2. THE INCIDENCE OF TOXIC AGENTS ON THE WORKER’S
HEALTH IN THE BUILDING SECTOR
2.1
The
professional illnesses in the building sector
2.2 The chemical risk
2.3 Materials and products for constructions
2.4
Prevention
2.1 The professional illnesses in the building sector
The building sector for the characteristics that connote it
is from the statistic point of view the center of accident
prevention problems and health protection. It results in fact that a lot of operators
of the sector are victim of accidents and professional and
working illnesses.
The accidents have a so strong incidence to consider in a
less substantial way working diseases problem, that by the
way are definitely increasing in comparison with the past,
even if it is also increasing the consciousness that is important
to protect one’s own health.
It is common knowledge
that, following above all the emanation of the legislative
decree on the temporary and mobile construction yards (Legislative
Decree 494/96), the statistics lead to affirm that in the
constructions field at a European level, the accidents happen
with double frequency when compared with the recorded average
in other productive compartments, serious accidents are in
triple quantity and those leading to death constitute a third
of the total recorded in all industrial sectors. In the same
way to different accident typology, for the workers of this
sector exist different factors that constitute the origin
of troubles or illnesses, that could appear in they gravity
even after long periods from the beginning of the unrolled
activity.
As well known, the health hazards can be classified in respect
with their physical, chemical or biological nature. Taking
into consideration an official document of the European Community, the working risks that happen in this
sector could have a different value, but they cover the totality
of case histories (Tab. 1).
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Tab. 1 - Agents/
risk typology categories
source: Legislative
Decree 626/94
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Physical
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Mechanic
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Falls from height
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Glides, falls
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Bumps, hurts, hits,
compressions
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Punctures, cuts,
abrasions
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Vibrations
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Thermic
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Heat, flames
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Cold
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Electric
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From direct/indirect
contact
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Radiations
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Ionizing
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Not ionizing
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Noise
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Chemical
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Aerosol
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Dusts, fibers
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Smokes
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Fogs
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Liquids
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Immersions
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Throws
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Squirts
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Gas-vapours
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Biological
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Pathogenic batteries
Pathogenic virus
Funguses producing
mycosis
Biological antigens
not microbial
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Getting back
to subject here is a list of fundamental items:
-
work
environment is not safe: in the yard workers operate in different
periods; they are subject to daily and seasonal temperature
ranges that influence on the state of general health;
-
manual
loads handling is present in the constructions field more
that in other industrial sectors: the yard workmanship always
require the use and then displacement of equipment, material
and mass components that could be remarkable(volume, and weigh),
and repetitive movements that are able to harm the muscle-skeletal apparatus;
-
noise
(often connected with vibrations) has become one of the fundamental
problems of the yard: today the high level mechanization that
is present in the yard (plants, machines, electric tools),
added to the nature of the workmanship (demolition, construction,
perforation, etc.), affect very strong on the health of yard
workers;
-
all
activities developed in the yard are able to produce dust
and fibers of varies nature connected to the type of site
in which they are produced, to the processing that is carried
out, and to the materials that are used (ground movement,
demolitions, mortars and concretes, organic dusts, isolation,
cement-asbestos slabs movement, etc.);
-
yard
processing are characterized by the thick and always increasing
presence of “chemical
products”, products that are based on organic substances
that in a lot of cases could be able to cause harmful effects
on the health of the operators of the building sector. It
is opportune to remember that in the yard are present many
substances that constitute the base or that intervene in the
composition of a new material, and that are not sufficiently
experienced from the harmfulness point of view; while the
traditional materials have been modified in their composition
by the use of certain substances (almost always of polymeric
origin) that, even if capable of raising the performance level
and to give a qualitative contribution to the finished product,
once they are used, are able to cause diseases after a long
time to the worker and even to the consumer.
In a different way of what happens for those accidents whose
effects are immediately and often tragically perceivable and
quantifiable, the professional and working diseases affect
heavily on human body apparatuses (respiratory, bony, cutaneous,
nervous, etc.) with a cause and effect relationship that usually
reveal itself in middle-long times, which influences negatively
on the possibility of intervention in a timely way.
2.2
The chemical risk
2.2.1 The chemical
risk in yard
Considering all different workmanship in the building sector
it may notice that certain risk situations, either for what
concerns safety or health, happen in a recurrent way. The
typology of cases that may happen are numerous, but assembled
in categories already defined in a general level in the directive
about the devices of personal protection half (2), in which
risks are classified following their nature in physical, chemical,
biological.
Chemical risks could be also separated in aerosol, liquid, gas and vapors. This kind of risk could occur in diverged
workmanship, but the more problematic aspect is determinate
from the fact that some techniques usually adopted from some
worker categories involve combined, connected to the use of
one or more substances. This expose the worker to effects
that not always correspond to the simple sum of single effects,
but also to the risk caused from possible reactions among
the substances that have been used.
The chemical matrix substances that have been diffused in
the yard are by now very numerous, and for this reason it
results difficult to coordinate, check and manage the prevention
(additive for mortars and concretes; proofing products; chemical
pastas for temporary protection of enamel surfaces; hydrochloric
acid, for the cleaning of tile masonries and for brickwork
surfaces; synthetic resins based glue; varnishes and paintings;
sealants; etc.).
To prevent the deleterious effects due to the use of these
substances is opportune to follow appropriate choices during
the planning phase.
Besides it is necessary to remember that the workers have
to be adequately formed and informed because their working
condition often problematical are able to influence negatively
on their health. The operators use plants and machines, they
move materials and tools, they use dangerous substances, causing
risk for themselves and for the other works employees that
operate in the same area.
Since even the organizational aspect affect the prevention
of accidents and working diseases, it is necessary an appropriate
work planning that could consider all risk factor and possible
incompatibility of different workmanship and the maximum number
of persons that are able act in the same area.
But even the project strongly influences on the safety and
on the health of the workers (that could be conditioned by
it), because it is in this moment that important choices are
taken concerning the characteristics and the dimensions of
the constructions, the operations to be done, the characteristics
of the working place, and in addition everything connected
to products and techniques to be used like materials, substances
and components on one side and plants, machines and equipments
on the other.
Following the considerations carried out, for what concerns
in particular the responsibility in comparison with the chemical
risks, usually the main task of the planner is (or it should
be) to operate the choice of the materials at different levels
of complexity: in fact the quality of the work will depend,
in part at least, from the quality of the products used. Getting
back to the subject, it is important to underline that the
quality of the selected product in the planning phase is not
always synonymous of safe and hygienic product for the worker
that has to place it at work, in comparison with the functions
that it have to accomplish.
Besides, as already mentioned, sometime to place some products
that will be integral part of the work is necessary to use
some auxiliary products, not recognizable in the construction,
that could be harmful for anyone who performs the process
(as for example, paint or glue remover). It is necessary to
remember that generally, at this levels, the choice responsibility
is due to the yard manager or to the accountable for the enterprise:
in fact the planner doesn't intervene in a so specific field,
unless the auxiliary product had been expressly imposed by
the manufacturer as complementary product and then defined
in the application technical card from the product to place
at work.
2.2.2 The provisions in prevention matter for chemical
risk
The European Community has given an extremely remarkable contribution
in the prevention of the chemical risk, carrying out studies
and researches with the emanation of proper rules for a suitable
works management according to some directives that followed
from the '70 onwards, updating them in connection with the
results of the scientific research.
Our country had always been hardly able to keep pace and then
the provisions have been receive with some delay, but it can
be said that today from the normative point of view we are
so much equipped that the problem instead is in the cultural
level of the operators, that especially in this sector, don't
succeed to realize of what it may influence negatively to
individual level - but even to social level - the lack of
a suitable prevention.
2.2.2.1 The provisions
for substances and dangerous compounds
The fundamental engagement at an international level from
the normative point of view had been to diffuse the information
concerning substances and preparations dangerousness. In particular
at a European and national level some studies had been carried
out in connection with other countries, they have led by some
decade to the classification and labeling of such elements.
The two fundamental directive in matter are the 67/548/CEE
and the 73/173/CEE concerning the reapproaching of the legislative,
regulation and administrative dispositions relating to classification,
packing and labeling of dangerous substances. In our country
such directives are both quoted in 1974 in one law (Law 29
May 1974, n. 256 "Classification and discipline of packing
and labeling of dangerous substances and preparations")
that continues to be suitable and modified following scientific
updating.
It is opportune to remember what is to be intended for substances:
chemical elements and they compound at a natural state or
obtained by any production procedure, with necessary additives
included, but with the exclusion of the solvents and preparations:
mixtures or solutions constituted by two or more substances.
Four essential goals have been achieved for the guardianship
of human health and environment safeguard, through the definition
of homogeneous criterion for the classification, the labeling,
the packing, the definition of the safety card:
1.
Classification and labeling of all the substances and the preparations,
following criteria of standard evaluation. The label contain
the symbol of danger representing the principal
risks that the dangerous substance may cause, the written indication of the principal danger, and one or more standard sentences (codified
alphanumerically) that describe in synthetic way the potentials
risk characterized with the R symbol followed by a number
and a sentence, characterized with the S symbol, that describes
the safety regulations to adopt to minimize risks;
2.
Creation
of an inventory of the
chemical substances (EINECS-European Inventory Existing
Commercial Substances);
3.
Creation of an EINECS list containing the new substances appeared subsequently to
the date of 1987;
4.
Elaboration
of safety cards
according to equal criteria for all the Members countries.
2.2.2.2 The classification
The classification of the dangerous substances had been introduced
with the Legislative Decree 52/97, which provides even their
definitions:
1) explosives: substances
and solids compounds, liquid, doughy or gelatinous that, even
without the action of the atmospheric oxygen, are able to
provoke an exothermic reaction with rapid formation of gas
and that, in particular test conditions, they detonate, rapidly
deflagrate or explode in consequence of heating in condition
of partial containment;
2) combustive: substances
and compounds that coming into contact with other substances,
particularly if inflammable, are able to provoke a strong
exothermic reaction;
3) extremely inflammable:
substances and liquid compounds with an extremely low inflammability
point and low boiling point and gaseous substances and preparations
that at ambient temperature and pressure are inflammable in
contact with air;
4) easily inflammable:
- substances and compounds that, in contact with air, at ambient
temperature and without energy supply, are able to suffer
thermic raisings and at last take fire;
- substances and solids compounds that are able to easily
take fire after a short contact with a lighting source and
that continue to burn or to consume even after the separation
from the source of lighting;
- substances and liquid compounds whose inflammability point
is very low;
- substances and compounds that give off extremely inflammable
gas in dangerous quantity if in contact with water or damp
air;
5) inflammable:
substances and liquid compounds with a low inflammability
point;
6) very toxic: substances
and compounds that, in case of inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous
absorption, even in very low quantity, could be lethal or
cause acute or chronic lesions;
7) toxic: substances
and compounds that, in case of inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous
absorption, even in low quantity, could be lethal or cause
acute or chronic lesions;
8) harmful: substances
and compounds that, in case of inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous
absorption, could be lethal or cause acute or chronic lesions;
9) corrosive: substances
and compounds that, in contact with living tissue, are able
to cause on them a destructive action;
10) irritants: substances
and compounds not corrosive, whose contact direct, prolonged
or repeated with the skin or mucous membranes are able to
cause an inflammatory reaction;
11) sensibility:
substances and compounds that, for inhalation or cutaneous
absorption, are able to cause a reaction of hypersensitivity
so that a following exposure to the substance or compound
produces a characteristic adverse reaction;
12) carcinogenic:
these substances and compounds can cause cancer or increase
its frequency in case of inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous
absorption,
13) mutagenic: substances
and compounds that, for inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous
absorption, are able to produce hereditary genetic defects
or increase their frequency;
14) toxic for the reproductive
cycle: substances and compounds that, for inhalation,
ingestion or cutaneous absorption, are able cause or make
more frequent harmful not hereditary effects in the progeny
or problems in charge of the masculine or female reproductive
function or ability;
15) dangerous for the
environment: substances and compounds that, if diffuse
in the environment, they cause or are able to cause immediate
risks deferred for one or more environmental components.
2.2.2.3 Labeling and
packing
The label carry symbols that describe in a synthetic and immediate
way the dangerousness of the substance or compound contained
in the packaging. In succession are listed terms, initials
and meaning as defined from the provision:
1) explosive: a
bomb that explodes (E);
2) combustive: a
flame over a circle (O);
3) easily inflammable:
a flame (F);
4) extremely inflammable:
a flame (F+);
5) toxic: a skull
on cross tibias (T);
6) very toxic: a
skull on cross tibias (T+);
7) harmful: a Sant'Andrea
cross (Xn);
8) corrosive: the
representation of the action of an acid (C);
9) irritant: a
Sant'Andrea cross (Xi);
10) dangerous for the
environment: a bare tree with a dead fish.
Such symbols have to be printed in black on yellow/orange
background.
These are other information that have to appear on the label
(indications reported in legible and indelible characters):
1) the substance denomination
following one of those reported in enclosure I. If the substance
is not present in the enclosure, the denomination must be
based on a recognized international nomenclature;
2) the name and the
complete address, and the telephone number of the accountable
for the immission on the established market in the U.E., That
could be the manufacturer, the importer, or the distributor;
3) the indication of
danger that the use of the substance involves. If the
substance doesn’t appear in the enclosure I, symbols and indications
of danger are assigned following the norms of the enclosure
VI. If for the substance are suitable more symbols of danger,
only the most dangerous symbol has to be reported;
4) the risk sentences
called "R sentences";
5) the prudence advice
called "S sentences";
6) the C.E. number - if assigned - that appears in the EINECS
list or reported in the list of substances published by the
Ministry of Health.
Specific rules are even defined for what is concern the packaging
that have to be solid and resistant to allow manipulation
and transport, also preventing any loss, and made of material
that couldn’t be damaged from the substance and it is not
reactive with it.
2.2.2.4 The safety
card
With the directive 88/379/CEE it has been introduced the obligation
to provide all “dangerous” products with the “safety card”.
In this way “all the Member States adopt the necessary measures
for the realization of a specific information system related
to dangerous compounds. [...] Such information are mainly intended to professional
users to allow them taking the necessary measures for health
and safety protection on the work place".
With the following
directive 91/155/CEE it is furthermore asserted: "The
responsible for the immission on the market of a dangerous
substance or compound, defined in the community, should be
the manufacturer, the importer or the distributor, has to
furnish to the receiver, in the person of the professional
user, a card reporting safety data with information” needed
to provide an effective prevention.
In Italy these two directives have been brought with the D.M.
28 January 1992 of the Ministry of Health, that integrally
quote the text reported in the two directives the enclosure
III reports all the specific data to be provided.
It is important to
specify that these directives concern exclusively the dangerous
compounds, as mixtures or solutions composed by two or more
substances, and not the pure substances, the that have been
threaten by a number of provisions introduced in our country
with the Ministerial
Decree 4 April 1997.
The card of safety
data, that has to be filled with precise statement of date,
contains the following obligatory indexes:
1. Elements identifying
the substance or compound and the company/enterprise: in terms of safety definition, these are
data of fundamental importance as, in case of need, it is
possible to have information directly from the manufacturer,
importer or distributor.
2. Composition/information
on ingredients: if talking of pure substance, the exact name needs to be
pointed out; in case of compound, the provision consents not
to point out the complete composition (to defend industrial
secret), but forces however to define the substances in the
compound with the same or superior concentration of what established
and defined dangerous by the norms. At this point are even
defined the number identifying the chemical substances and
more precisely:
- the CAS number (Chemical
Abstract Service), identifying number of a substance or mixture
diffused world-wide, to define for sure the identity of the
chemical substance;
- the CEE number, only
recognized in the CEE;
- the EINECS number (European Inventory of Existing Commercial
Substances), quoting the inventory of the substances commercialized
in European market.
