Category: Environment

Computer Work Stations:

Complaints concerning musculoskeletal problems are frequently heard from computer operators. Most common are complaints relating to the neck, shoulders, and back. Others concern the arms and hands and occasionally the legs.Certain common characteristics of VDT jobs have been identified and associated with increased risk of musculoskeletal problems.

These include:

• Design of the workstation.

• Nature of the task.

• Repetitiveness of the job.

• Degree of postural constraint.

• Work pace.

• Work/rest schedules.

• Personal attributes of individual workers.

The key to comfort is in maintaining the body in a relaxed, natural position. The ideal work position is to have the arms hanging relaxed from the shoulders. If a keyboard is used, arms should be bent at right angles at the elbow, with the hands held in a straight line with forearms and elbows close to the body. The head should be in line with the body and slightly forward.

Display Screens:

When work is conducted at a computer, the top of the display screen should be at, or just slightly below, eye level. This allows the eyes to view the screen at a comfortable level, without having to tilt the head or move the back muscles.Control glare at the source whenever possible; place VDTs so that they are parallel to direct sources of light such as windows and overhead lights, and use window treatments if necessary. When glare sources cannot be removed, seek appropriate screen treatments such as glare filters. Keep the screen clean.

Your Chair:

The chair is usually the most important piece of furniture that affects user comfort in the office. The chair should be adjusted for comfort, making sure the back is supported and that the seat pan is at a height so that the thighs are horizontal and feet are flat on the floor. An ergonomically sound chair requires four degrees of freedom – seat pan tilt, backrest angle, seat height, and backrest height. Operators can then vary the chair adjustments according to the task. In general, chairs with the most easily adjustable dimensions permit the most flexibility to support people’s preferred sitting postures.Armrests on chairs are recommended for most office work except where they interfere with the task. Resting arms on armrests is a very effective way to reduce arm discomforts. Armrests should be sufficiently short and low to allow workers to get close enough to their work surfaces, especially for tasks that require fixed arm postures above the work surface.

Working Height:

The work surface height should fit the task. The principle is to place the surface height where the work may be performed in such a manner as to keep arms low and close to the body in relation to the task. If the working height is too high, the shoulders or the upper arms have to be lifted to compensate, which may lead to painful symptoms and cramps at the level of the neck and shoulders. If, on the other hand, the working height is too low, the back must be excessively bowed, which may cause backache. Generally, work should be done at about elbow height, whether sitting or standing. Adjustable work stations should be provided so that individuals may change the stations to meet their needs. A VDT workstation without an adjustable keyboard height and without an adjustable height and distance of the screen is not suitable for continuous work.

Work/Rest Schedules:

One solution for stress and fatigue is to design the computer operator’s work so that tasks requiring concentrated work at the terminal are alternated with non-computer based tasks throughout the workday. Also, a short break (5-10 minutes) should be taken at least once each hour when involved in continuous work at the computer.

Other Solutions:

Additional measures that will aid in reducing discomfort while working with VDTs include:

• Change position, stand up or stretch whenever you start to feel tired.

• Use a soft touch on the keyboard and keep your shoulders, hands, and fingers relaxed.

• Use a document holder, positioned at about the same plane and distance as the display screen.

• Rest your eyes by occasionally looking off into the distance.

Office Lighting:

Different tasks require different levels of lighting. Areas in which intricate work is performed, for example, require greater illumination than warehouses. Lighting needs vary form time to time and person to person as well. One approach is to use adjustable task lighting that can provide needed illumination without increasing general lighting.Task lamps are very effective to supplement the general office light levels for those who require or prefer additional light. Some task lamps permit several light levels. Since task lamps are controlled by the individual, they can accommodate personal preferences.

Indoor Air Quality:

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an increasingly important issue in the work environment. The study of indoor air quality and pollutant levels within office environments is a complex problem. The complexity of studying and measuring the quality of office environments arises from various factors including:

• Office building floor plans are frequently changing to accommodate increasingly more employees and reorganization.

• Office buildings frequently undergo building renovations such as installation of new carpet, modular office partitions and free-standing offices, and painting.

• Many of the health symptoms appearing are vague and common both to the office and home environment.

• In general, very little data on pollutant levels within office environments is available.

• Guidelines or standards for permissible personal exposure limits to pollutants within office buildings are very limited.Many times odors are associated with chemical contaminants from inside or outside the office space, or from the building fabric. This is particularly noticeable following building renovation or installation of new carpeting. Out gassing from such things as paints, adhesives, sealants, office furniture, carpeting, and vinyl wall coverings is the source of a variety of irritant compounds. In most cases, these chemical contaminants can be measured at levels above ambient (normal background) but far below any existing occupational evaluation criteria.

Waste Disposal:

Office personnel should carefully handle and properly dispose of hazardous materials, such as broken glass. A waste receptacle containing broken glass or other hazardous material, should be labeled to warn maintenance personnel of the  department.

Know Emergency Procedures:

Last but not least, good office safety includes knowing the locations of fire extinguishers and the proper fire escape route.  Access to extinguishers or escape routes must never be blocked.

25 steps you can take to reduce the risk of injury among your office staff:

Falls:

Slips, trips and falls, the most common type of office injury, sidelined 25,790 workers in 2008, according to BLS. The National Safety Council says employees are 2.5 times more likely to suffer a disabling fall in an office setting than anywhere else. Several hazards contribute to these injuries, although most can be significantly reduced, often by raising awareness among employees.

1

Stay clutter-free

Boxes, files and various items piled in walkways can create a tripping hazard, according to OSHA. Be certain that all materials are safely stored in their proper location to prevent buildup of clutter in walkways. Further, in addition to posing an electrical hazard, stretching cords across walkways or under rugs creates a tripping hazard, so ensure all cords are properly secured and covered.

2

Step on up

Standing on chairs – particularly rolling office chairs – is a significant fall hazard. Workers who need to reach something at an elevated height should use a stepladder. The Chicago-based American Ladder Institute cautions that stepladders must be fully opened and placed on level, firm ground. Workers should never climb higher than the step indicated as the highest safe standing level.

3

Maintain a clear line of vision

Workers can collide when making turns in the hallways and around blind corners or cubicle walls. The National Safety Council suggests installing convex mirrors at intersections to help reduce collisions. If workers can see who is coming around the corner, collisions are less likely to occur.

4

Get a grip

Carpeting and other skid-resistant surfaces can serve to reduce falls. Marble or tile can become very slippery – particularly when wet, according to the National Safety Council. Placing carpets down can be especially helpful at entranceways, where workers are likely to be coming in with shoes wet from rain or snow.

