Immediate (acute) health hazard (2024)

FAQs

Immediate (acute) health hazard? ›

Including highly toxic, corrosive, toxic irritant, sensitized, and other hazardous chemicals that cause an adverse effect to a target organ which manifests itself within a short period of time following a one-time, high exposure to the substance.

ACUTE EFFECT: Health effects that usually occur rapidly, as a result of short-term exposure. ACUTE TOXICITY: Acute effects resulting from a single dose of, or exposure to, a substance.

For example, blinding but non-toxic smoke could be considered IDLH under the OSHA definition if it would impair the ability to escape a "dangerous" but not life-threatening atmosphere (such as tear gas). The OSHA definition is part of a legal standard, which is the minimum legal requirement.

Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health | NIOSH | CDC.

IDLH or Immediately dangerous to life or health means an atmospheric concentration of any toxic, corrosive or asphyxiant substance that poses an immediate threat to life or would cause irreversible or delayed adverse health effects or would interfere with an individual's ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere.

Health hazards include chemical hazards (solvents, adhesives, paints, toxic dusts, etc.), physical hazards (noise, radiation, heat, etc.), biological hazards (infectious diseases), and ergonomic risk factors (heavy lifting, repetitive motions, vibration).

Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) condition: A condition that poses a threat of exposure to airborne contaminants when that exposure is likely to cause death or immediate or delayed permanent adverse health effects or prevent escape from such an environment [NIOSH 2004, 2013].

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by ILO [1971] that exposure to 30 ppm will cause intense coughing fits, and exposure to 40 to 60 ppm for 30 to 60 minutes or more may cause serious damage.

Respirators for IDLH atmospheres.

A combination full facepiece pressure demand supplied-air respirator (SAR) with auxiliary self-contained air supply. Respirators provided only for escape from IDLH atmospheres shall be NIOSH-certified for escape from the atmosphere in which they will be used.

What type of respirator is used in IDLH? ›

∎ Respirators for IDLH atmospheres: ➢ Approved respirators: • full facepiece pressure demand self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) certified by NIOSH for a minimum service life of thirty minutes, or • combination full facepiece pressure demand supplied-air respirator (SAR) with auxiliary self-contained air supply.

Basis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for ammonia is 300 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in humans [Henderson and Haggard 1943; Silverman et al. 1946].

Basis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for hydrogen sulfide is 100 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in humans [Henderson and Haggard 1943; Poda 1966; Yant 1930] and animals [Back et al. 1972; MacEwen and Vernot 1972; Tansey et al. 1981].

Two-person rule.

Two people are required for work: In most situations where a worker is exposed to contact with lines or equipment energized at more than 600 volts. (See 1910.269(l)(1)(i).)

The rule is called “two in/two out.” The rule is one of the safety rules established by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for the protection of firefighters. It requires firefighters entering buildings with interior structural fires to have backup in case they run into trouble breathing.

This provision requires that at least two employees enter the Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) atmosphere and remain in visual or voice contact with each other at all times. It also requires that at least two employees be located outside the IDLH atmosphere, thus the term, "two in/two out".

Chronic and acute hazards can be compared to acute and chronic illnesses. A hazard is acute when it's extremely severe, short-term, and dangerous. A chronic hazard, on the other hand, is one that is present over a long period of time. Chronic hazards are always present, recurring, or habitual.

Acute Illness Examples

Some examples of illnesses that are acute include viruses like the flu and rotavirus, broken bones, and infections like urinary tract infections or pink eye. At times, some acute diseases can develop into severeness and will need medical intervention.

Acute toxicity results from a single, short exposure. Effects usually appear quickly and are often reversible. Chronic toxicity results from repeated exposure over a long period of time. Effects are usually delayed and gradual, and may be irreversible.

Acute illnesses generally develop suddenly and last a short time, often only a few days or weeks. Chronic conditions develop slowly and may worsen over an extended period of time—months to years.