Table 3 - Conventional risks in shipyards 2.2.2 Specific risks in shipbuilding The greatest specific
risks connected to exposure to harmful substances comes from
welding, painting and sanding operations, and from mechanical
and oxyacetylene cutting. There is a constant
risk of exposure to high noise levels, particularly in closed
environments like the naval and mechanical workshops, and in
closed areas of the ship during fitting-out. The specific risks connected
to work carried out during fitting-out of the ship are greater
than the risks of the same work carried out in the construction
phase due to the restricted environment, limited escape routes
and the importance of ventilation, which should change the air
and provide a comfortable micro-climate. 2.2.3 Risk of serious incidents in shipbuilding Welding and oxy-acetylene
cutting operations can be linked to the risk of explosion or
fire with the consequent escape of harmful and toxic fumes. If the fire or explosion
takes place in a closed or limited space, for example during
fitting-out, it can cause serious damage. 2.2.4 Risks for the health of workers in the shipyard Following the classification
introduced in the first part of this study and referred to in
paragraph 2.2.2, the risk for the health of workers in a shipyard
comes from exposure to harmful substances. Table 4 shows the matrix
of activity/risk for activities creating specific risks.
Table 4 - Activity/risk matrix for activities creating specific risks in shipyards The information in the
table is not sufficient to evaluate the risks connected with
welding, as it would be necessary to identify the harmful agent
and its effect on the respiratory system and the other organs
of the worker. Oxy-acetylene welding
fumes are composed of combustion gas, air and metal dust. For
electric welding there is a suspension of air and metal dust,
made up of electrode dust and that coming from the metal alloy
(steel or aluminium) used for the weld. In general, dusts contained
in welding fumes are considered chemically inert. Sanding requires the
use of abrasive powders with a silica base, which should not
contain free silica. The health risk depends on the content
of the silica. Exposure to organic
vapours causes greater or lesser risks depending on the concentration
in the air and the nature of the vapour. It is impossible to
list all the chemical compounds which are used in solvents contained
in paint, or those in engine oils or in the detergents used
for cleaning. It is to be noted however that each paint, oil
or detergent product must be supplied with a safety data sheet
identifying:
·
The substance
·
Its composition
·
First aid measures
·
Measures to be taken in case of accidental exposure
·
Handling and storing advice
·
Toxicological information
·
Ecological information Oxy-acetylene cutting
creates combustion gas and dust similar to that created in welding. Plant repairs for vessels
already in use can require the removal of asbestos insulation,
installed when its use was not forbidden. Noise exposure can be
a feature of other activities in addition to those presented
in the table. The risk of inhaling
harmful substances is reduced if a ventilation system is introduced
close to the point where the substance is emitted with the use
of hoods of a suitable size and shape. In closed areas ventilation
plants can guarantee the necessary change of air, which limits
the accumulation of harmful substances in the environment. Individual means of
protection (IMP) may also be used in addition to the type of
machinery described above. These include suitable clothing and
footwear, gloves goggles, headwear, masks, earplugs and headphones. The need to use particular
IMPs such as masks, earplugs and headphones to protect eardrums is evaluated by means of monitoring
carried out in the work environment. Protection against injuries
and fire must be in accordance with law and is not included
in this study.
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