3. danger definition: here are defined the harmful effects for
the workers health and the symptoms that are able rise after
use.
4. First aid measures: for every possible
way of substance penetration
(inhalation, ingestion, contact with skin, contact
with eyes) are defined: symptoms, modality of immediate intervention,
the possible immediate and following effects, the operation
tools that have to be present in the work place spot for immediate
intervention.
5. Fireproof measures: the indications have to contain information
concerning the chemical substance and recommended extinction
methods in case of fire and devices to be used for individual
protection.
6. Measures in case of accidental losses: information are relative to individual
precautions times for the guardianship of people physical
health, environmental precautions for the preservation of
the environment, cleaning methods to decrease the risk caused
by material loss.
7. Manipulation and storage: is one of the most important items because
it gives directions to the final consumer (the worker) for
the use of the product to reduce the risks that its use it
may involve. For these reasons are given precautions to be
adopted during use, the employment procedure, and the recommended
equipment to be used. Other information are pointed out for
incompatible materials with the substance/compound, the maximum
quantities that could be stored, the characteristics of the
storage place (maximum/minimum temperature), the packing material
and the suitable container for the product.
8. Individual exposition/protection
control: in this chapter are resumed all the precautionary measures to adopt during
the use, in order to reduce to the minimum the exposure of
the worker. It is also
defined the principle that identifies "collective protection"
as the main action for primary protection.
9. Physical and chemical
properties:
are provided scientific information of chemical-physical type
for the substance/compound necessary to its classification. The information concern: aspect, odor, pH, boiling
point/interval, fusion point/interval, burning point, auto-inflammability,
combustive properties, vapor pressure, reactive density, solubility,
hydrosolubility, liposolubility, division coefficient, etc.
10. Stability and reactivity: are provided
other indications on the chemical-physical behavior of the
substance/compound, for a more easy reading and more immediate
applicability in comparison with the previous point.
11. Ecological information: it is the
item dedicated specifically to the environment or better to
environment preservation.
In this point are defined the behavior and the transformation
of the substance/compound if lost into the environment (mobility
in the environment, degrading, accumulation, short and long
term effects, ecological toxicity, etc. All the informations
are obligatory for the substances classified dangerous for
the environment.
13. Considerations
on disposal: information
concerning waste manipulation under a safety aspect or, methods
of disposal for the substance and for the container (incineration,
recycling, discharge, etc.) in reference to European Community
and national norms.
14. Information on
transport: this point has the
purpose to inform the ultimate user on the handling of the
product either inside the working area or outside.
Indications must be provided for different kinds of
transport (maritime, aerial, terrestrial) and, they have to
be quoted the various coding for every kind of transport (ADR,
RID, IMO, IATA, etc.).
15. Information on
the regulation: norms that
regulate the substances and dangerous compound are those already
mentioned about labeling and classification. Indications quoted
on the labels must concern: dangerous substances symbols,
risk sentences, prudence directions.
16. Other information: this point cover a very wide area as the
legislator wanted to furnish to the manufacturer, the importer,
or the distributor a space in which point out other remarkable
information for worker safety and health (indications on training,
use recommendations and possible use restrictions) or in favor
of environmental protection. Bibliographical sources could
even be provided.
2.2.2.5 The limit values
In the study of the
working activity and in the definition of prevention criteria,
the limit values hold a particular importance, or better the
maximum concentrations limits for the substances in the work
environment over which are able to rise up illnesses or damn
for man health.
Such limits do not
have absolute value, because it exists an individual sensibility
in comparison with a determinate substance; they however constitute
the result of scientific investigation in the field, that
they have brought to affirm that the nearly totality of the
persons exposed daily to such substances within such levels
do not have harmful consequences at once for their health. The research has besides established that the
entity of the toxic effects depends from the dose of the considered
chemical substance and that, if the quantity of product is
reduced progressively, the effects on the organism disappear.
From this explanation
sprung out a series of researches to individualize limit values
admissible for the use of the chemical substances in the work
environments - but even in the environment generally.
The threshold limit of chemical substances
had been received in our country with the D.P.R. 10 September
1982, n.962 from the Directive 78/610/CEE relative to the
guardianship of the workers exposed to the vinyl chloride
monomer, even if the necessity of risk control was already
included in the D.P.R. 303/56 “General rules for the work
hygiene”.
Only with the Legislative
Decree 626/94 the concept comes back again: general measures
of guardianship for the health and safety of workers are imposed
expressly, and in particular it is requested:
- substitution of all
that it is dangerous with something less or not harming at
all;
- limitation to the
bare minimum number of workers that are, or are able come
into contact, with risk factors;
- limited use and reduced exposure to chemical, physical,
biological agents;
- removing of workers
from the risk exposure for sanitary reasons inherent workers
health;
- elimination of risks
in accordance with the best knowledge acquired and based on
the technological progress.
For what concerns the
limit values, in accordance with the OMS (World Health Organization)
two types of exposure limit exist with different meanings:
- exposure limits founded
on the ability to protect health, that is maximum acceptable
values for human health;
- approved exposure
limit, that is approved values for human health after
considering the effect evidence on the health.
A lot of studies and
procedures on this subject, even if the criteria to which
refer worldwide are those defined from the ACGIH (American
Conference Governmental Industrial Hygienists, USA, 1937).
The TVL (Threshold limit value) are kept up to date
every year and published in three different categories, all
preceded from the TLV initials, that represent the threshold
limit value for atmospheric concentration of a substance,
in which is thought that all workers are able to be repeatedly
exposed, day after day, without suffering harmful effects.
Such categories are:
1) TLV-TWA (Time Weighted Average): average weighted threshold
limit value for a working day of 8 hours and for a working
week of 40 hours;
2) TLV-STEL (Short Term Exposure Limit): threshold limit value
for short exposure time with finality to protect workers from
irritation outcomings, irreversible tissular damages, or narcosis
of such degree to increase the accident risk.
Generally this value integrate the TLV-TWA values when
are considered substances that are able to produce acute effects.
STEL exposures don't have to overcome 15 minutes and don't
have to be more then 4 in a work turn and, with an interval
of at least 60 minutes among an exposure and the other;
3) TLV-C (Ceiling)/Concentration that doesn't have to be exceeded
either instantly: instantaneous limit value or short time
exposures limit; it points out the concentration that does
never have to be exceeded.
If for a substance
is suitable only TLV-TWA value this means that greater exposures
of threshold value are consented, if only they will be compensate
with exposures under the threshold value during the same day.
ACGIH has in fact established that for some substances it
is possible to maximum overcome three times the concentration
for a maximum time of thirty minutes during the day and, however,
it is not possible to reach five times more concentrations.
It has to be specified
that if in the working place there is an exposure to more
substances, the exposure index to be considered is given from
the following formula:
TLV = (c1/t1) + (c2/t2)
where c1 and c2 are
the concentrations of substances measured in the environment
and t1 and t2 are their limits.
When this value is more than 1 this means that the
TLV of the mixture is exceeded. From what it has been exposed, it is deduced
that the combined effects of the two substances is not considered
(that could be extremely negative from a chemical point of
view), but only their additive effect.
2.3
Materials and products for constructions
As previously stated,
many materials and products that today are used in the sector
of the constructions involve risk for the health of the operators
of chemical type.
Considering how construction site and workmanship have developed,
it may be stated that the chemical risk has been more widely
recognized in the last decades, in correlation with the diffusion
of the synthetic products offered by the chemical industry.
The correspondence between these products of chemical risk
and the health of man is manifested as sensibility, irritation,
nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, neurotoxic, carcinogenic effects
and, in rare cases, even mutating and teratogenic effects.
Further, it is necessary to specify that more serious
dangers are attributable to the combination of more substances:
while the single product is broadly documented and appropriately
labeled, problems arise for the checkup of the possible interactions
among diverse products.
