Hazards and Solutions

Many workers are unaware of the potential hazards in their work environments, making them more vulnerable to injury. The following references aid in recognizing and controlling workplace hazards that may be present in the plastics industry.

General

• Job Hazard Analysis. OSHA Publication 3071, (Revised 2002). Explains job hazard analysis and offers guidelines to help employers conduct their own step-by-step analysis.
• Fatality and Catastrophe Investigation Summaries. OSHA. Enter 3089 in the text box next to the SIC label and complete the other search criteria fields to find descriptions of injuries in plastics processing.
• Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Provides users with access to the full text of hundreds of fatality investigation reports. Reports are indexed by industry and cause of fatality.
• Preventing Injuries and Deaths of Workers Who Operate or Work Near Forklifts. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-109, (2001). Outlines the dangers of operating or working near forklifts and how to avoid forklift injuries.
• Free Leaflets - Plastics Industry. Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Links to a collection of documents regarding many risks, hazards, and solutions related to the plastics industry.

Electrical

• Electrical. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Ergonomics

• A Primer Based on Workplace Evaluations of Musculoskeletal Disorders. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-117, (March 1997). Links to NIOSH investigations where certain work settings were found to contribute to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Lists disorders and recommendations for avoiding injury. The following are relevant to the plastics industry:
  • 3070: Manufacturing (Plastics, metal products)
    • Bennett Industries, Peotone, Illinois. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Health Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance (HETA) Report No. HETA 89–146–2049, (June 1990).
  • 3089: Manufacturing (Plastic products)
    • Scott Molders, Inc., Kent, Ohio. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Health Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance (HETA) Report No. HETA 91-0003-2232, (July 1992).
• For additional information, see OSHA's Ergonomics Safety and Health Topics Page.

Hazard Communication

• Hazard Communication. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Isocyanates

• A Summary of Health Hazard Evaluations: Issues Related to Occupational Exposure to Isocyanates, 1989 to 2002. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-116, (January 2004).
• For additional information, see OSHA's Isocyanates Safety and Health Topics Page.

Legionnaires' Disease

• Legionnaires' Disease Risk for Workers in the Plastic Injection Molding Industry. OSHA Hazard Information Bulletin (HIB), (December 9, 1998). Describes how workers engaged in the manufacture of plastic parts using injection molding equipment may be at an increased risk for Legionnaires' disease, a potentially life-threatening form of pneumonia.
• For additional information, see OSHA's Legionnaires' Disease Safety and Health Topics Page.

Lockout/Tagout

• Lockout-Tagout Interactive Training Program. OSHA eTool. Includes a tutorial that explains the Lockout/Tagout standard in question and answer format, a list of Hot Topics discussing major issues related to the standard, and seven interactive case studies.
• NIOSH Alert: Preventing Worker Deaths from Uncontrolled Release of Electrical, Mechanical, and Other Types of Hazardous Energy. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 99-110, (1999). Provides steps to follow in order to protect yourself when installing or servicing equipment and systems.
• For additional information, see OSHA's Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) Safety and Health Topics Page.

Machine Guarding

• Machine Guarding. OSHA eTool. Focuses on recognizing and controlling common amputation hazards associated with the operation and use of certain types of machines.
  • Plastics Machinery. Discusses guidelines and safety measures for horizontal injection molding machines. A virtual tour of a horizontal injection molding machine is also available.
• Protect Yourself - Amputations. OSHA QuickCard, (2015). Discusses amputations and the best way to prevent them.
• Amputations. OSHA Fact Sheet, (2002). Covers where and how to avoid amputations.
• Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Workers from Amputations. OSHA Publication 3170, (2007). Helps the small business employer identify and manage common amputation hazards associated with operating and using stationary equipment.
• For additional information, see OSHA's Machine Guarding Safety and Health Topics Page.

Noise

• Occupational Noise Exposure. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Powered Industrial Trucks

• Powered Industrial Trucks. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Respiratory Protection

• Respiratory Protection. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Walking/Working Surfaces

• Final Rule to Update General Industry Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection Standards. OSHA, (2016).
• Slips and Falls Caused by Plastic Pellets and Beads
  • Slips and falls are one of the major causes of plastics industry accidents. They occur frequently and happen when you least expect it. Walking surfaces that have spilled resin pellets or beads provide minimal traction due to the slippery nature of the pellets or beads, and subject workers to slips and falls. The occurrence of slips and falls and the extent of injuries from them can be minimized through proper safety and good housekeeping practices. It is important to identify and correct unsafe conditions to prevent slips and falls from spilled resin pellets or beads. An all around program that will help you is called "Operation Clean Sweep". This free program shows you how to ensure that your worksite is properly set up to prevent pellet loss and to assist you in cleaning up your facility.