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Airline
caterers |
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An employee involved in the preparation
of meals for in-flight catering complained
of poor air quality and ill-health.
PHSC were called in to investigate.
We investigated the problem and found
that the likely cause was contamination
of the air-conditioning extract ducts,
which were situated near where pepper
pots were filled. The pepper dust could
have been micro-biologically contaminated,
and this could have been circulated
around the workplace. An improved programme
of duct cleaning was the recommended
solution. |
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Coach
company |
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A coach company commissioned an environmental
review, with the objective being to
comment upon the environmental impact
of the company’s activities, and
to assess the value and practicability
of working towards a recognised environmental
management standard, ISO 14001.
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Futon
manufacturer |
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An enforcement authority had visited
a futon manufacturer, who used imported
wool as filling material. The concern
was whether this posed any risk. PHSC
were called in to carry out a risk assessment.
We found that although the majority
of operators were using respiratory
protective equipment, none was adequate,
because it was not approved (ie not
CE marked). Some of the equipment had
been in continuous use for months. Although
the exposure levels were low, the fibrous
nature of the woollen material may cause
irritation to the upper airways, so
suitable respiratory protective equipment
was advisable. |
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Police
helmets |
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Following concerns raised by police
officers, PHSC were requested to determine
the noise levels produced by the communication
system within head protection helmets.
As there was no published methodology
for the determination of noise levels
from this type of equipment, it was
decided that the only way to reach an
approximation of the actual noise level
was to attempt to simulate a human head.
To do this, we constructed a wooden
template that could be inserted between
the two speakers, at an angle of about
65°, so that the microphone could
simulate a human ear. To reduce the
reverberation in the helmet cavity,
the surface of the block was covered
with foam. As a result of our measurements,
useful information on optimum volume
settings and noise exposure was obtained.
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Risks
to public in museum |
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A museum asked PHSC to prepare a report
to assist with a Heritage Lottery Fund
application. The application concerned
the reorganisation and development of
the museum site, which was to include
an opportunity for the public to witness
traditional crafts. The museum had identified
that there was a potential for visitors
to be placed at risk from exposure to
high levels of noise created by the
traditional machinery, and inhalation
of dust during the associated processes.
PHSC was able to advise on an appropriate
layout for the site, and the protective
measures that would have to be put in
place to reduce the risk of exposure
to dust and noise.
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