Compare the results with Occupational exposure limits

Compare the results with Occupational exposure limits

When evaluating the risk associated with a hazard, the decision on risk acceptability is based on reference values defined in legislation. The minimum requirement is complying with legislation, and when not applicable, the decision should be based on OSH guidelines, international standards, and OSH guidelines. Workers should be protected from hazardous agents through rigorous protocoled measures.

Compare the results with Occupational exposure limits

The calculated exposures in Unit IV were compared to the provided occupational exposure limits. The calculated manganese fume exposure was 0.16666 mg/m3, higher than the ACGIH 8-hour TWA of 0.1mg/m3. The calculated copper fume exposure was 0.1458333 mg/m3, less than the ACGIH 8-hour TWA of 0.2mg/m3. The calculated lead fume exposure was 0.04166667 mg/m3, less than the ACGIH 8-hour TWA of 0.05 mg/m3. The calculated metalworking fluids were 0.6944444444 mg/m3, higher than the ACGIH 8-hour TWA of 0.5 mg/m3

The 1,2,4 trimethyl benzene exposure was 0.000104166667 ppm, which is less than ACGIH 8-hour TWA of 25 ppm. The toluene exposure was 0.0006041666667 ppm, which is less than ACGIH 8-hour TWA of 20 ppm. Finally, the xylene exposure is 0.000416666667 ppm, which is less than ACGIH 8-hour TWA of 0.5 ppm.

Why use ACGIH 8-hour TWA

The ACGIH 8-hour TWA was mostly used, which calculates the average exposure throughout the day. The ACGIH publishes recommendations for safe levels of substances in air based on an 8-hour workday and 40-hour workweek. It provides guidelines on the levels whose different contaminants composition in the air, and thus exposure to workers, should not be exceeded during any 8-hour workday of a 40-hour workweek. The ceiling limit was not used since it is the maximum limit that cannot be exceeded for any length of time. The ceiling limit is the amount that is never safe for any period (Kirchner, 2012).

Risk acceptability

OSHA intends to provide plants and workers with reliable information regarding hazards, so they can be aware of the risks and make better decisions at their places of work. When the hazard level, for instance, noise, exceeds the permissible level, then the risk exposure to the workers is unacceptable, and the working environment may result in the deterioration of the hearing and even lead to deafness. However, some risks are acceptable, for instance, when the noise level is half the permissible level. In such a case, the workers need to use protective gadgets like ear mufflers to protect themselves from auditory damage (Kirchner, 2012). Accordingly, the manganese fume exposure level and the metalworking fluids were an unacceptable level of risk since they were greater than the permissible level. However, copper and lead fumes, in addition to 1,2,4-trimethyl benzene, Toluene, and Xylene vapors, have an acceptable risk level.

Part 2

Results exceeding the OSHA PEL

According to OSHA PEL, the most extended acceptable period a worker should be exposed to a noise source of 93.0 dBA is over 5.3 hours. However, in this scenario, the worker is exposed to 93.0 dBA over a shift length of 12 hours. The hydraulic press exceeds the permissible exposure limit of an employee to noise.

Results exceeding the OSHA action level

Action levels are used by OSHA to express the exposure to a hazard by indicating a harmful level of toxic activity that requires surveillance and monitoring. The action levels are usually set at half of the permissible exposure limit. The action level is the point at which provisions of the proposed standards must be initiated. They include medical surveillance and employee training. OSHA recognized the need to create a level at which these procedures become appropriate. OSHA claimed that the action level needed to be set way below the permissible exposure level so that employees are better protected from the exposure (OSHA, 2011).

The results that exceed the OSHA action level include the hydraulic press, the metalworking line, the robotic welding, the hand welding, the paint booth, and hand welding. These instances involve decibels higher than 80.0 dBA (OSHA, 2011).

Conclusion

Chemical, physical, and biological agents create hazards that contribute to the worker’s risk. The risk is unacceptable when it passes the permissible limits as detailed by OSHA, and workers should not be exposed to this. It is essential to engage the workers in training and preventive mechanisms to protect against destructive hazards.