Republic of the Philippines

University of Rizal System

Morong, Rizal
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

BASIC OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE (REPORT)

Jon Brixter E. Fermante

Kris Rheianne T. Maranan
Patrick R. Garcia
Cyriz Joel Merino
John Maledrex Mandanas

3EEA

Engr. Michael L. Pascua

Instructor

January 23, 2021

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
INTRODUCTION

Some of you may already be familiar with the field of industrial hygiene. On the other
hand, others of you may not, and may wonder what it is, why it exists, and what an industrial
hygiene does. Let’s start by learning what industrial hygiene is, getting a general overview of the
industrial hygiene process, and seeing what type of people perform industrial hygiene in
workplaces.

WHAT IS INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE?

 Industrial hygiene activities focus on the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control
of health hazards due to the use of chemical and physical agents, including the
evaluation of indoor air quality.

- University of California 

 The science of anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling workplace conditions

that may cause workers' injury or illness.

- United States Department of Labor

Occupational Safety & Health Recognition

 The science and art devoted to anticipation, recognition and control of those
environmental factors or stresses arising in or from the workplace which cause sickness,
impairs health and inefficiency among workers as well as the surrounding communities.

- Industrial Hygiene of the Sanitation

Code of the Philippines
OBJECTIVES

 To understand what industrial hygiene is

 To learn what industrial hygiene covers
 To know the different types of hazards in the workplace
 To learn about safety precautions, controlling or eliminating the hazards
TOPICS/BODY

Keeping Workers Healthy and Safe

Organizations are responsible for

the overall health and safety of the workers
they employ, from warehouse workers to
the executive suite at their desks. Keeping
employees safe and healthy requires
knowledge of industrial hygiene, which is
the science dedicated to the anticipation,
recognition, evaluation, communication,
and control of environmental stressors in
the workplace that may result in injury,
illness, impairment, or otherwise affect the
wellbeing of workers and community
members1.

Because industrial hygienists are

trained to evaluate safety concerns and find
solutions to problems, it is important that
managers at all levels and across functions
are able to effectively work with and
manage industrial hygienists. Whether you
have an industrial hygienist on your team or
you have to hire an outside company for an
assessment, being able to speak the
language of industrial hygienists will allow
you to have a deeper understanding of
potential health and safety issues. In
addition, once an industrial hygienist has
recommended a course of action to correct
any real or potential issues, you will be the
one responsible for ensuring they are
implemented in your workplace.

Managers across functions must be able to effectively work with industrial hygienists

Even if you are not working directly with an industrial hygienist, these principles can help
you effectively incorporate the health and safety concerns of industrial hygiene, such as
ergonomics, into the design and management of your business. By incorporating these
principles early in the planning process and being able to recognize potential issues before they
escalate, you will help ensure the health and safety of your workers, and manage your
company’s exposure to potential risk and liability.
Overview

Industrial hygiene, as stated above, is concerned with identifying, evaluating, and

controlling real or potential workplace environmental stressors or hazards that can affect the
wellbeing of workers and community members. It is sometimes called Occupational Hygiene,
Occupational Health or Workplace Health. Ideally, hazards are identified and controlled when a
workplace is being planned, when conditions or processes change, or through yearly reviews,
before they become an issue for workers.

In order to help ensure proper industrial hygiene and thus the health and safety of your
workers, you can employ an industrial hygienist. The role of an industrial hygienist is to
“anticipate health and safety concerns and design solutions to prevent them. They are the
guardians of workplace safety, applying science to identify and solve health and safety
problems. Industrial hygienists also unite management, workers, and all segments of a
company behind the common goal of health and safety.” The American Board of Industrial
Hygiene certifies industrial hygienists, providing a well-respected benchmark in the field.

An industrial hygienist will use rigorous scientific methods to evaluate and control
hazards in the workplace, including risk assessment tools and information, such as Safety Data
Sheets, which are put together by chemical manufacturers and contain detailed information
about each chemical. Industrial hygienists can also conduct a worksite analysis to evaluate all
jobs, operations, machinery, and work activities at that site, in addition to problem solving on
specific activities or work areas.

