Module Details

Module Code: CHEP9002
Title: Environment, Health & Safety
Long Title: Environment, Health & Safety
NFQ Level: Expert
Valid From: Semester 2 - 2023/24 ( January 2024 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 5240 - Chemical & Process Eng
Module Delivered in: 3 programme(s)
Module Description: The Module will address Environmental and Safety Management as they apply to the BioPharmaChem Industry
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Assess the environmental regulatory requirements for substances and mixtures.
LO2 Assess the environmental impacts of biopharmachem product manufacture and recommend improvement options
LO3 Identify Industrial Hygiene Hazards, assess the risks arising therefrom and identify appropriate controls.
LO4 Develop a Workplace Safety Statement
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Licencing
Requirements, application process, reporting and inspections. BAT, BREFs, interpretation and application. Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTR).
Waste Management
Solid waste issues in Ireland; hazardous waste management, classification, treatment and disposal.
Substances of concern
Classification, packaging and labelling (CLP) of substances and mixtures. Registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH) regulation. Ozone depleting substances and greenhouse gases.
Water resource
Water quality policy, regulation and performance. Incidence of active pharmaceutical ingredients in water: avoidance, minimisation and treatment. Water use efficiency.
Energy efficiency in biopharmachem product manufacture
Energy policy: use of renewables, end-use efficiency. Energy uses in pharmaceutical manufacture: auditing for improvement. HVAC system optimisation. Energy recovery.
Environmental assessment of biological manufacturing processes
Environmental performance indicators: water use (process and non-process), energy use (process and facilities); wastes, including single-use (disposable) manufacturing and emissions to air and water.
Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology
Anatomy (lungs, skin, ears, eyes), hazards, natural defence mechanisms, evaluation of impairment, diagnoses, protective equipment.
Recognition of Hazards.
Industrial toxicology (entry into the body, dose, response relationships, timing – exposure and effect, effects of exposure to air contaminants). Particulates, gases, vapours and solvents (properties, acceptable exposures, toxicological effects). Industrial noise, ionizing and non-ionising radiation, thermal stress (degrees of stress, heat and cold stress), ergonomics (handling loads, design of work task and workplace), biological hazards (biological safety, audits).
Evaluation of hazards.
Evaluation, Monitoring (personal and area), sampling (methods, frequency) and Instrumentation (for gases, vapours and particulates).
Control of hazards.
Methods of control - Engineering controls at design stage, design specifications, Principles of engineering controls – substitution, isolation, ventilation. Administrative controls – reduction of work periods, wet methods, personal hygiene, maintenance. Special control methods, waste disposal, personal protective equipment. Permit to work systems. Education and training.
Regulatory Requirements
Safety Statements, Occupational Health & Safety profession, code of ethics. Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act 2005. Obligations under the Construction Regulations. Transport of chemicals.
Review of risk assessment tools
Review of risk identification and assessment tools e.g. HAZOP, What If, FMEA, FTA, event tree analysis. Safety of control and instrumentation systems.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework30.00%
End of Module Formal Examination70.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 15
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 4
Assessment Description
Compile a Safety Statement for a Work location with which the student is familiar. This Safety Statement will incorporate a detailed Risk Assessment of a specific area of the workplace.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 15
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 2
Assessment Description
Assess the environmental impacts of a BioPharmaChem manufacturing process
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 70
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theory on course topics and discussion of industry relevant examples Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Review lecture notes and recommended material in-class topics Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theory on course topics and discussion of industry relevant examples Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Review of lecture notes and recommended material in class topics Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Barbara A. Plog; Patricia J. Quinlan, Editor. (2021), Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene, 7th Edition, 7th Edition. National Safety Council, [ISBN: 9780879123567].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Ronald Scott,. (1997), Basic concepts of Industrial Hygiene, [ISBN: 1566702925].
  • by Stan Roach. (1992), Health risks from hazardous substances at work, [ISBN: 0080408370].
  • Health & Safety Authority. (2006), Guidelines on risk assessments and safety statements, Health & Safety Authority, Dublin, [ISBN: 1-84496-032-3].
  • Health & Safety Authority. (2006), Guide to the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act, 2005, Health & Safety Authority, Dublin, [ISBN: 1-84496-028-5].
  • Health & Safety Authority. (2011), Code of Practice for the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) Regs 2001, S.I. No. 619 of 2001, Health & Safety Authority, Dublin, [ISBN: 978-1-84496-1].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Ho, Sa V. et al. (2010), Environmental considerations in biologics manufacturing, Green Chemistry, 12, p.755-766,
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/b927443j
  • Environmental Protection Agency. Integrated Pollution Control (IPPC) Licensing: Guide to Implementation and Enforcement in Ireland..
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
  • Environmental Protection Agency. Guidance Notes for the Preparation of the Annual Environmental Report..
  • Environmental Protection Agency. Integrated Pollution Control Licensing: Summary of Licensing Procedures..
  • Government of Ireland. (2009), S.I No. 542 European Communities (Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services) Regulations 2009.
  • European Commission. (2009), Guidance on the Classification, Packaging & Labelling Regulation 1272/2008.
  • European Commission. (2006), Regulation EC No 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH).
  • Butters et al. (2006), Critical assessment of pharmaceutical processes - a rationale for changing the synthesis route, Chemical Reviews, 106, p.3002-3027.
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_ECHBI_9 Master of Engineering in Chemical and Biopharmaceutical Engineering 1 Mandatory
CR_ERNPI_9 Master of Science in Regulated New Product Introduction & Technology Transfer 2 Group Elective 1
CR_EPIAI_9 Postgraduate Certificate in Process Industries Advancements and Innovation 1 Mandatory