Occupational Health and Safety

Answer

Occupational Health and Safety

Part 1: Acme Automotive Parts

General Dilution Ventilation

            In this company, controls are required in the paint booths, at the hand-welding stations, and on the machining lines. General dilution ventilation will be used for the machining lines because it helps in reducing the concentration of various air contaminants and controls the heat level that may accumulate in the area (Curvent, 2017). It works by mixing contaminated air with clean, fresh air. In the machining line, workers are not required to carry out their tasks in that immediate vicinity. Hence, they are not exposed directly to any contaminants. Therefore, this is the best option for this area. To ensure that the ventilation is effective, the exhaust fan needs to be located close to the workers who are exposed, while the makeup air needs to be placed behind them. This location will ensure that the contaminated air is drawn away from their breathing zone, thereby reducing the exposure to contamination (Curvent, 2017). The effectiveness of this ventilation system can be tested using the single-point tracer gas method. The nitrous oxide gas, which needs a specialist measuring equipment will be used. The gas is released in the supply zone and a measure is placed in the extract position.

Local Exhaust Ventilation

            The local exhaust ventilation system is one which manages to remove the contaminant before it spreads across the area. They are designed to also limit the amount of air that will be drawn inside it. For the paint booths, a downdraft paint booth ventilation system will be used. It is a form of enclosing hood which delivers clean air downward from the roof and exhausts it on the floor (Curvent, 2017). It creates clean air which gets inside the booth once the overspray is instantly pulled downwards. This ventilation functions at negative pressure to ensure that the mist from the airborne paint does not make way to the upper or neighbouring work areas.

            For the hand-welding stations, an on-tool, moveable capturing hood ventilator is used. It is a ventilator which has been fixed right at the top of the weld so that ay fumes are immediately sucked into it (Curvent, 2017). It is located close to the source of generation, which makes it effective for flat and vertical surfaces, or along corners.

            To calculate the flow rate of the spray booth, the following approach is employed.

Calculate Flow rate where;

Air velocity=0.51 m/s

L= 0.61m

W= 0.30 m

Area= 0.61 m by 0.30 m =0.18 m²

Flow rate = Area by Air Velocity

= 0.18 by 0.51 = 0.09 m³/sec

            When implementing the use of the LEVs for these two operations, certain barriers may be experienced. First, they both require regular and routine testing to ensure problems are identified beforehand to allow for any corrective measures. Unfortunately, this is often expensive since it will require more time and skill to correct the flaws. Second, for both options, only qualified persons can actually make modifications.

Part 2: The Hydraulic Press Area

            The hydraulic press area requires specific engineering controls to ensure safety. First, redundant, monitored control valves are needed to prevent the system from pressing accidentally (Stohl, Stibor & Sediva, 2018). It features two inline valves which will offer redundant control to ensure that one will still function even if the other fails. Rod blocks can also be used to physically hold the cylinder rod when the machine is in the safe mode. Hence, even if damages occur, the platen will still be held in position. Lastly, limit switches can also be used to record the cylinder position always, thereby informing workers of the safety state of the hydraulic press (Stohl, Stibor & Sediva, 2018).

            Before designing the engineering control for the hydraulic press, it is important to know the size and mode of action. There are some machines that are way bigger than others, meaning that they pose greater risks. Also, the mode of action is important because there are different types which punch, drill, or even straighten objects into desired shapes and sizes.

            To evaluate their effectiveness, specific factors must be verified. First, there is need to check whether or not the controls are operating as desired. Second, it is important to analyse whether the employees are following the policies set for these controls. Lastly, the controls can only be effective if the employees understand and know how to control them.