred in small-sized furniture manufacturing firms have been analyzed. We’ve had interviews with workers in 15 workplaces

Workplaces

Results % 11 below 20 years old % 17 over 45 years old. Average of the workers’ age : 34, Average of the working years : 18 years. Smoking % 59 Use of alcohol % 22

Table 3. Risk Bands of Chemicals Used in Furniture Industry R.B. 1 R. B. 2 R. B. 3 R. B. 4 PaintingAntisilicone Additive, Pigment, Glycol P.U. lacquer, P.U. Paint, P.U Primer, Polyester Primer, Polyester Paint, Retarder, Acrylic Thinner, Aceton, Toluen Selülozik Vernik, Akrilik Vernik, Akrilik Dolgu Vernik, Selülozik Dolgu Vernik, Selülozik Boya, Akrilik Astar, Selülozik Astar, Selülozik Tiner, P.U. Tiner, Dolgu Vernik Sertleştirici, Selülozik Boya Sertleştirici, Ksilen Polyester Filling lacquer, P.U. lacquer Hardener, Toluen 2,4 Diisociyanate, Nitrocellulose paint, Nitrocellulose White Primer FlooringGlueHot Melt (Adhesive) Manufacturing(Woodwork) GlueMdf Wood Dust

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