After a hazard is identified, an industrial hygienist will work with the company to control
or eliminate the hazard. This can include substituting a chemical for a less hazardous one,
reducing exposure to hazards, utilization of personal protective equipment such as gloves or
goggles, or increasing ventilation.

Key Components of Industrial Hygiene

Industrial hygiene encompasses a wide range of health and safety concerns in the
workplace. As a manager, you should be familiar with the basics of most of them. Here are
some, though not all, of the key components of industrial hygiene.

ERGONOMICS: The goal of ergonomics (the study of people at work), is to reduce stress and
eliminate injuries associated with bad posture, overuse of muscles, and repeated tasks. For
example, proper ergonomics can help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and lower
back injuries. While performing an ergonomics intervention, it’s important to involve workers in
the process to ensure tasks are fit to the worker and workers are properly trained on aspects
such as how to lift boxes correctly. Ergonomics can be improved through solutions such as
changing the chairs or keyboards office workers use, introducing tools to reduce repetitive
tasks, or limiting time on certain jobs.

For ergonomics to be researched and produced successfully, it needs to use other

scientific areas, including, engineering, physiology and psychology. For the best design,
ergonomists use the data and techniques from several other areas:

 Anthropometry: body sizes, shapes; populations and variations

  Biomechanics: muscles, levers, forces, strength

 Environmental physics: noise, light, heat, cold, radiation, vibration body systems:
hearing, vision, sensations

 Applied psychology: skill, learning, errors, differences

 Social psychology: groups, communication, learning, behaviors

Some of Ergonomic Hazards in the Workplace

It’s important to quickly identify and remedy potential ergonomic hazards in your
office. Prioritizing the proper posture can help prevent most workplace injuries and
reduce the impact of repetitive movements.

You can do this by adjusting certain tools that you use in the office. These are the some
of the most common ergonomic hazards in the workplace

Chairs

A poorly designed office chair can contribute to a series of problems for

the user including: lower back pain, fatigue, abdominal cramps, and worse yet,
deep vein thrombosis in the legs.

When choosing to invest in a chair, it’s best to choose an ergonomic

office chair that has adjustable features. The best ones provide proper height,
width, and size adjustments. Not to mention, most will provide a clean and
modern design -- the perfect combination of form and function!  
 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is an injury that affects the hands, wrists, and
fingers. It affects the muscles, nerves, and tendons as a result of repetitive and
strenuous motions.

Office workers who type on keyboards, while operating mouse devices for
hours are prone to sustain such injury. We suggest investing in the right
ergonomic keyboard and mouse devices to protect your hands.

Heavy Lifting

This is a common theme with workers involved in manufacturing.

Examples of ergonomic hazards in manufacturing is a very serious issue. Due to
the intense load and pressure, heavy lifting without proper form can injure your
back, knees, and legs.

Be careful when dealing with heavy supplies, files, and books in the
office. Never over-extend yourself and use footstools to reach high shelves.

Lighting

It’s nearly impossible to provide proper lighting that is suitable for

everyone. Artificial lighting may hinder a worker’s productivity and comfort, simply
because it is too bright or too dim. The most common problem in the office is
dealing with the glare from computer screens.

These ergonomic challenges arise from different factors such as different

seasons, the position of office windows, and skylights. All of these factors can
contribute to eye strain, headaches, and worse yet, nausea.

Office Ergonomic Tips

Find Your Natural Posture

Maintaining a neutral posture simply means, aligning and balancing the

body while either standing or sitting. This posture lets your joints align naturally to
reduce strain and stress on your muscles, tendons, and overall skeletal system.
A few things to keep in mind are:

 Head is level with the screen

 Back is supported properly

 Shoulders are relaxed

  Hands, wrists, forearms are parallel to the floor

 Elbows are close to your body

 Thighs and hips are parallel to the floor

 Feet firmly on the ground

Adjusting Your Keyboard and Mouse

Oftentimes, the biggest culprit of bad posture is the simple tools you use
for work. Keyboards and mouse devices are often neglected by many but are
essential in workplace ergonomics.

