Part II: Only Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards are legally enforceable in facilities that are regulated by OSHA. However, many of the OSHA standards are severely outdated and can be based on scientific research from the 1970s or earlier. Other organizations, like the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), publish guidelines that are based on more recent scientific research. What are your thoughts on whether a facility should only worry about complying with the OSHA regulations or go beyond compliance and use the stricter requirements of either OSHA regulations or other guidelines? Please include any personal experiences you might have.
UNIT I STUDY GUIDE
Introduction to the Practice
of Industrial Hygiene
Course Learning Outcomes for Unit I
Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Explain the history of industrial hygiene.
1.1 Describe how the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) advanced the field of
industrial hygiene.
4. Assess methods for performing industrial hygiene workplace analysis.
4.1 Identify health hazards in a workplace using knowledge of operations and a review of published
material.
4.2 Demonstrate the ability to predict exposure routes associated with specific hazards in a
workplace.
4.3 Summarize the steps required to inspect a facility to identify health hazards.
Reading Assignment
Chapter 1: Introduction to Industrial Hygiene, pp. 121
Chapter 2: The Occupational Safety and Health Act and Industrial Hygiene, pp. 2343
Unit Lesson
Industrial hygiene (IH) is a term that you do not hear used quite often in normal conversation. When industrial
hygienists tell acquaintances that they are an industrial hygienist, there are some common responses. You
clean teeth? and What is that? are fairly common. Although industrial hygiene has been practiced for
hundreds of years, it is not well publicized to the general populace and has not become part of mainstream
educational programs. Few colleges and universities have specific degrees for industrial hygiene. You rarely
see informational tables for industrial hygiene at college and university fairs. Despite the lack of knowledge
and publicity, industrial hygiene can be a challenging and rewarding field of work.
The early days of investigations of occupational illnesses were primarily performed by physicians. Over the
centuries, the field has become more specialized with many practitioners obtaining advanced degrees with
classes specifically in industrial hygiene. Regulatory influence over the field has also advanced over the
years. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, most regulations for safety and health were promulgated at
the state level. The first regulations at the federal level were not introduced until the 1960s (Fuller, 2015).
The most influential federal regulation for industrial hygiene was the Occupational Safety and Health Act
(OSH Act) of 1970, which resulted in the formation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA). Since its foundation, OSHA has published numerous regulations specifically addressing work
commonly performed by the industrial hygienist. In particular, 29 CFR 1910.1000 and the tables contained
within the regulation are used by industrial hygienists as a regular part of their practice.
Industrial hygiene can be complex, requiring a knowledge of multiple scientific fields including biology,
chemistry, toxicology, and epidemiology as well as a basic understanding of some engineering principles like
ventilation. An understanding of biostatistics can also be important to evaluate exposures, and hazard
assessment/risk assessment techniques are required to identify potential hazards and evaluate the need for
implementation of control methods. We will discuss some of these disciplines in Unit II.
Any discussion of industrial hygiene must include the four basic tenets of the field.
OSH 6302, Advanced Industrial Hygiene
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UNIT x STUDY GUIDE
1.
Anticipation
2.
Recognition
3
Evaluation
4.
Control
Title
The four tenets of industrial hygiene
These four tenets guide the industrial hygienist in his or her approach to controlling risks associated with
hazards at a worksite. A clear understanding of industrial hygiene should begin with an education in the four
tenets. As we progress through the course, we will look at each of the tenets. For this first unit, we will discuss
anticipation and recognition.
Anticipation and Recognition
Anticipation is the process by which the industrial hygienist identifies potential hazards at a worksite (Fuller,
2015). Understanding some basic operations can help the industrial hygienist anticipate hazards more
effectively. For example, if the industrial hygienist is familiar with how welding operations are performed, he or
she can anticipate that certain metal fumes would be expected to be present based on the type of welding
and the material involved in the welding process. Thus, if the industrial hygienist knew that a process involved
metal inert gas (MIG) welding of galvanized steel, he or she could anticipate some potential exposure hazards
before actually visiting the worksite. In other cases, the industrial hygienist may not be familiar with a
particular process and would require additional information. The additional information could include a
description of the process and a review of applicable safety data sheets (SDS) for any chemicals used in the
process. Section 3 of the SDS is typically important in the process since it contains a list of chemicals that
may be present. However, because some processes may result in chemical reactions and/or decomposition
of the compounds in Section 3 of the SDS, the industrial hygienist may also be required to research the
chemistry of some processes.
Recognition is the actual observation of the hazards in the workplace (Fuller, 2015). Many people lump
anticipation and recognition into one task, but there is a distinct difference between the two tenets.
Anticipation is a preliminary assessment that is performed prior to actually visiting a site. Recognition is
typically a hands-on inspection of a site utilizing information created during the anticipation phase to complete
a hazard assessment (Fuller, 2015). For example, if the industrial hygienist knows that a facility is using
several different paints containing a list of solvents, he or she knows to ask about the location of the painting
operation when visiting the site. If he or she did not have the advanced knowledge, the presence of a painting
operation may not be noticed because paint operations are sometimes located in remote areas of the plant,
inside small rooms at the end of the production line. Not realizing there was a paint operation could result in
missing some significant hazards. Recognition generally requires the industrial hygienist to spend time
observing the workers at their work location. Having reviewed available SDS would allow the industrial
hygienist to have a better understanding of the potential exposures at a work operation when he or she
visually observes the work. The textbook includes a process to summarize the work process, making it easier
to identify worksite hazards. The tool is called process mapping and is discussed on page 11 of the textbook.
OSH 6302, Advanced Industrial Hygiene
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The anticipation and recognition tenets require at least a basic understanding UNIT
of job xhazard
analysis
STUDY
GUIDE(JHA).
