108 Personal Protective Equipment: Basic
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A
- Absorption. A route of entry by which hazardous substances pass through the skin or mucous membranes into the body.
- Acid. A substance with a pH less than 7 that can cause chemical burns upon contact. Acids are commonly used in construction materials and cleaning agents.
- Acute Effect. A health effect that appears soon after a single exposure or short-term exposure to a hazardous substance, often severe in nature.
- Asbestos. A mineral fiber once used in building materials, now known to cause lung disease, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma when inhaled.
- Awkward Postures. Body positions that deviate from the neutral posture, increasing strain on muscles and joints, contributing to musculoskeletal disorders.
B
- Base. A substance with a pH greater than 7, often caustic, that can cause burns or tissue damage upon contact. Bases are used in construction cleaning and preparation processes.
C
- Cement Dermatitis. A skin condition caused by repeated or prolonged contact with wet cement, leading to irritation, allergic reactions, or chemical burns.
- Chronic Effect. A long-term health effect that results from prolonged or repeated exposure to hazardous substances, such as cancer or organ damage.
- Cold Stress. Adverse health effects from exposure to cold environments, including frostbite, hypothermia, and trench foot.
- Confined Space. An area with limited entry and exit that is not designed for continuous occupancy and may present hazardous atmospheres or entrapment risks.
- Crush Injuries. Severe injuries caused by forceful compression of a body part, common in excavation or machinery operations.
D
- Decibel. A unit used to measure the intensity of sound. OSHA defines noise exposure limits based on decibel levels over an 8-hour period.
- Dust. Fine particles that can be inhaled, causing respiratory irritation or diseases such as silicosis or asthma, depending on the dust type.
E
- Ergonomic Hazard. Workplace conditions that pose a risk of musculoskeletal injury, including forceful exertions, awkward postures, and repetitive tasks.
- Exposure. Contact with a chemical, physical, or biological agent by inhalation, ingestion, absorption, or injection. Exposure can be acute or chronic.
F
- Fibers. Thin, elongated particles like asbestos or synthetic fibers that may become airborne and pose inhalation hazards.
- Frostnip. A mild form of frostbite characterized by red, numb skin, usually affecting fingers, ears, or nose during exposure to cold environments.
- Fumes. Tiny solid particles created by condensation of vaporized metal, such as during welding or cutting, that pose serious inhalation risks.
G
- Gases. Substances that exist in the gaseous state at room temperature and can pose inhalation risks or displace oxygen in confined spaces.
H
- Hazardous Atmosphere. An environment that contains harmful substances or lacks sufficient oxygen, posing a serious risk in confined spaces.
- Heat Cramps. Painful muscle spasms that occur during heavy physical labor in hot environments due to loss of electrolytes.
- Heat Exhaustion. A heat-related illness marked by heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, and fainting; if untreated, it can progress to heat stroke.
- Heat Rash. Skin irritation from excessive sweating in hot, humid conditions, common among construction workers in warm climates.
- Heat Stroke. The most severe heat illness, characterized by confusion, loss of consciousness, and a lack of sweating. It is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate medical attention.
- Heat Stress. A collective term for conditions caused by overexposure to heat, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
- Heavy Metals. Toxic metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium commonly found in construction materials and dusts, known for causing neurological and organ damage.
- Hyperthermia. A dangerously high body temperature caused by prolonged exposure to heat.
- Hypothermia. A potentially fatal condition in which the body temperature drops below 95ºF (35ºC), impairing brain and muscle function.
I
- Illness. A condition resulting from exposure to hazardous substances or environments that adversely affects health, either temporarily or permanently.
- Ingestion. A route of entry into the body through swallowing, often due to contamination of hands or food in unsanitary conditions.
- Injection. A route of entry where harmful substances enter the body through punctures or cuts in the skin, such as with high-pressure fluid leaks.
- Ionizing Radiation. High-energy radiation capable of removing electrons from atoms, which can cause cell damage and increase cancer risk. Examples include X-rays and gamma rays.
J
- Joint Disorder. A musculoskeletal condition affecting the joints, often caused by repetitive motion, awkward posture, or overexertion in construction work, leading to pain or reduced mobility.
K
- Keratoconjunctivitis. An eye condition often caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from welding without proper eye protection, resulting in inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva.
L
- Laceration. A deep cut or tear in the skin or flesh, commonly occurring in construction due to contact with sharp tools or materials. Lacerations can lead to infection or tissue damage if untreated.
- Lead. A toxic metal used in construction materials, especially old paints and pipes. Lead exposure can affect the nervous system and cause developmental issues.
- Lead Poisoning. A serious health condition resulting from exposure to lead dust or fumes, often in demolition or renovation work. Symptoms include neurological damage, abdominal pain, and developmental delays in children.
