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EHS Guidelines
Section OMCG | ENVIRONMENT HEALTH AND SAFETY
Doc No. GL-01-EHS-032 Subject Guidelines on Work Environment Measurement
Revision No. 0 Effectivity Date: October 5, 2020 Page 1

Person Responsible: EHS Personnel, Project-in-Charge/Project Manager, General Services Head

I. Objective

To provide guidance on performing Workplace Environmental Monitoring by identifying workplace

conditions that require monitoring, different sampling methodologies to be used and the testing
equipment required to give accurate readings and generate reports.

II. Scope

All ongoing MDC projects and offices

III. Details

1. Definition of terms

 Heat stress – is a situation where too much heat is absorbed by a person that causes stress,
illness or even death.
 Humidity – a quantity representing the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere or in a gas.
 Industrial hygiene - the science of protecting and enhancing the health and safety of people
at work and in their communities.
 Lux – the SI (international standard) derived unit of illuminance and luminous emittance,
measuring luminous flux per unit area.
 Noise – a sound, especially one that is loud or unpleasant or that causes disturbance.
 Parameter – these are work environment hazards that emanates from workplace operations
and has an impact to the workers exposed to it
 Radiation - flow of atomic and subatomic particles and of waves, such as those that
characterize heat rays, light rays, and X rays.
 Threshold Limit Values - refer to airborne concentration of substances and represent
conditions under which it is believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed daily
without adverse effect.
 Ventilation - the process of "changing" or replacing air in any space to provide high indoor
air quality
 Wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) - a type of apparent temperature used to estimate the
effect of temperature, humidity, wind speed (wind chill), and visible and infrared radiation
(usually sunlight) on humans.
 Work environment measurement (WEM) - branch of Industrial Hygiene aimed at evaluating
levels of workers' exposures from various physical and chemical; sampling and analysis
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EHS Guidelines
Section OMCG | ENVIRONMENT HEALTH AND SAFETY
Doc No. GL-01-EHS-032 Subject Guidelines on Work Environment Measurement
Revision No. 0 Effectivity Date: October 5, 2020 Page 1

carried out in respect of the atmospheric working environment and other fundamental
elements of working environment for the purpose of determining actual conditions therein.

2. Legal Requirement

Rule 1070 of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards requires measurement of temperature,
humidity, pressure, illumination, ventilation, noise and concentration of substances. This guideline
covers only measurement of temperature, humidity, heat stress (combined temperature and
humidity), illumination, ventilation, and noise. Concentration of substances can be availed from a
DOLE or DOLE-accredited testing laboratories.

3. Frequency of WEM testing

WEM shall be performed once a year or as deemed necessary.

4. Competency of EHS Personnel

Competent EHS personnel shall conduct the WEM. The EHS personnel should be a Safety Officer 3
(SO3) as a minimum requirement. He should have WEM training from either external DOLE-
accredited training organization or from MDC-STO as a minimum.

5. Parameters to be measured, instruments and methodologies

 The project/office shall use the recommended instruments or its equivalent provided it shall
satisfactorily measure the parameters.
 PIC/PM of project or General Services Head of office shall provide for other requirements
(e.g. manpower support) as deemed necessary.

a. Illumination
Instrument Lux meter (Sunche Digital Light Meter HS1010)

Test reference Direct reading (light sensing)

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EHS Guidelines
Section OMCG | ENVIRONMENT HEALTH AND SAFETY
Doc No. GL-01-EHS-032 Subject Guidelines on Work Environment Measurement
Revision No. 0 Effectivity Date: October 5, 2020 Page 1

