Safety Terminologies, Standards and Regulations .pptx

Safety terminologies, standards, and regulations form the foundation of effective occupational health and safety management across industries. Safety terminologies such as hazard, risk, accident, incident, PPE, ALARP, and safety culture provide a common language to identify and control risks. Standards—developed at international (ISO, IEC, ILO), national (BIS, NBC), and sectoral levels (NFPA, ASME)—offer technical guidelines and best practices for safe design, operations, and management. For example, ISO 45001 focuses on occupational health and safety systems, IEC 61508 on functional safety, and NFPA codes on fire protection. In India, frameworks like the Factories Act, Indian Electricity Rules, and PESO regulations govern workplace safety, while international bodies like OSHA and EU directives set legally enforceable requirements abroad. Regulations ensure minimum mandatory safety measures through inspections, permits to work, emergency preparedness, and reporting obligations. Compliance with these standards and laws not only safeguards human life and property but also enhances organizational reputation, ensures legal conformity, promotes a positive safety culture, and improves overall operational efficiency.

1. Safety Terminologies, Standards and Regulations Types, Hierarchy, Indicators, and Flammability Workplace Hazards, Risk & Control Measures Dr Priya Gajjal Head, Robotics and Automation Engg Department 1

2. What is a Hazard? A hazard is any source or situation with potential to cause harm. Hazards exist in all workplaces. First step in risk management is identifying hazards. Examples: slippery floors, flammable liquids. Types of Hazard Physical: Environmental factors that harm the body (Noise, heat, radiation) Chemical: Exposure to harmful chemicals (Acids, solvents) Biological: Harm from living organisms (Bacteria, viruses) 2

3. Ergonomic: Poor workplace design causing strain (Repetitive motion, heavy lifting) Psychosocial: Stressful work environment (Long hours, harassment) Mechanical: Hazards from machinery (Sharp edges, moving parts) Environmental: Natural conditions or disasters (Floods, earthquakes) Categorizing hazards helps in applying specific control measures. Hazards may overlap . 3

4. Type Description Example Physical Environmental factors that harm the body Noise, heat, radiation Chemical Exposure to harmful chemicals Acids, solvents Biological Harm from living organisms Bacteria, viruses Ergonomic Poor workplace design causing strain Repetitive motion, heavy lifting Psychosocial Stressful work environment Long hours, harassment Mechanical Hazards from machinery Sharp edges, moving parts Environmental Natural conditions or disasters Floods, earthquakes 4

5. What is Risk? Risk = Likelihood × Severity Example: Flammable liquid → mediu m likelihood × high severity → significant risk Risk assessment helps prioritize hazards. Use risk matrix (Low, Medium, High) to categorize 5

6. Hierarchy of Hazard Control 1. Elimination – remove hazard completely 2. Substitution – replace with safer alternative 3. Engineering Controls – isolate people from hazard 4. Administrative Controls – change work methods 5. PPE – personal protection as last line Most effective: elimination and substitution Least effective: relying only on PPE 6

7. Control Measures Preventive: Avoid exposure (guard rails, proper storage) Mitigative: Reduce severity (fire extinguisher) Monitoring & Feedback: Inspections, audits, incident reporting Control measures must be practical, measurable, and monitored. 7

8. Lead and Lag Indicators Lead indicators predict and prevent incidents Lag indicators measure performance after events Indicator Type Examples Lead Proactive Safety training, inspections, PPE compliance Lag Reactive Accidents, lost time incidents, near-misses 8

9. Flammability Definition: Ability of material to ignite easily Classification: Highly flammable (<23°C flash point) Flammable (23–60°C) Combustible (>60°C) Control Measures: Flame-proof storage Keep away from ignition sources Proper labeling and PPE Fire extinguishers & suppression systems 9

10. Summary Hazards: potential sources of harm T ypes : physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, psychosocial, mechanical, environmental Risk: likelihood × severity Control Hierarchy: eliminate → substitute → engineer → admin → PPE Indicators: lead (proactive) & lag (reactive) Flammability: handle with care, control risks Flammability is a high-risk hazard in many workplaces. Safe handling is critical. 10

11. Toxicity Definition: Toxicity is the ability of a substance to cause harmful effects in a living organism. Toxicity depends on dose, duration, and route of exposure. Substances can be acute toxicants (cause harm quickly) or chronic toxicants (cause harm over long-term exposure). Example: Acute: Inhalation of high concentration of hydrogen sulfide can cause immediate death. Chronic: Long-term exposure to benzene can cause blood disorders like leukemia. 11

12. Key Parameters: LD50 (Lethal Dose 50%): Dose that kills 50% of a test population LC50 (Lethal Concentration 50%): Concentration that kills 50% of test population. 12

13. Time-Weighted Average (TWA) Definition: TWA is the average concentration of a chemical substance in the air over a normal work shift (usually 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week) to which a worker can be exposed without adverse health effects. Formula: TWA= (𝐶1𝑇1+𝐶2𝑇2+⋯+𝐶𝑛𝑇𝑛) / (𝑇1+𝑇2+⋯+𝑇𝑛) Where: 𝐶1,𝐶2,…= concentrations during different periods 𝑇1,𝑇2…. = durations of exposure 13

14. TWA is used for chronic exposure evaluation. If exposure exceeds TWA, health risk increases over time. Example: Worker exposed to 50 ppm of a chemical for 4 hours and 100 ppm for 4 hours:   14

15. Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Definition: TLV is the recommended maximum concentration of a chemical in the workplace air that most workers can be exposed to day after day without adverse effects . Types of TLVs: TLV-TWA: Average concentration over 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week (matches TWA concept). TLV-STEL: Short-Term Exposure Limit (see below). TLV-C: Ceiling Value – maximum concentration that should never be exceeded . 15

16. TLVs are guidelines, not strict legal limits. Provided by ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). Helps in designing ventilation and PPE requirements. Example: TLV-TWA of acetone = 500 ppm. Worker exposure should not exceed 500 ppm averaged over 8 hours. 16

17. Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) Definition: STEL is the maximum concentration of a chemical that workers can be exposed to for a short period (usually 15 minutes) without suffering irritation, chronic or irreversible tissue damage, or narcosis . Usually expressed in ppm . Meant for peak exposures in addition to TWA. Should not be exceeded even if the 8-hour TWA is within limits . Example: TLV-STEL of acetone = 750 ppm for 15 minutes. Worker can safely be exposed to 750 ppm for 15 minutes, provided TWA over 8 hours ≤ 500 ppm. 17

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19. Term Definition Measurement Purpose Toxicity Ability to cause harm Dose/concentration, LD50, LC50 Assess chemical hazard TWA Average exposure over 8h/day ppm or mg/m³ Chronic exposure evaluation TLV Recommended safe limit TWA, STEL, Ceiling Prevent adverse health effects STEL Maximum exposure for 15 min ppm or mg/m³ Control short-term peak exposures Summary 19

20. Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) Definition: IDLH is the maximum concentration of a hazardous substance that poses an immediate threat to life, causes irreversible health effects, or hinders escape. Set by NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) for emergency response & safety planning. Requires immediate protective measures. 20

21. Characteristics of IDLH Environments High concentration of toxic or oxygen-deficient atmosphere. Rapid onset of adverse effects Emergency response required Only trained personnel with SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) should enter. Acute Effects Occur soon after exposure (minutes to hours) Examples: Dizziness, nausea, headaches, Eye/skin irritation Respiratory distress, Unconsciousness or death in severe cases Usually reversible if treated promptly. 21

22. Chronic Effects Result from repeated or prolonged exposure over weeks, months, or years. Develop slowly, often unnoticed initially. Examples: Lung diseases, neurological disorders, Organ damage (liver, kidney) Cancer, reproductive effects May be irreversible. Routes of Chemical Entry Inhalation – Most common in workplaces (gases, vapors, dust). Dermal Absorption – Through skin contact. Ingestion – Contaminated hands, food, or water. Injection – Through punctures or accidents with sharp tools. 22

23. Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) Respiratory Protection: Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for IDLH situations Air-purifying respirators (non-IDLH only) Skin Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves, suits, aprons, boots Eye & Face Protection: Goggles, face shields Hearing & Head Protection: Helmets, earplugs/muffs if applicable 23

24. Safety Measures in IDLH Environments Risk assessment before entry Use of SCBA & protective suits Buddy system & trained rescue teams Emergency response plan in place Continuous air monitoring 24

25. Routes of Chemical Entry, PPE, Health & Safety Policy & MSDS Understanding how chemicals enter the body and how to protect workers is essential for occupational safety. Policies, equipment, and information sheets work together to ensure safe working environments. Routes of Chemical Entry Inhalation – Breathing in gases, vapors, dust, mists (most common route). Dermal (Skin) Absorption – Through skin contact with chemicals. Ingestion – Swallowing chemicals accidentally via contaminated hands or food. Injection – Through punctures or cuts (e.g., needlesticks, accidents). Awareness of entry routes helps in applying proper control measures and PPE. 25

26. Effects of Chemical Exposure Acute Effects: Short-term, immediate symptoms like irritation, dizziness, or burns. Chronic Effects: Long-term, may develop slowly — e.g., organ damage, cancer. Severity depends on type of chemical, concentration, duration of exposure, and route of entry. Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) Purpose: Protect workers from hazards that cannot be fully eliminated by engineering or administrative controls. Types of PPE: - Respiratory Protection: Masks, respirators, SCBA for hazardous air. - Skin Protection: Gloves, suits, aprons, boots. 26

27. - Eye & Face Protection: Goggles, face shields. - Head & Hearing Protection: Helmets, ear plugs/muffs. Health and Safety Policy A written commitment by an organization to maintain a safe and healthy workplace. Key Elements: - Employer and employee responsibilities - Identification of hazards and risk control measures - Emergency response procedures - Training and communication - Regular reviews and updates It reflects the organization’s safety culture and legal accountability. 27

28. Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) A document containing detailed information about chemicals used in the workplace. Helps workers and emergency personnel understand hazards and safe handling methods. Sections of MSDS: 1. Identification of substance & supplier 2. Hazard identification 3. Composition / Information on ingredients 4. First-aid measures 5. Fire-fighting measures 6. Accidental release measures 7. Handling and storage 8. Exposure controls / PPE 9–16. Physical properties, stability, toxicity, regulatory info, etc. 28

29. Importance of MSDS Provides critical safety information to workers Guides PPE selection and safe handling Supports emergency planning and medical response Legal requirement under many regulations (e.g., Factories Act, OSHA) Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA is a U.S. federal agency under the Department of Labor. 29

30. Summary Chemicals can enter through inhalation, skin, ingestion, and injection. PPE is the last line of defense, but critical. Health & Safety Policies set the framework for workplace safety. MSDS provides detailed hazard information and safe handling instructions. 30

31. References Factories Act, 1948 OSHA & NIOSH Guidelines ISO 45001:2018 Industrial Safety & Health Manuals 31