M
- Mists. Suspended droplets in the air, typically formed during spraying or cleaning operations, that can be inhaled and cause respiratory issues.
N
- Noise. Unwanted sound that can lead to hearing loss with prolonged exposure. Construction sites often exceed safe noise limits without proper ear protection.
O
- Occupational Disease. An illness directly caused by exposures or conditions encountered in the workplace, such as silicosis, asbestosis, or noise-induced hearing loss in construction.
- Overexertion. A physical hazard involving excessive physical effort such as lifting, pushing, or pulling heavy loads, often resulting in strains or sprains. It is a leading cause of workplace injuries.
P
- Paint Additives. Chemicals added to paint to improve performance, such as anti-mildew or color stabilization agents, which may include hazardous substances.
- Plaster Dust. Fine particulate matter created during sanding or mixing plaster, which can cause respiratory irritation or long-term lung damage if inhaled.
Q
- Qualitative Fit Test. A pass/fail method to test the seal of a respirator on a worker's face, using substances like saccharin or Bitrex to detect leakage and ensure proper respiratory protection.
- Quantitative Fit Test. A more precise method for measuring the effectiveness of a respirator's seal by using instrumentation to detect leakage levels. Often required for tight-fitting respirators in hazardous environments.
R
- Radiation. Energy emitted from a source that travels through space; can be ionizing (like X-rays) or non-ionizing (like UV radiation from welding), both posing health hazards depending on exposure.
- Raynaud’s Syndrome. A condition in which fingers or toes become numb and white due to restricted blood flow, often triggered by vibration exposure or cold temperatures; also known as White Finger Syndrome.
- Repetitive Motion. Performing the same physical motion repeatedly, which can lead to overuse injuries like tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome, especially in manual construction tasks.
- Roofing Tar. A sticky, petroleum-based substance used in roof construction, known to release fumes that may irritate skin, eyes, or respiratory system.
- Route of Entry. The path by which a substance enters the body, including inhalation, ingestion, absorption, and injection.
S
- Segmental Vibration. Vibration affecting specific body parts such as the hands or arms, typically from tools like grinders or jackhammers, potentially leading to HAVS or nerve damage.
- Silica. A mineral found in concrete, brick, and stone. When cut or ground, it creates respirable crystalline silica dust that can cause silicosis, lung cancer, or other respiratory diseases.
- Silica Dust. Fine particles of crystalline silica released during construction activities such as sawing, cutting, or grinding concrete and masonry, posing severe inhalation hazards.
- Solvent. A substance used to dissolve other materials, often found in paints and adhesives. Many solvents are volatile and toxic, causing respiratory, neurological, or skin problems.
- Solvent Vapors. Gaseous emissions from volatile solvents used in construction materials, capable of causing dizziness, headaches, or long-term organ damage with chronic exposure.
- Substances. Any material or chemical that may present physical or health hazards on a construction site, including solids, liquids, gases, dusts, and fumes.
- Synthetic Fibers. Man-made fibers like fiberglass used in insulation and construction, which can irritate the skin, eyes, or lungs if inhaled or touched.
T
- Toxicity. The degree to which a chemical or substance can cause harm to health, either through acute or chronic exposure.
- Toxic Metals. Metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium that are harmful to health when inhaled or ingested, often found in construction materials or coatings.
U
- Ultraviolet Radiation (UV). A form of non-ionizing radiation emitted from the sun and certain tools like welding torches, capable of causing skin burns and eye injuries such as photokeratitis if not properly protected against.
- Underground Utilities. Hidden physical hazards including electrical lines, gas pipes, and water mains that pose electrocution, explosion, or flood risks during excavation activities.
V
- Vapor. The gaseous form of a liquid substance, often originating from solvents, paints, or fuels. Vapors can be inhaled and may cause dizziness, nausea, or long-term organ damage.
- Ventilation. A control method used to reduce exposure to airborne contaminants by exchanging indoor and outdoor air, often critical in confined spaces or during tasks involving dusts, fumes, or vapors.
- Vibration Syndrome. A disorder caused by extended exposure to hand-arm or whole-body vibration, leading to poor blood circulation, numbness, or nerve damage – also known as HAVS or Raynaud's phenomenon.
W
- White Finger Syndrome. A symptom of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), in which fingers turn white and numb due to poor circulation. Often linked to prolonged use of vibrating tools.
- Whole-Body Vibration. Exposure to vibration through the entire body, often from operating heavy machinery, which can lead to back pain, circulatory issues, and fatigue.
X
- Xylene. A solvent used in paints and coatings in construction. Inhalation of xylene vapors can affect the central nervous system, causing dizziness, headaches, or unconsciousness in high concentrations.
Y
- Yellowcake. A type of uranium concentrate powder used in nuclear processing. While rare in construction, awareness of such radiological materials is important for specialized sites and DOE contractors.