Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00417:body:0:p29
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00417
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 74186–77131

due to working in hot, poorly ventilated or confined spaces and the type of personal protective equipment that is worn, for example blast helmets, protective suits or leather coveralls.

Heat strain is a serious medical condition which could lead to heat exhaustion and death.

When assessing the risks associated with heat, you should consider a number of factors including the workplace temperature, humidity, air movement, exposure to sources of heat, the work demands, how much clothing is worn (including PPE), individual risk factors, and whether the worker is acclimatised to the conditions.

Control measures
    * fitting cooling devices to the air supply of blast helmets
    * providing PPE that is selected and fitted to minimise the build up of heat and wearing cotton undergarments
    * providing a cool, well-ventilated area where workers can take rest breaks or carry out other tasks
    * scheduling work so that abrasive blasting is done at cooler times and
    * ensuring cool drinking water is readily available.
Further guidance on controlling the risks of heat exposure is available in the Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities.

    4.3 Vibration

The force of the abrasive moving through the blast hose transmits vibration to the hands and
arms of operators holding the equipment. Prolonged use of abrasive blasting equipment may lead to a condition known as occupational Raynaud's disease (also called white finger or dead finger).
It results from persistent microscopic damage to nerves and blood capillaries. It may also cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
Symptoms include:
    * blanching (whiteness) and numbness in the fingers
    * fingers are cold to touch
    * loss of dexterity or increased clumsiness
    * decreased sensitivity to touch, temperature and pain, and
    * loss of muscular control.
Chronic exposure may result in gangrenous and necrotic changes in the finger. The condition
may take months or years to develop. There is no effective treatment to reverse the effects
of white finger.
The risk of injury or disease from vibration will vary depending on the equipment being used,
the intensity of the vibration, frequency and duration of exposure, the force of grip applied by
the worker, maintenance of the equipment and insulation provided by protective gloves.

Further information on measuring exposure to hand/arm vibration is available in AS 2763:
Vibration and shock – Hand transmitted vibration – guidelines for the measurement and assessment of human exposure.

Control measures:
    * Using an alternative method to clean or prepare surfaces, where possible
    * Using engineering controls, for example vibration-reduced equipment such as vibration isolating handles incorporated into blasting nozzles and/or supports to reduce the pressure of the hand to control the nozzle
    * Using administrative controls, for example reducing the amount of time an operator