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<br /> ' identify their locations as well. Failure to identify underground hazards can lead to Are, explosion, flooding, electrocution or
<br /> other life threatening accidents.
<br /> ' ❑ Water Hazards and Boat Sampling. The collection of water or sediment samples on or immediately adjacent to a body
<br /> of water can pose significant hazards. In addition to the slip,trip and fall hazards associated with wet surfaces,the potential
<br /> for drowning accidents must be recognized. These hazards can be intensified by the use of some PPE, particularly if
<br /> ' respiratory protection is wom.
<br /> HAZARD ASSESSMENT: CHEMICAL HAZARDS AND RELATED CONCERNS FCAL/OSHA 8 CCR 51921
<br /> ® Chemicals Subject to OSHA Hazard Communication. All chemicals used in field activities such as solvents, reagents,
<br /> decontamination solutions, or any other hazardous chemical must be accompanied by the required labels, Material Safety
<br /> Data Sheets (MSDS), and employee training documentation (OSHA 1910.1200). For additional information refer to AEI's
<br /> Hazard Communication Program contained in the Health and Safety Program manual.
<br /> ' ❑ Asbestos. Disturbance of building materials in buildings built prior to 1980 must be evaluated for the presence of asbestos-
<br /> containing materials by an accredited AEI inspector. The inspection and/or removal of asbestos-based or asbestos-containing
<br /> building materials are regulated by some major cities and several states. Regulations require individuals who conduct
<br /> ' building inspections for the presence of asbestos or collect samples of asbestos containing materials to be licensed or
<br /> certified. AEI employees must determine the applicability of these regulations prior to any activities involving asbestos. The
<br /> primary health effects of asbestos exposure include asbestosis(a scarring of the lungs),lung cancer, mesothelioma and other
<br /> forms of cancer. Exposure to asbestos is regulated by a comprehensive OSHA standard(29 CFR 1910.1001).
<br /> ' ® BTEX Compounds. Exposure to the vapors of benzene, ethyl benzene, toluene and xylenes above their respective
<br /> permissible exposure limits (PELs), as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), may produce
<br /> irritation of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, nose and mouth. Overexposure may also result in the
<br /> ' depression of the central nervous system. Symptoms of such exposure include drowsiness, headache, fatigue and drunken-
<br /> like behavior. Benzene has been determined to be carcinogenic, targeting blood-forming organs and bone marrow. The
<br /> odor threshold for benzene is higher than the PEL and employees may be overexposed to benzene without sensing its
<br /> presence,therefore,detector tubes must be utilized to evaluate airborne concentrations.
<br /> ' The vapor pressures of these compounds are high enough to generate significant quantities of airborne vapor. On sites
<br /> where high concentrations of these compounds are present,a potential inhalation hazard to the field team during subsurface
<br /> investigations can result. However, if the site is open and the anticipated quantities of BTEX contamination are small (i.e.,
<br /> ' part per million concentrations in the soil or groundwater),overexposure potential will also be small.
<br /> ❑ Carbon Monoxide. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas usually formed by the incomplete combustion of various fuels.
<br /> Welding,cutting and the operation internal combustion engines can produce significant quantities of CO. Amounts of CO can
<br /> quickly rise to hazardous levels in poorly ventilated areas. CO is odorless and colorless. It cannot be detected without
<br /> ' appropriate monitoring equipment. LEL/OZ meters and H-Nu/PIDs are not appropriate for the detection of CO. A direct
<br /> reading instrument,calibrated for CO, should be used. Common symptoms of overexposure include pounding of the heart,a
<br /> dull headache,flashes before the eyes, dizziness, ringing in the ears and nausea. These symptoms must not be relied upon
<br /> in place of an appropriately calibrated monitoring instrument. Exposures should not exceed 15 ppm. Exposures above 15
<br /> ' ppm require the use of supplied air respirators. Air purifying respirators are not approved for protection against CO.
<br /> ❑ Chlorinated Organic Compounds. Exposure to the vapors of many chlorinated organic compounds such as vinyl chloride,
<br /> tetrachloroethene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethene and 1,2-dichloroethene above their respective permissible exposure
<br /> ' limits (PELs) will result in similar symptoms. The actual PELs as set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
<br /> (OSHA)vary depending on the specific compound.
<br /> Overexposure to the vapor of these compounds can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. The liquid, if splashed in
<br /> the eyes, may cause burning irritation and damage. Repeated or prolonged skin contact with the liquid may cause
<br /> dermatitis. Acute overexposure to chlorinated hydrocarbons depresses the central nervous system exhibiting such symptoms
<br /> as drowsiness, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, in-coordination, mental confusion, flushed skin, tremors, nausea,
<br /> vomiting, fatigue and cardiac arrhythmia. Alcohol may make symptoms of overexposure worse. If alcohol has been
<br /> ' consumed, the overexposed worker may become flushed. Some of these compounds are considered to be potential human
<br /> carcinogens. Exposure to vinyl chloride is regulated by a comprehensive OSHA standard(29 CFR 1910.1017).
<br /> ❑ Chromium Compounds. Hexavalent chromium compounds, upon contact with the skin can cause ulceration and possibly
<br /> ' an allergic reaction. Inhalation of hexavalent chromium dusts is irritating and corrosive to the mucous membranes of the
<br /> upper respiratory tract. Chrome ulcers and chrome dermatitis are common occupational health effects from prolonged and
<br /> repeated exposure to hexavalent chromium compounds. Acute exposures to hexavalent chromium dusts may cause
<br /> coughing or wheezing, pain on deep inspiration, tearing, inflammation of the conjunctiva, nasal itch and soreness or
<br /> ' AEI Health&Safety,Injury&Illness Prevention Plan
<br /> March 15,2012
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