3M Science of Safety

In this episode, David Hauser, Team Manager in Property Risk at Greencap joins host Mark Reggers for the first of a two-part series to discuss Property Risk. Property risk relates to a broader area than just the land and buildings in question. It covers risks associated with the asset, the infrastructure and people. It looks at how a property is managed to minimise hazard exposure to individuals, whether they be occupants or visitors, and how the efficiency and effectiveness of the property can be improved.

In this episode host Mark Reggers and guest Jackii Shepherd, Safe Work Australia's Director of Occupational Hygiene Policy and Team Manager for their Workplace Exposure Standards Review continue where they left off and resume their discussion on the exposure standards review process. Under the model work health and safety laws, a workplace exposure standard is an airborne concentration of a chemical that a worker cannot be exposed above in the workplace to protect them from harm. However, because science and technology are always evolving, so too does our understanding of chemicals, the way we use them and their impacts on health; as a result, a review process is essential.

In this episode, the first of a two-part series, guest Jackii Shepherd, Safe Work Australia's Director of Occupational Hygiene Policy and Team Manager for their Workplace Exposure Standards Review joins host Mark Reggers to discuss the exposure standards review process. Under the model work health and safety laws, a workplace exposure standard is an airborne concentration of a chemical that a worker cannot be exposed above in the workplace to protect them from harm. However, because science and technology are always evolving, so too does our understanding of chemicals, the way we use them and their impacts on health; as a result, a review process is essential.

In this episode host Mark Reggers and guest Terry Gorman, 3M's Lead Application Engineer for the Personal Safety Division in Australia and New Zealand continue where they left off and resume their discussion on the subject matter of bushfires and respiratory protection. Bushfire smoke generates a gigantic volatile cocktail of hydrocarbons of various sizes, shapes and toxicity. Measuring the degree of respiratory hazard exposure from bushfire smoke is never easy as there are many factors at play during the blaze. Respiratory protection in these unpredictable conditions is critical, which, when used correctly and paired to the circumstances, can significantly reduce your exposure.

In this episode, Terry Gorman, 3M's Lead Application Engineer for the Personal Safety Division in Australia and New Zealand joins host Mark Reggers for the first of a two-part series to discuss bushfires and respiratory protection. Bushfire smoke generates a gigantic volatile cocktail of hydrocarbons of various sizes, shapes and toxicity. Measuring the degree of respiratory hazard exposure from bushfire smoke is never easy as there are many factors at play during the blaze. Respiratory protection in these unpredictable conditions is critical, which, when used correctly and paired to the circumstances, can significantly reduce your exposure.

In this episode, Terry Gorman, 3M's Occupational Hygienist for the Personal Safety Division in Australia and New Zealand joins host Mark Reggers to discuss Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) care and maintenance. Respiratory protective equipment can be the lifeblood of your tool kit, protecting you from a host of respiratory ailments and diseases. Like all safety equipment, however, they need proper care and maintenance to be effective, and in turn, provide the required protection against the inhalation of hazardous airborne substances in the workplace.

In this episode, Nigel Johnson, managing director of Property Risk Australia joins us to discuss lead and the associated health risks and effects from exposure. Throughout time lead has been an extremely beneficial metal, although it has also been toxic to humans. Before its recognition as a highly poisonous substance lead was used extensively in a wide variety of products and applications. Although phased out, many countries still allow the sale of products that expose humans to lead. As a result, it continues to pose a public health risk.

In this episode host Mark Reggers and guest Jen Hines, Consultant Occupational Hygienist and Lecturer at the University of Wollongong continue where they left off and resume their discussion on the subject matter of diesel particulate matter. Diesel particulate matter is the particle substance within diesel exhaust. It is a carcinogenic combination of particulates and gases that are detrimental to one's health. Occupational exposure can present itself in the form of short term acute effects such as eye and respiratory irritation through to long term chronic conditions like heart and lung disease.

