BCTGM members are faced with an abundance of hazards on the job which can lead to life threatening injuries and possibly death.
Scroll this page to learn about some of these dangers in your workplace.
MUSKULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
Muskuloskeletal Disorders (MSDโs) are any injury or illness of soft tissues of the upper extremity (fingers through upper arms), shoulders and neck, lower back, and lower extremity (hips through toes) that is primarily caused or exacerbated by common workplace risk factors such as sustained and repeated exertions or awkward postures and manipulations.
Included are disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, and spinal disks. Medical conditions that generally develop gradually over a period of time, and do not typically result from an instantaneous event. Other common names for musculoskeletal disorders include cumulative trauma, repetitive strain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
COMBUSTIBLE DUST & GRAIN INDUSTRY HAZARDS
Combustible dusts are fine particles that present an explosion hazard when suspended in the air in certain conditions.
A dust explosion can be catastrophic and cause employee deaths, injuries and destruction of entire structures. In many combustible dust accidents, employees and employers were unaware that a hazard even existed.
Combustible dust explosion hazards exist in a variety of industries, including the food (e.g. candy, spice, flour, feed), grain, sugar, and tobacco industries.
Grain Industry Hazards
Workers in the grain handling industry are exposed to a wide range of hazards, many of which can result in a fatality.
Some of these hazards include combustible dust explosions, suffocation from engulfment, entrapment in grain bins or silos, falls from heights, difficulty breathing, and amputations.
DIACETYL
Diacetyl is a chemical that imparts a butter flavor to food and beverages. It is used in a variety of food products, from butter flavored microwave popcorn to baked goods, candy, and cake mixes.
Diacetyl is rarely mentioned on an ingredient label, but is often included under โartificial flavoringโ. Exposure to diacetyl has been linked to a debilitating lung condition known as bronchitis obliterans.
WORK REORGANIZATION
New research shows that workers are suffering injuries and illnesses as a result of changes to the way their work is organized or structured.
New forms of work organization like Lean Production, Just in Time Production, Continuous Improvement, and the use of Work Teams, has led to downsizing, understaffing, increased pace of work, increased work load, additional job responsibilities, and mandatory overtime. This has led to an increase in worker stress, both physical and physiological, and has led to increased injury and illnesses.
MORE HEALTH & SAFETY RESOURCES
