Proper Protection Equipment, Essay Example

Introduction

Employment is an important aspect of one’s living. It is the source of one’s capacity of earning to support his personal financial needs and that of his family’s. This is the reason why several individuals take the extra necessary step that could allow him become more assured of keeping a good job for a long time. Understanding that employment is important for the worker himself, it could be realized that the employer of the said worker also value such personal motivation. As a result, employers are guided to create the necessary measures needed to keep one on the right track of keeping their jobs well through giving them the proper option of staying in safe and well-protected work areas. This especially concern confined work environments that could endanger the health and the life of the employee as a whole. In the discussion that follows, dealing with work environment issues shall be given attention to, especially that of the matter concerning the need to create more workable and safer workstations for employees working in companies handling responsibilities over hazardous elements as a regular part of their job.

Presentation of Issue

Several factories and establishments today are dedicated to working with hazardous materials. These hazardous materials, when not handled carefully can cause health damages that can endanger the life of the employees and put their job capacities at a very dangerous status. However, as dealing with the said materials is part of the job itself, there is no way that the handling of the hazardous elements on the substances could be avoided. Nevertheless, there are several guidelines established in the labor code that could provide a good distinction on how handling such substances at work could be managed. To note such guidelines, presented herein are some of the most common situational considerations that could be given attention.

Situational Considerations

First to note is the need of every company registered to be handling hazardous elements to get a permit from the government to employ human-force as their workers. The inspection on the facilities [including the safety features of the establishment] and its approval for a conducive work area would allow the company to obtain such permission from the government hence imposing that working for the factory or the organization is rather considered safe.

• Sanding fiberglass material in an open area of the site with exposure to fiberglass dust

Since working with fiberglass dust can cause severe lung problems, it is recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Healththat workers be given the proper gear including respirators to protect the nose from absorbing the small particles of fiberglass dust that could cause complications in the lungs (Amoore, et al, 1983). The respirators are expected to have features such as air-purifying capacity, full piece that would cover the entire area for inhalation and is operated based on a pressure-mode approach. These guidelines to the kind of respirator to be used insist on the capacity of the worker to control how the air circulation and ventilation occurs within the respirator.

• Working in a confined are where nitrogen tubing is present and suspect a leak in the nitrogen system and need to determine the location of the leak

According to the guidelines provided by the US Code of Labor, exposure to nitrogen may affect inner body systems (ACGIH, 1994). Hence, to prevent such an occurrence, employers must give full attention to four primary points in relation to the creation of a working environment and the provision of protection for the employees working along with the said substance. These points include (a) process enclosure; (b) proper exhaust ventilation in the local work area; (c) general dilution ventilation that dilutes nitrogen mixed with the air inhaled by the workers; (d) provision of personal protective equipment . When leaks occur, it is important to stop it as immediate as possible. Safety personnel should be available on standby for the possible occurrence of such instances. In instances of emergencies, all workers should be provided with personal ventilation units and should not be allowed to enter work area until the nitrogen content have been reduce and allowed to evaporate.

• Working with some highly hazardous materials, including hydrochloric acid, which releases vapors and some organic solvents. Materials are being sprayed into the air. Level of exposure have been monitored and found to be above PEL for each material, but below the IDLH. Oxygen level is above 19.5%

Given that the company has already been given the permission to work with hazardous materials such as hydrochloric acid, it is a basic point of consideration that employers must establish provide properly ventilated areas for work which includes a general dilution system that clears the air from the hazardous substance that the materials posses (Forsberg, 1993). The exhaust ventilation must also be established and the process of operation itself should be enclosed. The personal protective equipment intend to make a distinguished condition that the employers should give attention to as this includes proper respiratory gears that could protect the employees in their regular attending of the job and even during possible emergencies.

Conclusion

Assuming the situations presented in this research, it could be considered that work hazards need to be addressed fully and immediately as a regular part of the employees’ protection program. Subjecting human individuals in work areas that deal with such hazard is a dangerous condition, hence assuming all possibilities of protecting their welfare as assets of the company protects the entire business as well. In relation to personal understanding of complying with the work standards, it is essential that every employee is given the proper guideline to respond to the aspect of protection that the company is providing them with. Responding to such rules and regulations in a company is also considered as a personal responsibility.

References

ACGIH [1994]. 1994-1995 Threshold limit values for chemical substances and physical agents and biological exposure indices. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

Amoore JE, Hautala E [1983]. Odor as an aid to chemical safety: odor thresholds compared with threshold limit values and volatilities for 214 industrial chemicals in air and water dilution. J of App Tox 3(6):272-290.

Forsberg K, Mansdorf SZ [1993]. Quick selection guide to chemical protective clothing. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold.