annex 2

MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE

TREATMENT SECTOR

1. SECTOR: MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE TREATMENT

SORTING AND STABILISATION

ISTAT CODES (ATECO 91): 37.20.2

ISPESL CODE

SURVEY ZONE

NATIONAL

REGIONAL

PROVINCIAL: CITY OF MILAN

USL: ASL CITY OF MILAN

YEAR OF SURVEY: 1997/2001

NUMBER OF WORKERS: 90

NUMBER OF FIRMS: four local production units for the treatment of municipal Solid waste via sorting and stabilisation

11. SURVEY STRUCTURE: ASL CITY OF MILAN – OCCUPATIONAL PREVENTION AND SAFETY SERVICE

REFERENT: DR SUSANNA CANTONI

ADDRESS: VIA RICORDI 1

ZIP CODE: 20131

CITY: MILAN

PROVINCE: MILAN

TELEPHONE: 02/29505562

FAX: 02/29505656

E-MAIL: CANTONI.SPSAL@LIBERO.IT

13. ACCIDENTS: FROM 1998 TO 2001

TOTAL: 49 OF WHICH FATAL: NONE

14. OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES: 1 CASE OF “SKIN MYCOSIS”

PREAMBLE

The sorting and stabilisation plant for municipal solid waste (composting) separates waste, according to its characteristics, into different fractions which, in turn, are subjected to different treatments. The following products are obtained from such fractioning:

1. dry fraction (reject material of the sorting line) packed and pressed, with a limited presence of organic substances, to be transported to a II category, type B landfill;

2. loose dry fraction (reject material from refining of composted organic waste);

3. fine fraction (obtained from under sieve), stabilised and hygienised, to be delivered to another waste treatment firm;

4. wet fraction to be stabilised, with production of “compost” classifiable in accordance with Presidential Decree 915/82;

5. ferrous fraction, separated from the rest for reuse in production processes;

6. waste (glass and inert materials) from the compost refining line.

The aim of the plant is to separate the various waste fractions in order to reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal. The dry fraction may be dumped in a landfill or destroyed in an incinerator. Organic fractions, suitably stabilised, can be used as lining material in the landfill and as environmental upgrading material.

The biotransformation of organic fractions also entails a reduction in waste volumes due to the loss of water. Volumes are also reduced by compressing the dry fraction.

The plant has a capacity of 2,000 tons/day. It is made up of 4 separate lines using different technologies to separate and stabilise waste fractions.

The various phases of the cycle are performed in large sheds of a disused area having a size of 60,000/80,000 m³ per line, broken down as follows (see also enclosed diagram):

1. MSW reception and pre-treatment;

2. sorting;

3. compression of dry fraction and sending for disposal;

4. stabilisation of organic fraction, stabilisation and hygienisation of fine fraction;

5. refining of compost.

For each line there are 4 teams of workers working 3 shifts of 6 hours 15 minutes a day, with the exception of plant managers. Their tasks, for each work phase, may be broken down as follows:

MSW reception and pre-treatment:

Ø unloading of waste from lorries

Ø feeding of bag opener using excavator

sorting:

Ø control of screening and removal of by-products using trolleys, conveyor belts and excavators

Ø occasional unblocking and maintenance intervention

stabilisation:

Ø transfer of reject material via conveyor belts

Ø turning of heaps using worm-conveyors or heap-turning vehicle

Ø control of process parameters

final storage:

Ø loading and unloading of material to/from vibrating sieve

Ø control of process and removal of end products using excavators and trolleys

packing and removal of dry fraction

Shift supervisors perform the following tasks:

· packing press worker

· multi-purpose worker

· dedusting plant worker

Sorting and stabilisation plant managers supervise the various operating areas

MSW SORTING AND stabilisation

GENERAL chapter

RISK factors

Risks present in the various work phases are consistent with some major risk types. After having listed them, these general risks will be dealt with en bloc.

The main differences are that the reception, sorting and compression phases in particular entail risks tied up with the handling of MSW and its by-products, while the stabilisation and refining phases are characterised by unfavourable microclimatic conditions that are not present in other phases.

Reception, sorting and compression of dry fraction for disposal

Safety-related risks owing to the characteristics of work environments or incorrect work procedures:

· risks of falls in the event of uneven flooring;

· risks of slips in the event of the accidental presence of treated or untreated waste;

· risk of falls from waste transport vehicles into collection holes prior to loading on conveyor belts;

· risks deriving from vehicle circulation (pedestrians knocked down by moving vehicles in work areas);

· risk of traumas or knockdowns during routine/emergency maintenance and cleaning of plants;

· risk of fire owing to the type of activity and material treated and the possible unchecked handling of inflammable substances.

Health-environmental risks due to physical and biological agents:

· risk owing to exposure to polluting agents deriving chiefly from the production from waste of gases or aerosols;

· risk of dust inhalation caused by the handling of waste fractions;

· risk associated with cuts and pricks caused by potentially infected objects;

· risk deriving from biological agents owing to potential exposure to agents present in waste materials or deriving from degradation processes;

· risks connected with possible contact with parasites from murine excrements;

· risk associated with the presence of insects carrying biological agents;

· risk of exposure to noise generated by plants and machinery present in the workplace;

· risk of vibrations when driving vehicles;

· risks associated with ergonomic factors due to incorrect postures while driving vehicles or performing cleaning operations in areas that are difficult to get to;

· risks associated with the need to make considerable physical exertion while sorting and manually handling cumbersome waste.

General or organisational risks:

· stress factors due to night-time and shift work;

· psychological factors relating to the purpose of the task and the lack of social recognition of the profession.

Organic fraction stabilisation and compost refining phases

Safety-related risks owing to the characteristics of work environments or incorrect work procedures:

· risks of falls in the event of uneven flooring;

· risks of falls from height owing to slips from plant workstations or machinery installed at height;

· risks deriving from vehicle circulation (pedestrians knocked down by moving vehicles in work areas);

· risk of traumas or knockdowns during routine/emergency maintenance and cleaning of plants.

Health-environmental risks due to chemical, physical and biological agents:

· risk owing to exposure to polluting agents deriving chiefly from the production from waste of gases or aerosols;

· spills of chemical substances when pouring or connecting tanks and equipment;

· risk of dust inhalation caused by the handling of waste fractions;

· risk deriving from biological agents owing to potential exposure to agents present in waste materials or deriving from degradation processes;

· risks connected with possible contact with parasites from murine excrements;

· risk associated with the presence of insects carrying biological agents;

· risk of exposure to noise generated by plants and machinery present in the workplace;

· risk of vibrations when driving vehicles;

· risks associated with ergonomic factors due to incorrect postures while driving vehicles or performing cleaning operations in areas that are difficult to get to;

· risks deriving from unfavourable microclimatic conditions (high temperature and humidity).

General or organisational risks:

· psychological factors relating to the purpose of the task and the lack of social recognition of the profession

· stress factors due to night-time and shift work.

Safety risks are chiefly related to machinery in the cleaning and maintenance phases. Work environments should not be neglected with regard to both the risk of falls and slips due to waste materials on the ground and the presence of holes and bumps created due to wear and tear and lack of maintenance, as well as the risk of persons being knocked over by moving vehicles.

Generally speaking, the moving parts of machinery and machines themselves may constitute a danger; they are equipped with mobile or fixed protection (casing, barriers, protective screens) and in some cases are fitted with safety devices (microswitch) as required by legislation.

Although the structural properties of machinery operating in different units are quite different, relative risks may be placed in two main categories:

1. risks deriving from the moving parts of machines and equipment

2. risks deriving from contact with the “live” parts of machinery and from electrical installations.

The main operations performed by the worker are:

1. controlling the functionality of the machine/equipment;

2. unloading the machine/equipment if it becomes blocked up;

3. cleaning the machine/equipment.

The following factors may be a potential danger:

1. inefficient protection and safety devices due to faults and/or removal;

2. poor functioning of machinery, which may require emergency maintenance;

3. sudden movement of machine parts during some preparation phases;

4. incorrect conduct of personnel when performing activities on machinery owing to poor knowledge of risk factors and non-use of personal protective equipment.

Health-environmental risks refer chiefly to exposure to polluting chemical agents deriving from gaseous emissions, in particular ammonia (NH₃).

Workers are also exposed to the risk of inhaling organic dust, especially during the mechanical turning of material subjected to digestion operations. This operating phase appears to be the type of work most exposed to the risk of dust dispersion, estimated at 30-80 mg per m³ of treated material, especially when the work is performed in indoor plants.

