NEBOSH International Certificate

Day 9

Programme for Today

Fire Safety. Radiation. Er gonomics Display Screen Equipment. Manual H andling.

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Fire Safety

The Fire Triangle

Terminology
Flash point: temperature at which sufficient gas and vapour is evolved so that burning will occur with the application of an external ignition source, but cannot be maintained if that source is removed. Fire point: temperature at which sufficient gas and vapour is evolved so that burning will occur with the application of an external ignition source and can be maintained even when that source is removed. Auto ignition point: temperature at which a fuel will ignite without the application of an external ignition source. Flammability limits: maximum and minimum concentrations of a gas or vapour in air, which will burn, e.g. methane = 5-15%.

Classes of Fire
Class A: combustible solids (often organic), e.g. wood, cloth and paper. Class B: liquids, e.g. oil, petrol and alcohol. Class C: gases, e.g. propane and methane. Class D: metals, e.g. magnesium and aluminium. Class F: high temperature fat or oil.

Fire Spread

DIRECT BURNING

Princ ipal Ca uses of Work place Fires

Smoking materials. Faulty or misused electrical equipment. M alicious ignition. P ortable heaters. U nsafe storage of flammable materials. U nsafe use of flammable liquids and gases. H ot work - welding, cutting, etc. M echanical heat ov erheating bearings and sparks.

Fire Prevention
D esign and maintenance of electrical equipment. Control of portable heaters. Control of smoking. S ite security . Control of oxygen. Control of contractors. Control of hot w ork. Correct storage and use of flammables, particularly liquids and gases. H ousekeeping.

Fire Protection
F ire resistant materials: Building regulations often dictate. N on-flammable building materials. S tructural steel often clad in concrete. M aterials w ill often be fire rated, e.g one hour. Lining materials can have a dramatic effect on fire characteristics.

Fire Protection
Compartmentalisation: C reating enclosed/sealed boxes in a building. F loors and walls. S elf-closing fire-resistant doors. Automatic shutters for ventilation shafts (may rely on fusible links for operation). Intumescent sealants for gaps.

Fire Precautions
M eans of detection and w arning. M eans of escape. Training and information for employees and v isitors. M eans of fighting fire.

Means of Detecting Fire

P eople looking (in the simplest workplace). Interlinked domestic smoke alarms: M ay be suitable for small, low -risk w orkplaces. Automatic fire detection: P oint-type smoke detectors linked to warning devices. Ionising smoke detectors are commonly used.

Means of Warning
An audible means of sounding the alarm. S houting or a handbell: M ay be adequate for small, low -risk workplaces. E lectronic fire alarm system: With manual call points on exit routes and adjacent to the final exit. Clearly audible at all locations. Linked to detection sy stems.

Means of Escape
A continuous r oute by way of a space, room,
corridor, staircase, doorway or other means of passage , along or through w hich persons can trav el from w herev er they are in a building to the safety of the open air at ground level, by their ow n, unaided effor ts .

Means of Escape
M ust be: U nobstructed. Adequately lit. Identified. M aximum travel distance: 18 m if only one exit. 35 m if more than one exit.

Dead-End Corridor

Inner Rooms

Means of Escape
F ire exit and direction signs: M ust carry a pictogram. M ay carry w ords and an arrow. E mergency lighting: At night or where there is no natural light. To indicate escape routes. To indicate call points and fire-fighting equipment. To allow safe mov ement.

Fire Action
IF YOU D ISCOVER A FIRE 1. Sound the alarm 2. Close all windows and doors 3. Leave the building by the nearest available exit and report to the assembly point ON HEARING THE ALARM 1. Close all windows and doors 2. Leave the building by the nearest available exit and report to the assembly point ASS EMBLY PO INT:

Do n ot Do n ot Do n ot Do n ot Do n ot

att e mpt to fig ht a majo r fi re . tak e risks. sto p t o c ollec t p er so nal bel on gin gs. us e t he lif ts. re -e nte r t he b uildi ng until a uth oris ed to d o s o.

Training and Information

Fire instructions: Displayed at suitable locations. Brought to the attention of staff and visitors. Training: Fire drills. Fire alarm tests. Fire extinguisher use. Fire warden or fire team training.

Types of Extinguisher
Water : S uitable for Class A fires. N ot suitable for Class B fires or electrical fires. G as cartridge and stored pressure ty pes. CO 2: S uitable for all classes, especially electrical fires. N ot suitable for confined spaces. S tored pressure (liquid CO 2).

Types of Extinguisher
Foam: Different ty pes of foam (protein, fluoro-protein, fluoro-chemical and synthetic). S uitable for Class B fires. Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) can be used on electrical fires. G as cartridge and stored pressure types. Powder : S uitable for all types of fire. G as cartridge and stored pressure types.

A B C

Pap er, w oo d a nd textil es. Flam ma bl e li qu id s, e.g. oi ls a nd pa ints. Flam ma bl e ga ses, e.g. pr op an e a nd natu ra l ga s. Electr icity pre se nt.

Types and Siting of Extinguishers

Vaporising liquid ( halons) :
Suitable for all classes. Toxic by inhalation and produce even more toxic by-product, on contact with fire. Fire certificate may specify. 30 m maximum travel distance. Minimum of 1 per 200 m2 floor space and one per floor. Conspicuous and accessible (handle not over 1.1 m above floor). In corridors, inside doorways or at a point of specific use.

Siting of extinguishers:

Fixed Installations
F ire reels. S prinkler sy stems:
Used to protect large open plan areas, e.g warehouses, unfrequented areas, e.g. store rooms and means of escape. Often water, but can incorporate foam, e.g. flammable liquid store. Used to protect critical installations, e.g. computer rooms. Often require special precautions to prevent activation when areas occupied, e.g. halon system.

F lood sy stems:

Typical Sprinkler Head

Maintenance o f Fire Arrangements

F requency of maintenance of facilities and procedures. Detection equipment and alarms. E xtinguishers. E scape routes. E mergency lighting. Evacuation procedures. Details of maintenance to be recorded in a Fire Book .

Fire Ris k Assessment

Identify the fire hazards. Identify the location of people at significant risk. Evaluate the risk: E xisting fire safety measures. Carry out improvements. Record findings and action taken. Rev iew and rev ise.

Exam Question
Identify the main hazards associated with excav ation work on construction sites. (8 mark s)

(So urc e: I GC, Se pte mbe r 2 00 5)

NEBOSH International Certificate

Radiation

What is Radiation?

Radiation

Radiation is a form of energy. It travels as a stream of particles or as w aveform from a source. S ources can be natural or man-made . It is found in tw o types: - ionising radiation. - non-ionising radiation. Background radiation we are all exposed to all forms, all of the time!

Radiation
Ionising radiation: Is a form of energy, w hich has the strength to alter the electrical charge of an atom or molecule, i.e. to ionise it. It can also penetrate the body and cause serious and permanent harm to a person, dependent on the dose.

Radiation
Ionisation:
An atom is made up of the nucleus which contains protons and neutrons, and electrons which orbit the nucleus. Protons are positively charged and neutrons are neutrally charged. They both have a measurable mass.
Electrons are negatively charged and have neglible mass.

If unstable, atoms fall apart (decay), releasing radiation.

The Concept of Half-Life

What is the halflife of this substance?

The half-life is the time taken for half of radionuclide to decay.

Radiation
Forms of ionising radiation: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Alpha emission. Beta emission. Gamma rays. Neutrons. X-rays.

Alpha Particles
M ade up of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. Heavy and slow moving , charged (2++). Short range and stopped by a few cms of air, tin foil or outer layer of dead skin. Only hazardous if inside the body. If ingested, causes very localised ionisation, so then considered dangerous. O ccupational uses - smoke detectors (encapsulated), science and medical labs.

Beta Particles
Charged (-v e), but very light (almost no mass) and very fast mov ing (<speed of light). Travel further (less likely to hit any thing). P enetrate further - through skin. Can cause secondary radiation emission. E xamples sterilisation and thickness gauges.

Gamma Rays
A form of electromagnetic radiation. M uch higher frequency and higher energy than light. Only emitted by radioactive decay. Travel at speed of light, over vast distances. Very penetrating. U sed in industrial radiography source material is Caesium 137.

Ionis ing Radiation

X-Rays
A nother form of electromagnetic radiation. Lower frequency and energy than gamma rays. C an be generated - bombard a metal target in a vacuum tube w ith electrons. C an be sw itched off. U sed in medical radiography.

Occupational Sources
Ionising radiation - v ariable applications are found:
Medical and Dental radiographic diagnosis x-rays. Nuclear power: power stations and defence (nuclear submarines). Non-destructive testing gamma rays. Laboratory analysis, diagnosis and research. Smoke detectors.

