Management System: Worker Safety and Health
Subject Area: Natural Hazards in the Environment VIEW/PRINT ALL (No Exhibits and Forms)
Effective Date: Mar 20, 2012 (Rev 4.0) Periodic Review Due: Jul 31, 2014	Subject Matter Expert: Timothy Green	Management System Executive: Ed Nowak	Management System Steward: George Goode II

Introduction

Natural hazards in the environment create special concerns for workers occupationally exposed in outdoor settings and work settings where environmental hazards may be present, and to guests and visitors in certain outdoor settings.

Environmental hazards may include infectious diseases found on Long Island and biological and physical agents such as

• Insect-borne diseases, including West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis;
• Tick-borne diseases, including Babesiosis, Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis;
• Animal-borne diseases, including Histoplasmosis and Cocciodiosis, Rabies, Hanta Virus; Tetanus;
• Stings & Bites: Bee/Wasp stings; Chigger “bites;” Spider bites; Snake bites;
• Poisonous plants: Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac;
• Lightning
• Ultraviolet radiation: Sunburn and snowblindness;
• Heat stress and cold stress.

This subject area provides procedures for ensuring safe work at BNL for personnel who have the potential for occupational exposure to environmental hazards. These requirements and guidelines apply to all BNL and non-BNL staff, including outside contractors and visitors.

This subject area does not contain information on preventing communicable disease. See the Bloodborne Pathogens Subject Area.

Contents

 

Section	Overview of Content (see section for full process)
1. Recognizing and Controlling Occupational Exposure to Environmental Hazards	Determine if personnel have potential occupational exposure to environmental hazards. Obtain training. Voluntarily notify supervisor or OMC of any pre-disposition to environmental hazards that can create medical emergencies. Evaluate heat stress or cold stress potentials for outdoor work. Comply with the work/rest regimen or personal dosimetry alarms for heat or cold stress.
2. Recognizing and Controlling Exposure to Environmental Hazards in On-site Housing and Guest Activities	Determine if personnel or attendees have potential exposure to environmental hazards. Implement exposure controls listed in the Natural Environmental Hazard Work Control Recommendations or other feasible measures.

Definitions

Exhibits

BNL Cold Stress Occupational Exposure Limits
BNL Heat Stress Occupational Exposure Limits
Natural Environmental Hazards at BNL 1-page Information Sheet
Natural Environmental Hazards Work Control Recommendations

Forms

None

Training Requirements and Reporting Obligations

This subject area contains training requirements. See the Training and Qualifications Web Site.

This subject area does not contain reporting obligations.

External/Internal Requirements

Requirement Number	Requirement Title
29 CFR 1910	Labor/Occupational Safety and Health Standards
ACGIH TLVs	Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents
BSA Contract No. DE-AC02-98CH10886 - Clause H.3 (Contractor Assurance System)	Contractor Assurance System
BSA Contract No. DE-AC02-98CH10886 - Clause I.119 (DEAR 970.5223-1)	Integration of Environment, Safety and Health into Work Planning and Execution (DEC 2000)

References

Asbestos Subject Area

Bloodborne Pathogens Subject Area

Chiggers, Missouri Department of Conservation

Heat Stress Web page

Rabies, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Tick Identification Services, Safety and Health Services Web site

Training and Qualifications Web Site

Vaisala Lightning Explorer, Vaisala Web Site

West Nile Virus, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Standards of Performance

Managers shall analyze work for hazards, authorize work to proceed, and ensure that work is performed within established controls.

All staff and users shall identify, evaluate, and control hazards in order to ensure that work is conducted safely and in a manner that protects the worker, the environment, and the public.

 

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