Standard reference
Operation of instrument
Where and when to
measure
OSHS (Rule 1075): variable, see OSHS Rule 1075.04
1. Switch “ON” the lux meter
2. Remove cap/cover
3. Ensure that the initial reading should be zero
4. Hold the lux meter parallel to the ground
5. Take the lux level and record in WEM Monitoring Sheet
6. When measuring lux level in another adjacent location, press
“HOLD” key until reading is set to zero. Repeat steps 4 to 6
7. After use, replace cap/cover and turn off the device.
Where to sample:
1. At normal working position
2. In the plane of work on which the critical visual task is performed
3. All places where persons work or pass like stairway, exits and
passages
When to sample:
1. Work areas used only in the daytime should be surveyed in the
daytime
2. Work areas used both daytime and nighttime should preferably have
surveys under the two sets of condition

b. Noise level
Instrument Noise meter (BAFX Products Sound Level Meter)

Test reference Direct reading (noise/ sound sensing)

Standard reference a.OSHS (Rule 1074.02, Table 8b: Permissible Noise Exposure) – applicable for
areas with processes and equipment that generate noise: <90 dBA

As such, workers may be allowed to work within the permissible noise

exposure limits following this table below:

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EHS Guidelines
Section OMCG | ENVIRONMENT HEALTH AND SAFETY
Doc No. GL-01-EHS-032 Subject Guidelines on Work Environment Measurement
Revision No. 0 Effectivity Date: October 5, 2020 Page 1

Duration per Day, hours Sound Levels, dBA, slow

response
8 90
6 92
4 95
3 97
2 100
1- ½ 102
1 105
1/2 110
1/4 115

* No exposure in excess of 115 dBa is allowed.

b. CCOHS standard for offices: <50dBA

Operation of 1. Switch “ON” the noise meter
instrument 2. Ensure that the foam is attached to the probe of the noise meter
3. Measure the noise level near the person’s ear. This is to determine how
the person perceives (how strong or weak the noise is) the sound/noise
present in the area
4. Determine source of noise (indoor/outdoor)
5. Determine type of noise (intermittent / continuous)
6. Take the noise level reading and record in the WEM Monitoring Sheet
7. When measuring noise level in another location, repeat steps 2 to 3.
8. Turn off the device after use
Where and when to Where to sample:
measure 1. A position near the worker’s ear (1.2 - 1.5 meter above the ground/floor)
2. Fixed operational position of worker. (Note: This WEM equipment is
intended for the direct effect of noise on the worker. If there are perimeter or
ambient samples taken, this could probably in compliance to the LGU
requirements or that of the estate (e.g. within BGC or Makati CBD) and other
type of equipment is needed.

When to sample:
1. Under ordinary noise conditions in the work area
2. Under conditions where excessive noise is observed, at any given time.
3. In a time zone deemed to have the highest noise level

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EHS Guidelines
Section OMCG | ENVIRONMENT HEALTH AND SAFETY
Doc No. GL-01-EHS-032 Subject Guidelines on Work Environment Measurement
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4. Frequency may vary, depending on the situation and condition of the

worker and the workplace and may be done so as much as often as
possible.

c. General ventilation
Instrument Anemometer (Professional Instruments)

Test reference Direct reading (speed sending)

Standard reference a. OSHS Rule 1076.04:
50ft/min during rainy season
150ft/min during summer season

b. ACGIH standard
-For air-conditioned room 15-22 m/min
-For non-air-conditioned room 23-38 m/min
Operation of 1. Turn “ON” the device
instrument 2. Remove cap/cover of the device
3. Hold the anemometer against the source of air (e.g. air-conditioned vent)
and hold it parallel position.
4. Take the reading and record in the WEM Monitoring Sheet
5. Turn off device after use
Where and when to Where to sample:
measure 1. Areas frequently occupied by personnel

When to sample:
1. During peak hours or normal working hours

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EHS Guidelines
Section OMCG | ENVIRONMENT HEALTH AND SAFETY
Doc No. GL-01-EHS-032 Subject Guidelines on Work Environment Measurement
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d. Temperature, relative humidity and heat stress index

Instrument Heat Stress WGBT Meter (Extech HT30 Heat Stress Meter)

Test reference Direct reading (heat stress, temperature, humidity)

