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Injury Prevention Resources for Construction - Hazardous Materials
Asbestos | Dust | Lead | Paints & Coatings | Silica
The following links list tools, publications, and other resources to help prevent the most common injuries and illnesses in the construction industry. These resources may not meet all the requirements for health and safety in British Columbia. Please check the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and related materials for specific WorkSafeBC requirements.
Asbestos
Asbestos in Demolition and Renovation
Slide show demonstrating some of the common places where asbestos can be found in a home.
Source: WorkSafeBC 
Hazard Alerts and bulletins about asbestos
Source: WorkSafeBC
Asbestos Hazards in Demolition, Renovation and Salvage WS 03-03
A WorkSafe Bulletin.
Source: WorkSafeBC
Also available in Chinese and Punjabi.
Asbestos Hazards When Renovating Older Homes PH71 (PDF 316 KB)
Asbestos products may be found in older homes. This brochure explains the hazards of asbestos exposure for homeowners who are doing renovations. It provides sources of information for homeowners and employers.
Source: WorkSafeBC
Safe Work Practices for Handling Asbestos BK27 (PDF 1 MB)
This booklet describes the safe methods of handling all types of asbestos-containing materials. It discusses suitable work procedures for the removal, enclosure, and encapsulation of friable asbestos materials.
Source: WorkSafeBC
Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.
Updated: August 2006
An Evaluation of Glove Bag Containment in Asbestos Removal (PDF 3 MB)
This report examines the effectiveness of the glove bag control method to prevent asbestos emissions during the removal of asbestos-containing pipe lagging.
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Asbestos Standard for the Construction Industry
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
OSHA Asbestos Advisor 2.0
"The Asbestos Advisor is an interactive compliance assistance tool. Once installed on your PC, it can interview you about buildings and worksites, and the kinds of tasks workers perform there. It will produce guidance on how the Asbestos standard may apply to those buildings and that work. Its guidance depends on your answers. It can provide general guidance and may, also, be focused on a particular project. It provides pop-up definitions through 'hypertext'."
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
OSHA Technical Links: Asbestos
List of "technical links" to internal and external online resources.
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
eLCOSH Asbestos Links
Various resources on asbestos.
Source: eLCOSH (Electronic Libarary of Construction Occupational Safety and Health)
Vermiculite Insulation Containing Asbestos
"Some vermiculite insulation may contain asbestos fibres. These products can cause health risks if disturbed during maintenance, renovation or demolition."
Source: Health Canada
Dust
Control of Drywall Sanding Dust Exposures
Construction workers who sand drywall joint compound are often exposed to high concentrations of dusts and, in some cases, respirable silica. This bulletin describes controls to reduce or eliminate the amount of exposure. (NIOSH Hazard Controls)
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Control of Wood Dust from Automated Routers
"NIOSH researchers found that the wood dust generated by automated routers is generally not adequately controlled. To address this problem, researchers designed and tested a new control system that substantially reduced dust emissions." (NIOSH Hazard Controls)
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Control of Wood Dust from Horizontal Belt Sanders
"Surveys by NIOSH researchers indicated that wood dust from the horizontal belt sanders used in woodworking was not effectively controlled. As a result, researchers developed an inexpensive auxiliary ventilation system for the horizontal belt sanders that significantly reduced wood dust emissions into the workroom." (NIOSH Hazard Controls)
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Control of Wood Dust from Large Diameter Disc Sanders
"Surveys by NIOSH researchers found that wood dust created by large diameter disc sanders is often not effectively controlled. To address this problem, researchers designed a ventilation control system that significantly reduced wood dust emissions into the workroom." (NIOSH Hazard Controls)
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Control of Wood Dust from Orbital Hand Sanders
"NIOSH researchers found that the wood dust generated by orbital hand sanders is often poorly controlled. To address this problem, researchers designed and tested a new control system for these hand sanders that significantly reduced dust emissions." (NIOSH Hazard Controls)
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Control of Wood Dust from Random Orbital Hand Sanders
"NIOSH researchers found that wood dust created by random orbital hand sanders is often poorly controlled. To address this problem, researchers designed and tested a new control system for these hand sanders that significantly reduced dust emissions." (NIOSH Hazard Controls)
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Control of Wood Dust from Shapers
"Surveys by NIOSH researchers found that the dust from wood shapers tends to be poorly controlled. The amount of wood dust emitted was found to depend on the sharpness of the cutter, the depth of the cut, the rate at which the wood is fed into the shaper, and the location of the exhaust hood. After studying the usual hood exhaust placement, researchers developed an improved hood configuration that significantly reduced wood dust emissions." (NIOSH Hazard Controls)
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Control of Wood Dust from Table Saws
"NIOSH researchers found that the wood dust generated by table saws is often poorly controlled. To address this problem, researchers designed and tested a control system for table saws that significantly reduced wood dust emissions." (NIOSH Hazard Controls)
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Lead
Lead: Preventing Exposure at Work BK17 (PDF 515 KB)
This booklet explains lead exposure, its health effects, and ways to prevent it.
