GWG Unit IG2 Risk Assessment

Element 5:

Physical and Psychological Health

© Copyright Green world Group

Unit IG2 – Risk AssessmentGWG

Learning Outcomes

5.1 Outline the health effects associated with exposure to noise and

appropriate control measures

5.2 Outline the health effects associated with exposure to vibration and

appropriate control measures

5.3 Outline the health effects associated with ionising and non-ionising

radiation and appropriate control measures

5.4 Outline the causes of work-related mental ill-health and how the

condition can be managed

5.5 Outline the risk factors and appropriate controls for violence at work

5.6 Outline the effects of substance abuse on health and safety at work

and control measures to reduce such risks.


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Unit IG2: Element 5.1

Noise


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Noise Levels

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Anatomy of Ear


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Noise Levels

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Terminology

Noise - defined as unwanted sound.

Sound Pressure - Sound pressure or acoustic pressure is the local pressure

deviation from the ambient atmospheric pressure, caused by a sound wave.

The unit of pressure measured in Pascal’s (Pa).

Intensity - a number of pressure changes in the noise determine its

amplitude and intensity.

Frequency - Frequency is perceived by the listener as pitch or tone. It is

measured in cycles per second (Hz).

Decibel (dB) - the unit of sound pressure level.

dB (A) – noise measurement scale matching human hearing.

dB (C) – noise measurement scale accurate for impulse noise.

Action level – level which is non-harmful for an average 8-hour exposure


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• Tinnitus (ringing of bells sound in the ears)

• Tiredness and stress

• Noise induced hearing damage

• Inability to hear vehicle approaching, alarms

Health Effects


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Noise Assessment

Objective

• To identify which workers are exposed to the how much noise level and

time of exposure

• To provide the employer with a record of information

• To take suitable measures in place to control exposure to noise


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Noise Assessment

Different types of noise meter that can be used to undertake noise

measurement include:

Simple sound level meters – measure instantaneous noise levels and can

be used for spot checks, or for very simple surveys.

Integrated sound level meters – measure noise over a period of time and

give a time-weighted average over that time period; useful for most noise

surveys.

Dosimeters – integrating sound level meters worn by the worker to give a

measure of personal noise exposure; useful for work areas where people

move around a lot.


Reducing noise at source

• Substitution

• Maintenance

• Modify the process

• Silencing

Interrupt the pathway

• Insulation

• Isolation

• Absorption

Protect the receiver

• Hearing protection

• Health surveillance (Audiometry)

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Noise Control


• Earmuffs – fit over the head or are attached to a safety

helmet

• Ear plugs – inserted into the auditory canal

Selection

• Comfort and fit

• Maintenance and care

• Training, information and instructions

• Issue to visitors – also consider hygiene issues

• Personal choice

• Noise reduction

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Hearing Protection


Health surveillance should be Systematic, regular in the form

of audiometry,

• To be carried out to all workers potentially exposed at or

above 85 dB(A) exposure limit

• Workers with known hearing damage at lower levels

Audiometric testing - It is a medical test that quantifies the

sensitivity of a person’s hearing across range of frequencies.

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Role of Health Surveillance

End-of-Section Quiz


Which of the following is not a health effect from exposure to

noise in the workplace?

a) Tinnitus

b) Noise induced hearing damage

c) Presbycusis

d) Stress

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Vibration


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Health Effects

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)

• Vibration white finger (blanching)

• Nerve damage

• Muscle weakening

• Joint damage

Whole-Body Vibration

• Damage to spinal discs

• Vertigo

• Muscle weakening


• Action values

• Vibration magnitude

• Exposure timeGWG

Vibration Assessment


Reduce the vibration at source:

• Elimination

• Substitution

• Maintenance

• Modify the process

Interrupt the pathway

• Isolation

Protect the receiver

• Reduce exposure time

• Health surveillance

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Vibration Control


At or above the exposure action value

Health surveillance allows:

• Identification of workers with✓ Pre-existing vibration damage

✓ New vibration damage

• Removal/exclusion of such workers from vibration sources

• Investigation of vibration sources to rectify problems

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Health Surveillance

End-of-Section Quiz


What are the symptoms that the worker may experience from

exposure to vibration when using handheld grinder?

a) Nerve damage

b) Muscle weakening

c) Joint damage

d) All the above

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Radiation


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• Alpha, Beta, Gamma

• X-rays

• Neutron

• Ultraviolet

• Infra-red

• Lasers

• Microwave

Types of Radiation


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Alpha• Is a particle radiation consisting of two protons and two neutrons

bound together

• Weak penetrating power approximately 2cm in the air

• Smoke detection

Beta• Is a particle radiation consisting of high-speed electrons

• Penetration is approximately 800 mm in the air

• Thickness measurement equipment

Ionizing Radiation


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Gamma• Is a ray consisting of high energy electromagnetic wave emissions.