Health Effects
Ionising radiation changes DNA (cell nucleus). High doses kill the cell (as in radiotherapy). Survivable dose may prevent division (eventual death) or cause mutation. In somatic cells - may cause cancer. In reproductive cells - may cause sterility, mutation of offspring, etc. Acute effects: skin burns, radiation sickness, hair loss and death. Chronic effects: cancers (including leukaemia), sterility, mutations, damage to developing foetus, cataracts and skin damage.
DNA Molecule

Controlling Exposure
Best achieved by dose limitation. Time limitation of exposure. M aintain distance from the source: Inv erse square law applies. Shielding of the source.

Controlling Exposure
Key aspects of r adiation contr ol
Appointment of specialists: Radiation Protection Advisors (RPAs) and Radiation Protection Supervisors (RPSs) may need to be appointed to offer specialist advice and offer supervision. Designated areas may need to be defined and managed. Access must be restricted. Warning signs used, named authorised workers and SSWs.

Controlling Exposure
Dosimetry and Medical Surveillance International C ommission on Radiological P rotection (ICRP ) has set dose limits to exposure: General public must not be exposed to more than 1 mSv per y ear. O ccupational exposur e must not exceed 20 mSv per year.

Controlling Exposure
Dosimetry and Medical Surveillance Ensure compliance to the limits by means of: Personal Monitoring Workers in controlled and supervised areas use personal dosimeters, either whole body or part of body. Medical Examination Routine examination conducted before employment and every 12 months. Area monitoring Levels assessed and equipment maintained regularly.

Non- Ionising Radiation

Non-ionising radiation: Is a form of radiation without the ability to ionise tissue, but it can cause harm. M ost forms of non-ionising radiation have an effect on the skin and eyes and can cause damage to them.

Non- Ionising Radiation

This type of radiation is electromagnetic and does not cause ionisation of the material through w hich it passes. F orms occurring are: U ltraviolet. Infrared. M icrow aves. Radio waves. LASERs.

Non- Ionising Radiation

Ultraviolet:
Sunburn, skin cancer and premature ageing. Retinal damage - snow blindness and arc eye. e.g. welding and sunlight. Cover skin. Goggles.

Infr ared:
Emitted from hot sources. Heating of skin, Cornea and lens (causing cataract). e.g. glass blowers. Tinted glasses.

Non- Ionising Radiation

M icr owaves and radio waves:
Cause internal heating of the body organs. It cant be felt. If cant dissipate heat, it cooks. e.g. ovens and radio antenna.

Laser s:
Monochromatic and coherent = >energy. Eye damage. Blink response adequate for most bright light. Classification. e.g. communications and metal cutting.

Classes of Laser
Class 1 - Inherently safe (low power), protection by blinking. Class 2 - Low power and visible, adequate protection by blinking. Class 3A - Medium power, direct viewing with optical aids could be hazardous. Class 3B - Medium power, requiring interlocked enclosures and strict procedures, use eye protection at all times and restrict area. Class 4 High-power lasers requiring extreme caution.

NEBOSH International Certificate

Ergonomics

Ergonomics
Basic philosophy:
To design equipment/environment which fit the capacity and needs of the individual, thereby promoting effective performance. To design work systems/environment which do not exceed physical capabilities and mental well-being, thereby promoting comfort.

Ergonomics
Er gonomics is the study of the relationship between: Man. The equipment he wor ks with. The envir onment.
It is the science of adapting the task (including equipment and the workplace), to the worker.

Principles of Ergonomics
Workstation design centres on:
Effective layout of physical objects in relation to worker, to minimise postural stress, and also reaching and manual manipulation of equipment. Positioning and design of DSE and other equipment, and also lighting to reduce visual stress. Organisation of tasks over time to reduce possibility of fatigue or injury to parts of the body. Organisation of task activities, including control, supervision and design of local environment to minimise mental stress.

Ergonomics Ill- Health Effects

Physical stress. Visual problems due to excess brightness. Mental stress. E.g. Work related upper limb disorder (WRULD). A generic term for a range of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), including RSI. Symptoms:
Pai n. Lack of jo in t mo vem ent. Soft t issue s we ll in g. Sym pto m may ha ve sl ow ons et. Adapt ati on to t ask affects oth er parts of t he b od y. Acute sta ge r ap id ly p roc eeds t o ch ro nic sta ge.

Ill-Health Effects
Who is affected by WRULDs? Keyboard operators and office staff. Assembly line w orkers. S laughterhouse staff. S upermarket checkout staff.
Why are checkout staff at risk?

