Origin Date: 06/18/2012 Page 1 of 5 BSO PLUS MONTHLY SAFETY TOPIC July 2012: Asbestos/ RCF/ H 2 S ABOUT THIS SAFETY TOPIC Learning Objectives Upon completion of this safety talk, participants will be able to: 1. Identify key properties of asbestos, H 2 S and RCF 2. Describe the health effects associated with exposure to asbestos, H 2 S and RCF 3. Describe control measures for asbestos, H 2 S and RCF Required Training Materials Room with flipchart or whiteboard (if available) Markers (for flipchart) / Pencils (for test) Attendance sheet Safety Topic blank test sheets (enough for all participants) (Recommended) Copy of the Occupational Health & Safety Act or copy of the Pocket Extract Facilitation Tips Read the entire safety topic to yourself, including the test questions, at least once before delivering it to your employees. Standing while you talk is preferable to sitting it s more engaging and helps the listener focus on the topic Speak a little slower and a little louder than feels comfortable for you: we tend to talk too quickly and quietly when standing in front of a group. After asking a question, pause for a few seconds to give employees a chance to formulate their response Follow the Safety Topic content to stay on track Records Management Attendance sheet: o Have everyone sign the attendance sheet with their name and IEC number Test sheets: o Ensure employees fill in the Name, Date, Company and IEC # sections on their test sheet o Collect completed test sheets and file them in accordance with your company procedure Upload Records: o Use your attendance sheet to upload training records to the IEC database 1 of 5
Origin Date: 06/18/2012 Page 2 of 5 SAFETY TOPIC DELIVERY KICKOFF Begin the session by explaining that this is the monthly safety topic which every contractor in the Chemical Valley will deliver to their employees. The Valley-wide topics for July 2012 are Asbestos, RCF (Refractory Ceramic Fibers) and H 2 S. Let s have a look at asbestos first. PART 1: ASBESTOS Key Properties of Asbestos: Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined from the earth. There are 3 common types of asbestos: Amosite, Chrysotile, and Crocidolite. Asbestos has a number of unique characteristics which make it a very useful substance. It is virtually indestructible, an excellent heat insulator, resistant to chemicals, strong and very flexible. Due to these useful properties, asbestos was used in over 3,000 different applications in the past. Asbestos products are classified according to their friability. Q: What does friable and non-friable mean? Friable means asbestos can be easily crumbled into dust by hand pressure. Non-friable means it cannot be easily crumbled into dust by hand pressure Friable and non-friable asbestos are handled differently Non-friable, asbestos-containing products have the asbestos bonded to another material, so they pose less of a risk than friable. However, if damaged or disturbed, the asbestos in the materials can become friable. Q: What are the 3 main diseases associated with asbestos? Asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma Being exposed to asbestos and smoking greatly increases the risk of lung cancer. Asbestos related diseases can take 20-40 years to develop. Exposure to asbestos does not mean that you will develop one of these diseases. We ve all been exposed to asbestos over our lifetimes as it is present in minute amounts in air and water. Our body also has natural defense mechanisms to protect it from harm (e.g. nose hairs, cilia in our respiratory tracts, mucus blanket, and cough reflex). Q: What should you do if you re accidentally exposed to ACM? Stop all work immediately that might disturb friable asbestos Don t leave the area if your clothes/equipment have been contaminated and ensure that proper decontamination procedures are followed Notify your supervisor immediately Prevent further exposure to you and others 2 of 5
Origin Date: 06/18/2012 Page 3 of 5 Location and Identification of Asbestos in the Field: Asbestos is not used in new construction but can be found in several plants here in the valley. Q: What are some examples of where asbestos may still be present in the valley? Insulation on piping, ducts, furnaces, boilers, cement pipe elbows, gaskets, tower track packing, sprayed-on fireproofing, door and hatch seals, wall and ceiling insulation, laboratory hoods and bench tops. Asbestos cannot be identified by appearance alone. Proper identification and confirmation of asbestos requires testing by a qualified professional. It is important to remember that some products that contain asbestos may not be identified. Always assume these products contain asbestos and alert your supervisor to any of these situations. Most sites have developed a colour coding system to indicate both asbestos and non-asbestos containing material. Q: What colours