Source: WorkSafeBC
Children of Construction Workers at Increased Risk for Lead Poisoning
"In the first comprehensive study of home lead contamination among construction workers, researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found that children of lead-exposed construction workers were six times more likely to have blood lead levels over the recommended limit than children whose parents did not work in lead-related industries."
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Preventing Lead Poisoning in Construction Workers
Lead poisoning may occur in workers during abrasive blasting, sanding, cutting, burning, or welding of bridges and other steel structures coated with lead-containing paints. This NIOSH Alert provides case reports of 42 constructions workers at 8 different worksites who developed lead poisoing, and recommends measures for reducing lead exposure and preventing lead poisoning among workers involved in demolishing or maintaining bridges and other steel structures.
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Controlling Lead Exposures in the Construction Industry: Engineering and Work Practice Controls
"This chapter [Section V, Chapter 3] provides OSHA compliance officers and safety and health professionals with general information on the types of construction activities involving worker exposure to lead and the feasible engineering and work practice controls to reduce these exposures. The construction activities identified range from those such as abrasive blasting and welding, cutting, and burning, where exposures to lead are often high, to encapsulating lead-based paint or using lead pots, where exposures are generally low."
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
Lead in Construction (PDF 1 MB)
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
OSHA Lead in Construction Advisor 1.0
"This program provides interactive expert help on OSHA's Lead in Construction standard (29CFR1926.62). Once installed on your PC, it asks you about work policies and practices. Then, it asks follow-up questions based on your answers, in order to provide help regarding coverage of the rule, initial determinations, use of exposure data, and more."
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
OSHA Technical Links: Lead Exposure
List of "technical links" to internal and external online resources.
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
Controlling Lead Exposures in the Construction Industry: Engineering and Work Practice Controls
OSHA Technical Manual, Section V: Chapter 3
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration)
Guides for Managing Lead Constrol Programs in Construction
Includes a PDF document, checklists, infosheets and sample forms.
Source: The Blueprint Project
eLCOSH Lead Links
Various resources on lead.
Source: eLCOSH (Electronic Libarary of Construction Occupational Safety and Health)
Model Specifications for the Protection of Workers from Lead on Steel Structures, Revised September 2002
"The deteriorating condition of the nation's transportation infrastructure combined with the potential for high lead exposures associated with bridge restoration work threatens workers and their families with a high risk of lead poisoning absent a comprehensive approach to prevention."
Source: eLCOSH and CPWR (Centre to Protect Workers Rights)
Paints and Coatings
Lead-based Paint
Many older homes in Canada are decorated with lead-based paint. Removing or disturbing this paint as part of a renovation project could expose people in the home to serious health risks.
Source: Health Canada
Protecting Workers Exposed to Lead-Based Paint Hazards: A Report to Congress
This report summarizes current information regarding the health effects of occupational lead exposures, high-risk exposure settings, surveillance and intervention capabilities, and methods for control, sampling and analysis of lead exposures. It also provides recommendations for reducing hazardous occupational lead abatement exposures.
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Methyl isocyanate
Information for immediately dangerous to life or health concentrations (IDLHs)
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
eLCOSH Paints and Coatings Links
Various resources on paints and coatings.
