Evaluation of the Occupational Risk Associated to Work Environment in Ferrous Metallurgy

Abstract

Work environment present risk factors due to chemical pollution of ambient air with dust, smoke, fumes, vapors, mists and gases. Moreover physical risk factors (related to noise, lighting, temperature, vibration, humidity, radiation) lead to hazards with varying degrees of significance. In this paper were identified the hazards associated with the work place for a maintenance worker who works in all sectors of metallurgical plant. The risk assessment was made in terms of severity and probability, combining these two factors in a risk matrix. From the analysis the significant hazards (unacceptable) related to work environment resulted. These are caused by the presence of the following pollutants: toxic gases (VOCs, PAHs, dioxins, furans), explosive flammable gases (methane gas, blast furnace gas, bigaz, oxygen), carbon monoxide and particulate matter.