Quantitative Fit Testing

Today's article will be all about quantitative fit testing.  What is this exactly?  Well, you know when you see pictures or videos of people working in labs with masks on?  Those masks that those people are wearing need to be tested to make sure that they fit and function properly.  So, there are two types of tests that can be done.  The first is qualitative fit testing.  According to the site https://www.osha.gov/video/respiratory_protection/fittesting_transcript.html , this testing is done by your reaction to smell, taste and irritation.  It is a pass fail test and uses four tests to determine if a mask fits properly.  These four ways include irritant smoke, which will cause you to cough, Bitrex which will leave a bitter taste in your mouth, isoamel acetyl which will smell like bananas and Saccharin which leaves a sweet taste in your mouth.  If any of these symptoms are experienced, then the test fails.  The other type of testing is called quantitative fit testing.  This test uses a hose that is connected to a machine that calculates the leakage of the mask.  If employees need to wear any sort of PPE while on the job, then they need to wear this same PPE during the testing because it may interfere with the respirator.  This testing takes about 15-20 minutes and must be done annually.  Basically, this tests the masks for leaks while the person talks, and moves around while the machine is running.  At the end of the test, the machine gives you the results if the mask is okay to wear.  You should fit test an employee when they are required to wear a respirator while on the job.  This is for safety precautions.  Wearing a respirator protects you from hazards in the workplace.  You may hear the terms fit factor and assigned protection factors, or APF.  These are the numbers assigned to a respirator after a mask has been tested to see if it is acceptable to wear by the employee.  According to the site https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2004/05/Respirator-Fit-Testing-Requirements-and-Procedures.aspx?Page=2 , the fit factor must have a rating of at least 100.  However, the APF only goes up to 50, and incorporates a safety factor of 10.  So, if you want a mask tested by the fit factor to be the same as a 50 APF rated mask then a fit factor of 500 would need to be achieved because the APF has that multiplier of 10.  500 divided by 10 gives you the 50 rating.  So, how does the machine come up with the concentrations to let the user know if the respirator is acceptable or not?  Well, according to the site http://www.moldex.com/healthcare/non-product/fit-instructions/respiratory/fit-testing/qualitative-quantitative.php , the machine takes the concentration of the ambient air outside, and also take the concentration of the particles inside the respirator that may have leaked in.  This ratio of concentrations is what the fit factor is.  So just for a quick recap of fit testing.  Qualitative uses a persons senses to determine if the fit test is successful or not, whereas quantitative fit testing uses the machine to record concentrations of air and compares them to each other in order to find out if the mask is acceptable to wear.  I hope this article was helpful in providing to you some useful information about what fit testing is and how it is done.

Objective of ANSI/ AIHA

Today's blog we will be discussing the objective trying to be reached by the ANSI/ AIHA.  Before we begin, it might help to understand a little background about what each of these are.  Lets begin with ANSI.  What is it?  Well, according to the site http://www.ansi.org/about_ansi/introduction/introduction.aspx?menuid=1 , the ANSI stands for the American National Standards Institute.  What ANSI does is create assessment systems and promotes consensus standards for US businesses throughout the country.  They are a non profit private organization, and work with SDOs, which stands for Standards Developing Organizations, to create national consensus standards for businesses.  The AIHA, which stands for the American Industrial Hygiene Association, is an SDO.  According to the site https://www.osha.gov/dcsp/alliances/aiha/aiha.html , the AIHA aims to protect and train employees all around the nation on health and safety and to recognize and prevent workplace hazards.  So, the ANSI and AIHA have teamed up to create what is known as the occupational health and safety management systems.  This is also known as OHSMS.  We received a packet in class, which I will be referencing further in this article.  So what is the purpose of this occupational health and safety management system?  Well, according to the packet and information we received, the main purpose of this system is to reduce any occupational injuries and risk.  It is essentially a management tool.  This system is comprised of 5 major components.  I will list these 5 and then go into a little details summarizing each component so you are aware about what each section is.  These 5 components are management leadership and employee participation, planning, implementation and operation, evaluation and corrective action, and management review.  We'll start with management leadership and employee participation.  This section is all about making sure employees are well aware of standards and procedures in order to be safe in the workplace.  The next step, planning, is very simple to explain.  This step is all about making sure that the business is running most efficiently and productively.  The implementation and operation section is probably the most difficult to follow through with in business.  This is because a lot of employees may not want to change their ways of what they do when they work or how they do it, let alone wearing different safety equipment if any.  This can be a big challenge, however it is a very crucial part of the system in order for the business to run smoothly.  Next is the Evaluation and corrective action.  This is where anything is changed if there is a problem, whether that be exposure, or productivity.  The last step, management review, is where the business does an internal audit of its business.  They stick to the guidelines of an actual audit, that way if there is anything wrong they can fix it and know that it is up to code.  So, what is the purpose of this system?  Well, after this article and its information, there can be a lot of answers but to summarize, it basically makes sure that a business is running as smoothly and efficiently s possible.  I hope this article was helpful to you.

ISO Standards

Todays articles will be about three different ISO standards and what each of them describes/explains.  The three standards we will be discussing today are ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 18001.  Before we begin, some of you may not be aware of what an ISO standard is.  Well, according to the site http://www.iso.org/iso/home/about.htm , ISO is an international organization that stands for International Standards Organization.  It has 161 national members and has published over 21000 different standards.  The standards from this organization ensure quality safety and efficiency and with the same international standards, organizations from around the world can all be on the same page when it comes to workplace safety/efficiency.  So, lets start with ISO 9000, or ISO 9001 since it was recently updated, what is it?  This standard, according to the site http://www.iso.org/iso/home/standards/management-standards/iso_9000.htm , addresses everything involved with quality management.  You may hear this be addressed also as a QMS.  This QMS stands for quality management system.  This standard focuses on different things that quality systems should look at, however, it does not specify any implementation.  The next standard we will mention is ISO 14000, or 14001 since it was upgraded recently as well.  The 14000 ISO series are standards involving the environmental management and responsibilities or organizations, according to the site http://www.iso.org/iso/home/standards/management-standards/iso14000.htm .  What does this mean exactly?  Basically this standard discusses how businesses need to integrate an environmental management system, or EMS, into its operations and standards.  This helps save the environment as well as the people who live nearby because if the environment around a site is contaminated, then there is high risk of health effects to those in the area who may rely on the land for their everyday lives.  This could include water contamination, land contamination and also harm to wildlife.  The last international standard we will be discussing is the 18000 standard.  This standard is also named the OHSAS 18000 standard according to the site http://certificationeurope.com/ohsas-18000-health-safety-managment-standards/ .  Basically, this standard is all about the safety aspect of international standards.  It is essentially an occupational health and safety management system.  All of these standards play an important role in any industry, especially trade across the globe because with these international standards that every body uses, every one can be on the exact same page and know what to expect from other industries around the globe.  So a recap to differentiate these three standards:  ISO 9000 is all about the quality and efficiency od an industry and how t be the most productive and efficient, ISO 14000 deals specifically with the industry and the environment in making sure that the industry is following the environmental management system and following all of those procedures to reduce environmental liability and risk as well as prevent pollution and reduce waste.  Lastly, OHSAS 18000 is all about the occupational health and safety side to industry.  I hope this article was helpful in providing information about ISO 9000, 14000 and 18000 and describing the key differences of each of these International Standards.

Process Safety Management

Today's article will be discussing the Process Safety Management standard issued by OSHA.  There are 14 element to this standard, we will briefly describe each part and what it entails.  So, what is this process safety management standard?  Well, according to the site https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/processsafetymanagement/ , this standard is issued to deal with the hazards associated with chemicals that are highly hazardous.  What are the components?  The 14 components of the standard include process safety information, process hazard analysis, operating procedures, training, contractors, mechanical integrity, hot work, management of change, incident investigation, compliance audits, trade secrets, employee participation, pre-startup safety review, and emergency planning and response.  Lets discuss these steps in a little detail.  All of this information can be found on the site https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3132.html . Process safety information includes having the employee write down all of the hazards associated with the chemicals being used in the process, writing down information about the technology being used in the process and writing down all of the information about the equipment being used in the process.  This is done so that employees understand the hazards because they have had to write them down and know them.  Process hazard analysis is very similar to process safety information.  It is the process of identifying hazards, as well as evaluating and controlling them.  The employer is required to use one or more of many methods listed in this site in order to properly evaluate any of the hazards that are being analyzed.  Operating procedures includes all of the instructions involved in conducting an operation safely in the workplace.  The procedure needs to include the operation phase, operating limits and the health and safety considerations.  Training is pretty self explanatory.  There must be training done by each employee involved in an operating procedure and refresher training must be done every three years or less.  Proper documentation of each employees training record must be kept in order to show that they have received and are keeping up with training.  The contractors part of project safety management, or PSM, is stating that contractors employees are to understand that the PSM requirements and safety procedures apply to them even though they may only be there for a short time or for a specialty job operation.  Mechanical integrity describes how an employer must keep the equipment up to date and inspected regularly to make sure it works properly.  If there are any malfunctions, use on that machinery is prohibited until the problem has been fixed, then further use may continue.  A hot work permit is required to be kept on file until the hot work is completed. What is hot work?  Well according to the site https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/welding/hotwork.html , hot work is when ignitable sources are next to flammable materials.  These include cutting and welding.  This permit is to describe the fire protection and prevention have been implemented before any hot work is done, the date that the hot work is being done on as well as the location  the hot work is being done at.  Management of change discusses the procedures that have been written in order to managing changes made to any procedure.  This can include chemicals or technology changes.  Incident investigation is the process that must occur no later than 48 hours of an incident in order to find the chain reaction of events that happened in order for an incident to occur in the workplace.  A list of personnel and task required in this investigation can be found on the site above.  Compliance audits states that the last two audits must be kept on file, and also that they are being done at least once every three years to make sure that everything checks out okay.  Everything in the audit must be documented.  Trade secrets states that an employer must make all information available in order to comply with the PSM.  Employee participation is done when the employer makes sure that the employees and representatives are being told the information needed to know that is in the PSM.  Pre-startup safety review is when the employer needs to conduct a safety review on a process due to a change in the system, whether that be new procedure or the introduction of a new chemical as well as introducing a new facility into the operation.  Lastly, emergency planning and response discusses that the entire employee population at a plant must be aware of the emergency action plan in case of an emergency.  This includes the disposal of hazardous chemicals.  I hope this article has been helpful in providing information about what the PSM is and what it entails.

