environmental hazards for tannery industry

1. Practical # 1:
To identify, differentiate and prepare a list of Occupational, Health, Safety and Environmental Hazards at three selected workplace sites.
Introduction:
A hazard is a dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity or condition. It may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property
damage, loss of livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption, or environmental damage.
Example:
Hazards at work may include noisy machinery, a moving forklift, chemicals, electricity, working at heights, a repetitive job, or inappropriate
behavior that adversely affects a worker's safety and health. An unwanted event is a situation or condition where there is a loss of control of
the hazard that leads to harm.
Procedure:
To identify and assess hazards, employers and workers:
 We decided to visit a leather tanning industry located on the outskirts of our city.
 Upon arriving, we were taken aback by the hazardous working conditions that we saw.
 The air was filled with the strong smell of chemicals used in the tanning process, and we noticed that many workers were not wearing
protective gear such as gloves, masks or goggles.
 We observed open vats of chemicals which were being used in the tanning process, posing a risk of exposure to toxic substances.
 We also saw workers handling large, heavy machinery without proper training or supervision.

2. Leather Tanning:
Introduction:
Leather industry is a very old manufacturing sector producing a broad range of goods such as leather footwear, leather bags,
leather garments, and so on.
Procedure:
1. Curing
2. Soaking
3. Painting
4. Liming
5. Fleshing
6. De-Liming
7. Bating
8. Pickling
9. De-Greasing
10. Tanning
Tanning chemically alters the collagen structure of a pelt, such that it is protected against chemicals, moisture, and microorganisms. To put it
simply, converting the proteins found in a pelt in a stable material occurs in this step. It is generally done by using:
 Minerals: A mineral, such as salts of chromium, is the most common leather tanning material.
 Oils: When a pelt is tanned with oil, the result is a much softer leather for more fashionable products.
 Vegetables: Plant extracts may be used to produce thick, firm, and brown leather, ideal for belts, shoes, bags, and cases.
Once a pelt has been tanned, it is now considered leather – but there are still several steps to go before it is ready for sale to a manufacturer.

3. 11. Splitting
12. Shaving
13. Neutralization
14. Dyeing
15. Fatliquoring
16. Samming
17. Setting Out
18. Final Drying
19. Staking & Dry Drumming
20. Buffing & Brushing
21. Finishing
22. Final Grading
23. Measurement
Raw Material:
The raw material used in leather industry is derived from the waste product of food industry, specifically from meat processing. The
main sources of raw material for the leather industry world-wide are cattle (including buffalo), sheep, goats and pigs, which are reared
specifically for the production of meat, wool and dairy products.
By-product:
Leather is actually a coproduct (not a “byproduct”, as is so often claimed) of the unsustainable meat industry. Most leather comes
from cows raised in the agriculture industry, where their flesh is turned into “beef” and their breastmilk is made into cheese, yogurt and ice
cream.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
HAZARDS AGENTS OCCUPATIONAL
HAZARDS
HEALTH
HAZARDS
SAFETY
HAZARDS
WATER SOIL AIR BIOTA
Chemical Chromium Respiratory
problems
Skin irritation
Carcinogenic
effects
Chronic
bronchitis
Coughing
wheezing
shortness of
breath
Chemical
spillage
Improper
handling
Corrosives of
chemicals
Water
contamination
Contaminated
runoff to soil
Negative effects
on aquatic life
Soil
contamination
Decrease soil
quality
Negative effects
on plant health
Increase the
risk of
respiratory
problems for
nearby
residents and
workers
Harm soil-
dwelling
organisms,
insects, and
other animals
Heavy metals Gastrointestinal
effects
Neurological
effects
Headaches
Dizziness
Memory loss
Permanent
brain damage
Improper
handling
Oil spillage
Groundwater
contamination
Reduce crop
yield
Harmful effects
on soil quality
Increase
respiratory
risks
Negative effects
on biodiversity
Carcinogenicity
Ammonia Explosive risks
Flammability
Reproductive
Effects
Central nervous
system effects
Chemical
spillage
Ignition
algae blooms
oxygen
depletion
Formation of
toxic
compounds
harmful effects
on plant growth
Decrease soil
fertility
climate
change
Formation of
PM
particulates
Toxic to aquatic
life
Harm fish
invertebrates
and plants
Biological microorganisms Bio film, multiple
species of
bacteria cause
destruction and
degradation of
leather and their
products.
Therefore, these
microbes with
potential
pathogens could
pose real threat
to health of
tannery workers
Dermatophilosis
conggolensis
causes damage
to skin
Bacterial
defect like hair
slip, grain
pilling
Wastewater
released from
tannery
industries may
contain a variety
of pathogenic
and non-
pathogenic
bacteria per
milliliter
including
coliform,
streptococci etc.
Animal hides
facilitate
growth of
bacteria due
to rich
nutrients and
high moisture
content.
Indoor air
during
tanning
process is
associated
with spread of
microbes.

5. Fungi Allergens from
fungal species
may be reason for
development of
respiratory
infections in
tannery workers
Penicillium and
other fungi
utilize tanning
conditions for
their growth
and
development,
hence they can
be found on
finished leather
Fungus called
dermatophytes
that grows on
skin. It affects
workers who
handle raw
skins without
wearing
protection
gears in
tanning
industry
Fungal species
reported in
buffing dust
In tan yard
operation
chrome-tanned
leather (wet
blue) with
formation of red
spots.
Originators of
red color
identified as
penicillium,
klebanii and
other
Ergonomic Working in
static
position
Spinal cord
problem
High morbidity Falls and falling
object
Hazardous
waste water
effluent
Sulfide high
concentration of
salts
Chromium
contamination
Working
with
inappropriate
Shoulder pain Due to high
level of
chromium
Chemical
exposure
Solid waste lime High chemical
oxygen
demand
Chromium
sulfide
Low back pain Dry cough Fire hazards Tannery waste
water
Knee joint pain Throat irritation Electrical
hazards
fatigue Lung congestion
Wrist pain

6. Mechanical Accidents Slips and trips Broken bones,
back injuries,
burns if slips
occur near hot
objects or fluids.
Removing
clutters from
surfaces.
Cleaning up
spills promptly.
Use handrails
while walking
up and down.
Cleaning
grease
buildup.
Removing
obstacles.
Electric shocks Pain, numbness,
difficulty in
moving limbs
Avoid using
defective or
damaged
electrical
devices or
wires.
Inspect wiring
of machines
before use.
Timely
replacing
damaged cords
can reduce the
risk of electric
shocks