AN OVERVIEW OF LOCAL INDUSTRIAL TRENDS

IN OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESSESby

RONALD HUNTESafety & Health Inspector – 1

OSH AgencyNATIONAL SAFETY WEEK 2013

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OutlineChallengesGeneral Industry Exposures & IllnessesEnergy Industry Exposures & IllnessesCase Study in Occupational IllnessesThe Way Forward:

*OSH Agency Intervention*Internal Proactive Approaches

*Internal Reactive Approaches

ChallengesNon-reporting of Occupational Illnesses

Absolute duty of Medical practitioners to CMO – Section 48 (1)CMO to CI– Section 48 (2)Employers to CI – Section 48 (3)

Non-enforcement of penalties – Section 48 (6),(7)Employers - Section 48 (6)Medical practitioners – Section 48 (7)

OCCUP. ILLNESS

POSSIBLE EXPOSURE

ACTIVITY POSSIBLY

RESPONSIBLE

PERIOD OF EXPOSURE

TYPE OF INDUSTRY /

PROCESS

No. of PERSONS POSSIBLY EXPOSED

Dermatitis- Form Oil Spraying oil onto Bed-forms

Over 8yrs Construction > 4-6

Dermatitis Alum Mixing of Alum with muddy water to flocculate clay sediments

Approx. 15-20 yrs.

Potable Water Treatment

3

Impaired Respiratory Function

Isocyanates Mixing of chemicals for the manufacturing of foam

Approx. 8-13 yrs.

Foam Manufacture

>15-20

ILLNESS POSSIBLE EXPOSURE

ACTIVITY POSSIBLY

RESPONSIBLE

PERIOD OF EXPOSURE

TYPE OF INDUSTRY /

PROCESS

# PERSONS POSSIBLY EXPOSED

Suspected tumors & cancers

Actellic DustArtegram

Field ApplicationStorage & Re-packaging

25 years + Agriculture >35 named

Respiratory and skin

Silica Dust Process operations

Approx.10-15 yrs.

Sand Milling and mixing (thinset and grout)

> 30

Impaired Respiratory Function/DermalIrritation

Deteriorating Films and audio tapes

Storing and retrieving archived media in unventilated rooms

Approx. 10-25 yrs

Communications Industry

< 20

ILLNESS POSSIBLE EXPOSURE

ACTIVITY POSSIBLY

RESPONSIBLE

PERIOD OF EXPOSURE

TYPE OF INDUSTRY /

PROCESS

# PERSONS POSSIBLY EXPOSED

AsthmaSkin Rashes

Dust – Black Pearl/Black Beauty

Sand-Blasting Approx. 15-20 yrs

Sand Blasting Operations

> 20-40

AsthmaSkin RashesDermatitis

Silica sandCement Dust

Grinding and milling of the particles for the production of cement

Approx. 15-20 yrs

Cement Manufacture

> 60

Asthma Chlorine gas

Installing and changing of chlorine storage tanks - swimming pool treatments

Approx. 10-15 yrs

Water Treatment Plants

> 15-20

ILLNESS POSSIBLE EXPOSURE

ACTIVITY POSSIBLY

RESPONSIBLE

PERIOD OF EXPOSURE

TYPE OF INDUSTRY /

PROCESS

# PERSONS POSSIBLY EXPOSED

Respiratory Complaints

Methanol Vapours

Process Operations

Approx. 10 yrs

Methanol Manufacture

>10

Respiratory ComplaintsNausea Vomiting

VOCs Proximity to Refinery Vent Stack

Approx. 5 yrs

Petroleum Refining

>75

Respiratory Problems

Paints, Varnishes, Dust

Clerical Work

Approx. 15- 20 yrs

Private Sector Office

>40

Asthma, Respiratory IrritationSyndrome

DustHeat Poor Indoor Air Quality

Sedentary Work

Approx.15-25 yrs

Public Sector Office

>100

ILLNESS POSSIBLE EXPOSURE

ACTIVITY POSSIBLY

RESPONSIBLE

PERIOD OF EXPOSURE

TYPE OF INDUSTRY /

PROCESS

# PERSONS POSSIBLY EXPOSED

Cancer - VOC’s, Petroleum Distillates

Analysis of Petroleum Samples

10 – 27 yrs Petroleum Testing Laboratory

< 10

Cancers Insecticides, Agricultural Chemicals

Field ApplicationStorage & Repackaging

25-30 yrs Agriculture > 35

Elevated Blood Lead Levels

Lead Oxide DustLead Fumes

Smelting Pb Billets Grid CastingSulfuric Acid

<5-30 yrs Manufacture > 75-120

Noise Induced Hearing Loss

Noise Process Plant Operations

Approx. 5-7 yrs.

Chicken Processing

> 75

Case Study #1-Marine Unit(Musculo-skeletal Illness)

Employee Mr. Thomas X has worked for the past twenty (20) years on unmanned offshore platforms as an Operations Supervisor

To get to work daily, Mr. Thomas X boards a fast launch for an average 30-40 minute ride out the platform(s), and repeats the journey at the end of his shift.

Case Study #1-Marine Unit(Musculo-skeletal Illness)

The sea is frequently rough and the seats in the launch are unpadded, causing the passengers to experience whole-body vibration and spinal compression from the very rough ride.

Over the past five (5) years, Mr. Thomas X and at least thirty

(30) named fellow employees have been diagnosed with cervical and lumbar spinal disorders; and they all underwent reconstructive spinal surgery.

OSH Agency InterventionFocus on Industry Clusters for Inspection

I.D. technical training foci for S.H.I.’s

Development of robust regulations

Building prosecution quotient

Targeting of Public Awareness Strategies

Strengthening stakeholder partnerships

THE WAY FORWARD – 2Internal Pro-active Approaches:1. Preventive Maintenance2. Risk Assessment3. Training4. S.S.O.W.5. 3rd Party Certification6. Internal Audit/ Workplace

Inspection7. C.A.T.S.

THE WAY FORWARD – 3Internal Reactive Approaches:5. Health Surveillance6. Medical Surveillance7. Workplace Monitoring (Surveys)8. Personal Monitoring (Dosimetry)9. Analysis & Trending of Personal Data