OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE

Occupational Hygiene is the profession dedicated to preventing work-related illness through the assessment and control of hazardous work environments. These assessments are often supported by measurement of such parameters as noise, vibration, heat, lighting and substances harmful to health.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Risk Assessment and Exposure Monitoring

In 2005 DML's Occupational Hygienists carried out 119 risk assessments at the Devonport site to ensure the company could comply with the COSHH Regulations. To support this, 13 exposure monitoring surveys were carried out for substances as diverse as nickel fume, wood dust, dichloromethane, acid gases and mineral fibre, and urine analysis was arranged to check for isocyanate derivatives from spray painting.

Asbestos Management

DML manages an estate of hundreds of buildings of all ages and has a responsibility to everyone working on its site. The company is committed to preventing personnel from becoming exposed to asbestos fibres during their work.

During 2005, with the support of DML's Estates Department, the company's asset management database was populated with data from the asbestos surveys carried out the previous year and configured to alert anyone carrying out scheduled work on the site to the location and condition of asbestos.

Six DML staff successfully qualified as asbestos surveyors through the BOHS P402 qualification.

A series of asbestos awareness briefings were given to - and safe working procedures provided for - those working in factories.

Support was given to ensure the identification and safe removal of asbestos prior to the demolition of the CMO office block on the submarine refit complex.

Noise and Vibration

Loud noise causes deafness and vibrating tools can damage blood vessels and nerves in fingers and cause pain to the muscles and tendons and soft tissue surrounding the joints. During 2005, 13 new noise surveys were recorded and 9 new vibrating tools monitored, with risk assessments carried out in each case.

Working with DML's Materials Department, progress was made on the management of pneumatic vibrating tools through initiatives including trials of low-vibration consumables and the rationalisation of tooling. Following the introduction of new legislation limiting the exposure of employees to hand/arm vibration, DML will be making a significant investment in the purchase of new tools and equipment with reduced vibration signatures. This programme of vibration management will remain a priority through 2006.

Whole body vibration affects the back and is most prevalent among drivers of rough-terrain vehicles. It is not regarded as a major problem in DML's industry. Nevertheless, the company is required to assess its effects under regulations which came into force during 2005. The main focus has been on fork-lift trucks: with the support of the Naval Base H&S team, vibration levels for several vehicles have been measured. This work will be progressed during 2006

RPE Fit-testing

In 2005, equipment was purchased and staff trained to carry out quantitative testing on the fit of all forms of company-issued respiratory protective equipment (RPE) which seal to the face around the nose and mouth. The flexibility demanded of DML's workforce means that over 1000 employees may be required to wear such RPE, at some time, to carry out aspects of their work.

At the close of 2005, approximately 200 staff had been tested at the Devonport site for full-face RPE devices, with a very high pass-rate achieved. Alternative RPE, or alternative forms of control, are investigated for those failing the test. This project is set to continue to the end of 2006, with half-face masks and disposable mask testing to follow.