Regarding the chemical risk, the general rule
of prevention is always valid, according to which it is necessary
before all to eliminate the risk at the source, by selecting
alternative products not harmful, or neutralize them by putting
into action technical systems of collective protection (which,
however, on site it results practically impossible), or, only
as last resort, by using devices of individual protection.
But it must be remembered that the harmful action of chemical
substances may show up in different ways and particularly
by:
- contact, provoking cutaneous illnesses and
other affections, for which it is necessary that the operator
wears protective means and suitable attire and in particular
working overall, gloves and shoes;
- inhalation, provoking irritation and illnesses
that may be affecting in particular the respiratory tracts,
for which, depending on the circumstances, it is necessary
to use protective masks and, if the substances molest other
specific organs or parts of the body (for example the mucous
membranes of the eye), to resort to appropriate means of protection
for the personnel;
- burn, caused by caustic contact, for which
it is recommended extreme caution in the use.
General attention to the problem is everyday
increasing and the manufacturing industries are today ready
to offer clean solutions, partly due to the diffusion of a
greater sensibility on environmental matters.
They guarantee products with a high level of quality
in comparison with those available in the past (it is the
case, for example, of certain disarming products which have
replaced those based on mineral oils now banned from the market
or of certain families of paints whose composition shows a
very low percentage of harmful elements.
The preferred ways of penetration and hence of attack to the
health of man is represented by the respiratory tract, the
skin and the optical mucous membrane, with effects schematically
reported in Table 2.
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Tab. 2 - Paths of penetration of the chemicals and primary
agents affecting the health source: our elaboration
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Paths of penetration
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Effects
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Respiratory tract
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-
Laryngopharyngitis, alveolitis, bronchitis, allergic asthma
-
Pulmonary fibrous
-
Tumors, leukemia
-
Damages of different entity on different organs ( lungs, bone, kidneys,
liver, etc. )
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Skin
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-
Caustic burns
-
Soreness, redness, dermatitis
-
Allergic dermatitis
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Optical mucous
|
-
Conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis
-
Keratitis
|
Dusts are surely, at least quantitatively, the
principal cause of damage to the health of the operators of
the sector. The damages caused by the dusts and from fibers
are known by now since a lot of decades. In fact, the first
recognized professional illnesses on international level has
been the silicosis and the asbestosis.
The effects on health of man are of various nature,
according to the composition of the substance, of the material
or of the product. It is however to notice that on the site,
due to the assortment and to the variety of workmanships that
are developed, dusts are present in intense dosage.
A first reference referring to the protection of the organism
against dusts has been stated with the D.P.R. 303/56, where
it is specified that the employer must adopt the proper provisions
to prevent or to reduce the development of dusts and the diffusion
in the environment, according to the nature and the concentration
of them. Further, he must adopt all the technologically possible
means to limit the exposure of the worker to dusty environments
and, where that is not possible, to provide devices of individual
protection.
L'ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists)
has classified dusts in three categories, based on the their
granulometry:
- MPI, group
of the inhalable particles ( >100 micron)
- MPT, group of the thoracic particles (<100 micron; >25
micron)
- MPR, group of the breathable particles or breathable fraction
(<25 micron).
Another type of classification
that is applicable to dusts
is that founded on the their type or origin. The organic dusts
are apt to provoke different pathologies, among which are
rather common: allergic asthma, toxic syndrome from organic
dusts and pneumonia from hypersensibility, The inorganic dusts
are divided, on the other hand, on the base of their nature:
dusts from metals (galvanic, aluminum, mercurate, etc.), dusts of fibrous nature (asbestos, talc, etc.),
silicate dusts (free silica).
Also fibers, which represent a serious problem, there are,
at international level, current studies and researches of
great interest. In this area, after the diffusion of creditable
information based on verified scientific publication and above
all after the issue of specific advices concerning the use
of asbestos, there is now a high level of sensibility among
the operators of the sector for the use of all mineral fibrous
materials (rock wool, fiberglass and, obviously, asbestos).
Therefore, following these normative advices, the works that
involve the manipulation or the contact with asbestos, may
be performed only by enterprises and from operators that have
stated adequately protection so as to operate in safety.
Problems arise even with all those products that in the moment
when they are positioned change, even only temporarily, physical
state (paints, adhesive, sealing, etc.).
Once placed in the liquid or fluid state, they solidify
for effect of specific chemical reactions, emitting substantial
quantity of harmful substances for the health:
among the more dangerous substances, we must notice
the greatest part of the solvents, that are able to produce
narcotic effects on the worker. The first symptoms on the
person refer to a series of troubles that often are able to
be confused with a generic discomfort (tiredness, headache,
insomnia, vertigo, troubles of the sexual sphere, etc.), followed
by more evident upset, like the lack of attention and concentration,
turning up eventually into encephalopathy with evident neurological
signs. In accordance
with the researches on these effects, one of the more remarkable
problem ensuing from the use of this substances is neurosis
that provokes behavior troubles; as a matter of fact, the
substances that penetrate in the organs of the human body
are associated to molecules of the organism determining a
series of biochemical and electrophisiologic reactions. This
may result in motile, sensitive, cognitive syndromes with
side effects even on the affections and on the personality
of the worker. These aggressions are very dangerous, because
they are not immediately manifested and are not always observable
with a diagnosis, with a resulting behavior of unawareness
when it concerns the exposure to the risk.
The following Table 3 lists the nature of the chemical risk
to which various professional subjects may be exposed. Also
it shows the vastness of the phenomenon in the sector of constructions. Practically all the categories of workers come
into contact with substances that, from the chemical point
of view, are able to impact negatively on the health of the
man. Further, it must be noticed that the risk is
hardly ever present singularly, but normally associated to
other risks, which makes problematic to list exhaustively
the prevention care.
Also, seven records are listed, corresponding to categories
of products that, because of their composition, cause serious
problems to the health of man and to the environment.
These records are shown by way of exemplification and
they don't attempt to exhaust the complexity of the picture.
The product categories analyzed are:
-
organic
and inorganic dusts,
-
plasters
and mortars generally,
-
mineral
fibrous insulators (asbestos is not treated since extremely
well known for its effects on health and for the cautions
to adopt during the reclamation or the suppression),
-
synthetic
insulators,
-
repellents
of bituminous base,
-
adhesives
and sealants,
-
paints,
varnishes, enamels.
These product categories have been analyzed keeping in consideration
a series of characteristics related to the safety records
of the products, without running back again entirely to them. The characteristics considered are the followings:
-
substance
/ product,
-
aspect
/ shape,
-
applications,
-
composition,
-
paths
of penetration,
-
health
hazards,
-
operational
cautions,
-
use
of DIP,
-
suggestions
for risk warnings and prudence,
-
environmental
problems.
|
safety data sheet
n. 1
|
|
substance/product
|
organic and inorganic
dusts
|
|
appearance/shape
|
- suspension of solid materials dispersed in the air and
created by a mechanical process or by a whirl (L.D.
n. 277/91)
- are classified
by their dimension (that defines the penetrability grade
in the organism), and by nature (organic and inorganic)
|
|
concerned processing
|
great dust quantities are produced in particular
processing:
- demolitions
- excavations
- ground movement
- drilling
- mortars and concrete
preparation
classification by
their nature:
- for organic dusts (wood, plastic, resins,
…)
- for inorganic dusts (marbles and ceramics)
|
|
contained substances
|
substances that are
present in the yard as dusts are numerous; for many
of them their presence is extremely dangerous; in particular
quartz, calcium sulfate, lime, concrete, clay, wooden
dusts
|
|
way of penetration
|
respiratory apparatus: dusts are divided into:
inhalable particles (MPI),
thoracic particles (MPT),
breathable particles (MPR).
|
|
health risks
|
- contact
- allergic dermatitis by contact
- irritating dermatitis by contact
- allergic urticaria
- acne (by oils
and ii e aromatic chloride substances)
- ulceration (by
chrome, arsenic etc.)
- chronic photodermatitis
- cutaneous tumors
- allergy
- inhalation,
with consequent irritations and diseases, that can involve
various apparatus
- ingestion
|
|
operative caution
|
- avoid contact with eyes
- avoid dusts and vapors inhalation
- avoid contact with skin
- product safety
data sheet analysis
- risk valuation
- adoption of procedural
and hygienic technical measure
-
obligation of information and
training; exact information about manipulation
(in particular avoid contact with eyes and skin)
|
|
use of IPD
|
-
adequate clothes (working clothes)
- masks, filters
- gloves, creams
- protective glasses
|
|
risk phrases and
caution advices
|
R36 irritating to
eyes
R38 irritating to
skin
R41 risk of serious
damage to the eyes
S24 avoid contact with skin
S25 avoid contact
with eyes
S26 in case of contact
with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and
seek medical advice
S37 wear suitable
gloves
|
|
environmental problems
|
- for dusts are given
generic indications
- precise indications
are given for specific product
|
|
safety data sheet n. 2
|
|
substance/product
|
plasters
|
|
appearance/shape
|
- fluid compounds (mortars)
- the physical state of mortar is dust. The product, usually already
premixed, in the yard generally is packed in sacks;
in great yards plaster mortars are retained in special
silos
|
|
concerned processing
|
- finishing realization of internal or external vertical or horizontal
surfaces
|
|
contained substances
|
- water
- water lime,
- hydrated lime,
- calcium oxide,
- calcium hydroxide,
- calcium carbonate,
- calcium sulfate,
- potassium silicate,
- Portland concrete,
- various inert (siliceous, blast-furnace slag, etc.)
- various additive
|
|
way of penetration
|
- contact (skin, eyes)
- hynalation
- cutis
- respiratory apparatus
- involved parts: hands, face, eyes, respiratory tracts
|
|
health risks
|
- in used classification products
are part of dangerous substances/compounds
- Xi irritants
- C corrosive
- dermatitis, allergic dermatitis
- irritation of respiratory tracts
- irreversible damages to pulmonary,
renal, hepatic, bony apparatus
- effects on CNS
|
|
operational caution
|
-
avoid contact with eyes
-
avoid inhalation of dusts and vapors - avoid contact
with skin
- product safety data sheet analysis
- risk evaluation
- adoption of procedural and hygienic technical measure
- obligation of information and training;
exact information about
manipulation (in particular avoid contact with
eyes and skin)
|
|
use of IPD
|
- adequate clothes (working
clothes)
- masks, filters
- gloves, creams
- protective glasses
|
|
risk phrases and caution advices
|
R34 Causes burns
R36 Irritating to eyes
R38 Irritating to skin
R41 Risk of serious damage to the eyes
S2 Keep out of the reach of children
S24 Avoid contact with skin
S25 Avoid contact with eyes
S26 In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately
with plenty of water and seek medical advice
S37 Wear suitable gloves
S38 In case of insufficient ventilation, wear
suitable respiratory equipment
S39 Wear eye / face protection
|
|
environmental problems
|
- ecological information provided by safety data sheet are generic
- inert substances residual must be drained following normal rules of
local authorities, recovered if possible, or drained
in authorized places
|
|
safety data sheet
n. 3
|
|
substance/product
|
mineral fibrous insulators
|
|
appearance/shape
|
melted fibers, hard
panels, small mattress
|
|
concerned processing
|
- creation of vertical
closings (walls and padding), covering, floors in new
construction and in maintenance and restoration activities
|
|
contained substances
|
- fiberglass, rock
wool
- various supports,
additive
|
|
way of penetration
|
- cutis
- respiratory apparatus
- involved parts:
hands, face, eyes, respiratory tracts
|
|
health risks
|
- Xi irritants
- dermatitis, allergic
dermatitis
- irritation of respiratory
tracts
|
|
operational caution
|
- substitution or
reduction of cancerogenic products
- product safety
data sheet analysis
- risk evaluation
- adoption of procedural
and hygienic technical measure
- obligation of information
and training;
exact information about
manipulation, stockage and installation (in particular
avoid contact with eyes and skin, and fibers inhalation)
- obligation of sanitary
surveillance
|
|
use of IPD
|
-
adequate clothes (working clothes)
- masks, filters
- gloves, creams
- protective glasses
|
|
risk phrases and
caution advices
|
R36 Irritating to
eyes
R37 Irritating to
respiratory system
R38 Irritating to
skin
R42 May cause sensitization
by inhalation
S24 Avoid contact
with skin
S25 Avoid contact
with eyes
S37 Wear suitable
gloves
|
|
environmental problems
|
- ecological information
provided by safety data sheet are generic
- inert substances
residual must be drained following normal rules of local
authorities, recovered if possible, or drained in authorized
places
|
|
safety data sheet
n. 4
|
|
|
substance/product
|
synthetic insulators
|
|
appearance/shape
|
hard panels, foams
|
|
concerned processing
|
- creation of vertical
closings (walls and padding), covering, floors in new
construction and in maintenance and restoration activities
|
|
contained substances
|
- expanded polyuretanic,
expanded polystyrene, polyuretanic foams
- for some products
the exposition limit value is provided
|
|
way of penetration
|
- respiratory apparatus
- involved parts:
hands, face, eyes, respiratory tracts
|
|
health risks
|
- respiratory tracts
diseases
- irreversible damages
for many organs, tumors
|
|
operational caution
|
- substitution or
reduction of cancerogenic products
- product safety
data sheet analysis
- risk evaluation
- adoption of procedural
and hygienic technical measure
- obligation of information
and training;
exact information about
manipulation, stockage and installation (in particular
avoid contact with eyes and skin, and fibers inhalation)
- obligation of sanitary
surveillance
|
|
use of IPD
|
-
adequate clothes (working clothes)
- masks, filters
- gloves
- protective glasses
|
|
risk phrases and caution advices
|
R12 Extremely flammable
R18 In use, may form
inflammable/explosive vapor-air mixture
R42 May cause sensitization
by inhalation
S16 Keep away from
sources of ignition
S21 When using do
not smoke
S23 Do not breathe
vapor
S24 Avoid contact
with skin
S25 Avoid contact
with eyes
S37 Wear suitable
gloves
|
|
environmental problems
|
- F substances easily
inflammable
- following DPR n.
915 of 1982 and law n. 397 of 1988, polyuretanic foams
are considered special waste comparable to urban solid
waste. They could be drained in public authorized discharge
or in incinerators that use systems for pulling down
smokes.
|
|
safety data sheet
n. 5
|
|
substance/product
|
waterproofing bitumen
based
|
|
appearance/shape
|
- films and sheath
in rolls
- fluid mixtures
|
|
concerned processing
|
- waterproofing of
foundations and walls near ground
- covering waterproofing
|
|
contained substances
|
- primer
- organic solvents
- IPA polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbon
- acrylic resins
|
|
way of penetration
|
- respiratory apparatus
- cutis
- eyes
- mucous
|
|
health risks
|
- contact dermatitis
- respiratory allergies
- inhalation of toxic,
noxious, cancerogenic products: tumors, effects on CNS,
damages of various apparatus
|
|
operational caution
|
- ventilate working
places
- avoid interference
with other activities
- substitution or
reduction of cancerogenic products
- adoption of procedural
directions provided by safety data sheet
- risk evaluation
- adoption of procedural
and hygienic technical measure
-
obligation of information and
training (exact information about
manipulation, stockage and installation)
- obligation of sanitary
surveillance
- register of exposed
to cancerogenic
|
|
use of IPD
|
-
adequate clothes (working clothes, aprons)
- masks, filters
- gloves
- protective glasses
- boots/bootlegs
|
|
risk phrases and
caution advices
|
R12 Extremely flammable
R18 In use, may form
inflammable/explosive vapor-air mixture
R40 Possible risk
of irreversible effects
R42 May cause sensitization
by inhalation
S16 Keep away from
sources of ignition
S21 When using do
not smoke
S23 Do not breathe
vapor
S24 Avoid contact
with skin
S25 Avoid contact
with eyes
S37 Wear suitable
gloves
|
|
environmental problems
|
- most of products
are flammable, toxic for aquatic organisms and for environment,
and for this reason must not be dispersed
|
safety data sheet
n. 6
|
|
substance/product
|
adhesives and sealant
|
|
appearance/shape
|
-- adhesives natural
or synthetic based: appear in water emulsion, in
solvent, in powder
-- sealants, usually
used at fluid; they are divided in :
- unique component sealants (total vulcanization or permanently
plastic)
- two component sealants (base product and), that harden
by solvent evaporation
- primer
- filler materials
- detaching materials
|
|
concerned processing
|
-- for adhesives:
- continuous coverings
application
- discontinuous coverings
application
- various finishing
processing
--: used for making
protective joints against physical agents (humidity,
rain, dust, ultraviolet rays, …)
|
|
contained substances
|
-- for adhesives:
- plastic or elastic
polymeric
- catalyst, stabilizer,
solvent, plastificant additives, component
- hardener
-- for sealants:
can be classified by their chemical composition (siliconic,
polysolfuric, polyacrilic, polyuretanic, butylic, etc.)
|
|
way of penetration
|
- respiratory tracts
- cutis
- eyes
- ingestion
|
|
health risks
|
- C corrosive
- T toxic
- Xn noxious
- Xi irritant
|
|
operational caution
|
-
ventilate working place
-
adoption of precautionary measures when using chemical
substances
-
avoid to inhale vapors
-
don’t eat or drink when in use
-
don’t smoke
-
wash hands after use
|
|
use of IPD
|
- adequate respiratory
protection (masks, filters,…)
- gloves
- protective glasses,
tight glasses against chemical agents or sprays
- adequate working
clothes
- adequate shoes,
boots
|
|
risk phrases and
caution advices
|
R10 Flammable
R11 Highly flammable
R14 Reacts violently
with water
R20 Harmful by inhalation
R20/21 Harmful by
inhalation and contact with skin
R21 Harmful in contact
with skin
R21/22 Harmful in
contact with skin and if swallowed
R22 Harmful if swallowed
R23 Toxic by inhalation
R34 Causes burns
R36 Irritating to
eyes
R36/37 Irritating
to eyes and to respiratory system
R36/37/38 Irritating
to eyes/respiratory system/skin
R36/38 Irritating
to eyes and to skin
R37 Irritating to
respiratory system
R38 Irritating to
skin
R42 May cause sensitization
by inhalation
R43 May cause sensitization
by skin contact
R51/53 R51 Toxic
to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects
in the aquatic environment
S1/2 Keep locked
up and out of the reach of children
S16 Keep away from
sources of ignition
S2 Keep out of the
reach of children
S23 Do not breathe
vapor
S24 Avoid contact
with skin
S25 Avoid contact
with eyes
S26 In case of contact
with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and
seek medical advice
S28 After contact
with skin, wash immediately with plenty of soap-suds
S29 Do not empty
into drains
S33 Take precautionary
measures against static discharges
S36/37/39 Wear suitable
protective clothing and suitable gloves and wear eye
/ face protection
S37 Wear suitable
gloves
S37/39 Wear suitable
gloves and wear eye / face protection
S39 Wear eye / face
protection
S45 In case of accident
or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately
(show the label whenever possible)
S46 If swallowed,
seek medical advice immediately and show this container
or label
S51 Use only in well
ventilated areas
|
|
environmental problems
|
- F easily flammable
- safety data sheets
provide fundamental directions to avoid the product
to be dispersed in environment, into water or sewer:
usually these are not biodegradable products
|
|
safety data sheet
n. 7
|
|
substance/product
|
Water paint, paint, enamel
|
|
appearance/shape
|
- fluids sold in sealed packages
|
|
concerned processing
|
- exterior and interior
finishing operations on materials of different nature
(ceramics, metallic, wooden)
- in particular epossidic
paint (widely used for high quality performance) have
decorative and
protective purposes for different nature supports, like
iron, wood, mortars, wet or porous concrete; coverings
of concrete pavements; products for reinforcement protection
for restoration of degraded concrete
|
|
contained substances
|
composition is various
following product nature and intended use
|
|
way of penetration
|
-
skin contact
-
eyes contact
-
ingestion
-
inhalation
|
|
health risks
|
- Xi Irritant
- Xn Noxious
- N Dangerous for environment
- F Easily flammable
- C Corrosive
|
|
operational caution
|
-
ventilate working place
- use of product has to be done in protected areas from
any danger of fire and electric installation have to
be made following norms to avoid deflagration
- products can be used with brush, roller or spray, with
different caution following the adopted technique
-
don’t eat or drink when using products
- don’t smoke
|
|
use of IPD
|
- for hands, barrier
cream before use and gloves rubber crčme or adequate
material
- protective hermetic
glasses or facial mask
-
masks with different filters following solvent type
and quantity
- antistatic shoes
- protective clothes
|
|
risk phrases and
caution advices
|
-- for epossidic paint:
R10 Flammable
R11 Highly
flammable
R20 Harmful
by inhalation
R20/21 Harmful
by inhalation and skin contact
R21/22 Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed
R22 Harmful
if swallowed
R20/21/22 Harmful
by inhalation, skin contact and if swallowed
R34 Causes burns
R37 Irritating
to respiratory system
R37/38 Irritating to respiratory system and to skin
R36/38 Irritating
to eyes and to skin
R38 Irritating
to skin
R41 Risk of serious damage to the eyes
R43 May cause sensitization by skin contact
R51/53 Toxic to aquatic organisms. May cause long-term adverse
effects in the aquatic environment
R52/53 Harmful to aquatic organisms. May cause long-term
adverse effects in the aquatic environment
R65 Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed
S1 Keep locked up
S2 Keep out
of the reach of children
S13 Keep away
from food, drink and animal foodstuffs
S16 Keep away
from sources of ignition
S23 Do not
breathe vapor
S24/25 S24 Avoid contact with skin and eyes
S26 In case of contact with eyes,
rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical
advice
S28 After contact with skin, wash
immediately with plenty of soap-suds
S29 Do not empty into drains
S37 Wear suitable gloves
S37/39 Wear suitable gloves and wear eye / face protection.
S36/37/39 Wear suitable protective
clothing, suitable gloves and wear eye / face protection
S38 In case of insufficient ventilation, wear suitable
respiratory equipment
S45 In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek
medical advice immediately (show the label whenever
possible)
S46 If swallowed, seek medical
advice immediately and show this container or label
S51 Use only
in well ventilated areas
P92 Contains epossidic components.
See manufacturer warnings
-- for traditional solvent wood paint:
R10 Flammable
R11 Highly
flammable
R20/21/22 Harmful
by inhalation, contact with skin and if swallowed
R23 Toxic by inhalation
R24 Toxic in contact with skin
R34 Causes burns
R36/37/38 Irritating to eyes, to respiratory system and
to skin
R40 Possible risk of irreversible effects
R42 May cause sensitization by inhalation
R51
Toxic to aquatic organisms
R62 Risk of impaired fertility
R65 Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed
S9 Keep container
in a well-ventilated place
S16 Keep away
from sources of ignition
S23 Do not
breathe vapor
S24/25 Avoid contact
with skin, contact with eyes
S26 In case of contact with eyes,
rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical
advice
S37 Wear suitable gloves
S39 Wear eye / face protection
-- for water paint:
R36 Irritating to eyes
R38 Irritating to
skin
-- for biologic paints:
R10 Flammable
R36 Irritating to eyes
R37/38 Irritating to eyes, to respiratory system and to
skin
S2 Keep out
of the reach of children
S7 Keep container
tightly closed
S16 Keep away
from sources of ignition
S23 Do not
breathe vapor
S29 Do not empty
into drains
S51 Use only in well
ventilated areas
|
|
environmental problems
|
- main directions given by safety data sheet concern water pollution and advices not to disperse
product in drains, water course and terrain
- information about
drain are generic, with reference to actual norms
- usually information
concerning recovery in case of accidental product loss
- is important to
inform qualified authorities in case of accidental product
loss
- products solvent
based are flammable
|
2.4 Prevention
2.4.1 Healthy and clean
products
It
was previously indicated that prevention behavior in working
area means to spread the culture of safety and hygiene of
work. We do not think, in fact, that an effective
preventive system could be applied only when on site, a determinate
operation is being initiated.