Be sure to properly position your mouse next to your keyboard. If you are
left-handed, use a left-handed mouse. This will ensure that the device can
naturally fit the palm of your hands.

We advise you to carefully select the right ergonomic keyboard and

mouse devices to avoid unnecessary strain on your hands.

Adjusting Your Screens

As a general rule of thumb, the top of your monitor should be at your eye
level -- with at least 20 inches of space away from your face. The goal is to
maintain a relaxed neck and shoulders, where you should be able to read
comfortably without constantly adjusting your posture or moving your head.

You may need to adjust your posture if there is a glare on your screen
due to poor lighting. Arrange your desk to minimize glare especially from lights
and windows to reduce eye strain and headaches.

Adjusting Your Chair

An ergonomic office chair aligns and supports your entire body --

particularly your back, arms, legs, and buttocks -- in a way that helps reduce
stress and keeps your body relaxed.

Every human body is different, therefore, the best option is an office chair
with various adjustability, as it allows you to set a neutral posture and keep your
body comfortable throughout the day.

When buying an office chair, it’s important to remember that the right

office chair has the right lumbar support. Lumbar support will appropriately
support your lower back and your spine.
 Don’t Sit Around All Day - Stand Up and Move!

Last but not least, the best thing you can do to ensure proper workplace
ergonomics is to stay active and move around. Humans are not designed to sit
around and slouch all day, therefore, we advise you to stand up, stretch, and
move around every once in a while.

NOISE: Long-term exposure to noise – both wanted and unwanted sound – can lead to hearing
loss for workers. Noise issues can be addressed in several ways, including designing a facility
to minimize noise, separating workers from noisy machinery as much as possible, and using
devices, such as ear muffs or ear plugs, to protect workers.

Workplace Hygiene performs worker exposure surveys including area noise

measurements, personal dosimetry, and noise mapping with comparisons to applicable OSHA
(29 CFR 1910.95) or MSHA (30 CFR 62) standards (and to more stringent employer criteria, if
utilized). Octave band and source characterization measurements are performed to guide noise
control efforts.

How do I know if noise levels in my workplace are safe?

The hazard noise poses are dose-related. The higher the dose of noise a
worker receives the greater the risk to the workers hearing.

A worker’s noise dose is dependent on the following 3 factors:

 Intensity/Loudness: This factor is measured by a noise level meter and

the units are described in decibels (dB)

 Frequency: Frequencies between 3000-4000 Hz are most likely to

damage human hearing. Sound level meters’ account for this by using an
“A” weighted filter

 Duration: The length of time you have been exposed to noise

How can I measure noise levels in my workplace?

You can download an application on your smartphone, however the

microphone in your device is likely not able to accurately detect higher intensity
sounds.

To obtain accurate results, workplace noise is often measured using a

noise dosimeter or sound level meter. If you are concerned that noise in your
workplace exceeds 85 dBA, contact the Occupational Hygienist to arrange an on-
site noise assessment. This assessment will determine if a hearing test is
required and if other controls need to be used in that area.

How can I reduce noise hazards?

As with any exposure, start by using the hierarchy of controls.

 CONTROL TYPE EXAMPLES

Elimination/Substitution Find a workplace away from the noise

Use equipment designed to minimize noise, maintain/lubricate

Engineering Controls
moving parts, use isolation booths/barriers

Administrative Controls Shift work hours, work at a distance, exposure control plans

Personal Protective
Hearing protection devices such as earplugs or earmuffs.
Equipment

TEMPERATURE: Both high and low temperatures can cause problems for workers. If
temperatures are too high, workers are vulnerable to heat stroke or heat exhaustion; heat stroke
is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Workers should be allowed to slowly
adapt to the heat (acclimatization) and drink small amounts of water frequently, and air should
be cooled whenever possible. Prolonged exposure to low temperatures can lead to hypothermia
or frostbite. Workers should be allowed to wear warm clothing, and take breaks in warmer
temperatures when possible.
Engineering Controls

Engineering controls are the most effective means of reducing excessive heat
exposure. The examples which follow illustrate some engineering approaches to
reducing heat exposure.

