Element 7

Question 1

Identify some Biological agents which can be hazardous to health?

Answer 1

• Fungi.
• Bacteria.
• Viruses.
• Prions.

Question 2

List the main classifications of Chemicals hazardous to health?

Answer 2

• Toxic.
• Harmful.
• Corrosive.
• Irritant.
• Carcinogenic.
  They can be BROADLY classified as:
• Physico-chemical effects.
• Health effects.
• Environmental effects.

Question 3

Explain the meaning of “Sensitising Agents”?

Answer 3

• The chemical is capable of producing an allergic reaction that will gradually worsen on repeat exposures.

Question 4

Outline the 2 groups of sensitising chemicals?

Answer 4

• Respiratory sensitisers: Can cause asthma on inhalation into the lungs.
• Skin sensitisers: Can cause allergic dermatitis on contact with the skin.

Question 5

Give a definition of Asthma?

Answer 5

A condition where the airways of a persons lungs become irritated in response to a trigger, constricting in size and producing excess mucus, making breathing difficult.

Question 6

Give the definition of “Dermatitis”?

Answer 6

• A non-infectious skin condition where the skin becomes dry, flaky, cracked and painful. Usually reversible treatment.

Question 7

What are the 2 main types of Dermatitis?

Answer 7

• Primary contact dermatitis.

- Allergic or secondary contact dermatitis.

Question 8

Identify the four main routes of hazardous substances entering the body?

Answer 8

• Inhalation.
• Ingestion.
• Absorption through the skin.
• Injection through the skin.

Question 9

Outline the relevant sources of information when assessing exposure to hazardous substances?

Answer 9

• Product labels.
• HSE Guidance Note EH40.
• Material Safety Data Sheets (SDS).

Question 10

When making assessments and monitoring risks of exposure to hazardous substances, what equipment can be used?

Answer 10

• Stain tube detectors.
• Passive samplers.
• Smoke tubes.
• Dust-Monitoring equipment.
• Dust lamps.

Question 11

Identify the 2 main defence mechanisms the body has to combat attack by biological agents and chemicals?

Answer 11

• Cellular defence (internal defence).

- Superficial defence (external defence).

Question 12

Define “Time-Weighted Average”?

Answer 12

• Average exposure to a contaminant over a specified period of time, usually a nominal 8 hours.

Question 13

What are the “Occupational exposure limits - Workplace Exposure Limits) in the UK?

Answer 13

• They are the maximum concentrations of airborne substances, averaged over a reference period, to which employees may be exposed by inhalation.

Question 14

What do short term (15 min) exposure limits combat?

Answer 14

• Sudden acute effects of exposure.

Question 15

What do long term (8 hour) exposure limits combat?

Answer 15

• Long term chronic effects.

Question 16

What do COSHH Regulation require in order to prevent or control exposure?

Answer 16

• That the “8 principles of good practice” are applied.

Question 17

What does a typical Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) system consist of?

Answer 17

• Intake hood.
• Ductwork.
• Filter system.
• Fan.
• Exhaust duct.

Question 18

What are the 2 main categories of RPE?

Answer 18

• Respirators.

- Breathing apparatus.

Question 19

Identify the various types of respirators?

Answer 19

• Filtering face-piece respirator.
• Half-mask or ori-nasal respirator.
• Full-face respirator.
• Powered respirator.

Question 20

Identify the different types of breathing apparatus?

Answer 20

• Fresh-air hose BA.
• Compressed air BA.
• Self-contained BA.

Question 21

Outline the factors affecting the suitability of RPE?

Answer 21

• Concentration of the contaminant and it’s hazardous nature.
• Physical form of the substance, e.g. Dust or vapour.
• Level of protection offered by the RPE.
• Presence or absence of normal oxygen concentrations.
• Duration of time that it must be worn.
• Compatibility with other items of PPE that must be worn.
• Shape of the users face and influence on the fit.
• Facial hair that might interfere with an effective seal.
• Physical requirements of the job such as the need to move freely.
• Physical fitness of the wearer.

Question 22

List the serious ill-health conditions that asbestos causes?

Answer 22

• Asbestosis.
• Lung cancer.
• Mesothelioma.
• Pleural plaques.

Question 23

List the duties of those who are responsible for managing asbestos on premises?

Answer 23

• Identifying Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACM).
• Recording their locations and condition.
• Assessing the risks of exposure.
• Making and implementing an asbestos management plan.
• Providing information to those who might potentially be exposed.

Question 24

Who can carry out higher risk work on asbestos containing materials?

Answer 24

• HSE licensed contractors…they must use a safe system of work.

Question 25

List other hazardous substances found in the workplace, that can cause severe ill-health to those exposed?

Answer 25

- Blood borne viruses (Hep B). - Carbon monoxide. - Cement. - Legionella bacteria. - Leptospira bacteria. - Silica. - Wood dust.

Question 26

Define Zoonotic Disease or Zoonoses?

Answer 26

- A disease which can be passed from animals to humans (e.g. Rabies).

Question 27

Define "Silica"?

Answer 27

- A component of rock commonly encountered in the mining, quarrying, pottery and construction industries.

Question 28

Outline the hierarchy of "Waste Management"?

Answer 28

- Waste prevention. - Preparing for re-use. - Recycling. - Other recovery. - Responsible disposal.

Question 29

Outline the different physical forms by which Chemicals are encountered?

Answer 29

- Solids: a solid block of material (lead ingot). - Dusts: very small particles normally created by grinding, polishing, milling, blasting, etc. Capable of becoming airborne (flour or rock dust). - Fumes: very small metallic particles that condensed from the gaseous state during work with molten metal (welding) to create an airborne cloud. - Gases: a basic state matter, which expands to fill the space (carbon dioxide). - Mists: very small liquid droplets suspended in the air, normally created by spraying (paint spraying). - Vapours: the gaseous form of substance that exists as a solid or liquid at normal temperature and pressure (solvent vapour). - Liquids: a basic state matter, free flowing fluid (water).