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Stanford University *

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474

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Health Science

Date

Oct 30, 2023

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pptx

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Uploaded by LieutenantGoldfish2766

Workplace Exposure to Hazardous Substances and Chemicals Student’s Name Professor’s Name Course Date

Introduction • Occupational health and safety are an extremely important issue in today's workplaces; it serves to safeguard employees from possible dangers while also promoting their general well-being. Exposure to hazardous substances and chemicals in the workplace is one example of a substantial hazard that, in the absence of proper risk management, presents considerable dangers to employees' health. In this presentation, the scientific and compliance sides of this topic are investigated in depth. Topics covered include the sectors and professions that are at risk, possible health impacts, regulatory requirements, mitigation techniques, and effective approaches for disseminating safe work practices.

Relevant Industries and Professions in Relation to the Problem • The risk of being exposed to dangerous substances and chemicals while working is a widespread issue that affects a diverse variety of professions and fields of endeavor. Manufacturing, construction, agriculture, healthcare, mining, and laboratory research are some of the industries that are being impacted the most. It is possible for workers in these occupations to come into contact with a wide variety of potentially harmful substances, including asbestos, lead, solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, and a wide variety of toxic compounds (Mathias et al., 2017). Reference • Mathias, P. I., MacKenzie, B. A., Toennis, C. A., & Connor, T. H. (2017). Survey of guidelines and current practices for safe handling of antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs used in 24 countries. Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice , 25 (1), 148–162. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078155217726160

Regulatory Requirements Associated with the Problem • Comprehensive laws and recommendations have been developed by national governments and international organizations in order to safeguard employees from the adverse effects of exposure to hazardous substances. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for establishing and enforcing standards in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act in the United States (Bernabeu-Martínez et al., 2018). Regulations concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and Classification, Labeling, and Packaging (CLP) play an essential part in the administration of chemical safety within the European Union (Tupper & Smith, 2022). In accordance with these laws, permissible exposure limits (PELs), standards for hazard communication, and procedures for the safe handling of hazardous compounds are outlined. References • Bernabeu-Martínez, M. A., Ramos Merino, M., Santos Gago, J. M., Álvarez Sabucedo, L. M., Wanden-Berghe, C., & Sanz-Valero, J. (2018). Guidelines for safe handling of hazardous drugs: A systematic review. PLOS ONE , 13 (5), e0197172. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0197172 • Tupper, C., & Smith, C. J. (2022). OSHA Chemical Hazards And Communication . PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580552/

Definition of Hazardous Substances and Chemicals • When they are not handled in an appropriate manner, substances and chemicals that are considered to be hazardous may put the health of humans and the environment at risk. These compounds may have physical, chemical, or biological qualities that, when brought into direct or indirect contact with one another, may result in harmful effects (Pipke & Wilmes, 2022). Hazardous substances and chemicals in the workplace may be the consequence of a variety of operations, including production, cleaning, and maintenance, in the context of occupational health and safety. • Classification systems, such as the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), which offers established criteria for classifying possible dangers and transmitting this information, are usually referred to by companies in order to detect potentially hazardous compounds and chemicals (J. et al., 2019). The development of adequate safety measures and compliance standards requires a fundamental References • J., L., Thomas, Melissa, S., Pranav, R., J., G., Stephen, T., M., Lauralynn, & Christine, W. (2019, July 1). Technical report: the NIOSH occupational exposure banding process for chemical risk management. https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/79841 • Pipke, R., & Wilmes, A. (2022). Risikokommunikation zum Schutz vor Gefahrstoffen am Arbeitsplatz. Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz , 65 (5), 589–598. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-022- 03530-1

Types of Hazardous Substances Commonly Found in Workplaces There is a vast variety of potentially harmful compounds and chemicals that may be found in workplaces. The following are some examples of frequent types: Biological Agents • Biological agents include viruses, bacteria, fungus, and other microorganisms that are capable of causing infections or allergic responses (J. et al., 2019). Biological agents may be found in the healthcare industry as well as the agriculture industry. Chemical Agents: • Chemical Agents are comprised of hazardous substances such as corrosive, flammable, reactive, and poisonous compounds that are used in manufacturing, cleaning, and laboratory environments (Thompson, 2016). Physical Agents: • These chemicals entail noise, vibration, radiation, and temperature extremes, all of which may contribute to a variety of health problems, including hearing loss, heat stress, and skin illnesses. References • J., L., Thomas, Melissa, S., Pranav, R., J., G., Stephen, T., M., Lauralynn, & Christine, W. (2019, July 1). Technical report: the NIOSH occupational exposure banding process for chemical risk management. https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/79841 • Thompson, C. A. (2016). New OSHA document reviews hazardous-drug safety for employees. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy , 73 (16), 1204–1205. https://doi.org/10.2146/news160050

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