 Reducing Metabolic Heat Production (heat produced by the body): Automation

and mechanization of tasks minimize the need for heavy physical work and the
resulting buildup of body heat.

 Reducing the Radiant Heat Emission from Hot Surfaces: Covering hot surfaces
with sheets of low emissivity material such as aluminum or paint that reduces the
amount of heat radiated from this hot surface into the workplace.
 Insulating Hot Surfaces: Insulation reduces the heat exchange between the source
of heat and the work environment.

 Shielding: Shields stop radiated heat from reaching work stations. Two types of
shields can be used. Stainless steel, aluminum or other bright metal surfaces reflect
heat back towards the source. Absorbent shields, such as a water-cooled jackets
made of black-surfaced aluminum, can effectively absorb and carry away heat.
 Ventilation and Air Conditioning: Ventilation, localized air conditioning, and cooled
observation booths are commonly used to provide cool work stations. Cooled
observation booths allow workers to cool down after brief periods of intense heat
exposure while still allowing them to monitor equipment.

 Reducing the Humidity: Air conditioning, dehumidification, and elimination of open

hot water baths, drains, and leaky steam valves help reduce humidity
 .

INDOOR AIR QUALITY: Indoor air quality can be impacted by many factors, including pollution
from machines or tools inside the building, highway pollution outside the building, dusts from
mechanical processes, or gasses. Poor air quality can cause issues ranging from chronic
coughs to nausea to severe headaches. Proper ventilation is important to ensure that fresh air is
brought into the work area and air filtering in an HVAC system can help remove contaminants
from the air.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within and around buildings and
structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants.

Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon after exposure or,
possibly, years later.

Recent studies identified these factors such as your pets, open stove (fuel) cooking, and
volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Some health effects may show up shortly after a single exposure or repeated exposures
to a pollutant.

Source, Hazards and Risk of IAQ and to prevent it

 Pollutant carbon monoxide (CO) can stop your body from using the oxygen it needs
to work normally. To prevent make sure that combustion appliances, such as
heaters, have been installed correctly. Do not use combustion appliances without
vents inside and never use a gas stove to heat your house.
 Radon is a radioactive gas formed by the natural decay of uranium in soil and rock. It

can seep into buildings through foundation cracks and other openings. Without
proper ventilation, radon concentrations in indoor air can reach dangerous levels.
Being exposed to elevated levels of radon increases your risk of getting lung cancer.
To prevent this, you should screen your home for elevated radon levels with a kit or
have it tested by a qualified professional.
 Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) can irritates the throat, eyes, nose, and respiratory tract. To
prevent this, it’s important to ensure that combustion appliances, such as heaters,
are installed correctly, used as directed, and kept in good condition.
 Secondhand smoke exposure to secondhand smoke can cause eye, nose, and

throat irritation. In the long-long, it can cause many of the same health problems as
smoking, like wheezing, pneumonia, bronchitis, and lung cancer. Asthma attacks
may be triggered by secondhand smoke exposure. Just do not smoke cigarettes,
cigars, or pipe tobacco inside your home and do not allow others to do so.
  Asbestos in the long-term, exposure to asbestos can lead to various lung disorders,
including lung cancer and asbestosis. If products in your home contain asbestos, just
keep them in good condition
 Mold can include nasal stuffiness, eye or throat irritation, swelling, coughing or

wheezing, headaches, or skin irritation. Severe reactions can lead to fever and
trouble breathing. To prevent this fix leaks and clean up spills ASAP. Make sure
appliances that create moisture are vented. Keep the bathroom fan on or the window
open when taking a shower.