Struck/caught by:

Another major type of injury in the office setting comes from workers being struck by or caught by an object. Incidents of this nature accounted for 15,680 injuries in 2008, according to BLS.

5

Shut the drawer

File cabinets with too many fully extended drawers could tip over if they are not secured, the council warns. Additionally, open drawers on desks and file cabinets pose a tripping hazard, so be sure to always completely close drawers when not in use.

6

Safe stacking
According to the Office of Compliance, which oversees the safety of U.S. congressional workers, proper storage of heavy items can help reduce the number of office injuries. Large stacks of materials and heavy equipment can cause major injuries if they are knocked over. OOC recommends storing heavy objects close to the floor, and warns that the load capacity of shelves or storage units should never be exceeded.

Ergonomics injuries:

Perhaps the most prevalent injuries in an office setting are related to ergonomics. Because office workers spend the bulk of their day seated at a desk and working on a computer, they are prone to strains and other injuries related to posture and repetitive movement. Ergonomics hazards can be difficult to detect. “Most office conditions that can be described as hazardous from an ergonomics perspective would appear quite innocuous to the everyday observer,” said Marc Turina, principal consultant for ErgoSmart Consultants in McKees Rocks, PA.

7

Provide adjustable equipment

One size does not fit all in an office workstation. “Adjustability is the key,” Turina said. “Chairs, work surfaces, monitor stands, etc., should all be adjustable in order to accommodate the widest range of employees.” He recommended presenting a variety of options to employees. Although employers may be reluctant to pay for expensive ergonomic equipment, experts insist the equipment is a wise investment. “A good keyboard tray may retail around $300; a good chair may retail around $500 to $700,” said Sonia Paquette, professional ergonomist and doctor of occupational therapy. She points out that the cost of the health claims that stem from not having these devices is much higher. “Some of these hard claims cost many tens of thousands of dollars just of medical treatment, let alone cost of replacement, absenteeism, loss of work production, etc.”

8

Train workers on how to use equipment

Providing adjustable furniture and equipment is only the first step in creating an ergonomically sound workstation. “A big issue that I have encountered a lot lately is employee inability to properly adjust their own office chairs,” Turina said. “Many times, employers can invest $500 in an excellent adjustable chair, but employees still experience a bad workstation fit.” The problem often is twofold: Workers do not know how to adjust their equipment, and they do not know the most ergonomically beneficial way to set up their workstation. Train workers on both the ideal setup and how to operate adjustable equipment accordingly.

9

Keep your feet on the floor

One of the first questions Paquette asks workers is whether their feet touch the floor when seated at their desk. “It sounds like an incredibly simple question,” she said, “but very often workers have their keyboard tray on the desktop, so in order to reach it, they need to jack up their chair so high that their feet can barely touch the floor.” She added that unless an employee’s feet are on the floor, a chair will not be able to reduce pain and discomfort. She recommended options such as adjustable keyboard trays or rolling tables adjusted to the proper height to eliminate this problem. Although footrests are a “second-best option,” their small surface may impede some of the worker’s movement.

10

Provide document holders

Frequently typing from hard copy can lead to neck strain if a worker is forced to repeatedly look down to the desk and back to the computer screen. Turina recommends providing document holders to reduce this strain. “These document holders are reasonably priced, and eliminate excessive cervical motion and help to prevent muscle imbalances,” he said. Document holders also are good for the eyes, according to the St. Louis-based American Optometric Association. Keeping reference materials close to the monitor reduces the need for your eyes to change focus as you look from the document to the monitor.

11

Correct mouse placement

Paquette often sees workstations where the computer keyboard is on a tray, but the mouse remains on the desk. “That spells disaster for the neck and shoulder on the side of that mouse,” she said. She recommends that the mouse always be placed beside the keyboard.

Vision problems:

Although looking at a computer monitor cannot damage your eyes, spending a large portion of your workday at the computer can cause eyestrain, according to Chicago-based Prevent Blindness America. Eyes can become dry and irritated, and workers may begin having trouble focusing. A few work area adjustments can help alleviate some of these issues. 

12

Dim the lights and use task lamps
Florescent lights in office buildings often are too bright for optimal vision. According to the American Optometric Association, light that is at about half-normal office levels is preferred. This can be achieved by removing some bulbs from overhead fixtures. If more light is needed for a particular task, the British Columbia Public Service Employee Relations Commission recommends providing individual task lamps rather than increasing overall lighting. The commission cautions that lightbulbs in task lamps should be fully recessed to avoid the creation of a bright spot in the worker’s line of vision.

13

Correctly position monitors
Prevent Blindness America recommends workers place their computer monitors slightly below eye level and 20-26 inches from their eyes. Screens that can tilt or swivel are especially beneficial. “Your eyes’ resting position is a few degrees below the horizon when you’re looking straight ahead,” Paquette said.

14

Minimize screen glare
The American Optometric Association points to screen glare as a major cause of eyestrain in the office. To minimize strain, avoid positioning monitors opposite open windows, or be sure to always close shades or blinds. A glare reduction filter also can be used.

15

Wear the right glasses
Workers should tell their eye doctor if they spend a large portion of the day working on the computer, the association recommends. The doctor can check the efficiency of vision at 20-30 inches – the typical distance a computer monitor should be placed. Glasses are available for computer use that allow the wearer to see the full monitor without having to excessively strain the neck.

16

Increase font size on computer
Small font sizes on the computer can strain both your vision and your neck, as workers tend to pull the head forward to view smaller print. A simple adjustment to the font size on the computer screen can eliminate the need for this. “In many software programs, you can use the CTRL-scroll up or down or CTRL+ or CTRL- to increase or reduce the size of the page you are looking at,” Paquette said.

17

Take a break
Giving your eyes a rest and allowing them to focus on things at varying distances can help reduce strain and fatigue. OSHA recommends workers take a 10-minute break for every hour spent on the computer. These breaks can include working on tasks that require your eyes to focus on objects at a further range.

Fire safety:

Local fire departments responded to approximately 3,830 office fires each year between 2004 and 2008, according to the Quincy, MA-based National Fire Protection Association. On average, these fires caused four civilian deaths and 37 civilian injuries annually. Some routine inspections around the office can help reduce the likelihood of fire causing such devastation.

18

Maintain cords in good repair
According to the Office of Compliance, damaged and ungrounded power cords pose a serious fire hazard and violate safety codes. Cords should be inspected regularly for wear and taken out of service if they are frayed or have exposed wire. Further, cords should never be used if the third prong has been damaged or removed. Make sure cords are not overloading outlets. The most common causes of fires started by extension cords are improper use and overloading. Extension cords should be approved by a certifying laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories, and only used temporarily to connect one device at a time.

