Question 1 of 7: Environmental Hazards

Question 1: Environmental Hazards (20 marks: 7/7/6)

Question text not reproduced: the examination questions are © Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Open the official past paper (linked at the top of this page) to read the question, then follow the worked solution below.

(i) Typical Environmental Hazards

• Environmental hazards are the physical, chemical and biological agents in the workplace environment that can harm health, usually through prolonged exposure (the surroundings a worker is immersed in), with harm depending on dose (concentration × time).
• Physical: noise, vibration, heat/cold, abnormal pressure, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, poor illumination.
• Chemical: dusts, fumes, mists, gases, vapours—toxic, corrosive or asphyxiating.
• Biological: bacteria, viruses, fungi, moulds.

(ii) Effects of Environmental Hazards

• Acute — immediate: burns, poisoning, heat stroke, asphyxiation.
• Chronic — cumulative from repeated low-level exposure: noise-induced hearing loss, occupational lung disease (silicosis, asbestosis), dermatitis, cancers, organ damage.
• Physiological/comfort — heat stress, fatigue, reduced performance.
• Effects may be local or systemic, and some are irreversible or have long latency.

(iii) Sources of Environmental Hazards

• Industrial processes — combustion, welding, grinding, chemical reactions releasing heat, dust, fume or vapour.
• Machinery and equipment — noise, vibration, heat, radiation sources.
• Materials and chemicals handled, stored or produced (toxic, flammable, dust-generating).
• The work environment/conditions — inadequate ventilation, lighting, temperature extremes, poor housekeeping, confined layout.
• Energy sources — electrical, thermal, radiation.
• Biological sources — contaminated water/air, organic materials, HVAC systems. Recognizing the source guides the control (e.g., local exhaust at a fume source).