Safe Quarry - Health and Safety Authority

PART 8
GENERAL HEALTH HAZARDS
(b) any such enclosed or confined place is
adequately ventilated so as to prevent danger to
health from the exhaust gases.
Exhaust gases from internal combustion engines
will contain gases, fumes, particulates, etc. that
may have both immediate and/or long term
effects.
This regulation requires the operator to ensure that
all engine exhaust gases from stationary internal
combustion engines in enclosed or confined places
of work such as workshops are conducted to the
open air so as to protect the safety and health of
workers. One of the principal gases produced in
engine exhaust is Carbon Monoxide, a poisonous,
colourless, odourless, tasteless and non-irritant gas
which is lighter than air and generated by incomplete
combustion (due to lack of or insufficient
oxygen mix). Carbon monoxide is created by the
incomplete combustion of any carbon based fuel
such as petrol, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
and is often referred to as a silent killer.
The signs or symptoms of carbon monoxide
exposure copy many common illnesses and can
easily be confused with flu or simple tiredness. At
low levels, carbon monoxide exposure may cause
poor concentration, memory and vision problems,
and loss of muscle coordination. At higher levels, it
may cause headaches,fatigue,vomiting and nausea.
At very high levels, the symptoms intensify and it
can kill within a matter of hours.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be reversed if it is
caught in time, however long term exposure to low
levels of carbon monoxide may produce heart
disease and damage to the nervous system.
Exhaust gases from internal combustion engines
also contain soot and carbon particulates which are
carcinogenic and can have serious long term health
effects if inhaled over extended periods.
available before those persons are assigned to
particular work activities in the quarry.
Section 22 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work
Act 2005 requires employers to provide appropriate
health surveillance for their employees, having
regard to the risks they face.
This regulation requires that a pre-employment
medical examination is conducted in addition to the
existing employment health surveillance. Health
surveillance is also required when someone transfers
to a new job within the quarry,if this means that
they will be exposed to a different health risk, for
example, if they begin work in a dusty or noisy area.
Conducting health surveillance on someone before
they begin to carry out a particular task provides a
base line from which to determine the effect of
health risks at the quarry. Routine health surveillance
can ensure that adverse health effects are
determined at an early stage to allow appropriate
action to be taken.
61. HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
(Regulation 63)
63. Where an employer at a quarry makes health
surveillance available to persons at work in
accordance with section 22 of the Act, he or she
shall ensure that such health surveillance is made
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SAFE QUARRY GUIDELINES TO THE SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE AT WORK (QUARRIES) REGULATIONS 2008