19

Inspect space heaters
If employees use space heaters, verify the devices are approved for commercial use and have a switch that automatically shuts off the heater if the heater is tipped over, the Office of Compliance suggests. Further, make sure space heaters are not powered through an extension cord or placed near combustible materials such as paper.

20

Never block fire sprinklers
Furniture and tall stacks of materials can block the range of fire sprinklers, reducing their effectiveness in the event of an emergency. Objects should never be placed higher than 18 inches below sprinkler heads to allow a full range of coverage, according to the Office of  Compliance.

21

Do not block escape routes or prop open fire doors  
Items never should be stored along an emergency exit route. These paths should remain free of clutter, according to OSHA. Fire doors should not be held open by unapproved means (such as with a garbage can or chair), as this creates a significant fire hazard.

Administrative controls:

In addition to employee training and improved equipment, certain administrative controls can aid hazard recognition and the elimination of potentially dangerous situations.

22

Conduct walk-throughs
Periodically walking around the office can help with hazard recognition and maintenance of ergonomic task design. Turina recommended employers conduct an ergonomics screen of every workstation at least once a year. “Employee complaints are invaluable in the process, but yearly reassessments can help to ensure that a good fit is maintained between employee and workstation,” he said.

23

Monitor signs of musculoskeletal disorders 
Recognizing the symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders can alert employees of the need to make an ergonomics alteration to their workstation. But workers need to know what those warning signs are. “Lots of musculoskeletal injuries developing from poor ergonomics start out asymptomatically and can become quite severe by the time an employee starts to experience symptoms,” Turina said. Pay attention to any pain, fatigue, numbness or weakness, as these may be signs of an ergonomics problem and the start of a more serious MSD.

24

Talk to employees about their concerns
Simply asking workers how they are feeling can go a long way toward recognizing hazards. “Employers need to take advantage of the cases where employees are experiencing symptoms like discomfort and fatigue early on, when quick, inexpensive interventions can usually solve the problem,” Turina said. “Ignoring these early warning signs can lead to employee suffering and astronomical cost in some cases.”

25

Establish employee reporting systems
Establishing an employee reporting system can be the best way for organizations to get a handle on potential hazards before they cause injury. Consider creating an anonymous reporting process that encourages workers to come forward with their concerns. “Research shows that early intervention yields the most cost-efficient results in all areas,” Paquette said.

SAFETY SIGNAGE FOR OFFICE

Click the below link to know safety moment and office safety check sheet

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 office-safety-check-sheet-2

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officesafetychecklist

Which type of ventilation system is best for my workplace:

All industrial ventilation systems, when designed properly, should be able to provide long-term worker protection. The two types of ventilation, dilution and local exhaust, are compared in the following table.

limitations of any ventilation system:

Some limitations include:

• The systems deteriorate over the years because of to contaminant build-up within the system, especially filters.

• Require ongoing maintenance.

• Regular and routine testing is needed to identify problems early and implement corrective measures.

• Only qualified persons should make modifications to a ventilation system to make sure the system continues to work effectively.

The following is an example of changes that can affect how a system works:

Figure 7
Adding a duct branch

A hood and branch are added to an existing duct. The local exhaust ventilation pulls air into the system from the new location, which will reduce the airflow from other locations that are further away from the exhaust fan. Again, airflow will all be affected. The result is that the system will plug more rapidly and the air flows at the other hoods may not be adequate enough to remove contaminants.

Measures for dilution ventilation rates:

Air Changes per minute (ACM) [or air changes per hour (ACH)] is generally used as a way to measure the dilution ventilation rate. Air exchange rate means replacing the entire volume of air in the work space in one minute or one hour. The following formula can be used to determine the air exchange rate:

For example if the air flow rate required in a work space which is 40 feet long, 40 feet wide and 12 feet high, volume of the work space is 40 x 40 x 12 = 19,200 cubic feet.

Air flow rate required per ACH = 19,200 / 60 = 320 cfm

Or, air flow rate required per ACM = 19,200 cfm

Or, if the ceiling height is 20 feet high then the room volume is 40 feet X 40 feet X 20 feet high= 32,000 cubic feet and the required air flow rate will be as follows:

Air flow rate required per ACH = 32,000 / 60 = 533 cfm

Or, air flow rate required per ACM = 32,000 cfm

The required air change rate is sometimes given in ventilation regulations and ventilation design standards. For example, a flammable storage room requires six air changes per hour according to US OSHA requirements. The Canadian National Building Code (NBC) requires residential houses to mechanical ventilation system capable of providing at least one half (0.5) air changes per hour during the heating season to avoid chimney back drafting.

However, air changes per hour (or minute) may not be an appropriate measure for ventilation criteria when controlling certain hazards, heat and/or odors. Ventilation should be determined on the amount of contaminant generated, and the toxicity of that contaminant (not just the size of the room).

Design standards available:

Although there are not many specific government codes and regulations, there are many recommended standards. The important ones are described below (in no particular order):

Please see the OSH Answers document Industrial Ventilation – Glossary of Common Terms for a description of the acronyms.

Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act – Regulation 851 for Industrial Establishments (section 127 & 128) mentions general requirements for adequate ventilation and replacement air.

British Columbia O.H.& S Regulation – BC Regulation 296/297 Part 5.60-5.71 gives the detailed requirements for dilution ventilation, LEV, make-up air, discharged air and re circulation of discharged air.

OSHA – This US Government agency has promulgated a few ventilation standards, e.g., the four standards in 29CFR1910.94 dealing with local exhaust systems. OSHA’s construction standards in 29CFR1926 contain ventilation standards for welding. Such ventilation systems are “required,” but OSHA usually does not consider its ventilation standards violated unless exposure standards are also violated.

NIOSH – This US Government research organization has published a number of useful ventilation documents, including publications on foundry ventilation, re circulation, and push – pull hoods.

AMCA – This US trade association has developed standards and testing procedures for fans. It has a number of useful publications related to fan selection, testing, troubleshooting and certification (e.g., AMCA 201).

ASHRAE – This US based society of heating and air conditioning engineers has produced a number of standards related to indoor air quality (IAQ), filter performance and testing comfort, and HVAC systems.

ANSI -This US based consensus standards setting organization has produced several important standards on ventilation including paint spray booths, grinding exhaust hoods, open sun tank exhausts and laboratory ventilation.

ACGIH – The ACGIH Industrial Ventilation Committee publishes the manual of recommended practice for industrial ventilation. The Manual has been recognized worldwide a useful source of information on all aspects of IVS.

