Hazard identification, risk assessment, and control measures as an effective tool of occupational health assessment of hazardous process in an iron ore pelletizing industry

Abstract

Background:With the growing numbers of iron ore pelletization industries in India, various impacts on environment and health in relation to the workplace will rise. Therefore, understanding the hazardous process is crucial in the development of effective control measures. Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Control measures (HIRAC) acts as an effective tool of Occupational Health Assessment.Objective:The aim of the study was to identify all the possible hazards at different workplaces of an iron ore pelletizing industry, to conduct an occupational health risk assessment, to calculate the risk rating based on the risk matrix, and to compare the risk rating before and after the control measures.Materials and Methods:The research was a cross-sectional study done from March to December 2015 in an iron ore pelletizing industry located in Odisha, India. Data from the survey were collected by inspecting the workplace, responses of employees regarding possible hazards in their workplace, reviewing department procedure manual, work instructions, standard operating procedure, previous incident reports, material safety data sheet, first aid/injury register, and health record of employees.Results:A total of 116 hazards were identified. Results of the paired-sample's t-test showed that mean risk rating differs before taking control measures (M = 9.13, SD = 5.99) and after taking control measures (M = 2.80, SD = 1.38) at the 0.0001 level of significance (t = 12.6428, df = 115, N = 116, P < 0.0001, 95% CI for mean difference 5.34 to 7.32). On an average, risk reduction was about 6.33 points lower after taking control measures.Conclusion:The hazards having high-risk rating and above were reduced to a level considered As Low as Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) when the control measures were applied, thereby reducing the occurrence of injury or disease in the workplace.

Assessment of airborne particles and bioaerosols concentrations in a waste recycling environment in Brazil

“…The Brazilian regulation of 80 µg m −3 is not intended for indoor air at industrial environments or MSW management sites and occupational exposure limits for inhalable and total dust in the USA and Norway, for example, have been established as particulates not otherwise regulated, with guidelines of 10 mg m −3 55 . Hazard identification, risk assessment and control are used to define and describe hazards in the workplace and to implement control measures, such as the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) at different levels of protection considering, for example, the concentrations of indoor air contaminants in industrial occupational locations 56 , 57 . The values measured in the MRF indicate that workers must use masks to attenuate their exposure to airborne particles but the use of inappropriate PPE, as well as its incorrect use, was a common reality observed on-site during our measurements, besides administrative workers (office) who do not use PPE.…”

Occupational health and safety hazards faced by healthcare professionals in Taiwan: A systematic review of risk factors and control strategies

“…Researchers have also emphasized the importance of eliminating hazards or substituting hazardous materials with less hazardous materials. 20,70 Taimela et al 71 argued that administrative controls, such as training and ensuring adequate staffing, are crucial to eliminating or minimizing occupational hazards. Engineering controls, such as redesigning work spaces, ensuring adequate ventilation, and introducing automated systems for repetitive tasks, were emphasized by Liberati et al 72 PPE, such as the use of gloves, clothing, and eye wear, are considered the least effective and have the most profound consequences in the event of failure by exposing the individual directly to the hazard.…”

“…20 Nonetheless, many researchers and professionals agree that all such controls should be applied collectively, in order to minimize the effects of hazards. 20,[70][71][72] Work-related stressors have a detrimental impact on worker's health and safety, in terms of mental, musculoskeletal, chronic degenerative disorders, metabolic syndrome diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. 61 Psychological hazards at work were associated with heart disease, depression, physical health problems, and psychological strain.…”

Penilaian Risiko dengan Metode HIRADC Pada Pekerjaan Konstruksi Gedung Kebudayaan Sumatera Barat

“…Setiap proses yang ada, dilakukan identifikasi bahaya yang terjadi berdasar pada berbagai unsur bahaya. Identifikasi menurut unsur bahaya ini dilakukan dengan melihat kepada area kerja, peralatan atau mesin yang dipakai, kebiasaan dan tindakan operator bekerja serta material yang dipakai (Rout, 2017).…”