In this episode, the first of a two-part series, guest Jen Hines, Consultant Occupational Hygienist and Lecturer at the University of Wollongong joins us to discuss diesel particulate matter with host Mark Reggers. Diesel particulate matter is the particle substance within diesel exhaust. It is a carcinogenic combination of particulates and gases that are detrimental to one's health. Occupational exposure can present itself in the form of short term acute effects such as eye and respiratory irritation through to long term chronic conditions like heart and lung disease.

In this episode Dr. Julia Norris, current AIOH President & Medical Director at Occuhealth joins us to discuss workplace health monitoring and why it is important. Health monitoring in the workplace is the process of checking a worker's health over time as a result of having been exposed to a hazardous substance. Health monitoring is not a substitute for using effective control measures to eliminate or minimise risks. It does, however, allow the workplace to look for specific health effects attributed to exposure from hazardous materials.

In this episode Terry Gorman, 3M's Occupational Hygienist for the Personal Safety Division in Australia and New Zealand joins us to discuss eye & face protection. When it comes to personal protective equipment, eye & face protection refers to safety gear that shields the delicate eyes and face from the wide range of hazards that may impact them on any given shift. Ranging from dust, sparks, heat, chemicals, flying or falling objects, every workplace has its own inherent risks.

In this episode Catherine Dunkerley, Senior Stakeholder Engagement Manager at Standards Australia, takes a deeper dive into the world of standards with host Mark Reggers as they explore how standards are developed. Standards are documents that set out specifications, procedures and guidelines that aim to ensure products, services, and systems are safe, consistent, and reliable. In the world of safety, standards ensure the quality and consistency of products and services, giving both businesses and consumers greater peace of mind. They serve to increase our health and safety and can be used to justify operations, ensuring that products, services and methods are appropriate for their intended use.

In this episode Terry Gorman, 3M's Occupational Hygienist for the Personal Safety Division in Australia and New Zealand joins us to discuss head protection. Head protection refers to an item of PPE known as a hard hat used to protect the skull and its fragile contents, the brain. The hard hat is predominantly used by those who work on busy construction sites and other industrial settings where there is a potential for head injuries from falling, flying or swinging objects, nearby overhead hazards, possible contact with electrical hazards and so much more.

In this episode host Mark Reggers and guest Peter Knott, occupational hygienist with GCG Consulting continue where they left off and resume their discussion on the subject matter of coal dust. Coal dust is a fine powdered form of coal which is created by the crushing, grinding or pulverising of coal during mining, handling and transportation. Coal dust exposure is hazardous to mine workers, placing them at risk of developing a dust-related lung disease, in particular, Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as 'black lung disease'.

In this episode Peter Knott, occupational hygienist with GCG Consulting joins host Mark Reggers for the first of a two-part series to discuss coal dust. Coal dust is a fine powdered form of coal which is created by the crushing, grinding or pulverising of coal during mining, handling and transportation. Coal dust exposure is hazardous to mine workers, placing them at risk of developing a dust-related lung disease, in particular, Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as 'black lung disease'.

In this episode host Mark Reggers and guest Dr Ross Di Corleto, Principal Consultant and Director of Monitor Consulting Services continue where they left off and resume their discussion on the subject matter of heat stress & strain in the workplace. Heat stress and heat strain are two different terms that are often incorrectly interchanged, using one phrase for the other. Heat stress refers to the net heat load to which a worker is exposed through physical exertion, environmental factors, and clothing worn. Heat strain is the body's physiological response to heat stress, resulting in sweating, increased heart rate and elevated core temperature. Heat stress leads to heat strain which can give rise to heat-related illnesses or death if not managed correctly.

In this episode Dr Ross Di Corleto, Principal Consultant and Director of Monitor Consulting Services joins host Mark Reggers for the first of a two-part series on heat stress & strain in the workplace. Heat stress and heat strain are two different terms that are often incorrectly interchanged, using one phrase for the other. Heat stress refers to the net heat load to which a worker is exposed through physical exertion, environmental factors, and clothing worn. Heat strain is the body's physiological response to heat stress, resulting in sweating, increased heart rate and elevated core temperature. Heat stress leads to heat strain which can give rise to heat-related illnesses or death if not managed correctly.

In this episode Steven Nikolovski, State Inspector for Asbestos and Demolition at SafeWork NSW joins us to discuss loose-fill asbestos, what it is, and why it so bad. Loose-fill asbestos is a dangerous form of asbestos used as insulation material and manufactured from raw crushed asbestos. It was used as ceiling insulation in the '60s and '70s by a small group of companies due to its excellent insulating and fire-retardant properties before becoming banned from use. Loose-fill asbestos is friable, that is, there is no means of preventing the tiny fibres from being released into the air, drifting from the ceiling to other parts of the home and inhaled by its occupants.

In this episode Linda Apthorpe, Consultant Occupational Hygienist and University Lecturer returns to discuss naturally occurring asbestos. Naturally occurring asbestos is the natural geological occurrence of asbestos minerals found in association with geological deposits including rock, sediments and soils. Generally, this refers to asbestos that has not been extracted or refined for commercial purposes and has been exposed unintentionally by excavation, road building or other construction or mining type works.

In this episode Linda Apthorpe, Consultant Occupational Hygienist and University Lecturer joins us to discuss the topic of asbestos in soil. Asbestos in soil can be found on a variety of properties, be it residential, commercial or recreational. It may exist for several reasons, including buildings that contained asbestos not being demolished and disposed of correctly, or asbestos contaminated soil used as topsoil or fill material. Primarily, however, asbestos containing materials find their way into the soil due to activities such as illegal dumping. Contaminated soil poses serious health risks and exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.

In this episode, David Provan, Managing Director of Forge Works joins us, along with returning guest Pam Pryor, to discuss rules and procedures in safety and how it fits into the OHS Body of Knowledge. Rules and procedures play a pivotal role in health and safety, particularly in high-risk environments. However, excessive documentation and governance can create an illusion of safety while possibly causing confusion and increasing risks. These concerns raise some critical questions, such as: what is, and what should be, the role of rules and procedures in regulatory compliance and hazard control.

In this episode David Caple, Director of David Caple & Associates Pty Ltd. joins us, along with last weeks guest Pam Pryor, to discuss health and safety in design and how it fits into the OHS Body of Knowledge. Health and Safety in Design is one of the core elements of control and intervention to manage and mitigate risk. It maps out the process that you go through to get to that outcome by emphasising safe design, that is, thinking about a workplace, a machine, or a product that is safe to use. Its importance has seen this aspect included in the OHS Body of Knowledge.

In this episode Pam Pryor, OHS Body of Knowledge Development Manager at the Safety Institute of Australia joins us to discuss the OHS Body of Knowledge, what it is and how it is used. The OHS Body of Knowledge is an ever-evolving knowledge base that occupational health and safety professionals can reference. First published in 2012, the project funded by WorkSafe Victoria had three defined deliverables. It was to define what the body of knowledge was that OHS professionals should have, to set up an accreditation process for university courses based on that body of knowledge, and to set up certification for individual professionals.

In this episode Peter Knott, occupational hygienist with GCG Consulting joins us to discuss real-time & video exposure monitoring. Real-time monitoring, in essence, is collecting exposure samples over very brief periods. On their own, they provide indications of short-term fluctuations in exposure and typically lack context. Since exposures to hazards are an event in time, workers may experience different concentration levels at different times. Video exposure monitoring synchronizes the real-time data with video recordings of workers and or environmental activities of what was going on at the time, providing an extra layer of meaning.

In this episode host Mark Reggers and guest Debbie Dietrich, Senior Vice President and Corporate Industrial Hygienist for SKC Inc. continue where they left off and resume their discussion on the subject matter of Exposure Monitoring. Exposure monitoring is a quantitative measurement of environmental hazards to which workers may be exposed to. It is a critical component of any Occupational Hygiene program in the prevention of illness and the preservation of health. Assessments help determine the types of controls required to remove or reduce a range of workplace hazards to things like chemicals, noise, radiation or heat stress to safe and acceptable levels.

In this episode, Debbie Dietrich, Senior Vice President and Corporate Industrial Hygienist for SKC Inc. joins host Mark Reggers for the first of a two-part series on Exposure Monitoring. Exposure monitoring is a quantitative measurement of environmental hazards to which workers may be exposed to. It is a critical component of any Occupational Hygiene program in the prevention of illness and the preservation of health. Assessments help determine the types of controls required to remove or reduce a range of workplace hazards to things like chemicals, noise, radiation or heat stress to safe and acceptable levels.

In this episode Dr. Julia Norris, current AIOH President & Medical Director at Occuhealth joins us to discuss the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH), who they are and what they do. The Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists is a professional body representing the interests of occupational hygienists in Australia. Their mission is to promote and preserve the health and wellbeing of Australian workers through application of the knowledge, practice and standing of occupational health and hygiene.

In this episode Terry Gorman, 3M's Technical Services Manager for the Personal Safety Division in Australia and New Zealand joins us to discuss when and why to change respiratory filters. Respirator filters do not last forever. As they do their job capturing airborne contaminants in the maze of fibres that is the filter, it becomes harder for air to make its way through and It becomes too difficult to breathe. If not changed regularly undue physical burden will be placed on the worker, and particulate filters or gas & vapour cartridges may not provide adequate protection after having reached their capacity.

In this episode host Mark Reggers discusses the subject matter of indoor air quality with guest Kevin White. Indoor air quality relates to the condition of the air within buildings and structures that we breathe in, and whether it is safe. Since we spend more than 90% of our time in-doors, poor-quality indoor air can affect the health, comfort and well-being of building occupants. It has been linked to reduced productivity and impaired learning in schools and has the ability to cause major health problems, such as allergies and respiratory diseases.

In this episode Ted Madison, 3M's former Technical Services Specialist for the Personal Safety Division in the U.S.A. joins us to discuss impulse noise hearing protection. Some of the most dangerous sounds that can contribute to hearing loss are some of the brief noises we hear. These sounds, known as impulse noises are very short, less than one second long, tiny bursts of noise that can be quite loud such as gunfire, an explosion, or the pop of pneumatic nail gun. Very loud impulse noises can cause both mechanical and metabolic damage to the sensory cells in the inner ear, under these conditions the proper selection, fit and use of hearing protection is critical.

In this episode Ranmalee De Silva, 3M's Application Engineering Specialist for the Cleaning and Workplace Safety portfolio of the Commercial Solutions Division in Australia and New Zealand joins us to discuss slips, trips and falls. Each year slips, trips and falls results in thousands of preventable injuries in the workplace. People must be able to move around the workplace safely, these incidents are a significant problem affecting every workplace, from the factory floor to the office and quite often can result in serious injury and lengthy amounts of time off work. Are you aware of slip, trip and fall risks and hazards in your workplace or work area?

In this episode Kosta Karagiannopoulos, 3M's Application Engineering Specialist for the Transportation Safety Division in Australia and New Zealand joins us to discuss connected roads. The connected roads program is about building the safer roads of tomorrow, starting today, to accommodate automated vehicles. Connected roads help improve roadway safety and efficiency through enhanced transportation infrastructure, for both human drivers and connected automated vehicles as the space age car of the future draws closer to becoming a reality.

In this episode Greg Peterson, 3M's Technical Engineer for 3M Fall Protection in Australia and New Zealand joins us to discuss fall protection engineered systems. An engineered system provides an anchorage point that allows greater movement and safety of the user over a larger or specific working environment. They are typically found on roofs, above truck loading bays, aircraft hangers, crane rails, anywhere the user needs to move along an area to perform their work.