CHEMICAL EXPOSURE: Chemical hazards can take many forms, from liquid to fumes to
dusts, and can be absorbed, inhaled, or ingested into a worker’s system. Some common
chemicals that can potentially be hazardous are cleaning products, gasoline, and pesticides.
Many chemicals can be harmless in small doses, but even some common chemicals can cause
symptoms in those who are particularly sensitive, and most chemicals can cause adverse
effects in large doses or when proper safety precautions are not taken. These precautions
include ventilation, personal hygiene such as hand washing, which can reduce the amount of
chemicals absorbed by the skin, and maintaining equipment in order to prevent leaks and
breakdowns.

Chemical
  a compound or substance that has been purified or prepared, especially
artificially.
 A chemical substance is a form of matter having constant chemical composition
and characteristic properties.
 Toxic substances pose a wide range of health hazards and physical hazards.

Common hazardous substances

 acids
 caustic substances
 disinfectants
 pesticides
 petroleum products
 solvents

Safety and Health at Workplace

 Chemical manufacturers and

importers are required to
evaluate the hazards of the
 chemicals they produce or import, and prepare labels and safety data sheets to
convey the hazard information to their downstream customers;
 All employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must have labels and
safety data sheets for their exposed workers, and train them to handle the chemicals
appropriately. The training for employees must also include information on the
hazards of the chemicals in their work area and the measures to be used to protect
themselves.
 isolate hazardous substances in separate storage areas
 purge or ventilate storage areas separately from the rest of the workplace
 thoroughly train employees in handling and safety procedures
 provide personal protection equipment such as respirators, gloves and goggles
 regularly monitor the workplace with appropriate equipment to track the degree of
hazardous substance in the air or environment
 regularly consult with employees to maintain and improve existing safety and
handling practices.

RADIATION: There are two types of radiation – non-ionizing radiation and ionizing radiation.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation and laser radiation are the types of non-ionizing radiation most likely to
cause safety concerns, usually burns, for workers; UV radiation is a particular problem for
outside workers, such as gardeners. Ionizing radiation can cause more considerable health
risks for workers, and can be found in settings ranging from health care facilities to nuclear
reactors and their support facilities. This type of radiation damages cells, and possible long term
effects include cancer and sterility. Exposure to ionizing radiation should be limited as much as
possible, and workers should be shielded from radiation by materials such as lead or concrete.

Radiation is energy that comes from a source and travels through space and may be
able to penetrate various materials.

Radiation can also be produced by high-voltage devices.

Non-ionizing radiation, which includes radio waves, cell phones, microwaves, infrared
radiation and visible light

Ionizing radiation, which includes ultraviolet radiation, radon, x-rays, and gamma rays

Natural radiation sources include radon, cosmic radiation, and elements in the ground.
Radon is the leading source of radiation exposure and the second leading cause of lung cancer.
It is found many places, but most prominently in the soil.
 Dangers at exposing on radiation

 Radiation damages the cells that make up the human body.

 Low levels of radiation are not dangerous, but medium levels can lead to
sickness, headaches, vomiting and a fever.
 High levels can kill you by causing damage to your internal organs. It's difficult to
treat high radiation exposure.
 Exposure to radiation over a long time can cause cancer.
 If exposed to a lot of radiation over a short period of time, such as from a
radiation emergency, can cause skin burns. It may also lead to acute radiation
syndrome (ARS, or "radiation sickness"). The symptoms of ARS include
headache and diarrhea.
 Symptoms of radiation sickness include headache, nausea, vomiting, and some
loss of white blood cells.
 It causes hair loss and significant internal damage. Because mutated cells are
emitting excess energy and mass, it is being transferred to the healthy cells in
the body
 This dosage causes a severe loss of white blood cells, weakening the immune
system and making victims susceptible to disease.
 The greatest risk from exposure to radiation is cancer.

