What Is Industrial Hygiene?
Industrial hygiene is a scientific discipline that focuses on the identification, assessment, and control of hazardous conditions in the workplace. The primary goal is to prevent employee illness and injury by monitoring and analyzing exposure to hazards, implementing engineering solutions, and enforcing controls to maintain a safe and healthy work environment.
Historical Perspective
The origins of industrial hygiene date back to ancient times, with Roman scholars documenting health risks related to exposure to sulfur, lead, and zinc. Over the centuries, legislation addressing industrial hygiene emerged, such as England’s Chimney-Sweepers Act of 1788 and key U.S. acts like the Metal and Nonmetallic Mines Safety Act of 1966 and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
Importance of Industrial Hygiene
Protecting Employees
Industrial hygiene is crucial for safeguarding employees against various injuries and illnesses, including:
- Nonfatal Illnesses: Addressing skin, lung, and gastrointestinal diseases, as well as blood-borne illnesses.
- Respiratory Conditions: Mitigating hazards leading to chronic bronchitis, asbestosis, and pneumonitis.
- Skin Diseases: Preventing dermatitis, eczema, and other skin conditions caused by contact with hazardous chemicals.
- Poisoning: Controlling exposure to toxic chemicals and preventing ingestion or skin absorption.
- Hearing Loss: Implementing measures to protect against high-decibel sounds causing hearing impairment.
- Repetitive Stress Injuries: Providing guidelines for posture, lifting techniques, and mandatory breaks.
Economic Impact
The economic effects of absenteeism on employers include lost productivity, diminished morale, and decreased profits. Industrial hygiene helps maintain a healthy and present workforce, minimizing these adverse impacts.
What Does an Industrial Hygienist Do?
Industrial hygienists, certified by the Board for Global EHS Credentialing, play a vital role in ensuring workplace safety. They identify, evaluate, and control hazards, set occupational safety and health regulations, and contribute to the development of standards and field enforcement protocols.
Role During Industrial Hygiene Consultation
- Identification of Hazards or Stressors: Assessing workplace hazards, including toxic chemicals, biohazards, and physical hazards.
- Elimination or Control Through Appropriate Measures: Developing plans to eliminate or control hazards, considering safety protocols and standards.
Overview of Industrial Hygiene Hazards and Controls
Certified industrial hygienists recognize five main forms of hazards and controls: environmental, chemical, biological, physical, and ergonomic.
- Environmental Hazards: Addressing air contaminants through measures like adequate ventilation and proper PPE.
- Chemical Hazards: Controlling exposure to hazardous chemicals with safety data sheets and proper labeling.
- Biological Hazards: Implementing personal hygiene measures and protocols to control exposure to bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
- Physical Hazards: Managing heat exposure, noise, radiation, and vibration through various engineering and administrative controls.
- Ergonomic Hazards: Controlling poor posture and repetitive motions through administrative practices, job site design, tools, and training.
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Organizations Influencing Industrial Hygiene Assessments
Several organizations influence industrial hygiene assessments, including:
- OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration): Federal agency regulating workplace safety and health.
- NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health): Conducts research and provides recommendations to enhance occupational safety and health.
- ACGIH (American Industrial Hygiene Association): Nonprofit organization serving as a professional resource for industrial hygienists.
Understanding OSHA’s Standards
Understanding OSHA’s standards is critical for maintaining workplace safety. OSHA standards cover fall protection, prevention of mining cave-ins, exposure to infectious diseases, safety in confined spaces, minimizing exposure to harmful chemicals, guarding dangerous machines, providing respirators and safety equipment, and offering adequate training for hazardous positions.
Creating a Successful Industrial Hygiene Program
Risk Assessments
One of the initial steps in creating a successful industrial-hygiene program is conducting risk assessments. This involves observing employees at work, identifying hazards, and evaluating routine and non-routine tasks.
Worksite Analysis & Site Assessments
A worksite analysis, conducted by certified industrial hygienists, involves evaluating exposures, measuring levels, and assessing risks. This includes sampling and testing air and work surfaces to evaluate contaminant levels.
Components of a New Program
A successful industrial hygiene program should include:
- Identification of Oversight Personnel or Team: Responsible for program oversight and monitoring.
- Preliminary Exposure Assessments: Including testing and sampling measures.
- Identification of Hazard Areas: Recognizing potential areas of risk.
- Identification of Control Measures: Developing strategies to control hazards.
- Documentation: Thoroughly documenting identified hazards and safety protocols.
- Training Plan: Implementing a training plan for employees.
Communicating Results
Clear communication of results to employees is essential to ensure understanding and compliance with new protocols.
Planning for Change
Designing the program with flexibility to accommodate evolving hazards due to changes in processes, chemicals, or machinery.
Controls for Industrial Hygiene Hazards
The hierarchy of controls outlined by NIOSH guides risk assessment and control measures, including:
- Elimination: Removing the hazard, if possible.
- Substitution: Replacing the hazard with a safer alternative.
- Engineering Controls: Isolating employees from the hazard through structural changes.
- Administrative Controls: Using policies to change how employees work.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Providing workers with appropriate PPE.
Industrial Hygiene Testing and Sampling Programs
Certified industrial hygienists at TRC offer comprehensive testing and sampling programs, including chemical substance sampling, hazardous chemicals consulting, and physical stressors sampling. These programs ensure workplace safety and OSHA compliance.
Commonly Asked Questions
- What Is Industrial Hygiene? – Industrial hygiene focuses on recognizing, evaluating, regulating, and controlling hazardous environmental conditions in the workplace to safeguard employee health.
- Organizations Influencing Industrial Hygiene? – Key organizations include AIHA, NIOSH, and OSHA, each playing a role in regulation, research, and standards development.
- Why Is Industrial Hygiene Important? – Prioritizing industrial-hygiene ensures employee health, prevents illness and injuries, and aligns with OSHA regulations, avoiding costly violation fees.
- SMARTouch for Industrial Hygiene: – SMARTouch is designed for data collection during industrial-hygiene surveys, providing an efficient tool for monitoring and assessing workplace conditions.
Industrial hygiene is a critical aspect of maintaining a safe and healthy work environment. By identifying, evaluating, and controlling hazards, organizations can protect their employees, comply with regulations, and enhance overall workplace well-being.