Identify all possible health and hygiene hazards and then focus on two (2) hazards in detail. One from the chemical hazard group and one from the biological hazard group
Angie works with cattle in an outdoor environment. This is very dusty work and she is normally removing dust from her clothes at the end of the day. The cattle graze on a mix of fresh grass and stored hay. After spreading the pesticide via an old tractor, Angie often complains of headaches and has shortness of breath.
You will be required to:
- Provide an overview of all potential chemical and biological hazards in this case study.
- Identify the two hazards that the report will focus on.
- For each hazard, explain the type of hazard, routes of exposure and the states of matter (if relevant) in which the hazard occurs.
- For each hazard, explain why the hazard presents a risk to workers’ health. This section must be justified using the literature such as legislation, texts and journal articles. You may include information about the toxicology of the chemicals, exposure, acute and chronic health effects as well as the health effects to workers and to industry as a whole.
- Describe the different ways that the hazards would be monitored and analyzed using occupational hygiene monitoring methods. This must be related to the case study chosen and include information about the standard methodology that is used for both the monitoring techniques and comparison of the findings against a benchmark or standard. You must include information about how the sampling and analysis would actually be carried out for each hazard. This will include information about how the sampling of workers would be decided, who should be sampled and if repeat samples are required.
- Describe the relevant Legislation, Codes and Standards which apply to these hazards and the issues involved with meeting these requirements.
- Use the Hierarchy of Control to outline the ways that the hazards can be controlled.
- The report should be written as an OHS officer or Health officer would write to upper management to convince them that an external Occupational Hygienist is required to undertake monitoring (however, a budget is not required).
Assessment Criteria
- This assessment will be graded according to the following criteria:
- Correctly identifies all possible hazards, explains the route of exposure for the two selected hazards (15%)
- Explains exposure and effect, and describes the potential health effects (20%)
- Describes the way that you would carry out monitoring for the hazards (15%)
- Outlines relevant legislative requirements and identifies the issues of compliance (15%)
- Proposes appropriate control measures (15%)
- Report structure and presentation including referencing (20%)