NEBOSH International General

Certificate in Occupational Safety

and Health
Unit IGC2

Element 8: Physical
and Psychological
Health Hazards and
Risk Controls

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this element, you should be able to
demonstrate understanding of the content through the
application of knowledge to familiar and unfamiliar
situations. In particular you should be able to:

Outline the health effects associated

with exposure to noise and appropriate
control measures
Outline the health effects associated
with exposure to vibration and
appropriate control measures
Outline the health effects associated
with heat, ionising and non-ionising
radiation and basic protection
techniques
Outline the causes and effects of stress

Unit IGC 2
Element 8.1
Noise

Noise
Health effects:

Temporary:
reduction in hearing
(temporary threshold shift)
ringing in ears

Permanent:
tinnitus
noise-induced hearing loss
(permanent threshold shift)
Physical damage to hearing mechanisms

Stress

Safety issues:

Inability to hear vehicles, warnings, conversations

Concentration problems

The Human Ear

The Human Ear

Group Activity

Identify occupations at risk from

noise induced hearing loss and
the potential causes.

Occupations at Risk
Construction workers
Plant, machinery, e.g. concrete breakers

Uniformed services
Small arms and artillery

Entertainment sector workers

Loud music

Manufacturing sector workers

Industrial machinery

Call centre workers

Acoustic shock from headsets

Terminology
Sound pressure level

expressed in decibels (dB)

Decibel (dB)
sound pressure level, loudness

Frequency

pitch
human ear detects 20Hz to 20,000Hz

A-weighting

noise measurement scale matching human

hearing

C-weighting

noise measurement scale accurate for impulse

noise

Daily Personal Noise Dose

Decibel Levels
Measurement
in dB(A)
0
20-30
50-60
65-75
90-100
140

Sound
Faintest audible sounds
Quiet library
Conversation
Loud radio
Power drill
Jet aircraft on take-off at 25m

The decibel scale is logarithmic

An increase of just 3 dB = a doubling of sound
RRC Training

The Noise Table

S O U N D L E V E L
IN d B ( A )
1 40

S O U N D S O U R C E
P A IN T H R E S H O L D

1 3 0

J e t A ir c ra ft o n T a k e o ff 2 0 m e tr e s a w a y
R iv e t in g H a m m e r

T H R E S H O L D O F F E E L IN G
1 20

H e lic o p t e r

11 0

C h a in s a w s l

1 0 0

M e t a l F a b r ic a t io n S h o p

9 0

L a r g e G o o d s V e h ic le

8 0

B u s y m a in r o a d t r a f f ic

7 0

L o u d H i- F i

6 0

N o r m a l C o n v e r s a tio n

5 0

Q u i e t O f fic e

4 0

B a c k g r o u n d M u s ic

3 0

Q u i e t L ib r a r y

2 0

B a c k g r o u n d i n Q u ie t H o u s e

T H R E S H O L D O F H E A R IN G

Noise Assessment
Simple sound meter
measures instant noise levels
simple surveys

Integrating sound level meter

measures noise over a period of time
used for all surveys

Dosimeters
worn by worker
personal noise exposure

Noise Exposure Standards

Subject to national law

General agreement on daily personal noise

dose of 85dB(A)

Dose depends upon

Noise level in dB(A)

Duration of exposure

The daily personal noise exposure (LEP,d) is

usually measured over 8 hours

Noise Exposure Standards

European Standards (by way
of example)
Lower Exposure Action Value: 80
dB(A)

Noise assessment
Information, instruction and
training
Provide hearing protection

Noise Exposure Standards

Upper Exposure Action Value: 85 dB(A)

Noise assessment
Reduce noise exposure by engineering
means,

If noise is still above 85 dB(A)

Mandatory hearing protection zone

Information, instruction and training
Provide hearing protection and enforce
use
Health surveillance

Group Exercise
A noise survey has been
carried out and there are 2
work areas of concern:
Machine shop - noise levels
83 dB(A) throughout the shift
Wood working area - noise
levels 87 dB(A) throughout
the shift
Discuss the actions that would
could be taken in each area

Noise Exposure Control

Reflected Noise Path
Noise
Source

Direct Noise Path

Structure
pathway

Noise: source, pathway, receiver

Noise Exposure Control

Source

Receiver

Acoustic haven
Hearing protection

Eliminate
Substitute
Modify process
Damping
Silencing
Maintenance

Pathway
Insulation
Isolation
Absorption

Group Exercise

Discuss why hearing protection is

an inefficient method of reducing
noise exposure in a noisy
workplace

Noise Reduction Techniques?

Re-design or
maintain
Acoustic
Guard

- Damping

Noise

Shadow

Absorb or Shield

Enclose the
person or
machine

Noise Transmission
Pathways

Hearing Protection
Ear Defenders (muffs)
Encase the ear and bones
surrounding the ear

Ear plugs
Fit into the ear canal

Hearing Protection
Ear defenders or muffs
Advantages

Limitations

Easy to supervise and

enforce use as visible
Less chance of ear
infections

Uncomfortable

Higher level of
protection possible
Can integrate with
other PPE
Reusable

Efficiency affected by
long hair, spectacles
etc
Must inspected,
cleaned and
maintained

Hearing Protection
Ear plugs
Advantages

Limitations

Cheap and easy to

use

Difficult to see when

fitted, supervision and
enforcement
difficult

Disposable

Risk of infection if dirty

or if cross-contaminated
when inserted

More comfortable,
range of designs

Need to be correctly
sized for individual

Do not interfere
with other PPE

Effectiveness decreases
with usage

Hearing Protection
Information, instruction,
training
Safe storage
Cleaning
Maintenance
Replacement

Hearing Protection
Attenuation (reduction)
Information is required on the:
Noise in the workplace
from survey
Attenuation characteristics
(decrease of the effect or not)
hearing protection
from manufacturer
Ear muffs give higher attenuation
than ear plugs

Health Surveillance
Audiometry allows:

Identification of workers with

- pre-existing hearing damage
- new hearing damage

Removal/exclusion of such
workers from high noise areas
Investigation of noise controls
to rectify problems

End of Section Quiz

1. What are the health effects of
exposure to high levels of noise?
2. There are 3 main ways of reducing
noise (fill in the blanks)
Reduce noise at ________________
Interrupt the __________from source to
receiver
Protect the ________ through engineering
controls or PPE

3. What types of PPE are available? What

are the pros and cons of each?

Unit IGC 2
Element 8.2
Vibration

Effects of Exposure to
Vibration
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome
(HAVS)

Vibration white finger (blanching)

Nerve damage
Muscle weakening
Joint damage

Typical vibration white finger

(Source: HSE Guidance)
(Reproduced under the terms of the Click-Use Licence)

The Problem who is

affected
Source: HSE statistics 2010

5 Million
Workers
Exposed
to HAVS

2 Million
Works at
potential
danger
level of
exposure

300,000
Workers
with
Advanced
Symptom
s

HAV Effects

Neurological Disorders
(numbness and tingling)

Circulatory Disorders
(vibration induced white
finger)

Muscular Disorders
(grip difficulties and
Reduced dexterity)

Articular Effects
(bone and joint problems)

Brain, spinal cord, nerves,

eyes & ears

Blood, heart & blood vessels

All muscle tissue & tendons

movement and posture

Bones, joints, cartilage,

ligaments, movement,
shape

Group Exercise
What occupations are most at
risk of exposure to vibration?
How can you reduce the risks?
(Consider the use of a
mechanical sander at home)

Effects of Exposure to
Vibration
Whole-Body Vibration
Damage to spinal discs
Vertigo(sort of dizziness / off
balance)
Occupations:
dumper truck driving
aircraft cabin crew

Vibration Assessment
Vibration dose is
determined as a
personal exposure to
vibration averaged over
8hrs
Vibration dose
determined by:
vibration magnitude
(ms-2 )
duration of exposure
(hours/mins)

Exposure Standards
Exposure limit values and action values for hand-arm
vibration
(a) the daily exposure limit value is 5 m/s2 A(8)
(b) the daily exposure action value is 2.5 m/s2 A(8)

Whole Body Vibration - WBV

Occurs in a variety of situations in vehicles, on
plant, in buildings.
Abdominal pain
Digestive disorders
Urinary problems
Balance, headaches and visual problems

Action Limits

The regulations set out exposure limit values (ELVs)

and exposure action values (EAVs).
The daily ELV is the maximum amount of vibration an
employee may be exposed to on any single day and
is:
5 m/s2 for hand-arm vibration and 1.15 m/s 2 for whole
body vibration.
The daily EAV is the level of daily exposure to
vibration above which it is required to take actions to
reduce exposure.
The EAV for hand-arm vibration is 2.5m/s 2 and for whole
body vibration is

0.5m/s2.

Vibration Exposure
Standards
Standards vary according to national law
At or above the Daily Exposure Action Value
Vibration risk assessment
Reduce exposure level
Training
Health surveillance

At or above the Daily Exposure Limit Value

(ELV)
Vibration risk assessment
Reduce exposure below the ELV

Control of Vibration
Source:

Eliminate
Substitute
Change work
method
Maintenance

Pathway:

Isolate

Duration:

Limit time
exposed
Job rotation

Person:

PPE

Health Surveillance
At or above the Exposure Action
Value
Health surveillance allows:

Identification of workers with

-

pre-existing vibration damage

new vibration damage

Removal/exclusion of such
workers from vibration sources
Investigation of vibration sources
to rectify problems
Reproduced under the
terms of the click-use
licence

End of Section Quiz

1. What are the symptoms of

HAVs?
2. What two factors are
considered when calculating
the dose of vibration?

Unit IGC 2
Element 8.3
Radiation

Radiation
Two types:
Ionising

higher energy
can change the structure of atoms

Non-ionising

lower energy
heating effects
does not change the structure of
atoms

Ionising Radiation

Types of Ionising Radiation

Can penetrate the body and
cause serious and permanent
harm:

Alpha particles
Beta particles
X-Rays
Gamma rays
Neutrons

Alpha Particles
Weak penetrating power
Stopped by thin material, e.g. paper,
skin
Health effects:
- outside body - not particularly
hazardous
- inside body (ingestion/inhalation) - very
hazardous

Occupational uses:
- smoke detectors, medical labs

Beta Particles

Can penetrate skin and living tissue

Health effects:
- inside and outside body hazardous

Occupational uses:
- sterilisation, thickness gauges

X-Rays
Can be generated and switched off
High penetrating power
Health effects:
- inside and outside body - very
hazardous

Occupational uses:
- medical radiography
- baggage security
scanners

Gamma Rays
Very penetrating
Health effects:
- Inside and outside body - very
hazardous

Occupational uses
- industrial radiography, e.g. pipelines

Neutrons
Emitted by some radioactive sources
Very high penetration
Health effects:
- outside body - very hazardous

Occupational uses
- nuclear power stations

Acute Health Effects

Radiation sickness

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea

Blistering and ulceration of skin
Hair loss
Dermatitis
Cataracts(type of eye disease)
Anaemia
Reduced immune system
Infertility

The larger the dose, the greater the risk

Chronic Health Effects

Cancer
Genetic mutation
Birth defects

The larger the dose, the

greater the risk

Group Syndicate Exercise

A pregnant lady is in need of an X-Ray
for a suspected broken bone
Discuss the control measures in the XRay department of a hospital using:

Time
Distance
Shielding

to structure your answer

Protection from Ionising

Radiation
Time:
Minimise exposure
Dose proportionate to time (prolong exposure, less
dose)
Half life (the time it takes for a radioactive substance to lose
half its radioactivity or the time required for half of the atoms of a
radioactive substance to become disintegrated )

Distance:
Alpha, beta cant travel long distances through air

Shielding:
Depends upon type of radiation

Protection from Ionising

Radiation
Shielding

Dose Limits
International Commission on
Radiological Protection (ICRP)

Recommendations on exposure:

General public < 1mSv per year

Workers < 20mSv(milli Sieverts) per year

Measured with a Geiger

counter
Translated into legal limits in
most countries

Radon Gas
Naturally occurring in Devon,
Derbyshire, etc.
Radioactive gas
Alpha particles
Health effects:
- outside body - not particularly
hazardous
- inside body (ingestion/inhalation) hazardous

Radon Gas
Radon-

is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas. It forms

naturally from the decay of radioactive elements, such as
uranium, which are found at different levels in soil and rock
throughout the world. Radon gas in the soil and rock can move
into the air and into ground water and surface water.

Where naturally occurring levels are high:

- outside - low concern
- inside - poorly ventilated workplaces, e.g.
basements can be a significant risk

Control of risk above the action level:

- Radiation Protection Supervisor
- positive pressure air fans
- radon sumps and extraction systems

Non-Ionising Radiation

Group Syndicate Exercise

You are going on holiday to a hot

country with long hours of
sunshine
Discuss how you will protect
yourself from sunburn from the
UV light using:
Time
Distance
Shielding
to structure your answer

Non-Ionising Radiation
Types
Ultra-violet
(UV)

Sources

Health Effects

Sunlight
Arc welding

Skin burns
Arc eye
(photokeratitis)
Skin cancer

Visible light lasers

Red hot steel
Infra-red
Glass
(IR)
manufacture

Temporary blindness
Redness and skin
burns, retinal burns,
cataracts

Microwaves Food preparation Internal heating

Telecommunicati
ons

Radiowaves Radio, TV
radar

Arc Eye

Organ damage

Internal heating
Organ damage

Protection from NonIonising Radiation

Types
Ultra-violet
(UV)
Visible light,
lasers

Protection

Infra-red (IR)

Cover exposed skin

Protect eyes

Microwaves

Safe distance
Isolate and lock off

Radiowaves

Safe distance
Isolate and lock off

Cover exposed skin

Protect eyes
Low class: avoid shining in eyes
High class: eye protection,
shielding, non reflective
surfaces

Health Surveillance
May be legally required by an
approved physician:
Before working as a classified worker
During periodic health reviews (medicals)
Special surveillance if dose limit is
exceeded
After ceasing work as a classified worker

Special consideration for pregnant or

breastfeeding workers

Health Surveillance

Types of examination include:

Skin checks
Respiratory checks
Exposure records
Sickness records

End of Section Quiz

1. Identify the different types of
ionising radiation
2. Identify different sources of
non-ionising radiation
3. What are the health effects of
exposure to UV radiation?

Unit IGC 2
Element 8.4
Stress

Stress
Stress is:
An adverse reaction to
excessive pressure
Health effects:

psychological
physical
behavioural
serious ill-health if prolonged

Group Exercise

Discuss what causes stress in

your own life or others you have
known to be stressed

Causes of Stress
Change - uncertainty
Demands - excessive
Control - weak
Support - poor
Relationship - difficult
Role
- undefined

Group Discussion Point

Whilst having your lunch
outside, a tiger jumps out at
you with a huge ROAR!!
What physical, psychological
and behavioural symptoms
might you experience at the
time and also in the days/weeks
after?

Effects of Stress
Psychologic Physical
al
Anxiety
Low selfesteem
Depression

Sweating
Heart rate
Blood
pressure
Skin rashes
Muscle
tension
Headache
Dizziness

Behavioural
Sleeplessness
Poor
concentration
Poor decisionmaking
Mood swings
Irritability
Alcohol
consumption
Drug misuse
Absence from
work

Prevention Strategies for

Stress
Demand
Control
Support

- reasonable demands, sufficient

resources
- given as much control as possible
- information, instruction, training,
additional support
- clear anti-harassment and
bullying policies

Relationships
- clear job descriptions,
Role
Change

responsibilities and authority

- planning and preparation for
change, communication,
timescales

End of Section Quiz

1. What is stress?
2. What are the three types of
health effect that can result
due to stress?
3. What are the causes of
workplace stress?