Introduction to INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE OTI 501 Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Hazards for General Industry
Industrial Hygiene “that science or art devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of those environmental factors or stresses, arising in or from the workplace, that may cause sickness, impaired health and well-being, or significant discomfort and inefficiency among workers”
History Circa 400 BC 500 years later lead toxicity in mining (Hippocrates) 500 years later Pliny the Elder, a Roman scholar zinc and sulfur hazards protective mask
History 2nd Century AD 1473 Galen Ulrich Ellenbog copper miners exposure to acid mists 1473 Ulrich Ellenbog publication n occupational illness in gold miners
History 1556 1700’s Agricola, German scholar Bernardino Ramazzini diseases of coal miners preventive measures publication - De Re Metallica 1700’s Bernardino Ramazzini father of industrial hygiene
OSH Act of 1970 The purpose of the OSH Act is to “assure so far as possible every working, man and woman in the nation safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resources.”
Environmental Factors or Stresses Chemical hazards gases, vapors, dusts, fumes, mists, and smoke Physical hazards non-ionizing and ionizing radiation, noise, vibration, extreme temperatures and pressures
Environmental Factors or Stresses Ergonomic hazards workstation design, repetitive motion, improper lifting/reaching, poor visual conditions Biological hazards insects, mold, yeast, fungi, bacteria, and viruses
Routes of Entry Inhalation Absorption Ingestion airborne contaminants penetration through the skin Ingestion eating drinking
OSHA Hierarchy of Control Engineering controls Work practice controls Administrative controls Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Types of Exposure Acute Chronic Short term period between exposure and onset of symptoms Chronic Long time period between exposure to an agent and the onset of symptoms
Types of Air Contaminants Particulates dusts, fumes, mists, and fibers non respirable particles > 10 m in diameter respirable particles < 10 m in diameter
Types of Air Contaminants Fumes volatilized solids condenses in cool air < 1.0 m in diameter hot vapor + air (reaction with) = oxide Mists suspended solid droplets generated by a condensation of liquids from a vapors to a liquid state
Types of Air Contaminants Fibers solid, slender, elongated structures length several times the diameter Gases formless fluids that expand to occupy a space arc-welding, internal combustion engine exhaust air Vapors liquid changed to vapor organic solvents
Units of Concentration ppm parts per million mg/m3 milligrams per cubic meter mppcf millions or a particle per cubic foot f/cc fibers per cubic centimeter
Exposure Limits Air Contaminants OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration NIOSH National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health ACGIH American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
Exposure Limits Air Contaminants OSHA PEL permissible exposure limit NIOSH REL recommended exposure level ACGIH TLV threshold limit value
Exposure Limits Air Contaminants OSHA PEL, STEL, Ceiling NIOSH TWA, STEL, Ceiling ACGIH
Exposure Limits Air Contaminants TWA takes into account variable exposure through a full shift, 8 hour work day STEL limit of exposure during a short period, 15 minutes CEILING absolute maximum level of exposure not to be exceeded
Exposure Limits Air Contaminants Legally enforceable OSHA PEL OSHA AL (action level)
Air Contaminants 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1 Table Z-2 Table Z-3 Substances with Limits Preceded by “C” - Ceiling Values Table Z-2 employee’s exposure to Table Z-1 contaminants shall not exceed exposure limits listed in Z-2 (TWA and ceiling concentrations) Table Z-3 Mineral Dusts
Hearing Conservation 2.9 million workers experience 8-hours noise exposures > 90 bBA 29 CFR 1910.95 PEL 90 dBA 8 hours engineering and administrative controls
Hearing Conservation Program Mandatory at an 8-hour TWA > 85 dBA Exposure monitoring Audiometric testing Hearing protection Employee training Recordkeeping
Hearing Conservation Program An effective program depends upon employers supervisors employees others
Bloodborne Pathogens Bloodborne pathogens include 29 CFR 1910.1030 Hepatitis B HIV Others 29 CFR 1910.1030 describes actions employers must take to reduce risk of exposure in the workplace
Bloodborne Pathogens 29 CFR 1910.1030 Scope and application all employees with occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) Exposure control plan (ECP)
Bloodborne Pathogens 29 CFR 1910.1030 - ECP engineering and work practice controls personal protective equipment training medical surveillance Hepatitis B vaccinations signs and labels other provisions
Industrial Hygiene ANTICIPATION RECOGNITION EVALUTION CONTROL