Biological hazards | Biological agents

                                                Biological Hazards | Biological Agents

Biological Hazards in food

BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS EXAMPLE, BIOLOGICAL AGENTS, HEALTH EFFECTS, AND PREVENTION CONTROLLING

BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS IN FOOD AND BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS IN THE WORKPLACE

BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS

A biological agent is a microorganism, cell culture, or human end parasite which may cause infection, allergy, and toxicity or otherwise create a hazard to human health. Some microorganisms are also capable of transferring genetic material as they break down interface with human organs or body fluids.

BIOLOGICAL AGENTS & HEALTH EFFECTS

Many biological agents are present in nature and can be found in living organisms which bring beneficial effects. However, in some cases, they can have adverse effects on human life and well-being.

Biological agents may be encountered in the process industry when employees are exposed to them during regular operations, or while performing inspection and maintenance activities. Examples of these include contamination and circulation of air in an office by HVAC systems, exposure to Legionella in cooling towers, fin fan coolers, and chillers during inspection and maintenance, and biological contact through air travel, sneezing, coughing, and handshaking, contaminated food, water, or from daily and repeated contact with surfaces and objects such as stationery, carpets, desks, keyboards or tabletops.

TRANSMISSION & INFECTION

The entry of a biological agent into the body is known as infection and requires transmission of the agent from a source to the host e.g., a human. Microorganisms usually have a particular route of entry into the host, but in some cases, an infection can occur by more than one route.

WORKPLACE EXPOSURE TO BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS

There is a wide spectrum of activities within the company and their Contractors which involve deliberate use as well as inadvertent contact with biological agents. Where personnel comes into contact with the different forms or types of biological agents, there will always be a potential for exposure that can lead to risks to health.

It is impractical in this Occupational Health Standard to address all of the biological agents that may potentially be encountered in the workplace.

There are three ways in which an employee may expose to biological agents at work:

Exposure as a result of working with biological agents, e.g., working on a cooling tower, HVAC, toilets, swimming pools, spa, water storage tanks/ponds, hot and cool water systems, eyewash showers, fire water sprinklers hose reel, etc.

Exposure does not result from the work itself but is incidental to it, mainly because biological agents are present as contaminants, e.g., refuse collection, and sewage treatment.

Exposure is not a result of the work done; e.g. catching flu from a work colleague.

 SPECIFIC ILLNESSES & BIOLOGICAL AGENTS

1.       LEGIONELLA AND LEGIONNAIRES DISEASE

Legionnaire’s Disease is one of a group of diseases collectively known as legionellosis. There are thirty-seven different strains of bacteria associated with legionellosis with the most virulent being.

Legionella pneumophila. Infection with this bacterium can result in pneumonia and other potentially life-threatening effects. It is normally contracted by inhaling Legionella bacteria that are either transported on aerosols or in droplets left behind after water has evaporated.

Legionella organisms are widespread in natural water sources but can also colonize man-made recirculating water systems such as water storage tanks and air conditioning systems.

2.       BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

These are hazardous biological agents that can be transmitted through blood and include Human

Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), as well as the Hepatitis B & C viruses.

3.       FOOD AND WATERBORNE PATHOGENS

Food and water normally contain a variety of biological contaminants and can produce illness if the contaminants are pathogenic or toxic. A few examples of illness caused by food and waterborne pathogens are:

·         Acute gastroenteritis bacterial, viral or toxic

·         Hepatitis A

·         Typhoid fever Salmonella infection

·         Gut infections by parasites

4.       VECTOR-BORNE PATHOGENS

Pathogenic microorganisms, especially viruses and parasites, may be transmitted to humans through the bite of insects such as mosquitoes, flies, ticks, and mites. Examples of illnesses are:

·         Malaria, Dengue, Yellow fever, viral encephalitis from mosquito bites.

·         Newcastle and Lyme disease; Meningitis from tick bites.

·         Toxoplasmosis and Trichomoniasis from bird ticks.

·         Sand fly fever from flies.

5.       OTHERS

These are hazards that are caused by biological agents present in the workplace, although they are not necessarily work-related or caused by an occupational activity. Adverse health effects are usually the consequence of the reaction of toxins or allergens in the body. Examples include:

·         Bites and stings from poisonous animals, reptiles, or insects e.g., snakes, scorpions, lizards, spiders, etc.

·         Allergic reaction caused by contact with certain plants e.g. grass & tree pollen, poison ivy, oleander.

·         Transmission of infectious diseases by contact in accommodation camps

·         Rabies and cat-scratch disease from cat and bat bites, bedbugs from dirty beds in camp accommodations, and histoplasmosis/psittacosis from bird droppings.

SUBSTITUTION & ELIMINATION

Substitution of biological agents with less hazardous materials within the framework of Company or Contractor activities may generally not be a viable route because these agents are not intentional process material. However, the media, substrates, or nutrients upon which such agents grow and flourish can be substituted with ones that offer less favorable or viable environments for the growth of the agent.

PREVENTION CONTROLLING RISKS

1.       Providing pre-employment screening of workers

2.       Use of immunization programs

3.       Regular medical check-ups

4.       Training personnel on the correct use of personal protection.

5.       Post appropriate hazard warning signs [see examples below] across the workplace for areas where agents falling in Hazard are likely to be present.

6.       Provision of appropriate and identifiable containers for collection, storage, handling, and transfer of biological wastes.

7.       Preventing eating, drinking, or smoking in workplaces where there is a risk of contamination by biological agents.

8.       Setting up controlled zones e.g. food preparation areas; waste handling and sorting sewage treatment where entry and exit are not permitted without adequate washing and use of protective equipment.

9.       Providing washing, toilet, and ablution facilities that are appropriate to the character of the organization, the number of users, and the levels of biological risks present.

10.   Provision of adequate dilution and localized ventilation.

11.   Conduct regular inspections and biological testing of surfaces.

12.   Removing work clothes that may be contaminated by biological agents in the working area. Before their decontamination or cleaning, or if necessary destroying. Work clothing must be kept & washed separately from other clothing.

13.   Personal protective equipment that comes into contact with biological agents is to be stored in a labeled defined location; regularly checked, cleaned, and disinfected if possible before each use, but in any case after each use; repaired were defective or replaced before the next use.

14.   Cleaning and disinfecting wounds and covering these with appropriate plasters for personnel working in kitchens and food handlers.

15.   Regular sanitization and sterilization of floors, surfaces, toilets, ablution, and kitchen surfaces.

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements for protection against biological hazards exposure can be found in the company Personal Protective Equipment Standard.