• Penetration is approximately 30 meters in the air

• Radiation photography (non-destructive testing)

X- Rays• X radiation is emitted when certain changes occur in the energy levels

of the orbiting electrons

• High penetrating power

• Medical photography

Ionizing Radiation


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Neutrons• Elementary particles with unit atomic mass and no electric charge

• Very high penetration

• Nuclear reactor

Radon• Produced by the decay of the unstable isotope radium

• Mines, stone quarries, soil, rocks

• Route of entry – inhalation, ingestion

Ionizing Radiation


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Health Effects

Health Effects

• Radiation sickness

• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea

• Blistering and ulceration of skin

• Hair loss

• Dermatitis

• Cataracts (white layer in eyes)

• Anaemia (deficiency of RBC)

• Cancer

• Genetic mutation

• Birth defects


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• Non-destructive testing of

welds

• Density measurement

• Workers in nuclear power

stations

• Medical diagnosis and

treatment

• Underground miners

• Air crew

Occupational Sources


• Protection – Time, distance,

shielding

• Enclosure

• PPE

• Health surveillance

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Radiation Control


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Non-Ionizing Radiation


Monitoring• Check that area have been correctly designated for the hazards that

exist.

• Effectiveness of the controls

• Detect breakdowns in controls or systems

• Ensure workers use the controls provided and report any defects

• Ensure employees use personal protection where its use is

designated as mandatory

• Provide information on those who may be at risk and in need of health

surveillance

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Radiation


Health Surveillance• Skin checks

• Respiratory checks

• Reference to exposure records

• Reference to sickness records

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Radiation

End-of-Section Quiz


Beta particles are emitted by radioactive material but cannot

travel very far through air or thin materials, such as paper or skin.

a) True

b) False

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Mental Ill-health


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Health effects:

• Psychological

• Physical

• Behavioural

• Serious ill-health if prolonged

Health Effects


• Demands - excessive

• Control – weak

• Support - poor

• Relationships - difficult

• Role - undefined

• Change - uncertainty

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Risk Factors

• Selecting suitable employees

• Training and development of staff

• Clearly defined roles

• Clear work objectives

• Comfortable working environment

• Good lines of communication

• Realistic work schedules

• Employee involvement

• Grievance procedure

• Policies to deal with stress

• Management support

Control Measures

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End-of-Section Quiz


If stress is prolonged and relentless, the effects can lead to the

complete physical and mental breakdown of the individual.

a) True

b) False

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Violence at work


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Violence at Work

People at Risk

• Working with the public or having a mobile work environment.

• Handling money, valuables or prescription drugs.

• Carrying out inspection or enforcement duties.

• Education and Health care and other service staff.

• Working with unstable or volatile persons e.g. criminal justice system.


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Control Measures

• Queue management and details

• Change the task to offer less face to deal with contact

• Use of cheques, credit cards, tokens rather of money

• Vetting customers

• Avoid lone working in high-risk areas

• Call-in system for lone workers

• Arrangements to get staff house if working late

• Training

• Video cams, alarm buttons, visible security staff

• Protective screens and coded security locks

Violence at Work

End-of-Section Quiz


Many people resort to violence due to frustration. Which of the

following is NOT a common cause of such frustration?

a) A perception of being unreasonably penalized over an

incident

b) Dissatisfaction with a product or service

c) An expensive product

d) General lack of information following a problem

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Substance abuse at work


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• Alcohol

• Drugs

• solventsGWG

Indications of Drug Abuse

• A change in personality

• Inability to work efficiently

• Increased absenteeism

• Late attendance

• Mood swings

• Theft

• Dishonesty

Substance Misuse at Work

Control Measures

• No alcohol at work or during working hours

• Random drugs and alcohol testing

• Training and information for managers to identify a problem

• Counseling for workers to rehabilitation and treatment

• Procedures for dealing with a suspected problem


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Substance Misuse at Work

End-of-Section Quiz


Drugs and alcohol do not cause,

a) Increase in productivity

b) Sensory impairment

c) Skewed perception

d) Fatigue & drowsiness

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End-of-Element Quiz


1. Lasers are sources of non-ionising radiation and can operate at UV, visible

and IR frequencies.

a. True

b. False

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2. Which of the following is a consequence for employer following work-related

stress of his/her workers?

a. High staff turnover

b. Potential civil legal action

c. Increased worker absenteeism

d. All the above

End-of-Element Quiz


3. Ear defender or muffs is easy to supervise and enforce use, as they are

visible.

a. True

b. FalseGWG

4. Age of the equipment is one of the factors to be considered when assessing

the risks of hand-arm vibration syndrome.

a. True

b. False

5. The _____ holds three small bones; the hammer, the anvil, and the stirrup

a. Outer ear

b. Middle ear

c. Inner ear

d. Both (b) & (c)


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GWG Unit IG2 Risk Assessment

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