SMACNA – This US association of sheet metal contractors and suppliers sets standards for ducts and duct installation.

NFPA – This US based fire protection association has produced a number of recommendations (which become requirements when adopted by local fire agencies), e.g. NFPA 45 lists a number of ventilation requirements for Lab Fume hood use.

BUILDING CODES – There are building codes set or adopted by almost every city, county and municipality. All industrial buildings have to be built to these codes in order to have a building accepted. However, most have little direct reference to industrial ventilation, but these codes need to be checked.

Duct system:

The ventilation system in a building consists of air moving devices such as fans and blowers and a network of ducts to exhaust the contaminated indoor air and to bring in air from the outside of the building.

Basic principles of duct design:

Duct systems should be designed to have air flow through the ducts with as little friction or resistance as possible. The amount of air that flows through a duct depends on the cross section area (duct opening area) of the duct and the air speed. Air moving too slowly will allow contaminants such as dusts to settle and accumulate and these particles will eventually clog the duct. Air moving too fast wastes power, can create noise problems, and may cause excessive abrasion by dust particles hitting the ducts. Recommended speed (“duct velocity”) for different types of contaminants can be found in reference books on ventilation.

Duct systems typically require large amounts of air to move relatively small amounts of   contaminants. The required volume of airflow depends of the acceptable concentration of air contaminants in the inside work space. A carefully designed system can achieve the required air concentration while using the least amount of power. Other design considerations include initial capital costs, reliability, maintenance, and durability of air handling equipment.

The table below illustrates some basic duct design principles.

Causes of leakage or plugging to a duct:

Ducts can plug or leak for the following main reasons:

Low air speed: Inside the ducts, air speed must be in a range that is adequate to move contaminant effectively. Changing the duct size or the airflow through any duct can change the minimum speed. One small change in one section of the system can affect the overall system and its performance.

Flexible ducts: Corrugated flexible ducts create more friction and bend losses that slow down air movement.

Modifications of the duct system: If hoods and ducts are added to the existing duct system, it is necessary to adjust or “re balance” the airflow. If not properly re balanced, the system will “self-balance” – typically the airflow will be reduced in the sections that have higher resistance. Reduced airflow will cause particulates to settle out of the air stream and the ducts to plug.

Particulate traps, settling chambers, or “clean outs” are not present or used: Frequent cleaning of specific points in the duct network (those that plug first) can reduce the need for a major system cleaning. By monitoring the most common trouble spots, the effort needed to maintain the ducts is minimized. At locations of rapid or frequent plugging, clean out or access doors make cleaning much easier. See Figure 1.

Figure 1
Typical Clean out Door for Duct Network

Airflow changes direction abruptly: Deposits are more common in short radius elbows and “T” type branch connections. The figures below shows the examples of abrupt air direction changes.

Figure 2(a)
Short radius elbows create heavy deposits

Figure 2(b)
Never use “T” Connection
Figure 2(a) & 2(b)
Abrupt Air Direction Changes

What are fans:

Fans are the “workhorses” of the ventilation systems. In order to have an effective ventilation system, fans must be the appropriate size and type. They must provide enough speed (air movement) to capture contaminants at the source, draw them through the hood, and carry them through the duct system, through the air cleaning devices and exhaust to the outdoors.

Types of fans are available:

There are two main types of exhaust fans:

1. Axial Fans: These fans look like propellers and draw air straight through the fan.
2. Centrifugal fans: These fans look like “squirrel cages” that draw air into the centre of the fan and exhaust it at a 90-degree angle.

Axial or propeller fans:

There are three basic types of axial fans: propeller, tubeaxial, and vaneaxial. Propeller fans are most commonly used for dilution ventilation or cooling. These fans are often mounted in a wall or ceiling. Common examples are your automobile radiator fan or a free standing room fans. The basic characteristics of these fans include that they:

• can move large amounts of air if there is little resistance,

• are not suited for local exhaust ventilation because they do not provide enough suction to draw air through the system.

Tubeaxial and vaneaxial fans are essentially propeller fans made to fit in a duct. They are usually limited to “clean air” applications such as exhaust ducts going through the roof.

Centrifugal fans:

There are three types of centrifugal fans determined by the type of fan blades:

• forward inclined blades,

• backward inclined blades, and

• straight radial blades.

The fans in your home furnace, vacuum cleaner and hair dryer are examples of centrifugal fans. They can operate against a high resistance and are typically used in local exhaust ventilation systems. The rugged radial blade centrifugal fans are the best type for exhausting heavy amounts of dust because they are less likely to become clogged or abraded by the dust.

Figure 1
Types of fans

How do you know if the correct type of fan has been selected:

Selection of the proper fan can be complicated and should be done by a ventilation or fan expert. However, you can make the following observations to determine if the fan selected is appropriate:

Material handled through the fan

• If the exhaust air contains a small amount of smoke or dust, a backward inclined centrifugal or axial fan should be selected.

• If the exhaust air contains light dust, fume or moisture, a backward inclined or radial centrifugal fan would be preferred.

• If the particulate load in the exhaust air is high or when material is handled, the normal selection would be a radial centrifugal fan.

• If the exhaust air contains explosive or flammable material, spark resistant construction (explosion proof motor if the motor is in the air stream) should be selected to conform to the standards of the National Fire Protection Association and provincial governmental regulations.

• If the exhaust air contains corrosive contaminants, a protective coating or special materials of construction (stainless, fibreglass, etc.) may have to be used in construction of the fan and motor.

Capacity:

You may or may not know how much air has to be moved by the fan. You may also not know the amount of resistance in the exhaust system that the fan has to overcome and what is the fan efficiency. However, the following general information may be helpful:

• Fan size should be determined by performance requirements. Inlet size and location, fan weight and ease of maintenance also must be considered. The most efficient fan size may not fit the physical space available.

• On packaged fans, the motor is furnished and mounted by the manufacturer (direct-drive). On larger units, the motor is mounted separately and coupled directly to the fan or indirectly by a belt drive.

• Direct Drive fans offer a more compact assembly and assure constant fan speed. Fan speeds are limited to available motor speeds. Capacity is set during construction.

• Belt Drive fans offers flexibility in that fan speed, which can be changed by altering the drive ratio. This flexibility may be important in some applications to provide for changes in system capacity or pressure requirements due to changes in process, hood design, equipment location or air cleaning equipment.

• It is normally a custom to select a fan that is working at no more than 80% of its full rated speed. The motor selected should be able to handle the horsepower required to achieve that speed i.e. a speed increase of 20%.

