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IN YOUR OWN WORDSIN YOUR OWN WORDS

Just because theyre out of sight, doesnt mean

chemical hazards should be out of mind as well. In our

November/December 2010 Whats wrong with this

photo contest, which featured a worker inside a paint spray

booth, readers from a wide range of occupations were quick to

identify the subtle dangers associated with chemical spraying.

WorkSafeBC occupational hygiene officer Bessam Alhashimi

spotted the following offences in this months photo:

This scenario requires the use of material safety data sheets

(MSDS).

Housekeeping is an issue, with pails of paint near the work

area, a spray hose on the floor, and a box near the paint

storage area, etc.

The worker is spraying outside the spray booth.

The baffles in the spray booth are not installed properly.

The worker is wearing a dust mask and should be wearing a

half-mask respirator with organic vapour cartridges, at a

minimum. The proper respirator is hanging outside the spray

booth.

The worker is not wearing eye protection, such as safety

goggles.

The worker should be wearing face protection, such as a face

shield.

The worker is not wearing coveralls to protect his clothing.

He is wearing street clothes while spraying. A hat worn

backwards is not enough to protect his head.

Theyre invisible but you

spotted them anyway

Ergonomics is an issue: the worker is leaning over his work

and using the wrong wrist position.

Wood strips on the floor of the spray booth present a trippinhazard.

A number of fire hazards are present: the electrical cord

inside the spray booth looks like it has been patched up

and is not safe to use. A pail of flammable material without a

lid is near the work area. The sprayer cart contains a jug of

flammable solvent.

Now its your turn. See our centre-spread, pullout poster for a

closer look at commercial kitchen hazards.

TheemployeesofGE-HitachiTorontowinacarsafetykitfortheirletter!

Electr ical empl oyees excit ed about spot ti ng hazards

Editor, WorkSafe Magazine (Re: November/December issue, Whats wrong with this photo?)

GE-Hitachi Toronto employees were motivated by their EHS (environmental health and safety)

department to participate in your contest. They were excited to contribute to an exercise aimed

at improving workplace conditions and reducing and eliminating hazards. This section is now

part of our monthly quizzes; our employees think this is a fun way to learn about hazards in the

WorkSafe Magazine January / February 2011 5

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workplace and how to keep themselves safe.

The following list reflects the most common answers from our

employees. If we win the contest, we will do a raffle for the prize.

We would like to keep encouraging participation in these types

of activities.

Safety first!Our group includes, as follows: Cosimo Zaffinom, production

operator; Joe Budgell, decontamination operator; Vishnu

Dhanbir, production operator; Lester Allen, production operator;

Mira Novacic, quality assurance inspector; Alina Olejnik,

production operator; Ally Layacen, decontamination operator;

Zvonko Djuric, production operator; Owen Hamilton, production

operator; Mohammed Awais, production operator; Brian

Greenslade, millwright; Earl Sinclair, production operator/

group leader/JHSC member; Jose Ramondino, decontamination

operator; Khalid Rabbani, decontamination operator; Charles

Purrier, group leader; Rocco Giovanniello, decontamination

operator; Al Ramondino, production operator/JHSC member;

Denis Enright, millwright; Fahim Sachedina, production

operator.

Here are the hazards we identified:

The half-face respirator is not adequately stored; it should be

kept in a sealed bag

Inadequate respiratory protection: a half-face respirator is

required for a painting task, instead of a dust mask

The operator is using prescription glasses instead of safety

glasses with side shields

An inadequate workstation is creating an awkward position

to perform a painting job

Poor housekeeping practices: working around clutter

The chemical storage methods are incorrect

Trip and slip hazards

Dark areas indicate the need for proper lighting

Does this place have proper ventilation? No ventilation is

observed

No safety poster has been posted in the area regarding the

type of PPE (personal protective equipment) required, and

the working area offers limited access

Ergonomic hazards: the storage system is inappropriate and

the cabinets are too low and have an inappropriate design

Fire hazard: the wooden cabinets are used to store

flammable, five-gallon pails instead of metal shelves

No grounding is provided for flammable containers

Safety shoes are needed; its not clear the worker is wearing

these

The MSDS (material safety data sheets) station is

inappropriate

The gloves are on the bench instead of the operators hands;

safety gloves are not being used

Open, loose clothing while working: coveralls are required

for this type of work

No WHMIS (workplace hazardous materials information

system) is available in the workplace

No control of chemicals is being used at the workplace; no

MSDS binder/electronic system is in place, either

No labels have been affixed to the containers stored on the

shelves; there is no associated WHMIS

Judging by the way the operator is performing his painting

task, the worker has received no education or training about

WHMIS

Earplugs are not being used while painting, even though the

area would be very noisy while working with air compressors

No safety signs exist for required PPE. (Ear protection is

required, a half-face respirator is required, hard-toe

shoes/boots are required, etc.)

The area is inadequate for a painting job; an enclosed

area/paint booth is required

Electrical hazards: electrical cords are behind the operator;

this is an inadequate location for these cords

Does the workplace have a hazardous waste procedure?

Paint, paint removers, and other chemicals used at a

painting workshop require proper chemical disposal

procedures

No fire extinguisher is present in the area; an appropriate

extinguisher is required in case of fire

Does the workplace have a spill response procedure? Spill

response procedures are required to address potential

chemical spills or accidents in the workplace

Maria E. Urdaneta

EHS specialist

GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada Inc.

