Article: Body Preparation

In this article, Nicola Coote of PHSC Environmental identifies some common health and safety risks associated with body preparation activities, and seeks to give some common-sense advice on how to minimise them.

The hazards associated with preparation work are numerous and varied. Given below is an outline of the more common type of hazards that exist.

For more information see: Questions and answers

The hazards associated with preparation work and ways to reduce risk.

Musculo-skeletal disorders (eg RSI, back ache)

This includes a wide range of physical injuries associated with preparation work, including back ache and damage to muscles and tendons. A great deal of time is spent in a bent or restrained position, causing short term discomfort and increasing the risk of long term damage.

Reduce risk by:

• Job rotation or varying the work so the operator can change position
• Make workbenches and work areas at a comfortable working height, to reduce stooping.
• Alternatively offer adjustable height chairs, where this is feasible ensure there is a system for workers to report discomfort at an early stage.

Fire and explosion

Cutting and grinding activities are categorised under the term Ahot work@. This is because naked flames may be used (welding etc) or the tools become hot under friction and emit sparks. The risk of fire is higher when gas cylinders are present. These are highly flammable and can enrich the atmosphere with oxygen if they are not used and maintained properly.

If electrically powered tools are used, there is the risk of electrical overload, and subsequent fire.

Reduce risk by:

• Practice good housekeeping ie anything that can ignite easily is removed or kept away from the vicinity of hot work and naked flames.
• Frequently inspect valves on gas cylinders to ensure they are in good condition, and closed off properly when not in use. Check gas cylinders have correct regulators, flash back arrestors, hoses, clamps (not jubilee clips) and couplers for the gas and pressure being used.
• Store gas canisters away from general work areas when not in use. Cylinders should ideally stored outside in a secure area that is protected against the weather, or in a well ventilated room.
• Frequently inspect and regularly maintain (ideally six monthly and at least annually) any portable electrical equipment. Remove any damaged or defective equipment, to prevent someone trying to use it.

Sharp metal edges and glass

Cuts and abrasion injuries from metal and broken glass are common accidents and are often simply accepted as part of the job. The end result is pain or discomfort to the victim, but there are also more hidden health risks if chemicals or dirt seep into the open wound.

Reduce risk by:

Store metal and glass in safe areas where people are unlikely to collide with them, and they can be handled in a reasonable manner.

• Ensure workers are offered suitable gloves, and that they wear them.
• Ensure that workers do actually record injuries in the accident book so that it is possible to monitor whether your procedures are satisfactory.
• Ensure that there is an adequate first aid supply readily to hand.

Burns

These occur from welding and cutting activities and sometimes from handling hot metal that has been welded. Burn injuries seem to occur mostly on the hands and arms, although the face and eyes can sometimes be affected from radiated heat or ejected hot material.

Reduce risk by:

• Develop a safe method for undertaking welding and cutting activities.
• Consider whether face protection is warranted. Take particular care in selecting gloves to ensure that they resist heat and fire, but can also provide adequate grip.
• Undertake cutting and welding in an area of the workshop that enables good ventilation and housekeeping standards.

Slips and trips

This is the most common cause of accident in all workplaces, and not only body preparation areas.

Reduce risk by:

• Frequently checking walkways to ensure that tools and equipment have not been left
• Regularly clean the floor to reduce grease and dirt.
• Encourage workers to wear sensible shoes with good grip

Dust and swarf

This occurs from grinding and sanding processes. Some dust that is inhaled merely gets caught in the nose and throat, making people cough and sneeze. However, small particles of dust (known as respirable dust) can be inhaled into the lungs, and become lodged. Over a period of time this can cause respiratory disease, causing workers to have difficulty in breathing.

Swarf being ejected into someone's eye can result in serious eye damage, or blindness.

Reduce risk by:

• Fit local extraction ventilation equipment (LEV) to the sanding and grinding equipment so that dust is not emitted into the atmosphere.
• Provide a good level of general ventilation (open doors and windows)
• Vacuum rather than sweeping up when cleaning (and doing this frequently !)
• Provide suitable respiratory protective equipment (eg face mask to BS 6016 or a dust respirator with particulate filter cartridge)
• Offer suitable eye protection
• Check that respiratory and eye protective equipment is frequently checked, maintained, repaired or replaced as necessary
• Ensure that any LEV is regularly maintained, and formally tested at least every 14 months.

Body preparation questions and answers:

From 'Body' magazine, September 2001

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