Safety:

Safety guards are required for all danger points such as inlet, outlet, shaft, drive and cleanout doors. Construction should comply with applicable provincial governmental safety requirements.

What is a hood:

A hood – correctly called a local exhaust hood – is the point where contaminated air is drawn into the ventilation system. The sizes and shapes of hoods are designed for specific tasks or situations. The air speed (velocity) at the hood opening and inside the hood must be enough to catch or capture and carry the air contaminants. To be most effective, the hood should surround or enclose the source of contaminant or be placed as close to the source as possible.

What are the common types of hood:

The three common classes of hoods are:

• Enclosing.

• Receiving.

• Capturing.

Enclosing Hood:

Enclosing hoods, or “fume” hoods, are hoods surrounding the process or point where the contaminants are generated. Examples of completely enclosed hoods (all sides enclosed) are glove boxes and grinder hoods. Examples of partially enclosed (two or three sides enclosed) hoods are laboratory hoods or paint spray booths. The enclosing hood is preferred whenever possible.

Figure 1
Partially Enclosed Hood

Receiving Hood:

These hoods are designed to “receive” or catch the emissions from a source that has some initial velocity or movement. For example, a type of receiving hood called a canopy hood receives hot rising air and gases as shown in Figure 2. An example is a canopy hood located over a melting furnace.

Figure 2
Receiving Hood

Capturing Hood:

These hoods are located next to an emission source without surrounding (enclosing) it. Examples are a rectangular hood along the edge of a tank (as shown in Figure 3) or a hood on a welding or grinding bench table (figure 4) or a downdraft hood for hand grinding bench (figure 5).

Figure 3
Capturing Hood

Figure 4
Capturing hood for welding or grinding bench

Figure 5
Downdraft Hood for hand grinding

“capture velocity”?

The ventilation system removes contaminants by “pulling” the air (and the contaminant) into the exhaust hood and away from the worker or the source. Airflow toward the hood opening must be fast or high enough to “catch and transport” the contaminant until it reaches the hood and ducts. The required air speed is called the “capture velocity”.

Any air motion outside of the hood and surrounding area may affect how the air flows into the hood. The ventilation system will require a higher airflow speed to overcome air disturbances. As much as possible, the other sources of air motion should be minimized or eliminated for the ventilation system to work effectively.

Common sources of external air movement include:

• Thermal air currents, especially from hot processes or heat-generating operations.

• Motion of machinery such as by a grinding wheel, belt conveyor, etc.

• Material motion such as dumping or filling.

• Movements of the operator.

• Room air currents (which are usually taken at 50 fpm (feet per minute) minimum and may be much higher).

• Rapid air movement caused by spot cooling and heating equipment.

Most of the capture velocities are around 100 feet per minute (fpm). How fast is 100 fpm? Blowing lightly on your hand so that you can just barely feel air movement is about 100 fpm. It is easy to see how it will take very little air movement from other sources to affect how well a hood can capture contaminants. (See Figure 6).

Figure 6
Competitors to Capture Velocity

General rules for hood design?

The shape of the hood and its size, location, and rate of airflow each play an important role in design considerations. Each type of hood also has specific design requirements, but several general principles apply to all hoods:

• The hood should be placed as close as possible to the source of contamination, preferably enclosing it. The more completely enclosed the source is, the less air will be required for control. The required volume varies with the square of the distance from the source as shown in Figure 7.

• The air should travel from source of the contaminant and into the hood with enough velocity (speed) to adequately capture the contaminant.

• The hood should be located in a way that the operator is never between the contaminant source and the hood.

• The natural movement of contaminants should be taken into consideration. For example, a hood should be placed above hot processes to trap rising gases and heat. A grinding wheel or woodworking machine should be equipped with a partial enclosure to trap the flying particles where they spin off.

• The flanges or baffles should be used around the hood opening to increase the capture effectiveness and reduce ventilation air requirements.

Figure 7
If a hood moved from two inches away from a source to four inches away (twice the distance), the required airflow will be four times greater to provide the same degree of capture.

Hazard Control:

Offices :

Office areas are to be kept neat and orderly. The following general rules apply to prevent injuries and maintain a professional appearance.

1. All aisles, emergency exits, fire extinguishers, etc., will be kept clear (a minimum of three feet of either side) of material storage (temporary and permanent) at all times.

2. Storage areas will be maintained orderly at all times. When supplies are received, the supplies will be stored properly.

3. Spills will be cleaned-up immediately and wastes disposed of properly.

4. All waste receptacles will be lined with a plastic trash bag to avoid direct contact while handling. Custodial Employees will use rubber gloves and compaction bar when handling wastes.

5. Keep file and desk drawers closed when not attended to avoid injuries. Open only one drawer at a time to prevent tipping of file cabinets.

6. At the end of the business day, turn off all office equipment (area heaters, lamps, coffee-maker, PCs, etc.) and lights to save energy and prevent fires. All space heaters be un-plugged at the end of the day to assure they have been turned-off.

Production Areas :

Production areas will be kept neat and orderly, during operations and as follows:

1. All aisles, emergency exits, fire extinguishers, eye wash stations, etc., will be kept clear (a minimum of three feet in front of and to either side) of product storage, material storage, fork trucks and pallet jacks at all times.

2. Spills will be cleaned up immediately.

3. All process leaks will be reported to supervision and maintenance for immediate repair and clean-up.

4. Utility Employees will be responsible to keep aisles and work floors clear of excessive debris and waste materials during shift operation, between breaks and at shift change when necessary or directed by supervision; however, all Employees are responsible to communicate slippery floors to supervision for immediate clean-up.

5. All refuse and waste materials will be placed in the recognized waste containers for disposal.

Rest Rooms, Locker Rooms and Cafeteria:

Rest rooms, locker rooms and cafeteria are provided as a convenience for all Employees. The following rules will apply:

1. Employees are expected to clean-up after themselves as a common courtesy to fellow Employees.

2. Flammable materials (fire works, explosives, gasoline, etc.) may not stored in lockers or brought on company property.

3. Personal food item will not be stored in lockers or cafeteria overnight.

4. All waste receptacles will be lined with a plastic trash bag to avoid direct contact while handling and Custodial Employees will use rubber gloves and compaction bar when handling wastes.

5. All refuse and waste materials will be placed in the recognized waste containers for disposal.

Maintenance Areas :

1. All aisles, emergency exits, fire extinguishers, etc., will be kept clear (a minimum of three feet of either side) of material storage (temporary and permanent) at all times.

