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ARBE2303 Health and Safety in the Built Environment | Assessment

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University of Newcastle

   

Health and Safety in the Built Environment (ARBE2303)

   

Added on  2020-03-13

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This report aim towards conducting a detailed risk assessment in terms of the tasks and activities that need to be undertaken and considered while removing the asbestos roof tiles of the buildings of the project. The report also highlights the significance and methods of conducting a risk assessment at a regular interval to ensure and establish a safe working environment.

ARBE2303 Health and Safety in the Built Environment | Assessment

   

University of Newcastle

   

Health and Safety in the Built Environment (ARBE2303)

   Added on 2020-03-13

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Running head: DETAILED RISK ASSESSMENT & SAFE WORK METHODDetailed Risk Assessment & Safe Work MethodName of the Student:Name of the University:Author’s Note:
ARBE2303 Health and Safety in the Built Environment | Assessment_1
1DETAILED RISK ASSESSMENT & SAFE WORK METHODTable of ContentsIntroduction......................................................................................................................................2Hazard Identification.......................................................................................................................2Risk Assessment..............................................................................................................................4Safe Work Method Statements........................................................................................................6Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................13References......................................................................................................................................14
ARBE2303 Health and Safety in the Built Environment | Assessment_2
2DETAILED RISK ASSESSMENT & SAFE WORK METHODIntroduction The safe working environment is essential as this ensures the safety of the premises and thepeople working on the premises. It is the responsibility of the employers or the organizations tocreate and ensure a safe and healthy working environment. The engineers and the constructionworkers can create a safe working environment by identifying the potential hazards in terms ofthe activities at the project site. Therefore, the engineers need conduct risk assessment andidentify the hazards in order to avoid them. The government of the countries has certain legalpolicies and rules that need to be considered by the construction workers to ensure safety interms of the activities conducted by them at the working site. This report aim towards conducting a detailed risk assessment in terms of the tasks andactivities that need to be undertaken and considered while removing the asbestos roof tiles of thebuildings of the project. The report also highlights the significance and methods of conducting arisk assessment at a regular interval to ensure and establish the safe working environment.Hazard IdentificationThe architecture design of Walka Water Works is presented in the aforementioneddiagram. Six different naturally forming fibrous silicate minerals combines to form asbestos. Thesix fibrous minerals include amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, actinolite, crocidolite andchrysotile (Wu et al. 2014). However, amosite and chrysotile are found in abundance in asbestos.Asbestos is considered as one of the most toxic materials used in the construction sector forroofing, ceiling materials, cement compounds and roofing shingles. Due to the toxic nature of thematerial, there is a number of health hazards associated with it. Inhalation of toxic asbestos fibersleads to serious lung diseases. The main diseases caused due to asbestos include:Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that generally affects the lungs ofthe individuals due to long exposure and inhalation of the asbestos fibers. This type ofcancer affects the pleura of the lungs and arises from the serosal lining of the chest.Mesothelioma arises from the parietal or visceral pleural thereby, diffusing within thepleural space of the lungs by pleural effusion (Hussain et al. 2012). As a result, the lungsare slowly encased by solid mass. Moreover, the tumor spreads directly to the lungs,
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3DETAILED RISK ASSESSMENT & SAFE WORK METHODmediastinum and cross the diaphragm thereby, including the peritoneum (Calabro et al.2013). The general symptoms of mesothelioma include breathing trouble, persistentcough, nausea, vomiting, and chest pain and weight loss (Carbone et al. 2012). Asbestos related lung cancer: Asbestos related lung cancer is general lung cancer that Icaused due to extensive exposure of individuals to asbestos fibers. Asbestos related lungcancer usually starts in the lining of the bronchi (Andujar et al. 2013). However, cancercan develop in other parts of the respiratory system such as trachea, bronchioles, andalveoli. Due to the toxic materials of the asbestos, lung cancer develops when theconstruction workers inhale the fibers. As the asbestos fibers are resistant to most of thechemical reactions within the human system, catabolism is difficult of asbestos fibers(Antao, Larson and Horton, 2012). As a result, the fibers are deposited in the lungsthereby, leading to the developing lung cancer. Asbestosis: Exposure to asbestos over several years leads to asbestosis. The disease isalso known as diffused pulmonary fibrosis, as this is the result of inhalation of asbestosfibers. As the asbestos fibers are thin, needle-like and microscopic, it enters the lungsvery easily (Markowitz et al. 2013). After inhalation, the asbestos fibers lodge in thepleura of the lungs. Because of continuous deposition of asbestos fibers in the lining ofthe lungs, scarring or fibrosis occurs (Wolff et al. 2015). Continuous deposition leads tothe formation of tumor thereby, resulting in asbestosis. Asbestosis is generally diagnosedafter 40 – 50 years of asbestos exposure. Pleural thickening: Pleural thickening generally happens when individuals are exposedto heavy asbestos. With time, the asbestos fibers are deposited on the pleural membraneor outer lining of the lungs thereby, resulting in thickening and swelling of the lungs(Jeebun and Stenton 2012). Due to excessive thickening and swelling of the pleuralmembrane, the lungs get squeezed. This eventually results in chest pain and shortness ofbreath (Miller, Warshaw and Nezamis 2013). The use of asbestos declined drastically since 1970 and more than 5000 workers die due toasbestos exposure. The fibers of asbestos are highly fire resistant and durable thereby, making itless vulnerable to the majority of the chemical reactions. Due to properties of asbestos, thematerials have been used extensively for commercial and industrial purposes. The heat resistance
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