Risks pertaining to the microclimate in the organic fraction stabilisation and compost refining phases are due to very unfavourable microclimatic conditions, i.e. the high level of relative humidity (close to 100%) and high temperature (up to 36°C in summer months) such as to cause heat stress situations.

Risks deriving from biological agents relate to exposure to micro-organisms present in the treated material or that develop naturally. MSW treatment workers may indeed come into contact with bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, etc.

One should also consider that MSW is also a carrier of anthropozoonosis-related biological agents, being the refuge and habitat of animals such as rodents, insects, etc. When evaluating the risks present during MSW treatment, one should thus also consider all the possible ways these agents can be transmitted to humans.

It is possible to determine the airborne concentration of micro-organisms through environmental microbiological monitoring.

Epidemiological studies on MSW have shown that household waste is contaminated by a large amount of bacterial flora, being richer in organic substances. High concentrations of micro-organisms were also found in products that may be created naturally from MSW, such as lechate, or from its technological recycling, such as compost. It should however be noted that the data in question is purely indicative, since there is considerable variability with regard to study methods and the representativeness of samples in the various studies undertaken.

In breathable aerosols a high percentage of micro-organisms (80%) are fungi, with a prevalence of Aspergillus, Penicillum and Cladosporum, which can often cause irritative-allergic syndromes. Bacteria and endotoxins are also present.

Epidemiological studies conducted on compost production workers have shown up symptoms such as headaches, diarrhoea or eye disorders attributable to exposure to bacterial endotoxins, regardless of the presence or absence of integral bacterial cells. For this reason the listing of Gram neg., replicable or vital, is not in itself sufficient to assess the global risk of exposure, especially in sectors where the production of dust or bioaerosols is high.

The inhalation of dust containing Gram neg. bacteria could also be a cause allergic pathologies.

Other studies have pointed out that bacterial and fungal charges, which are sometimes potentially pathogenic, present during composting phases, may reach concentrations such as to cause allergic alveolitis, a pathology studied in depth among farm workers.

The most widespread micro-organism is Aspergillus fumigatus, which may reach high fungal charges. Serological researches on the other hand, conducted on exposed workers, do not indicate, through circulating antigens, that this danger is an actual risk to workers.

A high frequency of A. fumigatus isolation has been found in the oropharynx and the nostrils of workers, although it is not certain that all strains of A. fumigatus have the same pathogenic potential.

Risk deriving from biological agents are also present due to possible exposure to other micro-organisms present in MSW or deriving from relative degradation processes. The properties, quality and size of these risks are yet to be studied and defined.

Literature only gives general pointers to the potential risks of other biological agents; a specific example is that of Leptospirosis.

Organisms that cause a potential biological risk to workers are also Actinomycetales, usually found among mushroom growers, since extensive and sudden exposure to these bacteria (108 ufc/m³) may give rise to allergic reactions, with circulating antibodies that can be measured in affected persons.

Epidemiological data shows that the chief risk when working with MSW is not that of infection, but rather the allergic or toxic risk.

To evaluate the degree of environmental pollution and consequent risk for exposed workers, some countries have proposed the standard of 10~ufc of Gram neg./m³ of air. For bacterial endotoxins concentration values of between 20 ng/m3 and 1000 ng/m3 have been proposed, depending on symptoms. Other authors on the other hand have proposed a value of 10-14 ng/m³ as a threshold below which health effects are not recorded.

Odours: the problem of odours arises mainly from:

1. odorous substances already present in waste (natural or synthetic)

2. substances that produce bad-smelling compost following fermentation processes, during collection or storage, prior to treatment, or during composting processes (composts of carbon, acids, fats, sulphur or nitrogen composts).

Odours are caused by the presence of volatile substances having a concentration above a given threshold and capable of causing an olfactory stimulus.

The first harmful effect is therefore related to the unpleasant odorous sensation, which may cause gastric upsets.

It should however be considered that unpleasant odours are not pathogenic. The olfactory threshold is usually lower than the TLV. The olfactory stimulus they produce is indeed only an alarm function, highlighting the presence of a volatile substance. All plant workers are potentially exposed to this type of risk.

The risk associated with incorrect postures and physical exertions in the phases of reception, sorting and compression of the dry fraction for disposal derives chiefly from the manual handling of cumbersome waste, which is sometimes wrongly transported to composting plants instead of to suitable landfills.

It is not easy to estimate the risk connected with psychological stress, in part due to absence of specific studies.

MSW SORTING AND STABILISATION

GENERAL CHAPTER

Actual damage

The study on occupational accidents occurring at the firm to which this survey refers was conducted analysing the information contained in the accident register for the period 1998/2001.

It was not possible to exactly identify accidents occurring in single work phases since they were not expressly reported in the accident register.

It should also be considered that personnel are rotated in the various tasks, thus performing all the jobs present in the various phases of the production cycle.

The plant to which the survey refers is of recent construction: the plant became fully operational in the summer of 1997.

In the 4 years of monitored activity 49 accidents have occurred, chiefly involving the crushing of limbs and falls from heights during machine maintenance, needle pricks and cuts to the upper limbs.

The calculated frequency index is close to 9. This index is lower than that of the firm that collects and transports waste.

This aspect should also be viewed in light of the fact that lines contain solely new-generation, “CE” marked work equipment, with workers intervening almost exclusively to undertake maintenance and monitoring work.

With reference to work-related diseases, there has been 1 case of “skin mycosis”.

Studies are ongoing regarding other types of pathologies, which are probably related to past exposure.

MSW SORTING AND STABILISATION

GENERAL CHAPTER

EXTERNAL risK

The main types of environmental impact that an MSW sorting and stabilisation plant may cause are:

Ø road traffic problems

Ø dispersion of bad smells

Ø insect infestation

Ø dispersion of micro-organisms

Ø diffusion of chemical substances

THE EXTENT OF THESE DIFFICULTIES DEPENDS ON THE SIZE OF THE PLANT AND ITS PRODUCTION CAPACITY, RUNNING PROCEDURES AND MEASURES ADOPTED TO ELIMINATE POLLUTANTS. A MAJOR ASPECT OF THE DISCOMFORT FOR THE POPULATION IS THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE PLANT AND INHABITED AREAS.

Road traffic problems and related pollution due to noise and exhaust fumes relate to the large number of lorries taking MSW to the plant, usually concentrated in the early hours of the morning. When new plants are being designed, it is thus necessary to carefully study lorry routes coming into and leaving the plant in order to avoid excess traffic in already critical areas, in particular in the morning (entries/exits from orbital and ring roads, routes in and out of the city).

One of the main problems for the population living near the plant is the diffusion of unpleasant smells from MSW and their degradation products.

The main measures to reduce olfactory impact include limiting the amount of stored untreated materials, keeping work environments in a state of depression and correctly conveying and removing air from these environments. This may be done by adopting chemical or biological systems (biofilters) or combinations thereof, as in the case we have examined. It is thus rather difficult to evaluate the dispersion of odorous substances.

There are two possibilities:

Ø chemical evaluation of the concentration of substances having a low olfactory threshold

Ø olfactometric analysis

In the first case the main difficulty relates to the large number of potential substances. A number of survey campaigns will thus be required to obtain a narrower spectrum of substances to be used as tracers, whose concentrations must be related to the numerous variables affecting the global functioning of the plant.

odoroUS POLLUTANTS USUALLY present ARE: ammonia, terpenE AND organic acidS SUCH AS acetic, butYNE AND propionic. metHane AND dimetHYlsULPHIDE ARE ALSO PRESENT IN LOW concentrationS.

the question of systems to remove odorous substances may bring about risks for workers associated with the spilling of chemical substances being moved to and from tanks and equipment.

OLFACTOMETRIC MEASURES HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF BEING MORE CLOSELY CORRELATED WITH OLFACTORY DISCOMFORT. STANDARDS AND METHODS HOWEVER ARE NOT CURRENTLY IN PLACE IN ITALY (BUT ARE AVAILABLE IN SOME EU COUNTRIES). THERE ARE MOREOVER FEW LABORATORIES EQUIPPED FOR THIS PURPOSE.

In both cases the appraisal of measures must be strictly related to the meteorological conditions present at the time.

Another relevant problem is the diffusion of insects, flies in particular.

MSW and its products when treated constitute an excellent pabulum for their growth. The closer houses are to the plant, the greater the possibility that insects will bother the local population.

Prevention comes in the form of measures designed to reduce the development of larvae (see chapter 5 -“Actions”), in particular when compost is maturing, as well as regular disinfestation campaigns both inside and outside the plant.

Another problem to consider is possible pollution caused by biological agents.

Analyses that we have performed repeatedly have shown an absence of biological pollution with the exception of zones in the immediate vicinity of working and emission treatment areas (within 40 metres).

With regard to pollution caused by chemical agents too, the numerous analyses we have carried out have ruled out the possibility of suitably treated emissions leading to the dispersion of substances capable of causing pathogenic effects.

The start-up of this type of plant is in any case subject to authorisation for the running of such plants as per the T.U.LL.SS. (Health and Sanitary Consolidation Act) and to authorisation required by Law 203/88 with special reference to emissions.

1. SECTOR: MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE TREATMENT

SORTING AND STABILISATION

2. WORK PHASE: MSW RECEPTION AND PRE-TREATMENT

3. INAIL CODE: 37.20.2

4. RISK FACTOR:

SAFETY RISKS DUE TO THE USE OF EQUIPMENT;

HEALTH-ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS DUE TO PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL AGENTS;

GENERAL OR ORGANISATIONAL RISKS DUE TO WORK ORGANISATION, PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS, ERGONOMIC FACTORS, DIFFICULT WORKING CONDITIONS

5. RISK CODE

6. NO. OF. WORKERS: 90

Chapter 1 -“The work phase”

Waste is transported to the plant using waste collection lorries (compactors), which empty waste on the ground or in collection holes in the area set aside for this phase. The area is separated from the rest of the plant, and is kept in a state of slight depression by a system or air extraction tubing; the air is then sent to the dedusting plant (wet treatment) and subsequently purified in an odour treatment biofilter.

The reception gate opens automatically using a photocell system. Once on the premises, the lorry awaits its turn to unload its contents in the collection area. After unloading, it exits the plant through the gate, operated by a proximity sensor. Persons are not usually present in this zone apart from the worker responsible for loading waste onto the bag-opening machine and for maintenance operations.

Waste is transported to the pre-treatment phase after having removed bulky materials.

The section includes a shredder/bag opener to get materials ready for the subsequent sorting phases. The power supply for this equipment is inside the reception area.

The reception/power supply area is separated from other working areas by a fireproof PVC sheet or by stone walls. This prevents dust from spreading to the sorting area and improves environmental conditions.

chapter 2 - “MACHINERY AND equipment”

Machinery:

Ø Non-separated waste, delivered in bags, is handled using vehicles equipped with an excavator or spider. The technological restriction regarding the use of electrically driven vehicles means that diesel engines are used, endowed with an exhaust cleaning device. Risks associated with exposure to exhaust fumes are kept under control by the general ventilation system, in the reception area exposure is greater than elsewhere; all vehicle cabs are also equipped with air conditioning and air filtering systems. When the vehicle is in a fixed position (e.g. when waste is being loaded onto the hopper of the bag-opening machine) the exhaust system is connected to the air extraction device.

Ø The shredding or bag-opening machine serves to open the bag for sorting, and has dangerous working parts, usually blade-based cutting machines, which are completely isolated. The machine is equipped with a dust collector cover positioned on the loading hopper. The main biological or mechanical risks are mainly in the maintenance phase, when the worker is forced to work in contact with waste and with the moving parts of the machine.

Ø The material being processed in all phases is handled using conveyor belts that are isolated from the surrounding environment both along the sides and above in order to limit the dispersion of dust and odours and to prevent the fall of waste fragments. Local dust capture devices have also been installed in the sections linking conveyor belts. Biological and mechanical risks relate to manual worker intervention for the unblocking of material and periodical cleaning.

Equipment:

Ø portable tools for maintenance/repairs, such as: grinding wheels, drills, electric welders, height-adjustable platforms for works performed at heights, mechanical sweepers for cleaning.

All working equipment has been declared as compliant with compulsory safety requirements pursuant to Presidential Decree 459/96 and CE marked, being manufactured after 1996.

Chapter 3 - “Risk factors”

For an analysis of risk factors for the work phase in question, the reader is invited to refer to the general chapter on “Risk factors”.

Chapter 4 “Likely damage”

· bruises, sprains, fractures, injuries due to falls on the ground or from a height or being knocked down by vehicles;

· injuries and traumas caused by projecting materials;

· traumas, knockdowns, amputations of fingers caused by maintenance/plant cleaning operations;

· cut- or prick-related injuries;

· irritation of conjunctiva and airways caused by chemical and/or biological pollutants

· skin mycosis;

· respiratory infections, asthma, allergic alveolitis caused by biological agents;

· loss of hearing caused by noise;

· osteoarticular damage caused by vibrations while driving, incorrect postures, manual handling of loads.

Actual damage

Work-related accidents and pathologies are described in the general chapter “Actual damage” with reference to the working sector as a whole.

Chapter 5 “Actions”

New processes have been introduced relative to some risk situations to modify some design aspects and initial plant conditions.

First of all, risks of a biological nature have been considered as more relevant than others. As a result, studies have been conducted on the way environments and work equipment are cleaned, assessing pollution of biological origin during and at the end of the various work phases.

In this context, it has been possible to modify procedures for the cleaning of vehicles used to transport materials, the conditions of which proved to be particularly critical.

In this sense, operations at risk have been prohibited, such as the use of compressed air or “knapsack blowpipes”, which used to be used to remove dust settling on plants. Firms have also purchased mechanical sweepers for the cleaning of work environments.

In some zones the flooring has been repaired to facilitate cleaning operations.

Where technically possible, conveyor belts have been introduced for materials being treated to avoid the passage of vehicles, which caused the risk of collisions and contributed to the lack of cleanliness in work environments.

Conveyor belts and capture devices have also been reinforced in connection sections in order to reduce dust dispersion.

In some production lines environmental conditions have been improved by isolating the reception area and raising the number of air changes using plants that guarantee at least 4 changes per room per hour.

Ventilation systems continue working at the end of the work cycle in order to keep rooms in a state of depression, so as to allow an adequate change of air and reduce total bacterial charge.

Local capture devices have also been introduced for vehicle exhaust fumes, leading to a fall in exposure to chemical agents. Areas where dust is scattered most have been closed in with hoods.

Regular reporting of environmental data on stored materials and on the air capacity of the ventilation system makes it possible to keep environmental health conditions under control.

Workers’ changing rooms are arranged so as to separate the “dirty” environment, where working clothes are kept, from the “clean” environment, where there are lockers for civilian clothes.

In order to reduce bad smells in work environments the client firm has undertaken to transport MSW as soon as possible after collection, and the owner of the composting plant has undertaken to process the MSW immediately, and in any case within 24 hours. The prompt removal of treated materials also helps to reduce the diffusion of smells.

The problem of insects and of keeping down the number of murine species has been tackled through a more thorough cleaning of work environments, regular disinfestation and reducing the time MSW is kept in the area.

With regard to the protection of workers against biological risks and accidents in the form of cuts or pricks with contaminated objects, firms have been forced to undertake rigid controls as to the suitability and use of PPE.

Each worker is endowed with the following individual supplies:

· filtering face mask FFP1 (disposable)

· safety shoes with nonslip sole and toe guard

· Tyvek overalls (disposable)

· anti-cut gloves

· ear plugs or muffs

· safety helmet

The risk of accidents has been tackled by arranging safe access points where work is performed at a height. The use of adjustable-height platforms for access to occasional work areas is now compulsory.

For some situations specific work procedures have been established, especially for maintenance operations.

Preventive health actions

With regard to health, workers have been given a tetanus vaccination and, with consent, a hepatitis B vaccination. Furthermore, the competent physician sees to it that workers undergo regular medical check-ups, paying special attention to the cardiorespiratory, cutaneous and osteoarticular systems, supplemented by respiratory functionality tests and haemato-chemical tests, using an electrocardiogram and audiometry.

Chapter 6 - “Outsourcing”

In this work phase work is not outsourced to other firms.

Chapter 7 - “Reference legislation”

The legislative and bibliographical references listed below refer to all phases of the whole work cycle.

· Presidential Decree 547/55 – Standards for the prevention of accidents at work

· Presidential Decree 303/56 – General occupational health standards

· Presidential Decree 164/56 - Standards for the prevention of accidents in the construction industry

· Legislative Decree 277/91 – Implementation of directives 80/1107/EEC, 82/605/EEC, 83/477/EEC, 86/188/EEC and 88/642/EEC on the subject of worker protection against risks deriving from exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents at work, in pursuance of art. 7 of Law 212 of 30 July 1990.

· Legislative Decree 626/94 and subsequent amendments, implementing directives 89/391/EEC, 89/654/EEC, 89/655/EEC, 89/656/EEC, 90/269/EEC, 90/270/EEC, 90/394/EEC and 90/679/EEC regarding improved worker safety and health at work

· Legislative Decree 475/92 – Implementation of directive 89/686/EEC of the Council of 21/12/1989 to harmonise the legislation of member States on the subject of personal protective equipment

· Legislative Decree 532/99 – Provisions on the subject of night-time work in pursuance of art.17 sub-section 2 of Law 25 of 5/2/99

· Presidential Decree 459/96 – Regulations for the implementation of directives 89/392/EEC, 91/368/EEC, 93/44/EEC and 93/68/EEC to harmonise the legislation of member States on the subject of machinery

· Presidential Decree 224/88 – Machine noise

· Law 292 of 5/3/63 (compulsory tetanus vaccination)

· D.M. 26/4/90 and D.M. 4/10/91 (identification of categories at risk for vaccination against viral hepatitis B)

· Presidential Decree 203/88 – Implementation of EEC directives 80/779, 82/884, 84/360 and 85/203 regarding standards on the subject of the quality of air, in relation to specific polluting agents and pollution produced by industrial plants in accordance with art. 15 of Law 183 of 16 April 1987

· Presidential Decree 915/82 – Implementation of EEC directives 75/442 on waste, 76/403 on the disposal of polychlorodiphenyls and polychlorotriphenyls and 78/319 on toxic and harmful waste

· Guidelines for the enforcement of Legislative Decree 626/94 prepared by the Committee of Regions and Autonomous Provinces – October 1996

· Ministry of Health – National Anti-AIDS Committee - Guidelines for the conduct of healthcare workers for the control of HIV infection - Rome 6.9.89

· Law 135 of 5.6.90 - Programme of urgent actions to prevent and tackle AIDS

· Health Ministry Decree of 28.9.1990 – Standards to protect against professional contagion of HIV in public and private healthcare structures

· NIOSH: “Work practices guide for manual lifting”, NIOSH technical report, no. 81-122. U.S., 1981

· UNI - EN Standard 292 - 1: Machine safety – Basic concepts, general design principles – Basic terminology and methodology

· UNI - EN Standard 292 - 2: Machine safety – Basic concepts, general design principles – Specifications and technical principles

· CEI - EN Standard 60204 – 1: Safety of machinery – Electric equipment in machines – General requirements

· Proceedings of I national Seminar “Professional risks and prevention in backward tertiary sector (Municipal Solid Waste, mortuary services, supermarkets)” - SNOP - Milan, 23 May 1994

· Occhipinti, Menoni, Fenaroli, Colombini – Handling of weights and shaft-related pathologies among waste collection workers. Proceedings of National Seminar: “Work and shaft-related pathologies”, Milan, 29-30 May 1989

· Epidemiological survey on airborne biological contamination in work environments conducted in 2000 by the Institute of Occupational Medicine of the University of Milan in collaboration with the firm to which our research refers

Chapter 8 –“External risk”

Risk factors relating to this chapter are described in the general chapter “External risk”, with reference to the work sector as a whole.

1. SECTOR: MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE TREATMENT

SORTING AND STABILISATION

2. WORK PHASE: MSW SORTING

3. INAIL CODE: 37.20.2

4. RISK FACTOR:

SAFETY RISKS DUE TO THE USE OF EQUIPMENT;

HEALTH-ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS DUE TO PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL AGENTS;

GENERAL OR ORGANISATIONAL RISKS DUE TO WORK ORGANISATION, PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS, ERGONOMIC FACTORS, DIFFICULT WORKING CONDITIONS

5. RISK CODE

6. NO. OF WORKERS: 90

Chapter 1 -“The work phase”

Pre-treated waste is sent to the rotating sieve, which separates three fractions, consisting of:

a) Intermediate fraction under sieve, basically compostable organic waste;

b) Fine fraction under sieve, sent to a collection box, ready for transfer to the subsequent stabilisation and hygienisation phase;

c) Fraction above sieve, consisting of the dry MSW fraction.