This is one area where safety professionals and industrial hygienists share a common
Title tool. JHAs are
performed to identify hazards. The identified hazards may be safety-related or industrial-hygiene related. In
some cases, the hazards may be considered both safety-related and industrial-hygiene related depending on
whom you ask. For example, a JHA of a stamping operation at an auto parts manufacturer would almost
always indicate a noise hazard is present. Noise is a hazard that is commonly evaluated by both safety
professionals and industrial hygienists. However, an understanding of the stamping operation would indicate
there also may be an exposure hazard related to metal-working fluids. Personal exposures to metal-working
fluids would typically be evaluated by industrial hygienists and not safety professionals. The textbook contains
a discussion of the different types of hazards on pages 6 and 7.
Historically, industrial hygienists have focused more on chemical and biological hazards, while safety
professionals have focused more on physical hazards. Musculoskeletal hazards fall into a category that has
progressed into a specialty field called ergonomics. Ergonomists tend to focus on that one category.
However, there can be a lot of crossover between the fields, with some professionals holding credentials as a
certified industrial hygienist (CIH) and a certified safety professional (CSP). It is much more common for a
CIH to also obtain the CSP credential than it is for the CSP to obtain the CIH credential. It is also more
common for the ergonomist to hold one of three certificationsthe certified professional ergonomist (CPE),
the certified human factors professional (CHFP), or the certified user exposures professional (CUXP)and
not to hold either the CSP or CIH credentials.
It is uncommon for small- to medium-size facilities to have a full-time employee who specializes only in
industrial hygiene. It is much more common for these facilities to have a full-time safety professional on staff,
whether or not that individual holds the CSP credentials. In those cases, the safety professional will be
required, in most cases, to handle IH responsibilities at the facility. The safety professional then has to choose
to become proficient with IH techniques or to bring in outside assistance to complete the work. Larger plants
and corporations are more likely to have full-time industrial hygienists on staff and sometimes offer those
services to the safety professional at the smaller facilities.
Most safety professionals are familiar with organizations that can provide valuable assistance: the American
Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), the National Safety Council (NSC), the Board of Certified Safety
Professionals (BCSP), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA). There are several, similar organizations that are important in the practice of industrial
hygiene. In addition to government agencies like OSHA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH), many industrial hygienists belong to organizations like the American Industrial Hygiene
Association (AIHA) and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). These
organizations offer additional resources to both the safety professional trying to deal with exposure issues at a
facility and industrial hygienists that make the job of anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control easier.
Many industrial hygienists also seek certification from the American Board of Industrial Hygienists (ABIH),
which shows the industrial hygienist has progressed in the field to a point that he or she has advanced skills
and knowledge.
One obstacle the industrial hygienist has to deal with is the relationship between some of the organizations.
Only OSHA publishes regulations that are legally binding for the employer. However, in some instances, the
guidelines published by the other organizations (the ACGIH in particular) are based on more recent scientific
data. You may think that deciding whether to apply the OSHA permissible exposure limits (PELs) or the
ACGIH threshold limit values (TLVs) to sample results is only important during the evaluation phase.
However, determining whether you will be applying OSHA regulations or guidelines published by other
organizations can have an effect on how you perform the initial steps discussed above. For example, there
are many chemical hazards that do not have established OSHA PELs but do have TLVs (guidelines)
published by the ACGIH. The choice of which occupational exposure limits (OELs) you will apply can affect
your approach to exposures related to the hazard. Will you look at the hazard in relation to the general duty
clause of the OSH Act or apply a guideline that is not legally enforceable by OSHA?
Reference
Fuller, T. P. (2015). Essentials of industrial hygiene. Itasca, IL: National Safety Council.
OSH 6302, Advanced Industrial Hygiene
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UNIT x STUDY GUIDE
Suggested Reading
Title
In order to access the following resources, click the links below.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the CSU Online Library contain many articles that
relate to the Unit I readings. The following are just a few of the related articles that can be found on the
Internet and in the Academic Search Complete database.
OSHA published an informational booklet on industrial hygiene that summarizes the field.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (1998). Informational booklet on industrial hygiene (OSHA
Publication No. 3143). Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3143/OSHA3143.htm
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides health hazard evaluations for
workplaces in the United States free of charge when requested by the employer. Visit the following site to
learn more about the NIOSH program.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (n.d.).
Health hazard evaluations (HHEs). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/
The following article summarizes the approach NIOSH used to perform a health-hazard evaluation for one
employer. Note the steps NIOSH took in the process.
Ceballos, D., Beaucham, C., & Page, E. (2017). Metal exposures at three U.S. electronic scrap recycling
facilities. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 14(6), 401408. Retrieved from
https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direc
t=true&db=a9h&AN=123086661&site=eds-live&scope=site
Industrial hygiene practices have been used to improve workers health for decades. In some cases,
advances were difficult because of faulty research from specific businesses. Read the following article to see
how an industrial hygienist must carefully review all data used during an assessment.
Markowitz, G., & Rosner, D. (2016). Unleashed on an unsuspecting world: The Asbestos Information
Association and its role in perpetuating a national epidemic. American Journal of Public Health,
106(5), 834840. Retrieved from
https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direc
t=true&db=bsu&AN=114349471&site=eds-live&scope=site
Learning Activities (Nongraded)
Nongraded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their course of study. You do not have to submit
them. If you have questions, contact your instructor for further guidance and information.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) publishes the NIOSH Pocket Guide to
Chemical Hazards. Access the pocket guide at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2005-149/pdfs/2005-149.pdf
and search for several chemicals. List these chemicals in one of the hazard categories, found on pages 6 and
7 of the textbook, to which they belong. Do some of the chemicals fall into more than one category? Explain
why.
OSH 6302, Advanced Industrial Hygiene
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