2. Storage Areas will be maintained orderly at all times: a. Pipe stock stored horizontally on racks and sorted by size b. Metal stock stored horizontally on racks and sorted by size c. Sheet metal stock stored vertically in racks and sorted by type d. All fittings, etc., stored in bins on shelves and sorted by type and use e. All flammables stored in OSHA-approved Fire Cabinets and self-closing cans where necessary .

3. Spills will be cleaned-up immediately by the person responsible and wastes disposed properly.

4. All refuse and waste materials will be placed in the recognized waste containers for disposal.

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hand_hygiene

House keeping guidelines- 5S Terminology

Introduction:

The definition of e-waste is essential to Step as an organization as well as its activities and its contributions to the world-wide solution of the e-waste problem. There is global inconsistency in the under-standing and application of the term “e-waste” in both legislation and everyday use. This has resulted in many definitions contained within e-waste regulations, policies and guidelines. The intent of this paper is to provide a non-legal definition of the term and clarity about how the term should be used.

E-waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams globally. The UNU ADDRESS project documents that e-waste volume placed on the market since 1990 has grown from 19.5 million tonnes to 57.4 million tonnes in 2010 and is set to more than tri-ple to approximately 75 million tonnes by 2015.

E-waste contains hazardous substances that, if treated inappropriately at end-of-life, can damage human health and the environment. It also contains complex valuable materials, such as precious metals which need to be treated properly to effectively recover them with minimal environmental impact.

Overview:

Industrial revolution followed by the advances in information technology during the last century has radically changed people’s lifestyle. Although this development has helped the human race, mismanagement has led to new problems of contamination and pollution. The technical prowess acquired during the last century has posed a new challenge in the management of wastes. For example, personal computers (PCs) contain certain components, which are highly toxic, such as chlorinated and brominated substances, toxic gases, toxic metals, biologically active materials, acids, plastics and plastic additives.The hazardous content of these materials pose a environmental and health threat. Thus proper management is necessary while disposing or recycling e­wastes.

These days computer has become most common and widely used gadget in all kinds of activities ranging from schools, residences, offices to manufacturing industries. E-toxic components in computers could be summarized as circuit boards containing heavy metals like lead & cadmium; batteries containing cadmium; cathode ray tubes with lead oxide & barium; brominated flame retardants used on printed circuit boards, cables and plastic casing; poly vinyl chloride (PVC) coated copper cables and plastic computer casings that release highly toxic dioxins & furans when burnt to recover valuable metals; mercury switches; mercury in flat screens; poly chlorinated biphenyl’s (PCB’s) present in older capacitors; transformers; etc. Basel Action Network (BAN) estimates that the 500 million computers in the world contain 2.87 billion kgs of plastics, 716.7 million kgs of lead and 286,700 kgs of mercury. The average 14-inch monitor uses a tube that contains an estimated 2.5 to 4 kgs of lead. The lead can seep into the ground water from landfills thereby contaminating it. If the tube is crushed and burned, it emits toxic fumes into the air.

Definition of E-waste:

The term “e-waste” itself is self-explanatory, in the sense that it is an abbreviation of “electronic waste”. A key part of the definition is the word “waste” and what it logically implies – that the item has no further use and is rejected as useless or excess to the owner in its current condition. The definition of e-waste that has been agreed by Step is:

“E-Waste is a term used to cover items of all types of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and its parts that have been discarded by the owner as waste without the intention of re-use.”

It is important to note that the definition includes all types of EEE, as there is no room for regional variance or preference in a global definition; the fact that the item in question meets the definition “with circuitry or electrical components with power or battery supply”qualifies it for inclusion.

The inclusion of “parts” within the definition refers to parts that have been removed from EEE by disassembly and are electrical or electronic in nature.

The use of the term “discarded” is also central to this definition, meaning to throw away5 or get rid of as useless6. The term implies that the item in question is considered excess or waste by the owner. It is the critical point at which the potential nature of the item changes from a useful product to that of waste.

Effects on environment and human health:

“E-waste” is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their “useful life. “E-wastes are considered dangerous, as certain components of some electronic products contain materials that are hazardous, depending on their condition and density. The hazardous content of these materials pose a threat to human health and environment.Discarded

• Computer,

• televisions

• VCRs

• stereos,

• copiers

• fax machines,

• electric lamps,

• cell phones,

• audio equipment and batteries

if improperly disposed can leach lead and other substances into soil and groundwater. Many of these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled in an environmentally sound manner so that they are less harmful to the ecosystem.

Disposal of e-wastes is a particular problem faced in many regions across the globe. Computer wastes that are landfilled produces contaminated leachates which eventually pollute the groundwater. Acids and sludge obtained from melting computer chips, if disposed on the ground causes acidification of soil. For example, Guiyu, Hong Kong a thriving area of illegal e-waste recycling is facing acute water shortages due to the contamination of water resources.

This is due to disposal of recycling wastes such as acids, sludges etc. in rivers. Now water is being transported from faraway towns to cater to the demands of the population. Incineration of e-wastes can emit toxic fumes and gases, thereby polluting the surrounding air. Improperly monitored landfills can cause environmental hazards. Mercury will leach when certain electronic devices, such as circuit breakers are destroyed.The same is true for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from condensers. When brominated flame retardant plastic or cadmium containing plastics are landfilled, both polybrominated dlphenyl ethers (PBDE) and cadmium may leach into the soil and groundwater. It has been found that significant amounts of lead ion are dissolved from broken lead containing glass, such as the cone glass of cathode ray tubes, gets mixed with acid waters and are a common occurrence in landfills.

Not only does the leaching of mercury poses specific problems, the vaporization of metallic mercury and dimethylene mercury, both part of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is also of concern. In addition, uncontrolled fires may arise at landfills and this could be a frequent occurrence in many countries. When exposed to fire, metals and other chemical substances, such as the extremely toxic dioxins and furans (TCDD tetrachloro dibenzo-dioxin, PCDDs-polychlorinated dibenzo­dioxins. PBDDs-polybrominated dibenzo-dioxin and PCDFs­poly chlorinated dibenzo furans) from halogenated flame retardant products and PCB containing condensers can be emitted. The most dangerous form of burning e-waste is the open-air burning of plastics in order to recover copper and other metals. The toxic fall-out from open air burning affects both the local environment and broader global air currents, depositing highly toxic by products in many places throughout the world.

Table I summarizes the health effects of certain constituents in e-wastes. If these electronic items are discarded with other household garbage, the toxic pose a threat to both health and vital components of the ecosystem. In view of the ill-effects of hazardous wastes to both environment and health, several countries exhorted the need for a global agreement to address the problems and challenges posed by hazardous waste.

Responsibility and Role of industries:

1. Generators of wastes should take responsibility to determine the output characteristics of wastes and if hazardous, should provide management options.

2. All personnel involved in handling e-waste in industries including those at the policy, management, control and operational levels, should be properly qualified and trained. Companies can adopt their own policies while handling.

e-wastes. Some are given below:

• Use label materials to assist in recycling (particularly plastics).

• Standardize components for easy disassembly.

• Re-evaluate ‘cheap products’ use, make product cycle ‘cheap’ and so that it
  has no inherent value that would encourage a recycling infrastructure.

• Create computer components and peripherals of biodegradable materials.

• Utilize technology sharing particularly for manufacturing and de manufacturing.

• Encourage / promote / require green procurement for corporate buyers.

• Look at green packaging options.

3. Companies can and should adopt waste minimization techniques, which will make a significant reduction in the quantity of e-waste generated and thereby lessening the impact on the environment. It is a “reverse production” system that designs infrastructure to recover and reuse every material contained within e-wastes metals such as lead, copper, aluminum and gold, and various plastics, glass and wire. Such a “closed loop” manufacturing and recovery system offers a win-win situation for everyone, less of the Earth will be mined for raw materials, and groundwater will be protected, researchers explain.

4. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers should undertake the responsibility of recycling/disposal of their own products.

5. Manufacturers of computer monitors, television sets and other electronic devices containing hazardous materials must be responsible for educating consumers and the general public regarding the potential threat to public health and the environment posed by their products. At minimum, all computer monitors, television sets and other electronic devices containing hazardous materials must be clearly labeled to identify environmental hazards and proper materials management.

Management of E-Wastes:

It is estimated that 75% of electronic items are stored due to uncertainty of how to manage it. These electronic junks lie unattended in houses, offices,warehouses etc.and normally mixed with household wastes, which are finally disposed off at landfills. This necessitates implementable management measures.

In industries management of e-waste should begin at the point of generation. This can be done by waste minimization techniques and by sustainable product design. Waste minimization in industries involves adopting:

• inventory management,

• production-process modification,

• volume reduction,

• recovery and reuse.

Inventory management:

Proper control over the materials used in the manufacturing process is an important way to reduce waste generation (Freeman, 1989). By reducing both the quantity of hazardous materials used in the process and the amount of excess raw materials in stock, the quantity of waste generated can be reduced. This can be done in two ways i.e. establishing material-purchase review and control procedures and inventory tracking system.

Developing review procedures for all material purchased is the first step in establishing an inventory management program. Procedures should require that all materials be approved prior to purchase. In the approval process all production materials are evaluated to examine if they contain hazardous constituents and whether alternative non-hazardous materials are available.

Another inventory management procedure for waste reduction is to ensure that only the needed quantity of a material is ordered. This will require the establishment of a strict inventory tracking system. Purchase procedures must be implemented which ensure that materials are ordered only on an as-needed basis and that only the amount needed for a specific period of time is ordered.

Production-process modification:

Changes can be made in the production process, which will reduce waste generation. This reduction can be accomplished by changing the materials used to make the product or by the more efficient use of input materials in the production process or both. Potential waste minimization techniques can be broken down into three categories:

i) Improved operating and maintenance procedures,

ii) Material change and

iii)Process-equipment modification.

Improvements in the operation and maintenance of process equipment can result in significant waste reduction. This can be accomplished by reviewing current operational procedures or lack of procedures and examination of the production process for ways to improve its efficiency. Instituting standard operation procedures can optimize the use of raw materials in the production process and reduce the potential for materials to be lost through leaks and spills. A strict maintenance program, which stresses corrective maintenance, can reduce waste generation caused by equipment failure. An employee-training program is a key element of any waste reduction program.

Training should include correct operating and handling procedures, proper equipment use, recommend maintenance and inspection schedules, correct process control specifications and proper management of waste materials.

Hazardous materials used in either a product formulation or a production process may be replaced with a less hazardous or non-hazardous material. This is a very widely used technique and is applicable to most manufacturing processes. Implementation of this waste ­reduction technique may require only some minor process adjustments or it may require extensive new process equipment. For example, a circuit board manufacturer can replace solvent-based product with water-based flux and simultaneously replace solvent vapor degreaser with detergent parts washer.

Volume reduction:

Volume reduction includes those techniques that remove the hazardous portion of a waste from a non-hazardous portion. These techniques are usually to reduce the volume, and thus the cost of disposing of a waste material. The techniques that can be used to reduce waste-stream volume can be divided into 2 general categories: source segregation and waste concentration. Segregation of wastes is in many cases a simple and economical technique for waste reduction. Wastes containing different types of metals can be treated separately so that the metal value in the sludge can be recovered. Concentration of a waste stream may increase the likelihood that the material can be recycled or reused. Methods include gravity and vacuum filtration, ultra filtration, reverse osmosis, freeze vaporization etc.

For example, an electronic component manufacturer can use compaction equipments to reduce volume of waste cathode ray-tube.

Recovery and reuse:

This technique could eliminate waste disposal costs, reduce raw material costs and provide income from a salable waste. Waste can be recovered on-site, or at an off-site recovery facility, or through inter industry exchange. A number of physical and chemical techniques are available to reclaim a waste material such as reverse osmosis, electrolysis, condensation, electrolytic recovery, filtration, centrifugation etc. For example, a printed-circuit board manufacturer can use electrolytic recovery to reclaim metals from copper and tin-lead plating bath.

However recycling of hazardous products has little environmental benefit if it simply moves the hazards into secondary products that eventually have to be disposed of.Unless the goal is redesign the product to use non­hazardous materials, such recycling is a false solution.

E -Waste-reduce, reuse, recycle:

Millions of tons of electronic waste is generated every year in all over the world and the amount increases with every new gadget, computer and smartphone that hits the market. In our quest to improve our lives through technology we are creating electronic waste at an unprecedented rate. In response, we have seen more attention focused on methods to reduce, reuse and recycle electronic waste.

• E-waste is the most rapidly growing segment of the municipal solid waste stream.
• E-waste contains many valuable, recoverable materials such as aluminum, copper, gold, silver, plastics, and ferrous metals. In order to conserve natural resources and the energy needed to produce new electronic equipment from virgin resources, electronic equipment can be refurbished, reused, and recycled instead of being landfilled.
• E-waste also contains toxic and hazardous materials including mercury, lead, cadmium, beryllium, chromium, and chemical flame retardants, which have the potential to leach into our soil and water.

What are the benefits and advantages of recycle e-waste?

