NEBOSH International General Certificate

Paper II Workplace hazards and Control

Element 14, Chemical & Biological Health Hazards & Control
Question and Answers

1. A recent increase in work-related ill-health has been noticed amongst workers who
use a solvent for which a workplace exposure limit (WEL) has been set.

a. Explain the meaning of the term 'workplace exposure limit'. (2)

b. Give possible reasons for the increase in work-related ill-health amongst the
workers. (6)

Answer
(a) The term "workplace exposure limit" (WEL) is concerned with concentrations of
hazardous substances in the air that people breathe averaged over a specified
period of time and referred to as a time weighted average.

Two time periods are used: long term (8 hours) intended to control effects by
restricting the total intake by inhalation over one work shift and short term
(usually 15 minutes) to control effects that may be seen after a brief exposure.

(b) Important reason for the increase in work related ill-health might have been the
inadequacy of the original risk assessment carried out for the operation or a
subsequent increase in the frequency and duration of the exposure of employees.
Additionally, the original degreasing solvent might have been replaced by a new
solvent for which no risk assessment had been carried out. Other reasons would
include a failure to carry out health screening of new employees or to give them
adequate training on the precautions to be observed; an increase in the quantity or
concentration of the solvent used; an inadequate or poorly maintained local
exhaust ventilation system; a failure to carry out regular monitoring to ensure the
work exposure limit was not being exceeded and a poor standard of personal
hygiene on the part of the workers.

2. (a) Identify FOUR forms of hazardous substance for which respiratory protective
equipment could be used to reduce the risk of harm. (4)

(b) Outline factors that could reduce the effectiveness of the respiratory protective
equipment. (4)

Answer
(a) The forms of hazardous substances such as dusts, gases, vapours, mists, fume and
micro-organisms. Instead of "forms" of hazardous substances, however, some
candidates offered specific examples such as asbestos.

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(b) The factors include a reduction in battery power; the fitting of incorrect cartridges or a
failure to replace them before saturation; equipment incorrectly fitted, perhaps due to
facial characteristics, or incompatibility with other personal protective equipment
being worn; the level of the hazard and the work rate of the individual; inadequate
training in its use; poor maintenance and inadequate facilities for storage; damage
occurring during use and a failure to provide the level of monitoring and supervision
to ensure the equipment was always used when required.

3. An organisation uses small quantities of toxic chemicals.

a. Identify FOUR possible routes of entry of toxic substances into the body.
(4)
b. Explain the difference between acute and chronic health effects. (4)
c. Identify the sources of information which could be used in the assessment of risk
of toxic substances. (4)
d. Outline the control measures that might be required in order to minimise risks to
workers. (8)
Answer
(a) The possible routes of entry of toxic substances into the body as inhalation,
ingestion, injection and through the skin particularly if an open wound was
present.

(b) The difference between acute and chronic health effects. in the case of acute
health effects, the adverse effects appear after a single or short term exposure to
the agent, and the response is invariably rapid or immediate. In most cases, acute
effects recede on cessation of exposure. Chronic health effects, on the other hand,
usually result from prolonged or repeated exposure to the agent. The response is
normally gradual, often progressive and irreversible, and may go unrecognized for
long periods of time.

(c) The sources of information such as product labels, published limit values such as
work exposure limits, material safety data sheets, the results of internal
inspections and audits and monitoring and health surveillance data. Most answers
referred only to data sheets and labels.

(d) Control measures such as the use of suitable containers for the chemicals carrying
warning signs as to their danger; the methods used for handling the chemicals;
procedures for the clearing up and containment of spillages; the provision of
adequate ventilation for the working areas and the use of personal protective
equipment such as chemical proof gloves, eye protection and overalls; site rules
setting out the hygiene procedures to be followed and prohibiting eating or
smoking in the working areas; setting up emergency procedures including first aid
provision; providing employees with instruction, information and training on the
handling of toxic substances and ensuring the provision of adequate supervision
and monitoring to check that control measures were being followed.
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4. (a) Identify FOUR types of hazards for which local exhaust ventilation (LEV)
would be an appropriate control measure giving an example in EACH case of the
harmful effect that might be produced. (8)

