Keeping Health And Safety Up To Code
John S. Manuel, Environmental Health Perspectives Vol. 111
Deconstruction does pose certified employee hazards, compared to demolition; which is why
hazard protection is so imperative. "In the largest part demolition projects, the employee is sitting by an enclosed yellow cab of a winch or else excavator knocking down the building from the outside," says Brian McVay, project director of DeConstruction Services. "In deconstruction, workers are inside the building, each face all sorts of evident health hazards. They're breathing the dust, pulling resources down, pulling them out to the curb."
Deconstruction typically involves a labor-intensive multistep process with the aim of requiring the service provider to give special attention to occupational health and safety issues. A key step involves a two-part situate assessment to identify both type of material used within the building, its condition, the way it is attached to the environment, and the ease of removal. This is performed through a thorough visual
inspection cleaning of the building, followed by a invasive inspection in which pieces of floors, ceilings, and walls are disinterested to assess hidden layers.
If dangerous materials are identified, they have to removed completely before deconstruction can proceed. The most commonly found hazardous materials are asbestos and lead-based paint. "We come across asbestos all the time in this industry," says McVay. "You find it in the pipe insulation, duct insulation, ceiling tiles, roofing, siding. . . . It's in nearly each construction site ahead of a certified age."
Once contractors come across asbestos, they will always call a specialty service provider to remove it. Both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the EPA have specific rules pertaining to the protection of workers and the exclusion of asbestos. OSHA Construction Standard 29 CFR 1926.110 1 establishes procedures used for caring for workers involved in building demolition and reconstruction someplace asbestos is disinterested or else encapsulated. The standard divides asbestos work into four classes, both with its own requirements. Class I covers removal of thermal filling or else external material, such to the same degree sprayed-on fireproofing. Class II covers removal of asbestos-containing wallboard, floor tile and shell, and roofing and siding shingles. Class III refers to darn and maintenance run someplace asbestos-containing resources are likely to come about disturbed. Class IV covers maintenance and custodial activities in which employees come into direct contact with asbestos containing resources.
Used for the largest part of these types, asbestos removal work is conducted by regulated areas, by solitary qualified and authorized personnel wearing respirators and other safety gear can enter. The EPA's resident giving out values used for risky Air Pollutants (40 CFR 61 Subpart M) establishes what is needed for removing asbestos, preventing the make public of fibers into the air, and disposing of the leftovers.
With this in mind, OSHA guideline 29 CFR 1926.62 requires employers in construction, demolition, and deconstruction to follow procedures to best prevent workers from exposure to potentially damaging quantities of lead dust. Depending on the level of exposure, workers will have to wear respirators and even safety-type clothing.
Health Hazards to Construction Workers in the Demolition of Two Tenement Buildings reports on health assessments-including blood screening and airborne monitoring of lead dust and asbestos --as well to the same degree an onsite assessment of work practices and hygiene. Unfortunately, low participation amid the workers (only two participated in the blood screening) rendered the individual monitoring results of questionable substance. Airborne monitoring revealed lofty lead exposures from specific activities (burning of resources coated in lead-based paint} and big levels of respirable dust, though the latter fell underneath
OSHA industry standards. The largest part which was upsetting to investigators was the lack of dust control procedures (such as wearing of safety materials) were not implemented, nor were workers provided with respirators.
by:joe thorton
Health And Safety In The Deconstruction Industry RIAA + Broadcasters Lobbying For FM Radio In Every Cell Phone, PDA Deconstruction Safety Practices How to Ensure Your Child's Nursery Safety Health And Safety Concerns In The Field Of Deconstruction Shopping For Electronics From Home Cheap electronic consumer products: A reality indeed Wearing Hard Hats to Ensure Safety Cost Of Safety Cost Of Safety In Operations Importance Of Safety In Regards To The Value Of Life Cost Of Safety Versus Value Of Life Golden State Warriors Vs Chicago Bulls Live Streaming NBA Gamecast Internet Feed Video Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage November 11,2010