Standard reference 1. Reference for temperature – ASHRAE (American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers): 19.4-28.8°C
2. Reference for relative humidity - OSHA (Technical Manual Sec III,
Chapter 2, Sub V): 20-60%
3. ACGIH’s Screening Criteria for Heat Stress Exposure (see below table for
reference)
Operation of 1. Press Φ/SET button to turn on the device
instrument 2. Slide down the protective sensor cover before taking measurements.
3. Press the MODE/button to select the desired display mode:
a. WBGT (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Index) to measure heat stress
b. TA (Air Temperature) to measure temperature
c. RH (Relative Humidity) to measure relative humidity.
An icon will appear in the display indicating the current selection.
4. To select the preferred temperature unit (°F or °C), simultaneously press
and release the MODE/ and NEXT buttons. The F or C icon will appear in
the display.
5. The meter measures with (IN) or without (OUT) direct sun exposure.
Hold down the MODE/ for more than 1 second to alternate between
settings. The IN or OUT icon will appear in the display.
6. When working indoors, select “OUT”. Select “IN”, when working
outdoors.
7. Write down the reading at the WEM Monitoring Sheet.
8. Turn off the device after use.
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Section OMCG | ENVIRONMENT HEALTH AND SAFETY
Doc No. GL-01-EHS-032 Subject Guidelines on Work Environment Measurement
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Where and when to Where to sample:

measure 1.Worker’s station
When to sample:
1. Before work being performed to allow for measures to be taken to
protect exposed individuals or during work being performed to adjust the
work allocation/rest cycle.

ACGIH’s Screening Criteria for Heat Stress Exposure

Action Limit
Allocation of Work in Acclimatized
(Unacclimatized)
Work / Rest Cycle
Light Moderate Heavy Very Heavy Light Moderate Heavy Very Heavy

100% work continuous 31 28 N/A N/A 28 25 N/A N/A

75% work, 25% rest 31 29 27.5 N/A 28.5 26 24 N/A
50% work, 50% rest 32 30 29 28 29.5 27 25.5 24.5
25% work, 75% rest 32.5 31.5 30.5 30 30 29 28 27

6. Calibration and equipment registry

 Project may use other direct reading monitoring equipment as an alternative as long as the
calibration is updated and calibration certificate is presented when required. Follow item 4
for methodology of measurement.
 Instruments should be calibrated at least once a year or as per manufacturer’s specification.
 For proper monitoring of equipment, use the form WEM Instruments Registry (FR-01-EHS-
068).

7. Equipment safekeeping

 Whenever placing an instrument in its storage location, the location should be well-protected
from destructive elements. Do not store the instruments where they can jostle against one
another in a drawer; instead, separate instruments from one another using dividers or place
them in padded cases. Avoid stacking instruments on top of each other, unless they are well-
protected in separate cases.
 Keep measuring instruments stored in an area as far away as possible from vibration and
movement. Over time, these forces can slowly cause the instruments to fall out of calibration.
 Use moisture-removal methods that can help lower the humidity. Silica gel packets placed in
drawers or keeping a storage room air conditioned can help lessen ambient moisture.

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EHS Guidelines
Section OMCG | ENVIRONMENT HEALTH AND SAFETY
Doc No. GL-01-EHS-032 Subject Guidelines on Work Environment Measurement
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8. Monitoring and close-out of findings

 WEM shall or may initially be conducted once the project has acquired the instruments.
Preferably, testing may be done when the construction activities of the project are on its
peak. Succeeding testing shall be conducted on or before the same date the first testing has
been done.
 After generating a report, if there will be any findings, take necessary actions for the close-
out.
 Report any unseemly conditions and verify by taking appropriate measurements.
 A safety observation report (SOR) shall be issued to projects with long lead items. Work
stoppage shall be issued for imminent and ageing problems.

9. Reporting

Report should be generated for MDC record and use the Work Environment Measurement Report
(FR-01-EHS-059). The copy shall be submitted to OSH to provide proof of compliance to Rule 1070
(to be provided/submitted to OSHC at least once annually).

Prepared by: Reviewed by: Approved by:

RJ Devesfruto RB Aguilar GR Saunders

Pollution Control Officer Head, EU and STO Division Head

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