1-Introduction of Occupational Hygiene

INTRODUCTION TO
OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE
1
Occupational Hygiene History
 Pliny the Elder (C. 23-79 A.D.)
 In the “Natural History” series he described a protective mask for
miners consisting of a bladder tied over the mouth to prevent
inhalation of dust and lead
 Bernardino Ramazzini (1633 - 1714)
 compiled the first systematic treatise on occupational diseases De
Morbis Artificum Diatriba (1700)
 First to make the connection between occupation and disease: “Of
what trade are you?”
 Percival Pott (late 1700’s)
 Noticed that young chimney sweeps were at high risk for scrotal
cancer
 Alice Hamilton
 “Industrial Poisons in the United States” (1925) & “Exploring the
Dangerous Trades” (1943).
2 Copyright@NIOSH 2004
Occupational Hygiene in Malaysia
 1966- Formation of Industrial Health Unit as part of Machinery
Department.
 1969- Pollution Control Unit formed to monitor pollution from
boiler chimney, chemical plant and discharge of effluent into drains
and rivers
 1974 - Department of Environment formed under EQA 1974,
Eventually Pollution Control Unit closed
 1974- Lead poisoning case in battery factory was diagnosed, this
initiate massive industrial hygiene monitoring
 1980’s Industrial Hygiene Division formed at FMD focus more on
lead, asbestos, silica and noise. Followed by several regulations
 2000 Regulations on use and standard of chemical exposure was
gazetted
 2002 Formation of Malaysian Industrial Hygiene Association
LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENT
Factories and Machinery (Lead) Regulations, 1984
Factories and Machinery (Asbestos Process)
Regulation, 1986
Factories and Machinery (Mineral Dust)
Regulations, 1989
Factories and Machinery (Noise Exposure)
Regulations, 1989
Occupational Safety and Health (Use and
Standards of Exposure of Chemicals Hazardous to
Health) Regulations, 2000
Legislative Requirement
Law Hazards Requirement
OSH ( USECHH) Chemical Assessor – Assess the Exposure
Regs. 2000 Qualitatively
Hygiene Technician – Exposure
Monitoring and Testing of
Engineering Control Equipment
F&M (Noise) Noise Competent Person – Exposure
Regs.1989 Monitoring
Radiation Ionizing Radiation Protection Officer –
Protection (Basic must be employed when dealing
Safety Standard) Radiation with atomic energy activities
1988
Copyright@NIOSH 2004 5
OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE
The science and art devoted to the anticipation,

recognition, evaluation, and control of those
environmental factors or stresses, arising in or from the
work place, which cause sickness, impaired health and
well being, or significant discomfort and inefficiency
among workers and members of the community.
The Occupational Hygienist
• Trained in engineering, physics, chemistry,
environmental science, safety and biology
through education and/or experience
• Needs knowledge of health effects of
chemical, physical, biological and
ergonomic stresses
• Needs to evaluate stresses qualitatively
and quantitatively
• Needs to control health hazards by either
reducing or eliminating exposures
OCCUPATIONAL PHYSICIAN AND
OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENIST
PREVENTION TREATMENT
OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENIST
DISEASES
HAZARD
WORKER
OCC. HEALTH PHYSICIAN

OSH DUTIES AT WORKPLACES ?
Senior and Line Management
Occ. Health
Nurse
Safety and Health Safety and Health Occ. Health

Committee Officer/Manager Physician
Occ. Hygiene
Practitioner
Employees Safety
Engineer
KNOWLEDGE
Sciences  Arts
Engineering Judgement
Physics Communication
Chemistry
Biology
Medical
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Chemical Hazards
Vapors, Gases, Mists, Dusts, Fumes
Physical Hazards
Noise, Vibration, Heat, Radiation
Biological Hazards
Microorganism: Viruses, Bacteria
Insects
Toxin from plant
Protein allergens from vertebrate – saliva, feces
Chemical hazards
Chemical Properties
 Organics
 Inorganics
Physical properties
 Dusts, Fibres, Fumes
 Liquids, Mists
 Gases, Vapors
Usage
 Pesticide, Solvent, Acid, Alkali,
Metal
Physical Hazards
Noise
Vibration
Ionising radiation
Non-ionising radiation
Illumination/lighting
Extremes of temperatures
Extremes of pressure
Biological Hazards
Micro organisms
-Bacteria, virus
Mites, insects
Plant origin
-Fungus, yeasts, moulds
Ergonomics Hazards
Biomechanics
explaining the functioning of the body and the effects of
internal and external stresses on the body
Eg: the effects and limits of stressors such as lifting,
lowering, pushing, pulling and carrying on the back
Workplace and Equipment Design
relating the physical characteristics & capabilities of the
worker to the design of equipment and the layout of the
workplace
Eg Hand tools, posture, workplace dimensions
Anticipation Of Risk
During design stage of a process/ equipment or formulation
of chemicals
Anticipate potential health risks:

Process characteristics
Physicochemical properties
Possible health effects
Past experiences
Similarity of the chemical structure to a known
hazardous chemical
Recognition Of Hazard
 Available Document
 Walk-through observation
 Feedback from workers
 Medical records
Recognition Of Hazard
 Available Document
 Raw materials, by-product, product and waste
 E.g. Chemical registry, CSDS
 Process Flow and Description
 Equipment specification
 Plant layout
 Procedure and control measures
Recognition of Hazards
Walk-through Observations
Identify all health hazards either from planned or
unplanned activities
Measurement of hazards using simple direct reading
instruments
Approach through:
 Geographical - suitable for simple processes / number of processes
in the same work area
 Hazards - for assessing compliance with regulations
 Process flow - suitable for complex work processes
Feedback from workers
Enquire about symptoms
 e.g. head ache, nausea, skin itchiness
Complaints
 e.g. personal protective equipment not provided
Medical records
Cases of occupational poisoning or diseases
Workers health complaints
Health and medical surveillance program
Evaluate Risk
 Qualitative
 Determine degree of hazards
 Determine degree of exposure
 Determine the risk level
 Quantitative
 Environmental Exposure Monitoring
 Biological Exposure Monitoring
QUALITATIVE EVALUATION
Divide into work units
Determine the degree of hazard
Evaluate exposure
Determine the Risk
Assess adequacy of control measures
Conclude the evaluation
Identify actions to be taken
QUANTITATIVE EVALUATION
Personal Sampling
Device worn by worker
Good measure of exposure
Area Sampling
Measure general environment
Locate contaminated areas
Not good indicator of exposure
QUANTITATIVE EVALUATION
EQUIPMENT (Direct reading, active, passive)
METHOD
STRATEGY (what, where, when, whom, how long,

how many etc.)
BIOLOGICAL MONITORING
Measurement of contaminant or its metabolite in body
tissues, fluids or exhaled air.
Useful when substances absorbed by skin and
ingestion
Control the Hazards
 Principle of Control
 Control at source rather than at receiver
 Eliminate or isolate rather than minimise
 Control below occupational exposure
standards
 Control risk to as low as reasonably
achievable (ALARA)
Control the Hazards
 Hierarchy of Control
 Elimination
 Substitution
 Isolation
 Engineering methods
 Work practice, administrative control
 Personal protection
GENERALIZED DIAGRAM OF METHOD OF
CONTROL
SOURCE AIR PATH RECEIVER
1. SUBTITUTION 1. HOUSEKEEPING 1. TRAINING
2. CHANGE OF 2. GENERAL 2. JOB ROTATION
PROCESS VENTILATION 3. ENCLOSURE OF
3. ENCLOSURE 3. DILUTION WORKER
4. ISOLATION VENTILATION 4. PERSONAL
5. WET METHOD 4. INCREASE MONITORING
DISTANCE 5. PPE
6. LOCAL EXHAUST
5. AREA 6. ADEQUATE
7. ADEQUATE
MONITORING MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
6. ADEQUATE
MAINTENANCE
ADEQUACY OF CONTROL
MESURES
Suitability
Use and effectiveness
Maintenance
SUITABILITY
Toxicity of chemical
Match the level of risk
Physicochemical properties
Physical and chemical properties
Nature of work
Not hinder efficiency of control equipment
Not potential for other risk
Adaptability
Adapted to work capacity and capability of worker
Route of entry
Prevent entry through probable route
USE AND EFFECTIVENESS
Engineering control
No accumulation on floor, work surfaces, clothing
Prevent from reaching the parts to be protected
Minimal release and contact
Administrative control
Minimize exposure duration
Training, instruction and supervision
Label, warning signs
USE AND EFFECTIVENESS
PPE
Correct type
Correctly fitted
Used continuously
Proper instruction and supervision
Replacement availability
Proper care and accommodation
Retesting after repair work
MAINTENANCE
Regular inspection
Periodic testing and examination
Immediate repair
KEY POINTS
Occupational Hygiene is multidisciplinary approach
The principle of Occupational Hygiene is Anticipation,
Recognition, Evaluation, and Control of Health
Hazards such as chemicals, physical, biological and
ergonomics

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1-Introduction of Occupational Hygiene

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INTRODUCTION TO

The science and art devoted to the anticipation,

OCC. HEALTH PHYSICIAN

Senior and Line Management

Safety and Health Safety and Health Occ. Health

Anticipate potential health risks:

STRATEGY (what, where, when, whom, how long,

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