Employee Safety Toolkit. Employee Safety Toolkit. Notes:

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1 Employee Safety Toolkit 1

2 Respiratory Hazards & Hazardous Gases 2

3 It is crucial to your health that you have a complete understanding of all possible respiratory hazards you may be exposed to on the farm. A respiratory hazard is anything in the air that can cause harm to workers or animals. 3

4 In swine confinement buildings, there are two forms of respiratory hazards. The first is long term or chronic hazards that affect the body slowly and over time. It is important to identify how certain hazards on the farm have the potential to harm or injure you. For example, long term hazardous exposures to dust may result in conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, or Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome. 4

5 Dust exposure may not be harmful in small amounts. However, dust is found almost everywhere, and may contain multiple hazardous components. For example, dust in a pork production facility may be composed of animal dander, hair, manure, feed particles, bacteria, and other biologically active components. When components such as endotoxins, viruses and bacteria attach themselves to the dust, a respiratory health hazard is possible. 5

6 You can control dust by washing down your facility regularly. You can protect yourself by wearing a dust mask and dilute the dust by bringing fresh air into the space. Tasks where you might be at higher risk of dust exposure may include: Sweeping Feeding 6

7 The second type of respiratory hazard is acute or immediate. An acute hazard makes people sick immediately upon exposure. Exposure to hazardous gases can be fatal. Many hazardous gases are odorless. Don t rely on your sense of smell to detect gases. 7

8 It is important to be able to identify the five gases that are released during normal pork production, the symptoms or reactions that exposure to them may cause, and the sources of those gases. Methane is released during decomposition and agitation of manure. Methane is a colorless, odorless, usually nontoxic gas. However, it is flammable and poses an explosion hazard. Watch for pit foam and use caution especially when agitating manure or pressure washing a room where ventilation has been reduced. Remove sources of ignition. Do not weld above a pit that is foaming. 8

9 Ammonia is released during decomposition and agitation of manure. Ammonia is a pungent, colorless, noxious gas, easily detected even in small concentrations. At low levels it can irritate eyes, throat, and lungs. Long-term exposure may make you more susceptible to respiratory diseases. Concentrations as low as 0.5 percent may cause suffocation. For hogs, at non-lethal levels, symptoms include sneezing, increased salivation and loss of appetite. Let your supervisor know if you suspect ammonia may be causing a problem. Keep facilities well ventilated. 9

10 Carbon Dioxide is released as animals and humans breathe. Carbon dioxide is a heavy, colorless, odorless, non-flammable gas. Humans have no reaction to low levels, but a 10 percent concentration will cause panting and dizziness. Carbon Dioxide euthanasia should be carried out in a well ventilated area. 10

11 Carbon Monoxide is released from unvented heaters and gas powered pressurewashers. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and very toxic gas. It can cause death at high concentrations. Use gas powered pressure washers in well ventilated areas. 11

12 Hydrogen Sulfide is released during decomposition and agitation of manure. Hydrogen sulfide is a flammable, poisonous gas that has an odor of rotten eggs but only at very low levels. Higher levels will deaden your sense of smell. Small amounts quickly and severely irritate eyes, throat, and lungs, in humans. Even low concentrations will cause immediate loss of consciousness and death. Constant exposure at low levels could induce a fear of light, nervousness and loss of appetite in animals. As concentration increases, animals will vomit and will suffer from diarrhea, and eventually death. Do not enter an area where hydrogen sulfide is suspected. Do not enter a barn where manure is being agitated. Being able to identify the source and effects or symptoms of certain respiratory hazards will help you prevent hazardous exposures to gases and may save your life! 12

13 If you suspect toxic gases are in an area, do not enter that area. If animals or people are down, assume the area contains hazardous levels of a toxic gas. Do not enter that area. Do not attempt a rescue. A supplied air respirator will be required to safely enter the area. Contact Emergency Medical Services according to the Emergency Action Plan. If animals only are affected, do not enter the area, and contact a supervisor. 13

14 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as masks and respirators, can help you do your job safely and help to prevent long-term health effects. Respirators and dust masks help block the entry of harmful gases and dust into the lungs. Wear a respirator or dust mask while performing work anywhere you may be exposed to harmful dusts, gases or sprays. Your employer will help determine which PPE is necessary and appropriate for each job.keep your PPE clean and in good shape and always return reusable PPE to its proper storage place when you are finished using it. 14

15 There are two categories of respirators, and your employer will help determine which one is right for your particular situation and will tell you if you need to have training, fitting or a medical evaluation before use. The first type is Air- Purifying Respirators.These respirators have filters, cartridges, or canisters to remove contaminants from the air you breathe, but do not supply oxygen. Examples of this type are: mechanical filter respirators, chemical cartridge respirator,gas masks, and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs). Dust masks are air purifying respirators. Dustmasks do not protect you against vapors or gases. The second type of respirator supplies the wearer oxygen and are called Supplied-Air Respirators. These respirators are the only kind to be used in areas considered immediately dangerous to life or health. These respirators must be used in manure pits, sealed silos, or fumigated bins. Two types of supplied-air respirators are:air line respirators and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). 15

16 It is important to identify situations in your work place where you are at higher risk of respiratory illness or injury. You would be at higher risk if the ventilation system broke down or if gas pressure washer were being used indoors. Poorly maintained or malfunctioning heaters can also be a threat. During winter you may be at a higher risk due to lower ventilation rates. Wear an SCBA or other supplied-air respirator if you are authorized and trained to enter a confined space such as a manure pit or grain bin. However, the National Pork Board recommends maintenance work only be performed by qualified service personnel. So, notify your supervisor if maintenance or entry into a confined space is necessary. Never enter a confined space alone or without proper equipment, proper authorization and training. 16

17 Following proper protocol for preventing respiratory illness will protect your health and could even save your life! 17