Page 38 - OHS, April 2021

IH: CONFINED SPACES
Limiting the Risk of Exposure with the Correct PPE
Consideration of the different variations of PPE are what make the equipment truly safe.
BY MARK HEUCHERT
Working in an industrial environment presents a variety of dangers. One of the most common risks for industrial personnel is exposure to hazardous substances. OSHA defines a hazardous substance as “any biological agent and other disease-causing agent which after release into the environment and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation or assimilation into any person will or may reasonably be anticipated to cause death, disease, behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutation, physiological malfunctions or physiological deformations in such persons or their offspring.”
Hazardous substances are present in work environments across a variety of industries, including chemical manufacturing, oil and gas, metal production and more. Some of the most commonly encountered hazardous substances are benzene, arsenic, carbon dioxide, chlorine, sulfuric acid and a wide range of hydrocarbons. When workers come into contact with these hazards, whether it’s part of their daily routine or in response to an emergency, understanding the risks, knowing how to respond and being equipped with the correct PPE is imperative for safeguarding their individual wellbeing and maintaining plant operations and productivity.
To protect workers’ health, prevent accidents and minimize downtime, industrial worksites typically institute strict safety protocols and require constant monitoring of hazardous materials. Such measures include leak detection monitoring, careful cleaning procedures, confined space entry protocols and methods for safely handling and disposing of chemicals, toxins and waste biproducts. Despite this, OSHA’s Top 10 Cited Violations in 2019 still included various hazmat-related
infractions, including:
■ Hazard Communication (1910.1200) with 3,671 citations ■ Control of Hazardous Energy – Lockout/Tagout (1910.147)
with 2,606 citations
■ Respiratory Protection (1910.134) with 2,450 citations
■ PPE – Lifesaving Equipment and Eye and Face Protection
(1926.102) with 1,411 citations
Of course, preventing worksite citations is important, but a
company’s top priority should always be the health and safety of its workers. To safeguard employees, companies should provide their crews appropriate PPE as well as thorough safety training to ensure they have a sound understanding of workplace hazards and when they might encounter them.
Below are just a few examples of scenarios in which workers might be exposed to hazardous substances:
■ When workers need to check device displays in hazardous areas, they can be exposed to increased levels of toxic substances. ■ Toxic gases trapped in confined spaces put workers at great
risk.
■ Handling hazardous substances in labs can lead to short-
term, but excessive exposure.
■ When handling hazardous materials, opening pressurized
valves and connecting hoses becomes especially dangerous.
Selecting the Right PPE for the Appropriate Situation
Because exposure to hazardous materials poses serious health risks, industrial workers must maintain a great deal of knowledge, training and responsibility. However, that alone is not enough— workers also need appropriate and reliable PPE to keep them
34 Occupational Health & Safety | APRIL 2021
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