7.3.2 Learning Outcome No. 1: Control Environmental Hazard 7.3.2.1 Learning Activities Learning Outcome No 1: Control Environmental Hazard Instructions (Gh ‘Learning Activities Speci: NY. ‘1.1. Follow storage methods (...) for envi mentally hazardous material according to environmental regulations and OSHS. Personal protective 1.2. Follow disposal methods (...) of hazardous waste according to | equipment should be environmental regulations and OSHS. used at all times, 1.3. Use PPE (masks, gloves, goggles, safety hat, overall, hearing | Trainees to handle protector) according to OSHS. hazardous waste storage and disposal in groups. 7.3.2.2 Information Sheet No7/LO1: Control Environmental Hazard o Introduction This learning outcome covers storage methods for environmentally hazardous materials, disposal methods of hazardous waste and use of PPE in accordance with environmental regulations, such as Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) 1999, and occupational safety and Health Standards (OSHS) Definition of key terms Environment: Literally it refers to the surroundings. It is an integration of physical, chemical and living factors that act upon an organism determining its form and survival. It inchides both living and non-living things. Environmentally Hazardous materials: These are the substances which have the potential to threaten the surrounding by affecting plants’ and animals’ health, pollution causing natural disasters, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): These are the garments or materials worn in order to safeguard a person from hazards such as injury or infection. Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act (EMCA) 1999: It is a legal framework that provides for environmental management and conservation in Kenya. The original act was recently revised in 2015 to align to the2010 Kenyan Constitution. Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS): These are guidelines or principal set in order to foster a safe a safe and health work environment. 306Content/Procedures/Methods/Ilustrations 1.1 Storage methods for environmentally hazardous materials are strictly followed according to environmental regulations and OSH! Environmentally hazardous material are items or agents (chemical. biological, physical or/and radiological) that potentially have the ability to cause harm to the surroundings. The control of environmentally hazardous materials in Kenya is govemed by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) under the Kenyan Constitution, NEMA was formed by an act of parliament in May 1996, starting operations in July 2002, serving as the national body to implement environmental policies within Kenya across all sectors. In addition, it is also tasked with supervising and coordinating environmental activities NEMA is able to enforce its roles and responsibilities using environmental Management and Co-ordination Act (EMCA), the law framework on environmental management and conservation in Kenya. The principal act of 1999 was amended in 2015 in accordance with the 2010 constitution, EMCA is thus tasked with the management of environmentally hazardous substances and waste shall not be imported into Kenya without the authority, (NEMA) issuing a valid permit, Hazardous materials under the globally harmonized Systems are categorized into three classes: ‘© Health Hazards + Physical Hazards + Environmental Hazards These classes are further classified into different categories. In line with our topic focu: environmental hazards are divided into: © Acute ‘© Aquatic Toxicity © Chronic Aquatic Toxicity. Storage methods for environmentally hazardous materials must follow the below procedures according to Occupational Safety and Health Standard (OSHS): i. Follow all the storage instructions on the product label. Storage requirements vary based on the material’s hazardous properties. fi, Be sure to store all volatile products in well ventilated areas. Fumes can be toxic to living things, both plants and animals. iii, Make certain you store flammable products in the recommended temperature range. The container will expand if you store them in too high temperatures. In too low temperatures, liquid materials will expand, freeze and burst if you store them iv. Keep all hazardous materials out of children’s reach and away from all animals. This can be done through: * Covering materials with safety lids whenever possible + Putting all hazardous materials stared behind locked doors. ¥. Use the original container to store the hazardous material, vi. Reduce the amount of hazardous materials you keep in storage. Buy only the amount required for your task 307Vii viii xii Do regular maintenance of storage areas, Regular clean-ups and inspections of storage areas, Storage methods for environmentally hazardous materials can be resolved by answering four questions. What materials are being stored? Understanding the properties of a hazardous ‘material is