Dagga and Height Workers

There is a substantial amount of dagga-users in the Western Cape, in my experience and according to reports. What is concerning is the attitude of the employers towards this problem, as they do not seem to realise the safety implications hereoff.

Please take a look at the psychological and physical changes that occurs with dagga usage.

AKA: DAGGA/CANNABIS/GRASS/POT/GHANJA/DOPE

Dagga is a chemical substance that leads to physical and psychological changes.

Physical changes:

Increase in heart beat
Dry mouth
Light headedness
Tremors
Loss of body co-ordination

Possible psychological changes:

Mood swings (happy - down)
Illusions:

The brain interprets something real as different, for example: a stick as a snake

Perceptual disorder which can lead to fear and paranoia


Duration of effect on body: smoke: 2-4 hours
eat : 5-12 hours

THE KEY REQUIREMENTS FOR HEIGHT WORKERS:

To be able to work at great heights, without risk of falling
To be able to cope with the physical demands of climbing up and down as well as performing the manual tasks of the job
To be able to cope with working on the scaffolding without having to use a toilet frequently
.
EXCLUSIONS FOR HEIGHTS

Disorders of thought and judgement
Disorders impairing level of consciousness: substance abuse, epilepsy, blackouts and diabetes that is uncontrolled
Disorders that impair balance
Medicines that impair awareness or concentration (antihistamines, neuropsychotropics, anticonvulsants, strong pain medications)
Disorders of musculoskeletal system

Pics from location

indusMED team working next to the N1.

Welding

 

 WELDING FUMES (OSHA, United states department of Labour)

ROUTES OF EXPOSURE

Exposure to welding fumes can occur through inhalation and eye contact.

TOXICOLOGY

Exposure to welding fumes from mild steel: - development of benign pneumonconiosis. - Condition is reversible

- No respiratory signs may be present at the the time the pneumonconiosis is discovered

Metal fume fever: - fever

• chills

• headache

• nausea

• shortness of breath

• muscle pain

• metallic taste in the mouth (Rom 1992)

Infertility: -highest among stainless steel welders(Rom 1992;IARC 1990)

-

Carcinogenic to humans(IARC 1990)

ACUTE EXPOSURE: - eye, nose and throat irritation

• fever

• chills

• headache

• nausea

• shortness of breath

• muscle pain

• metallic taste in mouth

CHRONIC EXPOSRE: - respiratory effects including coughing

• weezing

• decreased pulmonary function

NEVER EAT, DRINK, SMOKE, APPLY COSMETICS OR TAKE MEDICATION IN AREAS WHERE WELDING FUMES ARE GENERATED.

ALUMINUM Welding: Chronic exposure to high concentrations of fumes causes severe

pneumonconiosis

Chest x-ray taken in 1995, 4 months before

death, showing severe fibrosis. Hilar adenopathy was never

mentioned in radiologic reports.

43 Year old African-American worked for a shipbuilding factory as an aluminum weld-grinder for 16 years. After that he worked as an arc welder for 8 years at a different company. His PPE WAS A HANDCERCHIEF TIED AROUND HIS FACE.

Recent Workshop presented by Sr. Nel

…on the importance and background of medical surveilance in South Africa. She presented it to an institute of health and safety representatives and consultants. View the slideshow below: