Introduction to Industrial Hygiene
Industrial Hygiene is the art and science dedicated to the anticipationi, recognition, evaluation, and control of hazards in the workplace that may result in injury, illness, or impairmenti.
Section 1: Introduction to Industrial Hygiene
Learning Objectives
- Identify, recall, and define common terms and abbreviations used frequently in industrial hygiene
- Explain the importance of industrial hygiene as a profession
- Describe qualifications, roles, and activities performed by industrial hygienists
- Name common regulatory agencies responsible for worker health and safety
- Classify hazards into Biological, Physical, Chemical, and Psychosocial categories
- Articulate the basic principles of Anticipation, Recognition, Evaluation, and Control
- Explain methods and importance of knowledge translation in industrial hygiene
Glossary: Key Terms in Industrial Hygiene
The Four Hazard Categories
Industrial hygiene focuses on four main hazard categories:
🦠 Biological
Hazards from biological organisms - animals, insects, plants, microorganisms (mold, bacteria, viruses), bloodborne pathogensi. Common in forestry, healthcare, restoration, and research.
⚗️ Chemical
Hazards from chemical substances - dusts, fibers (asbestosi), mists, fumes, gases/vapors, liquids, and solids. Can enter the body through inhalation, dermali contact, or ingestion. Found in construction, manufacturing, mining, and healthcare.
⚡ Physical
Hazards from physical processes - noise, vibration, ionizing/non-ionizing radiation, illumination, thermal stressi, pressure, and ergonomicsi. Common in construction, transportation, manufacturing, and offices.
🧠 Psychosocial
Hazards affecting mental well-being - drugs/alcohol abuse, workplace stress, fatigue, working alone, violence and harassment. Present in all workplace types.
Knowledge Check: Acute vs Chronic Effects
What are the differences between Acute and Chronic health effects?
Acute effects occur rapidly, typically within 24 hours - for example, exposure to chlorine gas causes immediate eye irritation.
Chronic effects occur gradually with cumulative exposure over time (weeks, months, or years) - for example, frequent exposure to hazardous noise levels causing noise-induced hearing loss.
The Global Impact of Occupational Disease
The International Labour Organization (ILO) and World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that globally each year:
These staggering numbers underscore why industrial hygiene is critical for primary prevention.
Recognizing Chemical Hazards in the Workplace
Hover over or click the markers to learn about different chemical hazard forms.
Dusts
Solid particles suspended in air formed by mechanical processes (grinding, sanding). Common in construction, mining, manufacturing. Can cause respiratory diseases.
Fumes
Solid particles formed by thermal processes (welding, burning). Metal fumes from welding operations can cause metal fume fever and long-term lung damage.
Gases/Vapors
Airborne chemicals like carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide. Inhalation hazard causing acute poisoning or chronic disease. Requires proper ventilation.
Mists
Liquid droplets suspended in air (spray paint, chemical cleaners). Inhalation and dermal hazard. Workers need respiratory protection and skin protection.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the Hierarchy of Controls
Personal protective equipment is the last level in the hierarchy of controls.
This control measure is most common and generally seen as easiest to implement.
However, PPE relies the most on workers wearing and caring for the equipment, which may not always be consistent or done appropriately all the time.
That is partially why PPE is the last control measure.
Despite this, PPE is useful when other control measures do not reduce exposures enough, or as an intermediate step while other control measures are being developed and put in place.
PPE Selection and Use - Key Takeaways
Proper PPE selection depends on hazard assessment. Each type of PPE protects against specific hazards.
🪖 Head & Eye Protection
Hard Hats: Protect from falling objects and head impacts. Must be inspected regularly for cracks or damage.
Safety Glasses: Shield eyes from flying particles and chemical splashes. Different types for different hazards - impact-resistant, chemical-resistant, or both.
🧤 Hand & Hearing Protection
Gloves: Protect hands from chemicals, cuts, heat, and biological hazards. Material selection depends on hazard type - nitrile for chemicals, leather for cuts.
Hearing Protection: Prevents noise-induced hearing loss in loud environments. Earplugs or earmuffs rated by Noise Reduction Rating (NRR).
Remember: Always inspect PPE before use and replace damaged equipment immediately. PPE is the last line of defense in the hierarchy of controls.
Knowledge Assessment
What is the difference between Local and Systemic health effects?
Select the correct answer below
Industrial Hygiene Field Work Checklist
Complete the following steps when conducting industrial hygiene assessments:
The Industrial Hygiene Approach: Four Pillars
Identifying potential hazards before they are introduced to the workplace. Accomplished by understanding current workplace conditions, proposed changes, and evaluating how integrating these will affect hazards.
Includes reviewing historical reports, interviewing clients, conducting literature reviews, and brainstorming with colleagues.
Identifying hazards currently present in the workplace. Focuses on understanding what hazards exist now, how workers may be exposed, and overall risk levels.
Involves identifying tasks, processes, substances, and documenting worker interactions (duration, frequency, intensity) with each hazard.
Measuring and assessing the magnitude of exposures using specialized equipment. Includes direct-reading instruments and active sampling equipment.
Comparing measured exposures against established exposure limits (TWA, STEL, Ceiling limits) to determine if hazards are adequately controlled.
Implementing measures to reduce or eliminate worker exposures using the Hierarchy of Controls:
- Elimination - Remove the hazard entirely
- Substitution - Replace with a less hazardous alternative
- Engineering Controls - Isolate people from the hazard
- Administrative Controls - Change the way people work
- Personal Protective Equipment - Protect workers with PPE
Recognition Example: Grocery Store Hazard Assessment
Let's examine a hazard recognition process at a grocery store. The store has two main tasks: stocking shelves and operating check-out.
Stocking Shelves
This task is physically demanding, requiring lifting heavy items and repetitive movements throughout the entire shift. Workers are continuously exposed to:
- Ergonomic hazards: musculoskeletal injuries like back strains, shoulder strains, and tendonitis from repetitive lifting and awkward postures
- Duration/Frequency: Workers perform this task for their entire shift with only scheduled breaks
Check-Out Operations
This task requires standing for long periods, completing highly repetitive movements (scanning, bagging), and interacting with customers. Workers face:
- Ergonomic hazards: back strains from prolonged standing, carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive scanning motions
- Biological hazards: exposure to infectious diseases like influenza through customer contact
- Duration/Frequency: Continuous exposure throughout the shift
Through systematic Recognition, we've documented how workers interact with multiple hazard categories, laying the groundwork for evaluation and control measures.
Section Summary - Introduction to Industrial Hygiene
Key Points
- Industrial hygiene is the art and science of anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling workplace hazards
- Four main hazard categories: Biological, Chemical, Physical, and Psychosocial
- The Industrial Hygiene Approach uses four pillars: Anticipation, Recognition, Evaluation, and Control
- The Hierarchy of Controls ranks interventions from most effective (Elimination) to least effective (PPE)
- Globally, approximately 228 people die every hour from work-related injury or ill health
- Professional Industrial Hygienists hold designations like CIH, ROH, or COH requiring education, experience, and exams
- Industrial hygiene work combines office work (research, reporting) with field work (sampling, inspections)
Section Complete!
Excellent Progress!
You've completed Section 1: Introduction to Industrial Hygiene
Next Section
Section 2: Hazard Recognition and Evaluation Techniques