Toronto, Ontario

January / February 2011 WorkSafe Magazine6

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Watch out for wi ldly unpredictable

air hoses

Editor, WorkSafe Magazine (Re: November/December issue,

Whats wrong with this photo?)

Worksite issues:

The back wall has an opening, which could cause paint

fumes to escape

The MSDS (material safety data sheets) station has no

information available, and if there were, this location is not

accessible or suitable

Open chemical containers have been placed on the bench

Poor storage practices are being employed for all

paints/chemicals; no explosion-proof containment is

provided

No fire extinguishers are present, and all chemicals are

flammable

The paint spray hoses are all over the place: tripping hazards

The air-line hose hanging over the plank could fall and cause

an air leak, or the hose could separate from the air nozzle,

causing high pressure air to disturb matter on the floor and

also causing the air-line to swing around wildly

Two extension cords are unsecured and present a tripping

hazard, plus evidence is visible regarding the need for

repairs

An unknown object is hanging with an unsecured extension

cord on the beam behind the worker

Large chemical/paint cans are all over the floor and in a

direct line to the pressure pot, so the worker would need to

walk around or over them, or move them to refill the pot.

Some are open and one is on its side

The lighting is very poor

Worker issues:

No hearing protection is provided, yet an air gun is in the

work space

It looks like the worker has runners on his feet, not

steel-toed safety boots

The workers shirt is untucked: a possible catch hazard;

plus, his skin is exposed to spray

The worker is not wearing gloves

He is not wearing a proper respirator; this is a particle mask

The worker is not wearing safety glasses

He is wearing improper head gear

The employee should be in a paint suit that covers him head

to toe, and wearing gloves and a face shield respirator

The respirator is hanging on a hook in an exposed

environment. This needs to be worn or in lock-up in a sealed

airtight container, so it will not absorb chemicals into the

filter system

There is no explosion cabinet

There is a trip hazard behind the worker in the form of

cardboard, some wood planks, and perhaps, a metal object

The worker is outside the spray area and no ventilation is

apparent. The spray booth door is open partially; this may b

a ventilation system. If it is, the pleated door should beclosed

Chris Young

Facilities manager and co-chair of the district

occupational health and safety committee

School District #47

Powell River, B.C.

Fire, electr ical, exposure, and tr ipping hazards abound

Editor, WorkSafe Magazine (Re: November/December issue, Whats wrong with this photo?)

The shop in general:

The sawhorse is old and contaminated, and banded together with a surface texture that looks like incompatible chemicals have

mixed (the wood surface is crusty and bubbly)

The drywall on the back wall is buckling, and the black mark indicates possible water damage and mould

Half-face respirators with cartridges are stored incorrectly, allowing for cartridge loading and contamination

The yellow, electrical extension cord has been repaired in at least two places, as is evident from the duct tape. The cord should be

taken out of service. It also appears that the cord is frequently used; a wired outlet is required, rather than an extension cord

The worksite might need explosion-proof light fixtures

WorkSafe Magazine January / February 2011 7

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Picture imperfectEver since we began running our Whats wrong with this photo contest,

weve been inundated with requests from readers wanting to use this

feature to educate their employees or co-workers. This month, weve

responded accordingly. Turn to our centre-spread to see a spot-the-hazard

feature thats grown in size and scope, ideal for placing on a worksite wall

or bulletin board. Its your chance to spread the word about what

constitutes dangerous work habits, and to remind everyone that

workplace safety is a shared responsibility.

The overhead ballasts lack a protective cover for fluorescent

tubes; this could present a potential hazard if ladders are

used in this area

There is no ventilation in the shop and no exhaust hood; as

well, the windows do not open

There is a tripping hazard behind the worker (wood, etc.)

The area shows a general lack of any safety signage or

information

The work space doesnt show the best housekeeping

Chemicals in the shop:

There is no sign of an appropriate storage cabinet for

flammables

There is no sign of WHMIS labeling on the plastic container

of gold liquid resting on the bench surface

The MSDS (material safety data sheets) station is empty.

Where is the binder or other safety resource?

Open pails of flammable chemicals have been placed on the

floor

A combustible box has been placed in front of flammable

chemicals

Paint brushes are sitting in an old pail with what looks like

paint thinner close by; its likely that the open pail contains

flammable liquid

Compressed air issues:

The paint-mixing vessel is on a rolling cart with a charged,

compressed line on the floor with the tip still attached

Another charged, compressed air-line is sitting on one of the

sawhorses; the nozzle on the end indicates the worker will

likely use this inappropriately to clean off his clothes after

the task is done

The worker:

Is not wearing safety glasses or goggles

Is using a sprayer with a pistol grip and significant supination

with ulnar deviation

Is using the wrong respirator (he should be using a half-mask

with cartridges)

Is incorrectly wearing a N95 respirator (straps)

Is performing work in an unventilated area

Is wearing loose clothing

Is not wearing gloves (but is painting them with overspray)

Looks clean-shaven

Thanks. This was fun!

Rebecca Chow, CRSP, CDMP

Manager, health and safety Human Resources

City of Victoria

Victoria, B.C.

CorrectionReaders expressed a lot of interest in Basic training, a

story we published in the November/December issue on

injury prevention for employees with developmental

disabilities. However, the story incorrectly states that copies

of the new WorkSmart training video are available through

WorkSafeBC. In fact, those interested in ordering the DVD

should contact Kirsti Inglis, video creator and assistant

director of Employment Services at the Developmental

Disabilities Association. She can be reached at

604 273-9778 or KInglis@develop.bc.ca.

January / February 2011 WorkSafe Magazine8