Specific Health Problems

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Other upper limb disorders: Bursitis. Epicondylitis. Occupational cramp of the hand. Tendonitis. Tenosynovitis. Ulnar neuritis. Thoracic outlet syndrome.

Specific Health Problems

Anatomy of the back: 7 cerv ical v ertebrae. 12 thoracic vertebrae. 5 lumbar v ertebrae. The sacrum. C occy x.

Specific Health Problems

Some back problems: S ciatic pain. P rolapsed interv ertebral slipped disc. A rthritic changes. F usion of v ertebrae.

Specific Health Problems

Some other ill-health effects:
H and-A rm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS ). F atigue-related disorders. Eye problems (usually caused by excessiv ely bright light). - Eyestrain. - Inflammation. - Blurred v ision. - H eadaches and vertigo fatigue.

Cranfield Man

Ergonomic Risk Factors

What are the causes? There are three risk factors and activities: P hysical requirements of the task. The env ironment. The equipment w orked with.

We will look at these in turn, next.

Ergonomic Risk Factors

P hysical r equirements of the task key factor s: P osture and physical action. F orces inv olved. Repetition. Duration and recovery time.

Ergonomic Risk Factors

The environment - key problem ar eas: Illumination and contrast of general lighting. G lare. F lickering light. Temperature. H umidity.

Ergonomic Risk Factors

The equipment - key factors: P hysical characteristics of the equipment itself: - P hysical manipulation. - E ncouraging poor posture. P osition in relation to w orker: - Requiring bending. - Reaching down. - Reaching up.

NEBOSH International Certificate

Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

DSE - Terminology
What is Display Scr een Equipment? Any alphanumeric display screen regardless of the display process involv ed. Who is the user? An employee w ho habitually uses DSE as a significant part of their w orking day. What is an operator? A self-employed user.

Ill-Health Effects of DSE

Suggested Ill-H ealth Effects: Work Related U pper Limb Disorder (WRU LD ). Temporary ey estrain. Fatigue and stress. Facial dermatitis. Radiation. P hotosensitiv e epilepsy.

Ill-Health Effects of DSE

What does DSE include? E quipment. E nv ironment. Interface of computer and user.

DSE Workstation

(Source: L26, First edition)

Display Screen Equipment

Interaction of User and Equipment
Chai rs adjust ab il ity footr ests Scre ens adjust ab il ity constr ucti on gla re Keybo ard adjust ab il ity constr ucti on Wo rk surf ace - area docu me nt h ol de rs Env ir on men t - space lig ht in g no ise heat Soft wa re incl u des er go no mics An Example of Good Posture

Optimum Work sta tion Se t-U p

Scre en hei gh t a djus ta ble so t ha t t he mo nito r t op is le vel with th e e yes , givin g a 1 5- 20 de gr ee dr op i n vi sio n. Scre en: gl ar e a nd refl ecti on mi nimis ed . Scre en abl e t o tilt a nd swiv el.

Dista nce 3 5 - 60 c m. Shoul de rs rel axe d an d upp er a rm ve rtic al. Seat hei gh t s o th at for ea rm s a re ap pr ox. hori zo ntal . Spac e in fr on t of th e keyb oa rd to re st w rist s (wris t s up po rt).

Keyb oa rd de tac ha ble with f aciliti es to tilt. Dept h of des k to p >6 0c m with w or kto p heig ht app ro x. 60c m f ro m th e floo r. A foo tr est m ay b e req uir ed to mi nimi se pre ssu re o n th e und er sid e o f th e t hig h.

5 st ar ba se with adju sta ble se at heig ht an d back re st. Low er ba ck s up po rt at b elt hei gh t.

DSE Assessment
Workstation Assessment Minimum standards for the equipment and environment relate to: Screen, keyboard, desk, chair and footrest. Space, light, reflection and glare, noise, heat, radiation and humidity.

Preventative/Precautionary Measures
Engineering C ontr ols:
Physical layout.

Systems of Wor k:
Planning work routine: - Regular breaks. - Task or job rotation. - Work sharing. - Extension of job responsibilities i.e. the same task not performed repeatedly. - Limitation of overtime work.

Preventative/Precautionary Measures

Individual measures:
- Information and training in correct use of equipment and software. - Eye test and spectacles should be at cost of employer.

NEBOSH International Certificate

Manual Handling

Manual Handling
What is manual handling?

Transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting dow n, pushing, pulling, carry ing or mov ing thereof) by hand or by bodily force.

