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Industrial Hygiene

Industrial hygiene is defined as the recognition,evaluation, and control of workplace hazards.

Its origins are based on limiting personal exposures tochemicals, and have evolved to address the control ofmost other workplace hazards including over-exposureto noise, heat, vibration, and repetitive motion

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OSH Act of 1970 The purpose of the OSH Act is to

“assure so far as possible every working,

man and woman in the nation safe and

healthful working conditions and to

preserve our human resources.”

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Environmental Factors or StressesChemical hazards

gases, vapors, dusts, fumes, mists, andsmoke

Physical hazards

radiation, noise, vibration, extremetemperatures and pressures

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Environmental Factors or Stresses Ergonomic hazards

workstation design, repetitive motion, improper lifting/reaching, poor visual conditions

Biological hazards

insects, mold, fungi, bacteria, and viruses

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Routes of Entry Inhalation

airborne contaminants

Absorption

penetration through the skin

Ingestion

eating

drinking

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OSHA Hierarchy of ControlEngineering controls

Work practice controls

Administrative controls

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

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Types of Exposure Acute

Short term period between exposure and onset of symptoms

Chronic

Long time period between exposure to an agent and the onset of symptoms

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Types of Air Contaminants Particulates

dusts, fumes, mists, and fibers

non respirable particles

> 10 m in diameter

respirable particles

< 10 m in diameter

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Types of Air Contaminants Fumes

volatilized solids condenses in cool air

< 1.0 m in diameter

hot vapor + air (reaction with) = oxide

Mists

suspended solid droplets

generated by a condensation of liquids from a vapors to a liquid state

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Types of Air Contaminants Fibers

solid, slender, elongated structures

length several times the diameter

Gases

formless fluids that expand to occupy a space

arc-welding, internal combustion engine exhaust air

Vapors

liquid changed to vapor

organic solvents

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Hearing Conservation Program Mandatory

at an 8-hour > 85 dBA

Exposure monitoring

Audiometric testing

Hearing protection

Employee training

Recordkeeping

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Protection The selection of appropriate personal

protective equipment for exposure controloften requires both an understanding ofthe limitations of the equipment, and theexpected exposure parameters asdetermined by an industrial hygieneevaluation. Engineering controls areconsidered the preferred method ofcontrol, but personal protectiveequipment plays an important role forhealth, safety, and rescue. The potentialfor misuse or misapplication of thesedevices should be evaluated.

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Industrial Hygiene

ANTICIPATION

RECOGNITION

EVALUTION

CONTROL

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