are generally used to distinguish asbestos and non-asbestos containing material? Blue for non-asbestos and red for asbestos containing material. Controls of Asbestos: For your protection: Know where asbestos containing materials can be found on the units you re working in If you encounter damaged or disturbed ACM alert your supervisor Do not disturb or sample material that is not marked Remember asbestos that is termed friable is easily broken up and is therefore more likely to become an airborne hazard Know the site procedures for removing asbestos (including WHO may remove asbestos) Know what controls are in place for working around asbestos (i.e. wear the proper PPE) PART 2: RCF Key Properties of RCF: RCF is a man-made mineral fibre that replaced asbestos in high heat applications. RCF poses risks to health. The greatest risk of exposure to RCF is through inhalation. RCF is a possible human carcinogen. Used or after-service RCF may contain crystalline silica (cristobalite) which is classified as cancer-causing. Repeated exposure to crystalline silica may cause a respiratory disease known as silicosis. Location and Identification of RCF in the field: Q: RCF is used in several applications. What are some of them? Thermal insulation in industrial boilers Heat resistant applications 3 of 5
Safety Topic July 2012 High temperature pipe and vessel insulation Furnace liners and heating element supports High temperature gaskets and seals Fire protection systems. Origin Date: 06/18/2012 Page 4 of 5 RCF can be found at some sites in the valley. The most common area is at NOVA in the heaters and also at IOL. Controls of RCF: Before working in an RCF environment, workers must receive a respiratory protection fit test. Protect yourself using a respirator and other PPE. When dealing with RCF, there will be specific procedures and controls outlined on your permit. There is also an MSDS for RCF. Q: Ask, where would you get procedures for working with RCF? From your supervisor or plant contact person PART 3: H2S Key Properties of H 2 S: H 2 S can be found in oil and gas industries. These are its unique properties. Colourless so you can t see it Smells like rotten eggs at low concentrations Flammable readily mixes with air to form a highly explosive reaction Dissolves in water, hydrocarbon and liquid sulphur Heavier than air and can be found in low lying areas Q: H 2 S is a poisonous gas. How does it affect the body? Low level concentrations are irritating to the nose and throat Your sense of smell is paralyzed at moderate concentrations (about 100 parts per million). Therefore, do not rely on your nose to warn you of H 2 S! Affects the Central Nervous System and your ability to breathe. H 2 S is highly toxic and can kill in seconds! Location and Identification of H 2 S in the field: Q: Given that H 2 S is heavier than air, where are you likely to find it? Bottom of vessels, ditches or trenches, tank levees, dike walls, drains & sewers, containment areas, confined spaces finds low-lying areas H 2 S can be found anywhere in a plant. Processes can create or concentrate H 2 S. H 2 S will be identified where it is present There are a number of warning systems in place to help protect you from the hazards of H 2 S including: H 2 S monitors, alarms for toxic vapour releases, windsocks and signs An H 2 S monitor goes off at 10 parts per million (ppm) 4 of 5
Safety Topic July 2012 Origin Date: 06/18/2012 Page 5 of 5 Wind direction is important. You should remain upwind from the source of a H 2 S leak and travel in a crosswind direction. Controls of H 2 S: Wear the appropriate respiratory protection in an H 2 S area Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) or Supplied Air Breathing Apparatus (SABA) Remember that H 2 S can kill in seconds Know the meaning of H 2 S signs Pay attention to alarms and know what the alarm is for a toxic vapour release on the site. Be aware of the location of safety showers, eye wash stations, and safe havens. Be mindful of wind direction check windsocks, flares, flags, trees, etc. If you are working in/near an H 2 S area and someone is overcome by H 2 S, do not attempt a rescue. You may be overcome by H 2 S as well. Get out of the area immediately and get help. SUMMARY In the valley, there are numerous hazards you may come across while doing your job. Asbestos, RCF and H 2 S are 3 examples. The safe work permit will identify these potential hazards and indicate how to control the potential hazards. Be aware of the site-specific procedures for dealing with these substances. SAFETY TOPIC TEST 1. Everyone, including facilitator, completes the test. 2. Facilitator takes up test answers and provides clarification as needed. 3. Facilitator collects all tests and files them in accordance with company procedure 4. Facilitator will upload records to the IEC database upon completion of test 5 of 5