Wisdom Consultants
(Environmental Health, Industrial Hygiene & Safety)
Edmonton, AB
Canada
ph: 780-461-5907 land
alt: 780-819-5907 cell
carolyn
INDUSTRIAL / OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE SURVEYS
Air quality in industrial settings is one type of industrial hygiene survey. Air sampling is done to determine if industrial air contaminants, either chemicals or particulates, are in compliance with legal exposure limits or other guidelines. Common industrial contaminants indoors are:
- metals from welding fume, brazing, cutting & soldering
- hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene (BTX)
- wood dust
- silica
- paint spray chemicals
- isocyantes
- acids
- asbestos, and many others.
Noise assessment is another type of industrial hygiene survey. Noise is measured in the workplace to ensure that workers are not overexposed to noise above legal limits & that appropriate controls are in place. Excessive noise causes early hearing loss. Go to: Noise
There are 17 Core Competencies for Practice of Industrial/ Occupational Hygiene
The profession of Industrial Hygiene is not well understood by the general community. This profession relates to the preservation of worker health, & the prevention of injury/ disease from workplace exposures & activities. It also relates to community exposures.
A joint document released in 2012 by the 'Academy of Industrial Hygiene' (based in the U.S.) promotes understanding & identifies 17 "Core Competencies for the Practice of Industrial / Occupational Hygiene" world-wide. Below are the 17 basic educational proficiencies required for practice:
- Basic Science & Mathematics
- Air Sampling & Instrumentation
- Chemical Hazards
- Biohazards
- Biostatistics & Epidemiology
- Community Exposure
- Health Risk Analysis & Hazard Communication
- Work Environments & Industrial Processes
- Engineering Controls & Ventilation
- Toxicology
- Noise & Hearing Loss Prevention
- Non-Engineering Controls
- Ergonomics
- Managment
- Ionizing Radiation
- Non-Ionizing Radiation
- Thermal Stressors
This "Core Competency' document also contains a complete definition of industrial/ occupational hygiene. Search for the document title at: www.aiha.org
Certified Industrial Hygienist
ProfessionalAccording to the Academy of Industrial Hygiene (2012), Occupational Hygienists at the senior professional level must have at least a Bachelor's degree from a accredited College or University with creditable subjects in science, mathematics, engineering, and science-based technology, plus at least four years practice after graduation, followed by a proficiency examination (such as the CIH or ROH). The Academy indicates that 9% of senior industrial hygienists have a doctorate degree.
Laboratory Safety assessments are available. We conduct air & surface sampling and provide recommendations as to how to protect workers in the lab.
Biohazards can be assessed. An example is legionella from cooling towers. Bacteria can be sampled from various environments, including the laboratory.
Questions about Industrial Hgyiene?
Are you in compliance with provincial government regulations?
Give us a call!
780-461-5907
Copyright 2017 Wisdom Consultants (Environmental Health & Safety). All rights reserved.
Edmonton, AB
Canada
ph: 780-461-5907 land
alt: 780-819-5907 cell
carolyn