Safety Tidbit #13 - Introducing Workplace Violence

(adapted from https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/workplaceviolence/index.html)

Homicide is currently the fourth-leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in the United States. Workplace violence includes any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site. It ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide. However workplace violence manifests it is a major concern for employees and employers must take action.

Nearly 2 million American workers report having been victims of workplace violence each year. Unfortunately, many more cases go unreported. The truth is, workplace violence can strike anywhere, anytime, and no one is immune.

High-Risk Indicators:

1.      Exchanging money with the public and working with volatile, unstable people.

2.      Working alone or in isolated areas.

3.      Providing services and care, and working where alcohol is served.

4.      Working late at night or in areas with high crime rates.

High-Risk Occupations:

1.      Delivery drivers

2.      Healthcare professionals

3.      Public service workers

4.      Customer service agents

5.      Law enforcement personnel

6.      Or those who work alone or in small groups.

As usual, performing a hazard assessment implementing feasible precautions employers reduce the risk of workplace violence acts.  One of the best protections employers can offer their workers is to establish a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence. This policy should cover all workers, patients, clients, visitors, contractors, and anyone else who may come in contact with company personnel.  A well written and implemented Workplace Violence Prevention Program can be a separate workplace violence prevention program or can be incorporated into an injury and illness prevention program, employee handbook, or manual of standard operating procedures. Critical to success - Ensure all workers know the policy and understand that all claims of workplace violence will be investigated and remedied promptly.

OSHA Resources

• Updated Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers (EPUB^* | MOBI^*)). OSHA Publication (OSHA-3148), (2015).
• Enforcement Procedures for Investigating or Inspecting Workplace Violence Incidents. OSHA Directive CPL 02-01-052, (2011, September 8).
• Preventing Violence Against Taxi and For-Hire Drivers (PDF^*). OSHA Fact Sheet, (2010, April).
• Recommendations for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs in Late-Night Retail Establishments (PDF^*). OSHA Publication 3153-12R, (2009).

Safety Tidbit #12 - An Introduction to the OSHA Z-3 Table

We all know that the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits are woefully out of date. They should be considered the legal limit but not the safe limit.  OSHA has three tables of limits one for gases and vapors (Table Z-1) and one for particulates (Table Z-3).  That makes sense, however, they also have a list of high hazard chemicals (Table Z-2).  Most of us are familiar with the 8-hour Time-weighted averaged Permissible Exposure Limit as we mentioned a second ago. However, are you familiar with the Ceiling Limit? This level is the workers' permitted instantaneous exposure level. By default if instantaneous measurements are not possible then a default 15-minute period is sampled.  Now here’s the twist, this is Table Z-1 world.  Table Z-2 for the high hazard chemicals is quite a different animal.

Table Z-2 chemicals have a third level OSHA calls a Maximum Peak Concentration.  OSHA says the worker exposure level shall never exceed. OSHA further complicates this by specifying a particular duration of time  (e.g., 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc.) for this exposure (and it various by the chemical).  However, the worker can be exposed above the ceiling concentration (as found in Table Z-2) as long the overall daily exposure stays below the Permissible Exposure Limit.  I think an example is in order. We’ll take a simple one Toluene.

A worker cleans metal parts to remove grease or paint in preparation for the pickling process prior to coating the part.  The worker wipes the parts down using a rag soaked in the chemical stripper. The main ingredient in the stripper is toluene. The operation only lasts 10-15 minutes at a time and the worker cycles through the process 3-5 times per day.

Toluene – PEL = 200 ppm, Ceiling = 300 ppm, Maximum Peak Concentration = 500 for 10 minutes.

The industrial hygienist had one pump running to evaluate the 8-hour time-weighted average and one to evaluate the 10-15 minute exposures. The following results were collected:

TWA = 100 ppm

Cycle 1 = 400 ppm (15 minutes)

Cycle 2 = 300 ppm (15 minutes)

Cycle 3 = 600 ppm (10 minutes)

Questions:       Was the worker overexposed to Toluene according to OSHA’s regulations? 

How could the industrial hygienist have sampled the operation differently?

You thought I was going to give you the answer….that would be too easy.  Give me your thoughts.  Thanks for reading.