Eight principal methods are used for the
elimination or control of industrial health hazards, namely:
elimination or control of industrial health hazards, namely:
i.
Substitution method: This is the substitution of
materials or methods which are less harmful in the operation process of the
industry. This can be done through:
Substitution method: This is the substitution of
materials or methods which are less harmful in the operation process of the
industry. This can be done through:
v A substitution of process
or a change in process is practical method to lessen the hazard.
or a change in process is practical method to lessen the hazard.
v Reduction of hazards by
changing or substituting either equipment that are hazardous to safer ones.
changing or substituting either equipment that are hazardous to safer ones.
v The elimination of the
lightly toxic white phosphorous with red phosphorous in the manufacture of
matches is a historical example.
lightly toxic white phosphorous with red phosphorous in the manufacture of
matches is a historical example.
ii. Enclosure method: Many processes require enclosure for efficient
operation and safety, for example a system of lines and tanks containing
hazardous gases or liquids. Therefore total or partial enclosure can help
reduce exposure or control of hazardous materials and equipment with people
e.g. enclosing electric transformer, petrol storage tanks, generators, machines
of screening out of people with caution signs like “OUT OF BOUND” “DANGER –
KEEP OFF”.
operation and safety, for example a system of lines and tanks containing
hazardous gases or liquids. Therefore total or partial enclosure can help
reduce exposure or control of hazardous materials and equipment with people
e.g. enclosing electric transformer, petrol storage tanks, generators, machines
of screening out of people with caution signs like “OUT OF BOUND” “DANGER –
KEEP OFF”.
iii. Isolation of process: Isolate noise sources by
completely enclosing individual machine in isolated rooms, or isolate operator
by providing him with soundproof booth. Sometimes, operations are made
automatic as far as possible and the personnel are thoroughly trained in safe
practice, not only for day to day operation but for emergency situations as
well.
completely enclosing individual machine in isolated rooms, or isolate operator
by providing him with soundproof booth. Sometimes, operations are made
automatic as far as possible and the personnel are thoroughly trained in safe
practice, not only for day to day operation but for emergency situations as
well.
iv. Local exhaust ventilation: Heavy dust, fumes and
vapours should be exhausted downwards. One good method is air
washers, this remove the dust by thoroughly wetting it. The air is passed
through a series of passage continuously drench by a fire spray or mist of
water. The dust is carried off in the stream of water collected in catchments
of basins as sludge.
vapours should be exhausted downwards. One good method is air
washers, this remove the dust by thoroughly wetting it. The air is passed
through a series of passage continuously drench by a fire spray or mist of
water. The dust is carried off in the stream of water collected in catchments
of basins as sludge.
v. Wet method: Another method is the wet process. In this
process, water is forced through the drill bits, wetting and keeping it from
becoming airborne. These methods have been proved
outstanding successful in rock drilling, foundries etc.
process, water is forced through the drill bits, wetting and keeping it from
becoming airborne. These methods have been proved
outstanding successful in rock drilling, foundries etc.
vi. Personal protective equipment or devices (PPE): Personal protective equipment has a serious
weakness – they do nothing to reduce the hazard. However, workers are required
a duty to protect themselves as well as others from hazards and risks. The
management should provide the devices and move a step further to ensure that
they are put into use by monitoring their appropriate
use by workers; owing to the fact many workers are ignorant and careless.
Workers are protected against particular matter such as fumes, dust, vapours, gas,
soot, smoke etc. Through the use of purifying respirators like face filter
respirators etc. Protection against skin anti-contaminant clothing such as
impervious protective clothing made of plastic, leather, rubber, etc.
weakness – they do nothing to reduce the hazard. However, workers are required
a duty to protect themselves as well as others from hazards and risks. The
management should provide the devices and move a step further to ensure that
they are put into use by monitoring their appropriate
use by workers; owing to the fact many workers are ignorant and careless.
Workers are protected against particular matter such as fumes, dust, vapours, gas,
soot, smoke etc. Through the use of purifying respirators like face filter
respirators etc. Protection against skin anti-contaminant clothing such as
impervious protective clothing made of plastic, leather, rubber, etc.
vii. Limiting the period of exposure: The daily period of
exposure can be limited, is short time operation of high noise level piece of
equipment is required. Employers should arrange to run
it for only a few days in the week rather than operate the equipment throughout
the week. The same principle is applied in work
containing toxic substances and with ionising radiation both by limiting daily
exposure and by rotating the workmen between hazardous and hazard-free jobs on a schedule suited to the needs of the work and the
nature of the substance or exposure involved.
exposure can be limited, is short time operation of high noise level piece of
equipment is required. Employers should arrange to run
it for only a few days in the week rather than operate the equipment throughout
the week. The same principle is applied in work
containing toxic substances and with ionising radiation both by limiting daily
exposure and by rotating the workmen between hazardous and hazard-free jobs on a schedule suited to the needs of the work and the
nature of the substance or exposure involved.
viii. Medical supervision: A good degree of medical supervision is of
substantial benefit to both employer and employees in at least to great
majority of industrial establishments. Though most of the health hazards are
non-disabling, a reasonable degree of medical supervision can eliminate most of
them with substantial benefit to both employer and employees.
substantial benefit to both employer and employees in at least to great
majority of industrial establishments. Though most of the health hazards are
non-disabling, a reasonable degree of medical supervision can eliminate most of
them with substantial benefit to both employer and employees.