what is occupational hygiene?
DESCRIPTION
An introduction to occupational hygiene (also known as industrial hygiene)TRANSCRIPT
What is Occupational Hygiene?
Mike Slater
Occupational Hygiene?
Occupational Hygiene? NO!
Occupational Hygiene?
Occupational Hygiene?
NO!
Hygiene
“Conditions or practices conducive to maintaining health and preventing disease”
http://oxforddictionaries.com
Occupational hygiene is about the prevention of ill health caused by work
According to the WHO, globally, there are:
2,000,000 work-related deaths per year
386,000 deaths each year from exposure to airborne particulates
152,000 deaths per year from carcinogens in the workplace
37% of Lower Back Pain is attributed to occupation
Occupational hygiene is about the prevention of ill health caused by work
We do that by the
Recognition
We do that by the
Recognition Evaluation
We do that by the
Recognition Evaluation Control
We do that by the
Recognition Evaluation Control
We do that by the
of hazardous agents
Chemical hazards
There are many thousands of hazardous chemicals commonly used at work.
Chemical hazards
Chemical hazards also include:
Silica released during stone cutting activities
Source: HSE
Dusts – in this case stone dust contains crystalline silica which causes silicosis, a serious lung disease
Now you see it
Mists – in this case paint containing isocyanates, a major cause of occupational asthma
Vapours are given off paints and other solvent based products such as inks and adhesives
Fume – very fine particulate matter
Physical agents
Hazardous physical agents include noise,
Vibration (this hand grinder will also produce high noise levels)
Non-ionising radiation like theultra-violet radiation generated by arc welding
The thermal environment – hot and cold
Biological hazards
Biological agents like the micro-organisms that can cause legionnaires’ disease and anthrax
Ergonomic hazards
Back and muscular damage caused by poor manual handling practices
Tasks involving repetitive actions
The use of display screen equipment
Occupational Hygiene
Chemistry
Physics
Biology
Engineering
Law
Toxicology
Occupational Hygiene
Chemistry
Physics
Biology
Engineering
Law
Toxicology
Occupational hygiene is a multi-disciplinary science
Recognition Evaluation Control
Recognition Evaluation Control
Occupational hygienists are trained to anticipate and recognise health hazards at work
Bakers are exposed to flour dust which can cause occupational asthma
Bakers are about 80 times more likely to develop occupational asthma than the average British worker
Coal miners and quarry workers are exposed to dust that can cause silicosis – a serious debilitating lung disease
Cleaning with solvents can lead to dermatitis and exposure to solvent vapours.
And some solvents can be absorbed through the skin
This worker is exposed to dust, noise and vibration
Arc welders are exposed to metal fumes which can cause metal fume fever
and, in some cases, asthma and lung cancer
They’re also exposed to irritant gases and ultra-violet radiation
Recognition Evaluation Control
RISK =
RISK = Hazard x
RISK = Hazard x Exposure
RISK = Hazard x Exposure
Exposure assessment is an important part of the occupational hygienist’s role
RISK = Hazard x Exposure
This can involve:
Personal exposure sampling
Exposure modelling
Observations
Biological Monitoring
Which may involve taking blood samples
But taking urine samples is usually preferable as it’s easier and more acceptable to the worker
Recognition Evaluation Control
Prevention
Engineering
Work practices
PPE
Prevention
Engineering
Work practices
PPE
This is the “hierarchy of control”
Prevention
Engineering
Work practices
PPE
Prevention
Elimination Substitution Process change
Prevention
Engineering
Work practices
PPE
Containment
A fume cupboard – an example of local exhaust ventilayion
Photograph courtesy of HSE
Prevention
Engineering
Work practices
PPE
Time Reduce exposure timeJob rotationWork – rest regimesWork scheduling
Distance SegregationRestrict accessRest areas
Organisation Reduce numbers exposedGood working practiceWritten procedures“Permits to work”
Work practices / organisation
Prevention
Engineering
Work practices
PPEPersonal protective equipment – which should be the last resort
Respiratory protection
Chemical protective clothing, gloves and eye protection
Management measures
Maintenance of controls
Supervision
Exposure monitoring
Screening & health surveillance
Information, instruction, training
Review and audit
www.bohs.org
www.bohs.orgThe organisation for anyone interested in occupational hygiene in the UK
http://www.slideshare.net/mikeslater
http://diamondenv.wordpress.com
Twitter: @diamondenv
Mike Slater
Picture credits:Stock.XCHNG - www.sxc.hu/Cirrus Research - www.cirrusresearch.co.ukThe Health and Safety Executive – www.hse.gov.ukwww.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/victorian_britain/children_in_facto
ries/www.beautifulbritain.co.uk
Mike Slater, Diamond Environmental Ltd. ([email protected])
This presentation is distributed under the Creative CommonsAttribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
UK:International Licence