paramount, Be it physical or chemical or biological properties. The ‘material being stored may be incompatible with some conditions and/or substances. For example, flammable liquids should not be stored with an oxidizing agent. Why is the material being stored? Ways should be developed to either us hazardous materials or reduce the quantity of materials stored? Where is the material being stored? Ensure that storage is clearly defined as permanent, temporary or transient location? How is the material being stored? It reviews local, state and federal regulations and the manufacture’s specifications? What type of container? Is also answered here Storage Methods In Environmental Health Requirements, materials should be stored in a manner that does not harm or threaten human health or the environment. It is in line with this, that storage methods of environmentally hazardous materials are considered. These methods are; Storing in tanks and containers. Containers are portable whereas tanks are stationary. ‘anks and containers chosen for storage should meet the following criteria Good condition Closed/sealed Chemically compatible Impervious surface No floor drains Under cover, if outside Container Management involves; Can only accumulate in containers and tanks (criteria for container choice) Inspection logo Adequate aisle space-Not less than an adjacent distance of two feet. Container/Tank marking Storage time=be less than 90 days. Outdoor security measures such as controlled entry and barrier creation Onsite waste storage facilities They include open waste piles and ponds. Must be constructed over an impervious base and be in compliance with regulatory requirements, The pile must be protected from 308‘weather conditions such as wind, rain and direct sunshine, Used to store temporary hazardous waste before disposal Open pit or holding pond (lagoon) Used to store temporary hazardous liquid waste. Lagoons must be lined with impervious soils and ground water must be protected by flexible membrane liners. 1.2. Disposal methods of hazardous waste are followed according to environmental regulations and OSHS Disposal methods of hazardous waste Disposal of hazardous waste is governed and overseen by NEMA, The major guideline under which NEMA. enforces its mandate is the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), Just as storage methods, disposal methods of hazardous waste can be resolved by answering the following four questions: ‘+ What waste is being disposed? All properties (chemical, physical and biological) of the waste must be put into consideration. ‘+ Why is the waste being disposed? Some materials may be marked for disposal yet they may be usefull for another function though not the one originally purchased for? ‘+ Where is the waste disposal taking place: The waste can be disposed far away from human and animal settlement? If it is a specific area, then certain regulations must, be adhered to, Different counties or states have different policies and legislations of hazard waste disposal ‘+ How is the waste being disposed? It involves reviewing local, state and federal regulations and the manufacturer's specifications, Disposal Methods a) Incineration This involves burning the substance in high temperatures. Incineration destroys and terminates most of the waste. This method is beneficial as flammable waste can also be used as energy sources when burned. The backside that comes with incineration is the release of toxic gases to the environment. This has however been solved by the current technology which has developed more efficient incinerator units that limit the amount of emissions released b) Reeyeling E-waste is mostly disposed in the form. For example, part of a dead phone or computer maybe used to fix a broken-down phone or computer. ©) Landfill disposal This technique involves storing solid hazardous waste into the ground. Landfills for hazardous wastes are lined with a double layered non-porous material such as clay to inhibit 309leaching, After dumping, the landfills are covered to prohibit animals such as rodents and insects from entering, Unfortunately, this method occupies a huge space. 4) Dumping at sea Hazardous waste is deposited into the deep sea after treatment to minimize its impact on ground water sources. This method however is currently under heavy scrutiny or even banned around the world to preserve the blue economy. ©) Underground disposal Termed to be the most ideal and economical for radioactive waste. It is only conducted on inhabitable lands such as inactive mines which must meet a particular geological and technical criterion. It involves injecting the hazardous waste deep into the ground. They are also referred to as injection wells. The hazardous waste that can use this method include medical treatments, brine fom mining of radioactive ores and the production of nuclear fuel. 1.3 PPE (masks, gloves, goggles, safety hat, overall, hearing protector) usage according to OSHS Personal Protective Equipment. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is protective clothing or garments or instruments designed to protect the body of the wearer from hazards that may cause injury or infection. It should be noted that PPE does not eliminate the hazard or danger at the source but rather protects the wearer's body in case the hazard happens, that is, an accident happens. PPE are provided under the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS). OSHS are formulated guidelines that safeguard an employce’s economic and social well-being a as his/her physical health and safety. OSHS strives to foster a healthy working environment. OSHS in Kenya is guided by the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 2007 and implemented by the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS). OSHS provides for PPE in any working environment to reduce risk of harm or injury. OSHS requires PPE to be offered to employees free of charge. PPE must be carefully chosen and training offered to employees on how to use them properly and know how to detect and report any damages. When selecting and using PPE, the following should be considered; well ‘© Who and what is exposed? ‘© Duration of exposure «Extent of exposure Types of PPE i. Byes: Safety spectacles, face sereens, goggles, face shields, visions: Hazards include dust, metal or chemical splash, radiation, gas and vapour. fi, Head and Neck: Bump caps, helmets, Hazards include impact from falling or flying objects, risk of head bumping, drips, splashes. 310iii, Ears: Ear muffs, earplugs, semi-insert/canal caps. Hazards include noise (combines duration, intensity and exposure time) iv. Hands and arms: Gloves and gauntlets. Hazards include cuts, punctures, abrasion, electric shock, radiation, extreme temperatures. v. Feet and legs: Safety books. Hazards include slipping, cuts, punctures, falling objects, splashes, vehicles. vi. Lungs: Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE). Hazards include toxic gases, dust vii. Whole body: Overalls (Conventional and disposable), boiler suits, aprons. Hazards include heat, splashes, sprays, impact, entanglement of own clothing. Conclusion. At the end of this learning outcome, the trainee should have learnt; how EMCA regulates, storage and disposal of environmentally hazardous materials, classification of hazardous materials and waste to know how best to store and dispose them. The trainee should be able to know what OSHS entails and how it is used to perform its roles. The trainee should able to provide PPE for various working environment in accordance with OSHS and environmental regulations, Further Reading oO Revised Environmental Management and Co-ordination Management (EMCA) 2015 Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 2007 .3 Self-Assessment Written Assessment 1. Which is the environmental governing body in Kenya? a) EMCA b) NEMA ©) Ministry of Environment d) Government of Kenya 2. In which year was EMCA amended to align with the Kenyan Constitution? a) 2015 b) 1999 ©) 2007 @) 2010 3, Among the following, which is not @ hazardous material? a) Mine Brine b) Used oil BL©) Natural gas, @) Broken computers 4, Which of the following is a storage method of environmentally hazardous material? a) Open Tanks b) Open pits ©) Injection wells, @) Incineration 5. Which disposal method is most ideal for hazard waste from Uranium mining? a) Landfills b) Recycling ©) Injection wells, ) Sea dumping 6. What does OSHS not deal with? a) Provision of PPE, b) Employability ) First Aid training 4d) Workplace safety 7. Chemical splashes are common hazard at Coca Cola Company. Which PPE does not protect from this? a) Goggles b) Overall ©) Safety boots @) Earplugs 8, Name three aspects to be considered when choosing a suitable storage method for hazardous materials. 9. Briefly explain four disposal methods for hazardous waste. 10. Describe PPE you can recommend in a welding industry. 11. Differentiate between OSHS and OSHA. Practical Assessment 1. Develop an instruction manual describing procedures on how to store and dispose~ off a hazardous chemical material 2, Write a report on the storage and disposal methods of hazardous materials used in school. 7.3.24 Tools, Equipment, Supplies and Materials ‘+ Standard operating and/or other workplace procedure manuals ‘+ Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act 1999 ‘+ Machine/equipment manufacturers specifications and instructions ‘© Personal Protective Equipment ‘+ Occupational Safety and Health Act 2007 3127.3.2.5 References © Government of Kenya (1999). Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act Nairobi. Kenya Government of Kenya (2007). Occupational Safety and Health Act. Government Press. Nairobi. Kenya Attp:/!wwnw.britannica.com/technology/hazardous.waste. management/Treatment storage. and disposal http:/!ww. SourthernCouncil.org/common.methods.of hazardous.waste.disposal 313