(b) Outline the factors that may reduce the effectiveness of a local exhaust ventilation
system (LEV). (12)

Answer
(a) The hazards such as dust which could cause coughing, sneezing and possible
damage to the lung; chemicals which might cause irritation and have toxic effects;
allergens which might aggravate an asthmatic condition; microbiological
substances which could cause various diseases; asphyxiates with their ability to
cause respiratory effects and exposure to heat often leading to heat exhaustion.
Apart from dust, many candidates were unable to identify any additional types of
hazard.

(b) There is a range of factors that might reduce the effectiveness of a local exhaust
ventilation system. They include damage to the system such as splits or holes in
the ducting; blocked or incorrect filters; fan inefficiency as a result of blade wear
or corrosion; initial design issues; process changes; unauthorized alterations such
as an increase in the number of outlets; incorrect use such as a failure to position
the hood close enough to the source of emission; a build up of dust in the ducting;
blocked or obstructed outlets and a failure to provide a system of regular
maintenance, inspection and testing.

5. (a) Identify THREE forms of biological agents. (3)

(b) Identify THREE possible routes of entry into the body for a biological agent. (3)

(c) Give TWO control measures to reduce the risk of exposure to a biological agent.
(2)

Answer
(a) Biological agents that could have been identified include bacteria, viruses, fungi.

(b) Possible routes of entry into the body for a biological agent include inhalation,
injection, ingestion, inoculation and/or injection and absorption through the skin
or mucosal membranes.

(c) Control measures such as cleaning, sterilization and disinfection; the use of
personal protective equipment such as gloves, respiratory and eye protection and
an overall; containment of the agent in a microbiological safety cabinet; the use of
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 spill trays; the prohibition of smoking and eating/drinking in the work area; a
good standard of personal hygiene and immunization.

6. (b) Describe how the body may defend itself against the harmful effects of airborne
dust. (6)

(c) Outline, using practical examples where appropriate, the control measures that
may be used to reduce levels of dust in a work environment. (10)

Answer
(a) Identifying indications of a dust problem that might include: fine deposits on
surfaces, people and products; dust particles visible in the air, plant issues such as
blocked filters; complaints from the workforce of discomfort and irritation; and
cases of ill-health reported or detected by health surveillance.

(b) Harmful effects of airborne dust. The majority mentioned coughing and sneezing
but only the better informed referred to the filtering effect of nasal hairs and to the
role of mucus in the respiratory tract and bronchi, which allows dust particles to
be trapped and then carried upwards by tiny hairs (cilia). Fine dust particles
reaching the bronchiotes may be subject to the engulfing action of scavenging
cells (macrophages) and absorbed into the bloodstream. Damage to the eyes may
be prevented by the action of tear ducts, causing the eyes to 'water' and dust
particles to be removed.

(c) The control hierarchy and referred to control measures such as: elimination (eg by
introducing pre-formed components or outsourcing the dusty operation);
substitution (eg of powder ,by granules, liquid or paste); isolation of the process
in a separate room; enclosure (in a glove box, for instance); the provision of local
exhaust ventilation; and suppression by damping down and carrying out cleaning
operations by vacuuming rather than sweeping.

7. A person is employed to lay carpet tiles using a solvent-based adhesive. In relation to

the use of the adhesive in such circumstances:
(a) Identify the possible effects on health (4)

(b) Outline the control measures that should be considered. (4)

Answer
(a) The possible health effects include skin and eye irritation, dermatitis, headaches,
nausea and dizziness, together with other possible, and more serious, effects such
as narcosis and loss of consciousness.

(b) The control measures should include the possible substitution of the adhesive for
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a less toxic or volatile one, using the minimum amount of the substance for the
job, the use of a respirator and other personal protective equipment (eg overalls
and gloves), good personal hygiene, and the provision of information, instruction
and training to the fitter. Ventilation to work area.