Appropriate
controls must be implemented to prevent workers from being exposed to
biological or chemical materials.
To prevent exposure, workers must be provided with protective clothing and washing
facilities, and be prohibited from eating, drinking, or smoking in contaminated areas. |
Figure 1:
PPE disposal barrel and hand wipe station. |
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Health and Sanitation |
Potential Hazards:
Worker illness and injury can be caused by exposure to hazardous materials
such as garbage, sewage,
and toxic chemicals.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
- Engineering controls and suitable PPE for the identified
hazards must be provided for workers. [1915.97(a)]
- Adequate washing facilities must be provided for workers exposed to hazardous
materials. [1915.97(b)]
- Workers must maintain good personal hygiene. [1915.97(b)]
- Eating or smoking is not permitted in areas with atmospheric contaminates. [1915.97(c)]
- Minors under 18 years of age must not be employed in shipbreaking or
related employments. [1915.97(e)]
Note:
Employers
must have a Hazard Communication Program in accordance with 1915.1200.
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Figure 2: Warning sign - No eating, drinking or smoking.
Figure 3: Sanitation sign posted in change room. |
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Biological Hazards |
Potential Hazards:
Some operations expose employees to biological hazards from sewage and human
waste, fungi and molds, and decomposing organic products.
- Collection, holding, and transfer (CHT) tanks, which workers are often required to enter, may
contain dangerous, even fatal, levels of hydrogen sulfide or other
toxic gases, which are products of decomposing human waste.
- Toxic spores inhaled from fungi and molds growing on grain and
lumber may pose an inhalation hazard.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
- Employees shall be
trained to recognize the potential hazards, use proper work practices,
recognize adverse health effects, and understand the physical signs
and reactions related to exposures. They shall also be trained
to select and use appropriate PPE. [1915.12(d)(2)
and 1915.1200]
- Personal hygiene is required. [1915.97]
This includes the following:
- Decontamination (removal of biological matter from PPE and
equipment).
- Showers (removal of biological matter from the worker). [1910.141]
- Proper disposal of laundry and coveralls (prevention of exposure to
others).
Additional Resources:
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Figure 4: CHT Tank.
Figure 5: Washing facilities. |
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Maritime Labor/Industry Recommendation |
- A Bloodborne Pathogen program is recommended when workers are exposed
to biological hazards such as working in CHT (sewage) tanks.
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to Top |
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