Shipment of Tert-Butyl Lithium in Heptane

Today's blog will be discussing the shipment and receiving of hazardous materials and chemicals, specifically of the example given to us in class, t-butyl lithium in heptane.  In class, we discussed the shipment coming from Ohio State to Ohio University over night.  Whenever any hazardous material is shipped somewhere, the DOT, also short for Department of Transportation, has regulations that must be followed.  This goes for four types of transportation: rail, air, vessel and highway.  This example would be categorized under the highway.  These regulations from the DOT can be found under 49 CFR.  The Department of Transportation has their own regulations because materials can be hazardous for transportation but may not be classified as hazardous by other agencies.  There are 7 steps required for preparing a substance for transportation.  These seven steps are, from 1-7, Classify, Name, Package, Mark, Label, Paperwork, and Placard.  To classify t-butyl lithium, a clear yellowish solution, we look at the flashpoint and it would be classified as a combustible liquid because it has a flashpoint above 141 degrees F but below 200 degrees F;  a higher flashpoint than usual.  This would be in Class 3, with a Hazard priority rating of 14.  Then, the chemical or substance must be name properly.  To do this, you must give the actual name, what chemical family class it belongs to, the specific use, and the hazard class.  So, for t-butyl lithium we would write down t-butyl lithium, Alkane, Lithium-halogen exchange reactions, combustible liquid.  The next step would be to choose the type of packaging, either composite or combination.  In this case, combination would be used because you would have the stored substance inside a container, and then place that container in another container to be shipped.  A mark is then required to be on the package and secured to the package.  It can be hand written or printed, but must be legible.  They refer to all the information not expressed on the diamond shaped hazard labels.  Some of these things include if there is an inhalation hazard, radioactive hazard, if the substance is toxic, may be harmful to marine life, and many more.  There are certain requirements for bulk and non bulk package markings as well.  Next step is the labeling of the package.  The label is the diamond shape showing the hazard class information, which is combustible liquid.  This label would say nothing because for a combustible liquid there are no labeling requirements. The next step in the shipping and receiving process is the paperwork, which does not sound fun, but it is one of the most important steps.  Proper abbreviation and symbols must be used and legible.  Documentation is key in case there is a problem or something occurs in the process.  Without documentation of everything that has been done, there could be serious problems and questions later on.  The last step in the process is the placard.  This is specifically for the vehicle.  A placard must be placed on the vehicle, with the driver knowing, so that they understand what type of substance they are carrying and this also lets others around the vehicle transporting these substances what is inside the vehicle and it lets people know that they need to be very careful around this.  They are usually one word in all capital letters on a colorful sign to get your attention.  There is a long list of things that can be needed on the placard of the vehicle, however there are no other special markings needed on the placard for the category of this substance.  The only source needed for this blog was the packet provided in class.  I hope this blog provided you with some useful information about how to ship and receive hazardous materials properly. 

Emergency Response Scenario

In class this past week, we had an assignment about being a professional in emergency response public health.  We were put in a scenario where we would be working for a gas company that has just recently experienced a gas leak on site somewhere at the facility.  We would need to go in and find out the details about the leak.  We were asked to determine the necessary personal protective equipment, or PPE, tat we would need in order to get close enough to the leak to assess what was going on with it whether that be the source, or where it may be traveling to.  So, we came to the conclusion that the personal protective equipment necessary for this job would be a full suit, with hand barrier cream for extra protection, as well as an SCBA, or self contained breathing apparatus.  We were then asked to determine the amount of time we would be able to stay in the area keeping in mind how much we would be able to accomplish in that amount of time.  After classroom discussion, we came to the conclusion that you would have about 15-30 minutes in the area before you would need to send in a new team to continue the work being done.  That is about how long you can stay in one of the full body suits as discussed in class.  With that being said, we came to the conclusion that there would need to be a team of about 9 people.  The team would be split up into groups each responsible for completing or fulfilling a task in order to assess the gas leak on site.  The First wave would have three people examining the leak and taking an air test close to the source of the leak to test for any other vapors possibly being formed as a result of the leak and exposure to other elements.  We would then have a second wave with two people conducting any downwind testing that may need to be done to examine where the gas leak is drifting too.  This is very important because it can help determine whether or not the leak is traveling into areas exposing people to the vapors that may not be able to be seen.  This gas leak could have potential to cause some serious health problems so knowing where it is traveling is very important.  The next wave of the team also consist of two people, and they are not directly next to the leak itself, however, a little farther away observing and communicating with the first wave what is happening and keeping in constant contact with them in case something were to go wrong.  They are on hand to help make sure nothing serious happens on site while the test is being performed.  So this wave is known as the mediators/ communicators and observers.  The last wave in the team also consists of two people, and this is the first aid team.  They need to be in constant contact with the observers in case anything were to go wrong with the people in wave one doing the testing.  Besides the exposure to the gas being hazardous to one's health, there are many more things that can be looked at here.  There could be other vapors being formed during the gas leak, which may be dangerous to ones health but also you need to look at the physical and chemical properties of the vapors being released.  Depending on where the leak is occurring, and where the downwind testing shows positive, there is potential for hazards to occur like explosions due to the flashpoint of a vapor.  So physical and chemical properties of the substances tested on need to be known so that any threat of hazards are avoided.  The main areas of things to consider are GHS classification, identifiers, physical properties, toxicity data, exposure limits, health and symptoms, first air, flammability and explosivity, stability and reactivity, storage and handling and cleanup and disposal.  For more information, visit the site https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/formaldehyde#datasheet=lcss&section=Top .I hope this blog was helpful in providing information about what we would do as emergency response professionals in a scenario.

Types of Hazards

In this blog we'll be discussing three different types of hazards, and going into a little bit of detail about each one.  The three hazards that we'll be discussing are physical hazards of materials, reaction hazards, and environmental hazards.  Lets start with physical hazards of materials.  Something that is talked about when dealing with physical hazards is engulfment.  What is engulfment?  Well, according to the site https://www.google.com/#q=engulfment%20hazard , an engulfment hazard is an area that if entered puts someone in danger of being engulfed by liquid or a flow-able solid.  This is where understanding confined spaces is important.  Another term you may hear is cryogenics.  What is this?  Well, according to the site https://www.google.com/#q=cryogenic+definition , cryogenics is the study of the behavior of a material once it goes below a certain temperature.  This is important when dealing with hazards because if you are unaware of the cryogenics of a substance it may have dangerous side effects if this information is unknown.  When talking about reaction hazards, polymerization hazards may be a topic.  This is when molecules join together and become a bigger molecule.  This reaction creates heat and can get out of control, causing an explosion potentially according to the site https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/reactive/react.html .  A substance can also be water reactive, which is self explanatory; when it is exposed to water it undergoes a chemical reaction.  This reaction can cause a gas release, which can be very dangerous to other surroundings which someone may not know that substances can have a negative reaction with water.  A last example in reaction hazards we will talk about is thermal decomposition.  According to the site https://www.google.com/#q=thermal+decomposition+definition , this is when a substance undergoes an endothermic reaction and decomposes due to heat.  As you can see, most of these hazards have something to do with heat so it is very important to understand the properties of a substance you are using or else you could be putting yourself and others around you in danger.  The last type of hazard we will be talking about is environmental hazards.  This section may talk about bioaccumulation.  What even is this?  Maybe you've never heard of this word before.  Well, according to the site https://www.google.com/#q=bioaccumulation+definition , this is when an organism absorbs a hazardous substance faster than the substance can exit or be taken care of and eradicated.  This is where genealogy comes into play.  Genealogy can tell the ancestry line of an organism that may be harmful to ones health.  This is important for people's safety, and can help get rid of a problem if the source is discovered using this technique.  I hope this blog was helpful in describing some hazards that you may not have heard of before.  It is important to know the physical and chemical properties of a substance because if it is not known, as you can see from this blog, there is a lot of potential for hazards to arise which can put many people in danger.  Understanding these properties is very important and is definitely something to consider