In this episode Terry Gorman, 3M's Occupational Hygienist for the Personal Safety Division in Australia and New Zealand joins us to discuss welding fume … a known carcinogen. In early 2017, welding fume was reclassified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) from a classification of Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans, to Group 1, Carcinogenic to humans. This change was mostly related to the effects of UV exposure on the skin and eyes, for lung cancers and limited evidence for kidney cancer, from welding fume exposures.

In this episode Peter Aspinall, the Principal Occupational Hygiene Consultant with WSP joins us to discuss exposure standards with host Mark Reggers. Workplace exposure standards are a set of measures established by regulatory agencies that outline the maximum allowable limit for a variety of hazards that workers can be exposed to without suffering any negative health effects. They are numerical values representing the exposure levels prescribed as an acceptable risk.

In this episode Mark Reggers is joined by guest Terry Gorman, 3M's Occupational Hygienist for the Personal Safety Division in Australia and New Zealand to discuss methyl bromide. Methyl bromide is a colourless non-flammable gas which is heavier than air and odourless at low concentrations. It is widely used as a fumigant and pesticide to prevent unwanted pests such as insects and rodents in shipping containers. Methyl bromide is a very toxic fumigant gas that can be absorbed through inhalation and the skin.

In this episode Greg Peterson, 3M's Technical Engineer for 3M Fall Protection in Australia and New Zealand joins us to discuss Fall Protection Anchor Points. Anchorages, or as they are often referred to in the industry, anchor points, provide a secure point of attachment (to an existing structure) for the fall arrest system. Anchorages can be permanent or temporary and vary by industry, job, type of installation and structure they will attach to, and are an important component of a fall protection system that requires careful consideration.

In this episode Ted Madison, 3M's former Technical Services Specialist for the Personal Safety Division in the U.S.A. joins us to discuss Hearing Protection Device Ratings. When hearing protection is worn, it is important that the protective devices used have the appropriate protection rating based on your level of exposure to prevent noise-induced hearing loss. However, with different test methods used around the world to determine rating systems, ear plugs or ear muffs can have multiple ratings on them. How do you make sense of it all?

In this episode Ranmalee De Silva, 3M's Application Engineering Specialist for the Cleaning and Workplace Safety portfolio of the Commercial Solutions Division in Australia and New Zealand discusses spill control in the workplace. Spills in the workplace are unavoidable and need to be taken seriously when they do occur. Depending on the nature of the spill, whether it be oil, petrol, chemical or any other liquid it is important to get the spill under control to ensure the safety of personnel and minimise any environmental impact.

In this episode Rick Millar, the former Technical Manager for 3M Fall Protection in Australia and New Zealand discusses Fall Arrest versus Fall Restraint in Fall Protection with host Mark Reggers. The complexities of fall protection go far beyond equipment selection and use. When working at height we need to be aware of the different systems and work methods available, i.e. Fall Arrest and Fall Restraint. While they may sound similar, there are differences that need to be understood to select the appropriate fall protection solution to ensure the safety of personnel required to work at height.

In this episode, Mark Reggers discusses Fentanyl Risks for First Responders with guest Brad Prezant. Brad, an occupational hygienist, is the Chief Scientific Officer for ValidAir Sciences. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic medication that belongs to a group of drugs known as opioids. Opioids interact with opioid receptors in the brain and evoke a spectrum of responses within the body to treat pain. More recently, however, the abuse of illicitly produced fentanyl poses a risk of exposure to first responders who are required to attend crime and/or medical emergencies.

In this episode Mark Reggers is joined by guest Terry Gorman, 3M's Occupational Hygienist for the Personal Safety Division in Australia and New Zealand to discuss Isocyantes. Isocyanates are a group of highly reactive hazardous chemicals used to manufacture polyurethane foams, rubbers, plastics, varnishes, adhesives and paints. Isocyanates have been related to a number of adverse health effects, where isocyanates are used it is essential that a worker's exposure is appropriately controlled.