• There are several!
  • Conserves natural resources. Recycling recovers valuable materials from old electronics that can be used to make new products. As a result, we save energy, reduce pollution, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save resources by extracting fewer raw materials from the earth.
  • Protects your surroundings. Safe recycling of outdated electronics promotes sound management of toxic chemicals such as lead and mercury.
  • Helps others. Donating your used electronics benefits your community by passing on ready-to-use or refurbished equipment to those who need it.
  • Create Jobs. e-cycling creates jobs for professional recyclers and refurbishers and creates new markets for the valuable components that are dismantled.
  • Saves landfill space. E-waste is a growing waste stream. By recycling these items, landfill space is conserved.

Electronic waste management options hierarchy:

1. Reuse of whole units: Reuse functioning electronic equipment by donating it to someone who can still use it.
2. Repair/refurbishment/remanufacturing of units
3. Recovery/reuse of functional peripherals or components
4. Recycling of constituent materials: Recycle those components that cannot be repaired.
5. Last. Responsible disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste in permitted landfills.

Think back ­for a minute at the procession of computers, TVs, cell phones, radios, game consoles and music players that have passed through your hands over the years. What about the endless stream of products such as vacuum cleaners, microwaves, hair dryers, electric toothbrushes, alarm clocks, lamps, lawn mowers and smoke detectors that have come in and out of your life?

These are just a few examples of devices that are part of the growing phenomenon known as e-waste. E-waste is the term used to describe discarded electronics and electrical products. In the past few decades, the world’s demand for gadgetry has gone through the roof and, inevitably, more waste has started to accumulate. As the bustling economies of China and India modernize and follow more Western trends, the worldwide generation of e-waste has hit astronomical proportions.

So what happens to all that e-waste? E-waste contains a bonanza of toxic and hazardous components that, for the most part, are currently being shunted into landfills. Much of the remaining portion is exported to developing nations, where many laborers, working under unsafe, unregulated conditions, recycle this e-waste. The work these laborers do, while it does provide some raw materials that can be reused, comes with some serious consequences.

E-waste Regulations:

If you don’t want to damage the environment, are you supposed to transform your storage closet into an electronics graveyard? Never fear, the slow but steady mechanisms of social consciousness have been grinding at this one for a while now, and movement is starting to happen. Input about e-waste regulations are coming from a number of fronts, including grassroots organizations, governing bodies and industrial leaders.

Many organizations have recognized the potential for e-waste dangers for years. However, the issue recently came to the forefront of media in 2002, when Basel Action Network’s (BAN) documentary “Exporting Harm” was released. BAN works to reduce the harmful effects of exporting e-waste and promotes sustainable solutions to worldwide waste issues. So-called recyclers and scrap brokers were buying e-waste from developed regions throughout the world and dumping it in developing nations. In some parts of these countries, people were dismantling electronics on street corners, instead of in recycling facilities.

BASEL CONVENTION:

The fundamental aims of the Basel Convention are the control and reduction of transboundary movements of hazardous and other wastes including the prevention and minimization of their generation, the environmentally sound management of such wastes and the active promotion of the transfer and use of technologies.

A Draft Strategic Plan has been proposed for the implementation of the Basel Convention. The Draft Strategic Plan takes into account existing regional plans, programmes or strategies, the decisions of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies, ongoing project activities and process of international environmental governance and sustainable development. The Draft requires action at all levels of society: training, information, communication, methodological tools, capacity building with financial support, transfer of know-how, knowledge and sound, proven cleaner technologies and processes to assist in the concrete implementation of the Basel Declaration. It also calls for the effective involvement and coordination by all concerned stakeholders as essential for achieving the aims of the Basel Declaration within the approach of common but differentiated responsibility.

Electronic Waste:

Recycling laptops, computers and other electronic equipment:

Most electronic waste goes through a recycling system called a WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), which not only recycles 95-98%, by weight, of all ewaste passed through it, but ensures that any data left on hard drives and memories are thoroughly destroyed too.

• Picking Shed – first all the items are sorted by hand and batteries and copper are extracted for quality control.

• Initial Size Reduction Process – items are shredded into pieces as small as 100mm to prepare the ewaste to be thoroughly sorted. This is also where the data destruction takes place.

• Secondary Size Reduction – the small debris is shaken to ensure that it is evenly spread out on the conveyor belt, before it gets broken down even more. Any dust extracted is disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.

• Overband Magnet – using magnets, steel and iron are removed from the debris.

• Metallic & Non-Metallic Content – aluminium, copper and brass are separated from the non-metallic content. The metallic can then be reused and resold as raw materials.

• Water Separation – water is used to separate plastic from the glass content. Once divided all raw materials can then be resold.

Cathode Ray Tubes – recycling CRT Monitors and Televisions:

Recycling Cathode Ray Tubes, most commonly found in computer monitors and old televisions, is more complicated than recycling most electronic waste. This is because toxins found within CRT’s are among the most dangerous – CRT’s have lead in the glass which can seriously harm the environment and our health if leaked into soil and water systems.

• Separation of Monitor Body and Cathode Ray Tube – firstly the front of the monitor is removed so that the tube can be removed from within. The shell is then recycled along with regular ewaste.

• Size reduction process – The tubes and screens are shredded down into small pieces. Any glass dust created in this process is disposed of carefully, in an environmentally friendly way.

• Metal Removal – the broken bits of glass are then passed under magnets, where iron and steel is extracted from the glass material. The remaining material is then passed through Eddy Currents, which removes any aluminium and copper. These materials are then collected and reused as raw materials.

• Washing Line – The remaining glass is then cleared of oxides, phosphors and dust extracts, leaving just clean glass to be sorted.

• Glass Sorting Line – the final stage of CRT recycling sorts the leaded glass from the unleaded glass. These can then both be used in the creation of new screens, which is called closed loop recycling.

Recycling your electronic waste in this way might not be free, but it’s a small price to pay to avoid sending these toxic materials to landfill, polluting the environment for future generations – especially when they can so easily be recycled.

Do’s & Don’t:

Do’s:

• All electrical and electronic products are required to be handed over only to the Authorized recycler.

• The product should be handed over only to authorized recycler for disposal.

• Keep the product in isolated area, after it becomes non-functional /un- repairable so as to prevent its accidental breakage.

Don’ts:

• The product should not be opened by the User himself / herself, but only by authorised service personnel.

• The product is not meant for re-sale any unauthorised agencies/scrap dealer/kabariwalahs.

• The product is not meant for mixing into household waste stream.

• Do not keep any replaced spare part(s) from the pro duct in exposed area.

• Do Not Dispose Off The E-WASTE In Landfills

Click the below link to downloads the E-Waste documents