M8: Interesting OSHA Health Cases - Facts From the Field Part 1
Wed, 6/3: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM CDT
Education Sessions
Education Sessions
Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center
Room: 291
CM Credit Hours: 1
Description
This session will review the findings of the three of OSHA's most interesting health enforcement cases:
"Inhaled Peril: A Case Study in Preventing Contaminated Air in Air-Supplied Respirators"
First presentation discusses two fatal incidents involving different employers that occurred a month apart, both related to air-supplied respirator hazards. The first incident involved maintenance of a laser cutting machine that used nitrogen and compressed air, which was also connected to the employee air supply for respirators in the powder coating booth. After maintenance, oxygen levels in the air-supplied respirators dropped to 0.4 percent, resulting in a workplace fatality. The second incident occurred in a paint booth, where one victim was found unconscious, followed by another victim in a separate booth. The presenter will explain OSHA's use of a 4-gas meter to assess oxygen content and test for Grade D compressed supplied air.
"Fatal Asthma Attack Triggered by Use of a Portable Concrete Sander"
This case study examines a fatal asthma attack during a commercial concrete floor finishing project. The presentation covers OSHA's investigation, including acute exposure to an unknown concentration of respirable crystalline quartz silica (RCS) and its potential link to the incident. Attendees will learn about OSHA standards on silica exposure, respiratory protection, and hazard communication. Abatement methods discussed are relevant to similar projects involving RCS exposure in the workplace.
"Inhaled Peril: A Case Study in Preventing Contaminated Air in Air-Supplied Respirators"
First presentation discusses two fatal incidents involving different employers that occurred a month apart, both related to air-supplied respirator hazards. The first incident involved maintenance of a laser cutting machine that used nitrogen and compressed air, which was also connected to the employee air supply for respirators in the powder coating booth. After maintenance, oxygen levels in the air-supplied respirators dropped to 0.4 percent, resulting in a workplace fatality. The second incident occurred in a paint booth, where one victim was found unconscious, followed by another victim in a separate booth. The presenter will explain OSHA's use of a 4-gas meter to assess oxygen content and test for Grade D compressed supplied air.
"Fatal Asthma Attack Triggered by Use of a Portable Concrete Sander"
This case study examines a fatal asthma attack during a commercial concrete floor finishing project. The presentation covers OSHA's investigation, including acute exposure to an unknown concentration of respirable crystalline quartz silica (RCS) and its potential link to the incident. Attendees will learn about OSHA standards on silica exposure, respiratory protection, and hazard communication. Abatement methods discussed are relevant to similar projects involving RCS exposure in the workplace.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion, the participant will be able to
• Recognize hazards in the subject work operations.
• Conduct an exposure assessment for the identified hazards.
• Choose appropriate controls to mitigate the hazards.
• Describe OSHA's approach to conducting inspections for workplace safety and health issues.
• Recognize hazards in the subject work operations.
• Conduct an exposure assessment for the identified hazards.
• Choose appropriate controls to mitigate the hazards.
• Describe OSHA's approach to conducting inspections for workplace safety and health issues.
Content Level
Intermediate
Core Competencies
Chemical Hazards
Engineering Controls and Ventilation
Work Environments, Occupations, and Industrial Processes
Keywords
Aerosol and airborne particulate monitoring
Exposure Assessment
Gas and vapor detection
Regulatory compliance
Respiratory protection
Session Availability
In-person
OnDemand
Virtual
Targeted Audience
Professional
Transfer of Knowledge
Case Studies