An appropriate situation is considered as such when all the
operators of the building process are aware of the necessity
to respect the environment and the health of the individuals:
this will be pursued through proper choices in the planning
and engineering phase and selecting enterprises that have
made of the quality - and in particular of health and of safety
-a banner of their operational behavior.
The selection of products with less impact on the environment
and on the health is by itself a factor that guarantees a
good foundation; but
that not is enough if the operators are not prepared to effect
an appropriate workmanship, particularly in terms of performance
quality, and from the point of view of the choice of the product.
Since about a couple of decades the producers of building
materials more alert to the environmental problem have planned
and introduced on the market products that respond more carefully
to the request of the project compartment more attentive to
the selection of materials, on the basis of life cycle and
characteristic, in of hygiene.
Therefore, a lot of products have appeared on the market that
come labeled as “biocompatible”,
“ecological”, or “green”,
resulting from natural substances and manufactured with transformation
processes that are inspired to the traditional techniques
while maintaining sustainable energetic budgets.
However, since the application requirements refer not
only to environmental aspects, but are often concerned with
a series of other type factors, the composition of this products
may be enriched with additives and components that doesn't
reflect properly all the preset objectives.
It is opportune then to refer to the so called safety labels
of the product which, in spite of the dictation of the norms,
currently is being properly drawn up by firms that have chosen
to offer to the market not just “healthy” products, but rather
“known” products so as to allow suitable behaviors for anyone
using them.
2.4.2
Use of devices of individual protection
It is evident that, even using all the possible forms of prevention,
the working risks coupled with the use of a certain product
may still subsist, requiring the last form of protection to
which it is necessary resort, that is the use of individual
protection devices.
Since different devices may be used according to the type
of aggression that the product or the substance may cause
(the safety label generally supplies appropriate information
from this point of view) and considering the fact that, as
previously illustrated, the chemical risk manifests on the
operator by way of contact, inhalation or ingestion, we may
find a correspondence between DIP, interested parts of the
body and ways of discerning (Tab. 4).
|
Tab. 4 -
DIP investment with regard to the body parts interested
by chemical
source: our elaboration
|
|
Type of chemical
risk
|
Parts of the of body
interested
|
|
Skin
|
Eyes
|
Respiratory tracts
|
|
Aerosol
|
Dusts, fibers
|
Overall, gloves
|
Protective glasses
|
Masks
|
|
Smoke
|
|
|
Fogs
|
|
|
Liquids
|
Immersion
|
Facial masks, overall, gloves
|
|
Sprays
|
|
Splashes
|
|
Gas - vapors
|
|
It must be emphasized that the protection
of the workers must be assured before hand at group level,
and only after, when it is necessary and possible, at individual
level. In the work environment there should be a sufficient
availability, in relationship to the number of employed people,
of devices for the protection of the body and of its parts.
Concerning the system of collective protection,
it is appropriate to consider:
-
the
systematic use of water to collect particulate solids. Near
the generation source of the harmful particles have waters
sprays to captures solid microparticles, preventing them to
become suspended and then to be breathed. This system is typical
of the ceramic structure demolition work;
-
the
use of ventilating systems, based on the purification of air
and the dispersion / dilution of the possible harmful substances
(ventilation and purification plants), that are not easily
managed on site. It
may be observed, however, that sites are often worked outdoor; ventilating systems then are rightful when operated
indoor for finishing of various kind (plasters, paintings,
gluing, etc.) to create the necessary ventilation;
-
use
of integrated systems, that foresee the simultaneous utilization
of joint systems.
It is however necessary, concerning the prevention of chemical
risk, the appropriate use of the device for individual protection.
The D.Lgs. 475/92 (Law), acquiring European directives, separates
into categories the control DIP according to its use; three
different categories are mentioned, relating to protective
systems for risk, classified as light, medium or strong. The
protection from chemical risk is thought as belonging to the
third class. According to the decree, in fact, they “belong
to the third category of DIP’s designed to give a complex
system of safeguard from the menace of death or of serious
injuries of permanent nature. In planning, it must be assumed that the person
that uses the DIP doesn't have the possibility to perceive
at the right time the instant injurious effects.
These “protection
means” must be preserved in safe places of easy reach in order
to be available every time they become necessary.
2.4.2.1
Overalls
They designed to protect the whole body.
They are used in all the activity that exposes
the operator to a continuous contact with chemical agents
in conditions of normal contact.
They are mainly fabricated with that synthetic fibers
(acrylic, vinyl, amidic, etc.), whose characteristics allow
the manipulation of acid or alkaline products, or in the presence
of various agents, including those carcinogenic (asbestos
and benzene) or working in sewer nets.
There are two classes of garments or attire:
-
Transpiring
(applicable to accidental contact, they shall prevent
or delay the transit of products contaminates for the necessary
time so that the operator is able to free himself of them);
-
Impermeable
(employable for limited times, they create about the
operator a truth and secure wrap capable of protecting from
substances with which he comes in contact and thus to create
a safe barrier between the worker and the dangerous chemical
products).
The European norm EN 340 "protection garments:
general requisites" gives clear specifications as an
absolutely necessary rule for the definition of a proper device:
-
conformity
with general requisites of ergonomic criteria (the fabrics
and the components of the garment of protection must not be
cause of undesirable effects on the bearer);
-
aptitude
to offer to the bearer the maximum degree of comfort compatible
with a suitable protection;
-
harmlessness
of the parts of the garment of protection that may become
in contact with the user (absence of asperities, rough parts
or prominences that could cause excessive irritation or damage);
-
characteristics
of wear ability and convenience (the device has to be planned
so as to facilitate the correct position of the user and to
guarantee the permanence in position completely for the predictable
period of use, considering the environmental factors, the
movements and the postures that the wearer would be able to
assume in the execution of work);
-
characteristic
of lightness (the device must be as light as possible, without
jeopardizing the necessary resistance and the efficiency agreed
in the project phase);
-
aging
characteristic (the garment should not develop undesired effects
like the alteration of color or the dimensional change after
cleaning);
-
appropriate
wear able ness with the availability of different sizes;
-
labeling
of the protection garment (each single protection garment
must be marked respecting the specification of the norm);
-
supplied
information from the manufacturer (the protection garment
must furnished to the buyer equipped of all necessary information,
drawn up in such a way to result explicit and spelled in the
official tongue of the target state).
2.4.2.2
Gloves
They are meant to protect the hands of operators. Since various activities require the use of
this DIP item, different types have been studied to respond
to demands.
In particular, when the activity involves the use of aggressive
chemical substances, it is necessary to be able to select
the gloves capable of protecting without reacting, in order
not to provoke possible further damages to the skin.
2.4.2.3
Eye
The working risks to which the eyes are exposed may be of
different nature: in fact, the physical risk may be combined
to the chemical risk and then the protection of this organ
must be held in strong consideration.
The handling and the transformation of materials is
able in fact produce problematic situations to such a delicate
part of the body. It
must be borne in mind, in practice, that often the workers
are vulnerable to compounded risks of different nature and
therefore the means of protection must be adequately chosen.
The chemical risk is recognized by everybody when at work
the eyes may come into contact with liquids, solids or suspended
particles, whose nature may cause damages or irritation of
caustic type.
The devices of individual protection for the visual apparatus,
that belongs to the third category in accordance with above
mentioned decree, are glasses with or without screen side
(capable of protecting from many risks, physical, chemical,
biological), or masks, facial shields, welding helmets.
Obviously the used DIP device
in situations of chemical risk must be such to defend the
operator and at the same time not to deteriorate or jeopardize
the visual ability of the operator.
