Industrial Hygiene

Outline
Definition & Introduction to Industrial hygiene Industrial hygienists & Role OSHA Chemical hygiene plan Management & control of hazard

Introduction

IH is the science of anticipating, recognizing, evaluating and controlling workplace conditions that may cause workers injury or illness.

The occupational Health & Safety team

1.

2.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Management committee Industrial hygienist Safety professional Occupational health nurse Occupational medicine physician Employees Safety & health committee

Definition & scope of IH

Stress in & from workplace may cause

Sickness or injury Impaired health & well-being Significant discomfort/inefficiency among workers & community members
Anticipation: expectation of hazard existence Recognition: presence of workplace exposure Evaluation: magnitude of exposure Control: reduction to acceptable level

Industrial hygiene is the art devoted to:

Major functions of IH: Anticipation

Design of process,equipment Future legislation/regulations Research

Major functions of IH:Recognition

Understand the industrial process-materials used,

processes involved (set up,manufacturing, cleanup,maintenance)

Record of accidents and diseases Walk around- senses, talk to workers etc. Take samples Frequent major stresses

Chemical:liquids,dusts,vapors,gases Physical: noise,radiation,thermal Biological: Molds,fungi, infectious agents Ergonomic: Biomechanics, work analysis Safety hazards:falls, trips, fires

Major functions of IH:evaluation

Toxicity of substance Concentration in the breathing zone Manner of use Length of time of the exposure Controls already in place & their effectiveness Any special susceptibilities of the employees Sampling

Major functions of IH: Control

Isolation of process or operation Substitution of less toxic materials Alter process to reduce human contact Ventilate to dilute/remove toxics Reduce radiant energy:chemical,shielding,distance, Use wet methods to reduce dust Good housekeeping:clean workplace,proper waste
disposal, adequate hygiene facilities, drinking water,eating facilities

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Industrial hygienist
Those who are trained in engineering, physics chemistry, environmental science, safety & biology through education & experience. Functions in examine & analyze health hazards & diseases in the work environment to keep employees safe & healthy from potential hazardous materials or situations

Role of an industrial hygienist

Direct the industrial hygiene program Examine the work environment Study work operations & processes Obtain full details for:

Nature of work Materials & equipment used Products & byproducts No. & gender of employees Working hours

Role of an industrial hygienistcont

Make appropriate measurements to determine the magnitude of exposure or nuisance to workers & the public. Study & test biological materials eg. Blood & urine,by physical & chemical means to determine the extent of exposure Interpret results of the examination of work environments in terms of ability to impair health, nature of health impairment, workers efficiency & community nuisance Present specific conclusions to appropriate interested parties eg. Management & health officials

Role of an industrial hygienistcont

Make specific decisions to the need for, or effectiveness of control measures. When necessary, advice the suitable & effective procedures for both environment & environs Prepare rules, regulations, SOP for the healthful conduct of work Present expert testimony before courts of law,hearing boards, workmens compensation commissions, regulatory bodies covering all matters pertaining to industrial hygiene

Role of an industrial hygienistcont

Prepare appropriate text for labels & precautionary information for materials & products to be used by workers & the public Conduct programs for the education of workers & the public in the prevention of occupational disease & community nuisance. Conduct epidemiological studies among workers and industries to discover possibilities of the presence of occupational diseases; establish or improve threshold limit values or standards as guides for maintenance of health & efficiency

Role of an industrial hygienistcont

Conduct research to advance knowledge concerning the effects of occupation upon health; and means of preventing occupational health impairment, community air pollution, noise, nuisance & related problems

Benefit of IH program
Improve health & hygiene Reduce compensation Improve job satisfaction Reduce absenteeism Improve productivity Improve workers attitude towards management

Federal regulations

Purpose: to ensure so far as possible that every working man & woman in the nation safe & in healthful working conditions; & to preserve our human resources Employer duties:

Furnish to each employee a place of employment, free from recognized hazards that are causing or are more likely to cause death or serious harm to their employees Comply with occupational safety & health standards un

Occupational health related organization in Malaysia

Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Malaysian Society for Occupational Safety and Health (MSOSH) Work & Environmental Health unit, IMR KKM Social Security Organization (SOCSO)

Role of Occupational safety & health administration (OSHA)

Encourage employers and employees to reduce workplace hazards Implement new or improve existing safety & health standards Provide for research in occupational safety & health; develop innovative ways of dealing with occupational safety & health problems Establish separate but dependant responsibilities & rights for employers and employees for the achievement of better safety & health conditions

Cont
Maintain a reporting and recordkeeping system to monitor job-related injuries and illnesses Establish training programs to increase the number and competence of occupational safety & health personnel Develop mandatory job safety & health standards & enforce them effectively

Exposure guidelines & standards

Time Weighted Average (TWA) Threshold Limit Values (TLV) Permissible exposure limits (PEL)

The concentration of a substance in which nearly all workers may be exposed daily for a working lifetime without adverse effects. Based upon best available information from

Industrial experience Experimental human studies

Skin notation

Refers to the potential contribution to the overall exposure by the cutaneous route including mucous membranes & eyes, either by airborne or more particularly by direct contact with the substance

CHEMICAL HYGIENE PLAN

Purpose: to describe the proper use and handling practices and procedures to be followed by employees, students, visitors & other personnel working in each laboratory to protect them from potential health & physical hazards presented by chemicals used in the workplace, and to keep chemical exposure below specified limits Contains the minimum required precautions & standard operating procedures for working with laboratory chemicals in any laboratories.

CHP: general roles

Awareness The chemical hazard, as determined from the bottle label Safeguards for using that chemical Location & proper use of emergency equipment How & where to properly store the chemical Proper hygiene practices Proper methods of transporting chemicals within the facility Appropriate procedures for emergencies including evacuation routes, spill up clean up procedures & proper waste disposal

CHP:General practices
Order the correct amount of a chemical Wear the appropriate PPE Weigh or measure hazardous chemicals in the chemical fume hood Clearly label all secondary container & store in a ventilated storage cabinet

CHP:General practicescont.
Procedures, which may generate aerosols or vapour, must be conducted in the chemical fume hood Collect hazardous waste in a labeled container and call the responsible person for removal Wash hands after chemical use when leave lab

Cont
Review procedures with the supervisor whenever there are any changes in operation or results Wash work surface after each use Be aware of the safety hazards of the chemicals in your workplace. Know the proper emergency procedure.

Control of hazards
Management commitment is the most important component of a health & safety program Present ideas to management in business terms Present ideas to workers in language they can understand

Control of hazards

Industrial hygienists should keep confidential personal & business information obtained during the exercise of the IH activities, except when required by law or overriding health & safety considerations

Hierarchy of control

Control of the source:chemical substitution,redesign process,isolate process,enclose process Control of the path: local exhaust ventilation, general ventilation,housekeeping,work methods Control the exposure to the worker: respirators & other PPE, administrative control,enclose the worker, hygiene facilities & practices

Hierarchy of control (another approach)

Engineering: equipment design, ventilation Administrative controls: substitution,SOP,scheduling Personal protective equipment

Regulation & recommendation for PPE

OSHA issues workplace health & safety regulation. Employer must:

Provide appropriate PPE for employees Ensure that PPE is disposed or reusable,cleaned,laundered,repaired and stored after use.

Types of PPE used in healthcare settings

Gloves-protects hands Lab coat- minimal skin protection against minor splashes Masks & respirators-protect mouth/nose Respirators- protect respiratory tract from airborne infectious agents Goggles- protect eyes Face shield-protect face,mouth, nose,eyes Street clothing eg. Long sleeved shirts, pants & closed shoes