Health & Safety Insights

Industrial hygiene (IH) is the science devoted to anticipating, identifying, analyzing, and controlling environmental factors in the workplace that may negatively impact worker safety and health. Industrial hygiene reveals the extent of worker exposure to harmful agents so proper engineering controls, work practices, and other protective measures can be implemented.

1. Anticipation – assessing what hazards may be present.
2. Recognition – identifying hazards that are present.
3. Evaluation – determining levels of exposure through monitoring, surveillance, and data analysis.
4. Control – recommending methods for controlling or preventing risk through engineering, work practices, and personal protective equipment.

A certified industrial hygienist (CIH) is a professional devoted to protecting the health and safety of workers and the community by identifying and evaluating chemical, physical, biological, or ergonomic hazards and recommending corrective action plans to eliminate or minimize those hazards. A CIH may also help businesses with risk assessments and job hazard analysis, developing health and safety programs, planning for emergency response, conducting feasibility studies, monitoring noise and other exposures, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

CIHs have extensive education in fields like biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering from an accredited college or university. Their academic background, real-world experience, and regulatory know-how make them experts in areas like occupational health and safety, industrial hygiene, science-based technologies, mathematics, ergonomics and health stressors, and ethics.

• Air contaminants - Particulate or gas and vapor contaminants including dusts, fumes, mists, aerosols, and fibers.
• Biological hazards - Bacteria, viruses, mold, and other living organisms that can cause infections.
• Chemical hazards - Hazardous solids, liquids, gases, mists, fumes, dusts, and vapors.
• Ergonomic hazards – Tasks that expose workers to eye strain, repetitive motion, heavy lifting, awkward or static body postures, excessive vibration and noise.
• Physical hazards - Ionizing and non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, noise, vibration, illumination (lighting), and temperature extremes.

One of the most common workplace injuries are due to muscoloskeletal disorders (MSDs), which are typically caused by the repetitive motion found in manufacturing, construction, service and office industries. Although ergonomics is not specifically called out by OSHA, the General Duty Clause requires employers to take action to correct or eliminate all injuries in the workplace.

• Inhalation: Breathing in hazardous chemicals or particles.
• Absorption: Direct skin contact with harmful substances.
• Ingestion: Swallowing or consuming hazardous materials.
• Injection: Exposure through skin punctures, cuts or abrasions by sharp objects.

The OSH Act sets the standards for employers to protect employees from health hazards and harmful materials. The General Duty Clause (GDC) requires employers to provide a safe workplace free from recognized hazards. You can find more information about the duties of employers and employees in 29 USC 654, which includes the General Duty Clause (GDC) under Pub. L. 91–596 "OSH Act of 1970" 5(a)(1).

In addition to the GDC, occupational health and environmental control requirements are dependent upon the type of work and associated hazards. These requirements are scattered throughout 1910 Subpart G for general industry and 1926 Subpart D and include mandates for:

• Combustible dusts;
• Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, aerosols, mists;
• Illumination (lighting);
• Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation;
• Lead, asbestos, cadmium, and formaldehyde;
• Bloodborne pathogens;
• Occupational noise exposure; and
• Ventilation

Yes, OSHA’s Appendix B to 1910.1029 provides guidelines for industrial hygiene and medical surveillance that includes sampling, analysis, and pulmonary fit test guidance.

The primary risk exposure from lasers is damage to a person’s retina or vision. All lasers are classified in one of four potential classes. Class 1 lasers are the only class of lasers that don’t present any risk exposure. Class 2 and above present risks that require safety protection. Many companies are not aware that simply giving employees PPE is not enough.