Often, facial masks are preferred
rather than glasses because they offers a greater protection. Masks are made of polymeric material, transparent
or opaque, while the visual part is usually of scratch free
polycarbonate with special internal antifogging treatment.
Generally masks are used in place of glasses because
their particular shape allows a greater adhesion to the face
of the operator, reducing risk of sprays and dusts.
For the simultaneous protection
of the head their use may be in association with helmets. Further, as for the glasses, you may find on
the market masks with filter for different types of welding,
and for the exposures to infrared rays, ultraviolet and LASER.
Masks and masking helmets are used above all to protect the
operators during welding and where there is risk of material
projection, projection of warm bodies, and in all those situations
where the protection of the visual apparatus has to be in
association with that of the face or of the whole head.
The visors are usable in different
situations when there may be possible exposure to liquids,
sharp bodies and heat. they
are unsuitable for the protection from dusts and gas.
However it must be born in mind that the eye and the its mucous
membranes must be defended from mechanical, physical or chemical
attack, but they must safeguard at all time the visual ability,
without suffering alterations. The DIP devices must possess
a resistant structure and have visors or screens capable of
protect the eye from the various types of radiation (infrared,
ultraviolet, laser radiations) produced during the work.
2.4.2.4
Masks
The use of DIP devices for the respiratory tracts are always
necessary in the presence of concentrations - greater than
the customary limit - of dangerous or suffocating substances,
in the form of gas, vapors, dusts, smoke, fogs. All the protective devices for defending the
respiratory tracts against vapors or liquids or irritant,
toxic, dangerous or radiotoxic gases, belong to the third
category of DIP. This category of DIP has the main
purpose of protecting from the followings dangers:
a)
Dust inhalation, smoke and fogs
The polluting element is made of particles of solid material
(dusts and smoke) or liquid material (fogs) suspended in the
air. These particles increase in danger as their
dimension is reduced:
dusts, that are formed when the solid materials is crushed,
thinned down, sand-blasted or ground;
fogs, or liquid particles that are formed during work that
involve, for example, the spraying of a product;
smoke, or minute metallic particles produced during, for example,
welding (works at high temperature).
Gas aerosol and vapors
Gas and vapors have a similar behavior to air and mix easily with it.
In sufficiently elevated concentrations they may cause
death, particularly if they a substitute oxygen (provoking
suffocation). Gas diffuses rapidly even to great distance
from the their origin when resulting from the handling of
chemical products. Vapors are gaseous form of materials that normally,
at ambient temperature, are found in liquid state (some times
even solid state) and that for effect of the rise in temperature
evaporate (in the same way when vapor evaporates from water).
They are produced, for example, during the warm laying
of repellents.
Oxygen insufficiency
Scarcity of oxygen verifies when the percentage of oxygen
in the air gets below the normal level of 21% (the minimum
admissible concentration for human breathing is 17%).
Scarcity of oxygen can occur in limited zones, like
wells, reservoirs, sewers, etc.
on account of an inadequate natural ventilation, or
it may be caused from fire, from a chemical reaction, or when
other gas eliminates the oxygen from the air. In this cases
the use of respirators with air emissions is the ideal protection.
DIP’s for the protection of respiratory tracts, that must
be selected in relationship to the risk typology, are made
of a facial structure that covers usually the chin, the mouth
and the nose: the user can breathe the air through a filter,
or air coming from any other feeding source. Among these DIP’s we can make a distinction
between respiratory insulators (independent from the environment
atmosphere) and respirators with filter (dependent upon the
environment atmosphere).
DIP’s for the protection of the respiratory tracts are classified
in classes on the basis of the protection from various harmful
substances and their concentration.
Besides the facial part, that constitutes the element of contact
with the user, the filter, that constitutes the fundamental
part of the mask, is of great importance for the protection
from the chemical risk. They may be classified schematically into three principal
types:
Antiparticle filters: have to hold back
the particulate material in suspension in the environment;
they are made of filtering material of varies nature favored
with varying porosity depending from the requirements and
from the characteristics of the filtering material;
Anti-gas filters, made of cartridges
with metal case and plastic fillings that are fit to hold
back the gas and the harmful vapors by effect of adsorption
or for chemisorptions. In the anti-gas filters, the parameter of reference
is the “holding ability”, depending upon the characteristics
of the filtering material, of the pollutant, let alone the
quantity and the treatment to which filtering material has
been submitted;
-
Combined filters,
protect both from
dusts and from gas.
The antiparticle filter is positioned on the front part.
|
Tab. 5 – classification of the principal typology of filters
source: norms
|
Type
|
Color
|
Protection from»
|
|
A
|
brown
|
organic and solvent vapors»
|
|
B
|
gray
|
gas and inorganic vapors (i.e.: halogenated and nitrous
gas, fire gas, sulphuric hydrogen, hydro cyanic acid)
|
|
E
|
yellow
|
sulphuric dioxide and sulphuric acid
|
|
K
|
green
|
Ammonia
|
|
G
|
light blue
|
hydro cyanic acid and derivables
|
|
P
|
white
|
toxic dusts, smoke, fogs (i.e.: asbestos dust, silicon,
aluminum)
|
|
NO-P3
|
blue with white bandages
|
nitrogen oxide and dioxide
|
|
CO
|
black
|
carbon monoxide
|
|
SX
|
violet
|
nitrous gas ( NO2, NO, etc.».)
|
|
AX
|
brown
|
organic compounded low-boiling gas
|
|
Reactor
RP3
|
orange
orange - white
|
radioactive iodine, radioactive methane-iodine
|
|
Hg-P3
|
red with white bandages
|
mercury vapors
|
|
Tab. 6 - possible filter of combinations
source: norms
|
|
Type
|
Color
|
Protection
from
|
|
ABE
|
brown+gray+yellow
|
Organic vapors, sour gas, sulphur dioxide
|
|
ABEK
|
brown+gray+yellow+ green
|
Organic vapors, sour gas, sulphur dioxide, ammonia
|
|
P3
|
white
|
Dust and smoke
|
|
A- P3
|
brown+white
|
Organic vapors, dust and smoke
|
|
B- P3
|
gray+white
|
Sour gas, dusts and smoke
|
|
E- P3
|
yellow+white
|
Sulphur dioxide, dusts and smoke
|
|
K- P3
|
green+white
|
Ammonia, dusts and smoke
|
|
ABE-P
|
brown+gray+yellow+ white
|
Organic vapors, sour gas, sulphur dioxide, dusts and
smoke
|
|
ABEK-P3
|
brown+gray+yellow+
green+white
|
Organic vapors, sour gas, sulphur dioxide, ammoniac,
dusts and smoke
|
Insulating
respiratory apparatuses are more complex.
they differentiate into two principal categories ,with
relative accessories.
In this DIP typology, where a rich variety exist
of UNI norms, one of the fundamental requisites is the factor of protection (PF), express by the
relationship among the concentration of the pollutant in the
ambient air (A) with the
concentration of the pollutant in the inhaled air (P).
The factor of protection warns on how many times the
pollutant concentration is reduced once the device of individual
protection is activated. The maximum limit of exposure
to the pollutant with a determinate respirator is given
by PF*TLV (limit value of threshold). The required PF is given
by the relationship between the environmental concentration
of the pollutant and the respective TLV.
Finally, it must be known that a proper device of protection of the respiratory
tracts must possess detailed requirements such as:
-
not
fatigue the normal cycle of inspiration / expiration;
-
be
compatible with the health conditions of the consumer;
-
allow
a comforting wearable ness in the respect to some essential
ergonomic criteria, like lightness, adaptability, possibility
of choice among different sizes, adhesion, absence of asperities,
sharp parts or prominences that would be able provoke lesions;
-
guarantee
an optimal visibility;
-
allow
a comprehensible vocal emission;
-
facility
of operation and simple care;
-
be
resistant to solicitations;
-
allow
the easy and immediate recognition of foul operation.