The Scale of the Problem

Over a third of all lost-time incidents reported in the UK every year, are manual handling related.
Other

Handling

Trip

M/c Struck Falls

Manual Handling
Common injuries:
Disc injury. Trapped nerv es. M uscle strains. H ernias. S prains and strains (ligaments and tendons). F ractures, burns, lacerations and bruising. WRU LD s.

Anatomy of the Spine

The spine is made up of: Vertebrae. Intervertebral discs. Tendons and ligaments. M uscles. The spinal cord. N erves.

The Spine
Vertebrae from the middle part of the back.

Vertebrae from the lower back.

The Spine
Cross Section of Vertebra and Disc Vertebra Disc Tough outer coat Centre of disc

Effect of Loads on the Discs

vertebra disc vertebra

The Spinal Cord and Nerves

Three Stacked Vertebra Discs Nerves Liga me nts

A Slipped Disc Trapping a Nerve

S pinal cord N erve bundle Distorted disc

Employers Responsibility
Employers should adhere to a strict hierarchy of measures in managing the hazard: Avoid hazardous manual handling operations so far as possible, i.e. by elimination. Assess any hazardous manual handling activities that cannot be avoided. Reduce the risk of injury so far as is reasonably practicable, e.g. automation, mechanical aids, etc.

Manual Handling
The Employer should so far as possible, avoid manual handling w here there is a risk of injury.

Ho w Can I Avoid Manual Handling?

Eliminate the need to mov e the load. Automate the mov ement. Mechanise the mov ement.

Ho w Do I Kno w if There is a Risk of Injury?

Do people puff, sweat and get very fatigued? A re w ork areas cramped? A re loads excessiv e or awkward? Is there a history of back pain and absence? U se the general guidelines filter .

Lifting and Lowering Filter

Assessment guideline filter - maximum weight guidance.

These are guideline values only.

Manual Handling Operations

Carrying Guideline filter similar. Hold load against body. Rest every 10 metres. Pushing and Pulling

Lifting and Lowering Filter

Handling Whilst Seated Guideline values much reduced. Applies to area of shoulder to hip.

Lifting and Lowering Filter

Bending and Twisting

45 degree twist = 10% reduction from filter guidelines. 90 degree twist = 20% reduction.

Duties of Employers
The employer should make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the manual handling operation and reduce the risk of injury to the lowest level possible.

Employees must follow any safe sy stem of work introduced.

Duties of Employers
How should the employer assess the Risk? What does a suitable and sufficient risk assessment mean? The follow ing four factors should be considered as part of the risk assessment. 1. 2. 3. 4. L oad I ndiv idual C apability T ask E nvironment

Remember LITE.

Duties of Employers
How Can I Reduce the Risk of Injury? U se mechanical assistance. Redesign of the task, load or env ironment. Team handling for heavy or unw ieldy loads. G ood handling technique.

Mechanisation

Mechanical Assistance

Factors to Assess
The Load
Is it heavy ? Is it bulky or unwieldy ? Is it difficult to grasp? Is it unstable? Is it sharp, hot or otherw ise hazardous?

Modifying the Load

Honeycombing the load may reduce the weight, depending on the type of material used.

Modifying the Load

Modifying the Load

This is a rudimentary form of mechanisation.

Factors to Assess
The Individual
Does the task
Require unusual strength, height, etc.? Pose a risk to pregnant workers? Pose a risk to young people? Pose a risk to people with health problems? Other factors: Is protective clothing or equipment worn? Does this affect the operation?

Factors to Assess
The Task Does the task involve:
Being held at a distance from the trunk? Twisting? Stooping? Reaching upwards? Excessive lifting or lowering? Excessive carrying distances? Pushing or pulling? Sudden movement of the load? Frequent/prolonged physical effort? Sufficient rest periods? A rate of work imposed by a process?

Effect of Distance from Trunk

Capability %

Distance from the spine, cms

Modifying the Task

Modifying the Task

Factors to Assess
The Work Environme nt
Does lack of space prevent good posture? Are floors uneven, slippery or unstable? Are there variations in floor level? Is it extremely hot or cold? Is it extremely humid? What is ventilation like? Are there gusts of wind or strong air movements? What is the lighting like?

Modifying the Environment

Training
Safe Lifting Technique
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. S top and think. P osition the feet. Adopt a good posture. G et a firm grip. Keep the load close. Dont jerk. M ove the feet. P ut down, then adjust.