In this episode Mark Reggers is joined by guest Kosta Karagiannopoulos, 3M's Application Engineering Specialist for the Transportation Safety Division in Australia and New Zealand to discuss the science of retro reflectivity. Retro reflectivity or retro reflection occurs when a surface returns a large portion of a directed light beam back to its source. It helps the eye perceive objects in low light conditions when illuminated by a light source. The science of retro reflectivity is incorporated into safety garments, traffic control devices, vehicle markings and many more applications to keep people safe when it is dark and visibility is reduced.

In this episode host Mark Reggers is joined by fellow hygienist, Peter Aspinall. Peter is the Principal Occupational Hygiene Consultant with WSP and they focus their attention on the topic of occupational hygiene. Occupational hygiene is the practice of using science and engineering to anticipate, recognise, evaluate, control, and confirm the protection of workers from hazards in the workplace that may result in injury, illness, or affect the well-being of workers and the community at large. Occupational hygienists use their expertise to ensure the safety of workers' health from the hazardous agents in the workplace they must work with that have the potential to cause disease, discomfort and ill-health, now and into the future.

In this episode, Craig Leech, NSW Sales Manager and Technical Specialist for Australian Welding Supplies (AWS) returns for part two of our welding hazards episode where we dive deeper into the associated risks and the control measures required to keep welders safe. When we think welding most of us presume that it is simply the process of permanently bonding two pieces of metal together, however, there is more to welding than meets the eye. Technical matters aside, the world of a welder is filled with hazards, the risk of electrocution, fire and explosion, burns, electric shock, vision damage, inhalation of poisonous gases and fumes, and exposure to intense ultraviolet radiation is a real and present danger.

In this episode Mark Reggers is joined by guest Craig Leech, NSW Sales Manager and Technical Specialist for Australian Welding Supplies (AWS) to discuss welding hazards. When we think welding most of us presume that it is simply the process of permanently bonding two pieces of metal together, however, there is more to welding than meets the eye. Technical matters aside, the world of a welder is filled with hazards, the risk of electrocution, fire and explosion, burns, electric shock, vision damage, inhalation of poisonous gases and fumes, and exposure to intense ultraviolet radiation is a real and present danger.

In this episode Rick Millar, the former Technical Manager for 3M Fall Protection in Australia and New Zealand discusses the ABCD's of Fall Protection with host Mark Reggers. When working at height, the danger of falling is real and can bring devastating consequences. While fall protection is a complicated issue and details of your local laws and regulations, codes of practice and standards all need to be considered and understood, there are basic rules and principles that need to be followed to increase the safety of people working at height.

In this episode host Mark Reggers discusses the subject matter of mould with guest Kevin White. Kevin is the Principal Consultant for Greencap's WHS team in Western Australia. Mould is part of a group of organisms called fungi. It is present almost everywhere, both indoors and outdoors and mould spores are commonplace in many households and workplaces. Many different types of mould exist, and when present in large quantities have the potential to cause a range of both short term and chronic health problems, ranging from allergic reactions through to respiratory problems and even organ failure.

In this episode Kevin McComb, 3M's Technical Services Manager for the Personal Safety Division in Australia and New Zealand returns for the last episode in our confined space series. In this final chapter they focus their attention on supplied air respiratory in confined spaces. Confined spaces not only present toxic gases, but also the lack of oxygen. Where the lack of oxygen exists filtering respirators won't cut it, this is where self-contained breathing apparatus, or airline apparatus must be utilised. Basically, we are taking our own supply of air with us into the confined space area and operating from a much higher degree of safety.

In this episode Mark Reggers is joined by guest Kevin McComb, 3M's Technical Services Manager for the Personal Safety Division in Australia and New Zealand to discuss gas detection in confined spaces. Confined spaces present many unseen challenges, one of these is the potential for toxic atmospheric conditions within the space. Prior to entry, it's vital that the atmosphere is tested to check the oxygen concentration and to determine the presence of hazardous fumes, gases and vapours, as well as the respective levels of these potential hazards.