Reducing Radiation Exposure

 Limit employee exposures to radiation.

 Supply appropriate personal monitoring equipment to employees at risk.
 Restrict entry to radiation areas and post warning signs.
 Label containers of radioactive materials and store them properly.
 Inspect and test systems that produce radiation.
 Dispose of radioactive wastes properly.
 Have signals to warn employees of accidental releases of radiation.
 Make sure employees remain at a safe distance from radiation sources.

BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS: Living organisms such as fungi, viruses, and bacteria, can enter the
body and cause both acute and chronic infections. Workers who deal with plants or animals and
laboratory or medical workers are particularly at risk for biological hazards, but all workers can
be at risk for hazards such as mold, and bacteria that cause Legionnaire’s disease. Proper
hygiene such as hand washing, ventilation, personal protective equipment such as gloves or
respirators, and in certain cases, isolation of the hazard, can all help minimize the risks
associated with biological hazards.

No workplace is immune from biological hazards. They can appear and disappear due to
a variety of factors so it is important for one to be prepared for them in the workplace. A
biological safety hazard is a substance produced by an organism that may pose a threat to
human health. Anything that can cause harm to people, animals, or infectious plant materials
can be considered a Biological Hazard. They exist in most workplaces that involve working
around other people, unsanitary conditions, in labs, or in the environment.
How to know if something is a biological hazard

Any risk that comes from the biosphere – people, plants, and animals – can be
considered biological hazards. Some examples of biological hazards are:

 Mold and Fungi

 Blood and Body Fluids

 Sewage

 Airborne pathogens such as the common cold

 Stinging insects

 Harmful plants
  Animal and Bird Droppings

ELIMINATING OR CONTROLLING HAZARDS

Information obtained during a job hazard analysis is used to incorporate hazard control
measures into a task. Certain hazard controls are more effective than others at reducing the
risk. The order of precedence and effectiveness of hazard control is the following:

1. Engineering controls.

2. Administrative controls.

3. Personal protective equipment.

Engineering controls include:

 Elimination/minimization of the hazard -- Designing the facility, equipment, or process to

remove the hazard, or substituting processes, equipment, or materials to reduce the
hazard;

 Enclosure of the hazard using enclosed cabs, enclosures for noisy equipment, or other
methods;

 Isolation of the hazard with interlocks, machine guards, blast shields, welding curtains,
or other methods; or

 Removal or redirection of the hazard such as with local and exhaust ventilation.

Administrative controls include:

 Written operating procedures, work permits, and safe work practices;

 Exposure time limitations (used most commonly to control temperature extremes and
ergonomic hazards);

 Monitoring the use of highly hazardous materials;

 Alarms, signs, and warnings;

  Buddy system; or

 Training.

Personal Protective Equipment such as respirators, hearing protection, protective clothing,

safety glasses, and hardhats is acceptable as a control method in the following circumstances:

 When engineering controls are not feasible or do not totally eliminate the hazard;

 While engineering controls are being developed;

 When safe work practices do not provide sufficient additional protection; or

 During emergencies when engineering controls may not be feasible.

Optimizing these components of industrial hygiene through monitoring and analyzing

hazards and engineering solutions to minimize those hazards will help control potential health
risks that impact both workers and your organization. These hazards can cause a wide range of
negative outcomes from disease and injury to lost time and reduced productivity in your
organization. Understanding the principles of industrial hygiene will help you control these
factors more effectively and thus have a healthier, more productive workplace.

REFERENCES:
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/ecpe/industrial-hygiene-keeping-workers-healthy-and-
safe/

http://switchedontosafety.com/ergonomics-in-the-workplace-2/

https://officesolutionpro.com/best-examples-of-ergonomics-in-the-workplace/

https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3143/OSHA3143.htm

https://ehs.ucsc.edu/programs/safety-ih/index.html

https://doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/publications/Chapter_7_Industrial_Hygiene.pdf