Gribbins News

General

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that has commonly been used for a variety of building materials in the construction industry for insulation and fire-retardant applications.  Due to the overall strength, heat-resistant properties, and live expectancy it has bene used in packaging, gaskets, coatings, linings, manufactured goods, and friction products.  When asbestos materials are damaged or disturbed, there is a potential that the microscopic fibers become airborne and can cause significant health effects if inhaled into the lungs.

Hazards

• If the very small asbestos fibers are inhaled deep into your lungs, and stay, they can cause disease 10 to 40 years later
• Asbestosis (a lung disease) is a long-term inflammation and scarring of the lungs due to asbestos fibers.
  • Symptoms may include shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and chest pains.
• Mesothelioma (a rare type of cancer) is a malignant tumor caused by inhaled asbestos fibers, and forms in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart.
  • Symptoms may include shortness of breath and chest pain.

Identifying Asbestos

• Non-friable, any material that when dry, can not be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder and is not capable of being released into the air by hand pressure. Includes transite, roof and floor materials.
• Friable, any material that when dry, can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder or capable of being released into the air by hand pressure. Includes pipe, fittings, and duct insulation, applied ceiling, fireproofing, and paper wrap (pipes & ducts).

Asbestos Abatement

• Only trained and licensed employees are allowed to remove asbestos containing materials.
• Only trained and licensed employees are able to sample potential asbestos containing materials.
• Do not assume materials do not have asbestos containing materials based off of tricks of the trade.
  • Just because metal is not corrugated, doesn’t have pan head screws, or the look of the insulation doesn’t appear to be asbestos, doesn’t mean it is not asbestos.

Verify with customer or safety department prior to removal of insulation.

A pinch point is any point at which it is possible for a person or part of a person’s body to be caught between a stationary object and moving object or between moving parts or objects.  A pinch point not only can cause injury to a limb or body part, but can cause a person to become trapped or pinched between an object.  Some examples of a pinch point that everyone can probably relate to are shutting your finger or hand in a door, lifting/setting down materials, or hooking up a trailer.

Common injuries on a jobsite are a result of hands and fingers crushed-by type incidents.  Some minor type of injuries cause blisters or contusions to the hands, fingers and arms.  The more complex and serious injuries can cause amputations or even death.  Pinch points are not always obvious, but paying attention to where your hands are and knowing what hazards to look for can eliminate a pinch point injury.

Common reason of injuries from pinch points include:

• Not keeping your eyes on the task at hand or not paying attention.
• Working or walking in areas with mobile equipment and fixed structures.
• Using tools for purposes other than their intended use.
• Placing body parts into moving equipment or machinery.
• Improper handling of materials or suspended loads.
• Defective equipment or not using guards.
• Loose clothing, hair or jewelry getting caught in rotating parts or equipment.

Ways to Avoid Injury:

• Verify all guards are in place and effective.
• Avoid shortcuts
• Communication with other workers.
• Identify all potential pinch points before starting work.
• Always make sure mobile equipment operators know you are in the area. Never put yourself in a position between mobile equipment and a stationary object.
• When performing lockout tagout verify the equipment is deenergized before starting work.
• Stay alert and keep your eyes on the task you are performing.
• Pay attention to placement of non-dominant hand while performing work.
• Review operating manuals and work procedures before starting work, these may identify potential pinch points.
• Heavy duty gloves may help protect against certain types of pinch points.

Health Effects

Benzene poses the most serious long-term threat. Exposure over time, to even low levels of Benzene can cause leukemia, blood changes and aplastic anemia. Benzene is a cancer-causing agent in humans. All contact should be reduced to the lowest possible level.  Skin contact may also cause overexposure.

Benzene is one of the most hazardous of all petroleum products because of its adverse health hazards and high flammability.

The following adverse health effects are important to remember when there may be a potential exposure to Benzene:

1. Acute: At high concentrations (1000 PPM) Benzene has an acute effect on the central nervous systems causing headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, and possible death. Acute exposure can also cause breathlessness, irritability, and giddiness.
2. Chronic: Benzene has the chronic exposure effect on bone marrow (aplastic anemia leukemia). Chronic exposure can also cause convulsions, liver damage, heart damage, blood diseases (aplastic anemia), and cancer (leukemia). These symptoms can take months or years to surface and can develop without physical or visible indications.
3. Repeated skin contact leads to irritant contact dermatitis (rash); as with any petroleum solvent (which Benzene is also classified as), it will leach the natural oils out of the skin. Direct contact with the skin can cause erythema and/or blistering.
4. Benzene is irritating to eyes and mucous membranes
5. Flammable/dangerous fire risk: benzene has a very low flash point making it dangerous to have any open flame, spark or source of ignition when vapors are present. Explosive limits in air 1.5 to 8% by volume: benzene is highly flammable at low levels of vapor quantity in air. 

CHARACTERISTICS

Benzene is a colorless to light-yellow liquid with a pleasant sweet odor. Benzene is a flammable liquid that can accumulate static electricity. Benzene vapors are heavier that air and may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. The vapors are readily dispersed by wind movement and/or air currents. Liquid benzene tends to float on water and may travel to a source of ignition and spread fire. Benzene is highly reactive with no oxidizing materials.

Formula (C6H6)   CAS No.: 71-43-2

TRAINING

All employees will be provided awareness training in this program in order to be familiar with the potential hazards and proper safe work procedures to follow if exposed to this health hazard.