Occupational Health Introduction to Industrial Hygiene © 2011 Sensible Safety Source LLC.

Occupational Health

Introduction to Industrial Hygiene

© 2011 Sensible Safety Source LLC

• Describe the purpose of a workplace Industrial Hygiene program.

• Give examples of potential workplace hazards.

• Give examples of how workers can be exposed to hazards.

• Describe types of controls used to protect workers from hazards.

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Training Objectives© 2011 Sensible Safety Source LLC

In 2000, NIOSH conducted an investigation of exposures at a microwave popcorn manufacturing plant in Missouri.

A cluster of former employees of the facility had developed a rare lung disease called bronchiolitis obliterans. The majority of employees diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans had been

exposed to mixtures of butter flavoring chemicals.

The investigation concluded that there was "a risk for occupational lung disease in workers with inhalation exposure to butter flavoring chemicals".

There are currently no specific standards for occupational exposure to butter-flavoring or the chemical diacetyl. However, OSHA standards regulating all workplaces offer protection to workers exposed to these substances.

Reference: www.OSHA.gov

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Case Study© 2011 Sensible Safety Source LLC

Industrial Hygiene (IH) focuses on worker exposure to health hazards.

IH programs help prevent work-related injuries & illnesses by:• Anticipating – Recognizing – Evaluating

hazards• Controlling hazards through:

1. Engineering controls 2. Administrative Controls3. Personal protective equipment (PPE)

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Introduction

Hippocrates noted lead toxicity in the mining industry (the fourth century BC).

Agricola, a German Scholar• He suggested mine ventilation

and personal protection equipment (PPE), and described mining diseases (e.g., silicosis).

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IH has a long history

Dr. Alice Hamilton, led efforts to improve industrial hygiene. • She startled officials with evidence

between worker illness and their exposure to toxins.

In 1911, the first state compensation laws were passed.• By 1948, all states had passed such

legislation.• Original compensation laws only covered

compensation for accidental injury not illnesses.

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IH has a long history

There are 4 common routes of entry for Biological and Chemical hazards

1. Inhalation2. Absorption3. Ingestion4. Injection

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Recognizing Hazards

There are three common types of industrial workplace hazards:

1. Chemical2. Physical3. Biological


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Anticipating Hazards

•Majority of industrial health hazards are from inhalation of:▫Dusts▫Fumes▫Mists▫Fibers▫Gases▫Vapors

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Recognizing Hazards - Chemical

Q: What types of chemicals are at your workplace?

Q: How could you become exposed?

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Discussion Time© 2011 Sensible Safety Source LLC

These can cause infections by entering the body. Bacteria Viruses Fungi Other living organisms

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Recognizing Hazards - Biological

Q: What types of biological hazards are at your work place?

Q: How could you become exposed?

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Equipment operations or environmental conditions can create physical hazards like. Radiation Noise Vibration Illumination Temperature Extremes Repetitive motion Heavy lift/push/pull

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Recognizing Hazards – Physical Hazards

Q: What types of physical hazards are at your workplace?

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A job hazard analysis (JHA) is used to identify potential hazards for a task. The task is broken down by steps• Each step is reviewed for possible hazards• A control method is then identified for each

possible hazard.

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Evaluating Hazards - JHA

The level of hazard exposure during a work shift can be measured. These measurements help determine

required PPE.

OSHA has specific limits of exposure for many chemicals, noise and radiation.

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Evaluating Hazards - Measurements

Chemical

OSHA requires respiratory protection when chemical exposure levels are too high.

The level of chemicals in the air is measured in ppm or mg/m3

per 8-hour = TWA 15 minute = STEL Maximum = C Supplied Air Required = IDLH

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Evaluating Hazards - Measurements

Engineering controls should be the primary method to prevent employee exposure. Replacing harmful toxic materials with less

hazardous ones

Enclosing work processes or isolating

operators

Installing ventilation systems

Using a wet method to reduce dust

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Controlling Hazards – Engineering

Q: What are examples of engineering controls used at your workplace?

Q: What would happen if they failed?

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When engineering controls are not feasible, Administrative controls should be used to prevent employee exposure. Preventative Maintenance program for

equipment safety systems. Good housekeeping procedures Training and safe operational procedures Warning signage and alarms Using chemical detection alarms Restricting number of work hours in an area.

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Controlling Hazards – Administrative

Q: What are examples of administrative controls used at your workplace?

Q: What would happen if they failed?

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should only be used as a last resort. PPE minimize exposure levels but does

not guarantee full protection from a hazard:• Gloves• Coveralls• Respiratory Protection• Hearing Protection• Safety shoes

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Controlling Hazards – PPE

Q 1: What are 4 routes of entry for exposure at work?

A: Skin, Inhalation, Injection, Ingestion.

? Review Time ?

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Q 2: What are three common types of workplace hazards?

A: Chemical, Biological and Physical.

? Review Time ?

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Q 3: What is an example of an administrative control?

A:1. Preventative Maintenance program for

equipment 2. Good house-keeping3. Training and safe operational procedures4. Warning signage and alarms5. Using chemical detection alarms6. Restricting number of work hours in an area

? Review Time ?

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Q 4: What is an example of an engineering control?

A:1. Replacing harmful toxic materials2. Enclosing work processes or isolating

operators3. Installing ventilation systems4. Using a wet method to reduce dust

? Review Time ?

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IH program work to prevent work-related injuries & illnesses by control hazards.

Engineering controls are the best method to prevent exposures at work.

Administrative controls should be used when engineering controls are not feasible.

PPE should only be used as a last line of defense and not as a primary method to control employee exposure.

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Summary


Occupational Health Introduction to Industrial Hygiene © 2011 Sensible Safety Source LLC.

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