The compostable fraction, separated from ferrous materials, is sent to a collection box, where the wet organic content may be treated prior to its transfer to the biological transformation phase, which lasts approximately 40 days.

The fine fraction (under sieve) is stabilised for a period of roughly 15 days before passing on to subsequent processes (refining).

After separating the ferrous materials, the fraction above sieve is sent to a press-binder. After binding, the bales are temporarily stored for up to 48 hours then loaded onto the lorry of the client firm and disposed of by the latter.

Ferrous materials separated using electro-magnets are sent to an ad hoc collection box to await their transport outside the plant.

The sorting area, housed inside a closed shed, is also endowed with extraction tubing connecting it to the centralised odour removal system.

CHAPTER 2 - “MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT”

Machinery:

Ø The heart of the system is a rotating sieve, or trommel, which separates waste fractions. For this machine too risks are associated with the cleaning of the sieve, as workers are in direct contact with waste.

Ø Before being sent to the compression (dry fraction) or stabilisation (wet fraction) phases, iron is removed from the material using magnets. The iron removal machine transports the material to boxes prepared for subsequent handling. These boxes are fitted with bulkheads to avoid the risk of waste material projecting out.

Equipment:

Ø portable tools for maintenance/repairs, such as: grinding wheels, drills, electric welders, height-adjustable platforms for works performed at heights, mechanical sweepers for cleaning.

All working equipment has been declared as compliant with compulsory safety requirements pursuant to Presidential Decree 459/96 and CE marked, being manufactured after 1996.

Chapter 3 - “Risk factors”

For an analysis of risk factors for the work phase in question, the reader is invited to refer to the general chapter on “Risk factors”.

Chapter 4 “Likely damage”

· bruises, sprains, fractures, injuries due to falls on the ground or from a height or being knocked down by vehicles

· injuries and traumas caused by projecting materials

· traumas, knockdowns, amputations of fingers caused by maintenance/plant cleaning operations

· cut- or prick-related injuries

· irritation of conjunctiva and airways caused by chemical and/or biological pollutants

· skin mycosis

· respiratory infections, asthma, allergic alveolitis caused by biological agents

· loss of hearing caused by noise

Actual damage

Work-related accidents and pathologies are described in the general chapter “Actual damage” with reference to the working sector as a whole.

Chapter 5 “Actions”

New processes have been introduced relative to some risk situations to modify some design aspects and initial plant conditions.

Conveyor belts and capture devices have also been reinforced in connection sections in order to reduce dust dispersion.

In some production lines environmental conditions have been improved by isolating this area from the reception area, where the majority of odours and biological pollution are generated.

Ventilation systems continue working at the end of the work cycle in order to keep rooms in a state of depression, so as to allow an adequate change of air and reduce total bacterial charge.

Workers’ changing rooms are arranged so as to separate the “dirty” environment, where working clothes are kept, from the “clean” environment, where there are lockers for civilian clothes.

The freshness of waste being treated guarantees a drop in the production of odours and biological pollution. To this end the client firm has undertaken to transport MSW as soon as possible after collection, and the owner of the composting plant has undertaken to process the MSW immediately, and in any case within 24 hours. The prompt removal of treated materials also helps to reduce the diffusion of smells.

The problem of insects and of keeping down the number of murine species has been tackled through regular disinfestation and a more thorough cleaning of work environments and equipment.

Each worker is endowed with the following individual supplies:

· filtering face mask FFP1 (disposable)

· safety shoes with nonslip sole and toe guard

· Tyvek overalls (disposable)

· anti-cut gloves

· ear plugs or muffs

· safety helmet

For some situations specific work procedures have been established, especially for maintenance operations.

Preventive health actions

Chapter 6 - “Outsourcing”

In this work phase work is not outsourced to other firms.

Chapter 7 - “Reference legislation”

The legislative and bibliographical references listed below refer to all phases of the whole work cycle.

· Presidential Decree 547/55 – Standards for the prevention of accidents at work

· Presidential Decree 303/56 – General occupational health standards

· Presidential Decree 164/56 - Standards for the prevention of accidents in the construction industry

· Legislative Decree 277/91 – Implementation of directives 80/1107/EEC 82/605/EEC 83/477/EEC 86/188/EEC and. 88/642/EEC on the subject of worker protection against risks deriving from exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents at work, in pursuance of art. 7 of Law 212 of 30 July 1990.