Source: eLCOSH (Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health)
Isocynates in Construction
Presented at the 14 Annual Construction Safety Conference and Expo, February 2004
Source: eLCOSH (Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health)
International Hazard Datasheets on Occupation - Glazier
This datasheet lists, in a standard format, different hazards to which glaziers may be exposed in the course of their normal work. This datasheet is a source of information rather than advice. With the knowledge of what causes injuries and diseases, is easier to design and implement suitable measures towards prevention.
Source: International Occupational Safety and Health Information Centre (CIS)
Institute Studies
The following published papers are on studies which have been sponsored, in full or in part, by the International Isocyanate Institute, Inc. They are available through normal library services. Please note that items published in conference proceedings are not peer-reviewed.
Source: International Isocyanate Institute, Inc.
SDK Develops Innovative Isocyanate Monomer
Press release. "SDK has developed the world's first process for commercial production of a monomer containing both isocyanate- and acrylic-groups."
Source: Showa Denko K.K.
Methyl isocyanate
Haz-Map site on Methyl isocyanate.
Source: Haz-Map (Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents)
Isocyanates
"Isocyanates can cause asthma and other lung problems, even with very low exposure levels. Isocyanates can also irritate your eyes, nose, throat, and skin."
Source: Department of Health Services, Oakland
Breathing Hazards at Work
Article describing how workplace exposures can generate breathing hazards.
Source: American Lung Association
Spraying of Polyurethane Foam Insulation on Construction Projects
"Polyurethane foam is being used more and more as an insulation material in residential construction. Recent experience indicates that some contractors may not be providing workers who handle it with adequate respiratory protection or training in proper work and hygiene practices."
Source: Yukon Worker's Compensation Health and Safety Board
Welding on Expoxy Coatings Can Cause Irritating Fumes
A Lessons Learned publication. "Lessons Learned Statement: Failure to remove epoxy coatings in hidden areas such as joint seams prior to welding may result in generation of hazardous fumes."
Source: Department of Energy, Richland Operations Office
Silica
Employers are required under Section 5.54 (Exposure control plan) of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) to develop an exposure control plan (ECP) when workers are or may be exposed to airborne silica dust in excess of 50% of the exposure limit.
To assist occupational health and safety professionals with this task, WorkSafeBC has posted the following sample documents (in editable Microsoft Word format), which can be used to help create an employer’s ECP. Note that these sample documents are not sufficient to constitute an ECP; a WorkSafeBC occupational hygiene officer would have to make a determination as to whether or not a completed ECP meets the requirements of the OHSR.
| Title: | Developing a silica exposure control plan (Word 476kb)  |
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| Description: | This guidance document provides information on each of the required elements of an ECP, as follows:
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| Title: | Exposure control plan for cutting fibrous cement board (Word 95kb) |
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| Description: | The cutting of fibrous cement board without proper dust controls can generate high levels of silica-containing dust. Breathing in this fine dust can cause a serious lung disease called silicosis, which is characterized by scarring and thickening of the lung and can result in death. This information will help contractors develop an Exposure Control Plan (ECP) for work involving the cutting of fibrous cement board. | ||
Crystalline Silica Dust Exposure in Construction (PDF 176 KB)
"Worker exposure to crystalline silica and other air contaminants often goes unchecked because some businesses lack organized respiratory protection programs or employee training."
Source: Yukon Worker's Compensation Health and Safety Board
eLCOSH Silica Links
Various resources on silica.
Source: eLCOSH (Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health)
New Shroud Design Controls Silica Dust from Surface Mine and Construction Blast Hole Drills
(NIOSH Hazard Control)
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Nationwide Alert on Silicosis
"A nationwide Alert to warn workers involved in rock drilling that they may be at risk for developing silicosis -- a chronic, irreversible, sometimes fatal, respiratory disease which is completely preventable."
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NIOSH Warns of Silicosis Risks in Construction, Suggests Measures to Reduce Exposure
"Exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust during construction activities can cause silicosis -- a serious and potentially fatal respiratory disease -- but employers and workers can take practical steps to reduce risks, according to an Alert released by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)."
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
NIOSH Silica Topic Page
Provides links to various documents.
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Preventing Silicosis and Deaths from Sandblasting
This Alert describes 99 cases of silicosis from exposure to crystalline silica during sandblasting. It recommends measures to reduce such exposures in the workplace.
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
OSHA Technical Links: Silica, Crystalline
List of "technical links" to internal and external online resources.
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
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