Industrial Hygiene is the science of recognizing and evaluating environmental hazards that could cause illnesses or other injuries. An industrial hygienist must assess risk based on both observed outcomes as well as anticipated ones.
The study and practice of industrial hygiene plays a vital role in the health and safety of workers across the globe. Governments and industries have developed standards over time that are meant to contribute to the welfare of those doing the work as well as the health and well-being of surrounding communities.
Within these standards are generally accepted categories of hazards. The types of hazards defined by industrial hygiene are: airborne hazards, chemical hazards, biological hazards, ergonomic hazards, and physical hazards.
We’ll break down each of these categories, and answer some common questions about industrial hygiene.
Any task that produces particulates, gas, or vapor contaminants presents an airborne hazard. The most common air contaminants typically include:
Chemical hazards present a risk to humans when they are inhaled, come in contact with the skin (corrosive injury), are absorbed through the skin, or are ingested. These hazards are found in the form of solids, liquids, gasses, mists, dusts, fumes, and vapors. Industrial hygiene standards typically take into account the concentration of the chemical present when assessing worker risk.
These hazards include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other living organisms. The risk from biological hazards presents when they enter the human body through breaks in the skin or through inhalation, absorption, or ingestion. Once inside the body, these organisms can cause acute or chronic infections. Biological hazards are most commonly found in settings where workers come in contact with organic and/or living organisms, such as those found in healthcare or food processing.
Ergonomics is the study of how people work within their environment. Ergonomic hazards are present when tasks involve motion or movement that puts undue strain on the body or places the body at risk of physical harm due to the motions involved in specific tasks. Repetitive motion tasks also pose a high risk for becoming ergonomic hazards.
Physical hazards include excessive exposure to physical stimulants, such as noise, illumination, temperature, vibration, and both ionizing and nonionizing electromagnetic radiation. While radiation risks are not common across all industries, most other physical hazards can be present in a variety of work environments.
Across the field of health safety, professionals usually use the same types of controls to manage hazards. This includes industrial hygiene-related concerns.
The answer to this question may vary in specifics from country to country, but it is almost universally agreed upon that it is incumbent upon the employer to manage health and safety in the workplace. The reason for this is that the employer, be it an organization or an individual, is the reason for workers engaging in the tasks they are doing. The employer should organize tasks in such a way that those workers carrying out the tasks are not at undue risk of encountering an occupational hazard.
The field of industrial hygiene exists to aid employers in ensuring the safety of their workforce. It is unlikely that the owner of a metal working shop knows everything there is to know about ergonomic hazards, but the nature of the tasks within the shop may be placing workers at risk. An assessment by an industrial hygienist can reduce both risks and costs by not having the overhead of paying for job-related injuries.
Most countries will have their own workplace safety organizations within their governmental framework, but there are several international organizations that work together to promote industrial hygiene knowledge and best practices worldwide. Here are a few:
For many business organizations, industrial hygiene is a global issue that requires a global solution. Contact Inogen Alliance for more information about our Industrial Hygiene Programs.
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