Industrial Hygiene Services

We offer comprehensive audits, program reviews, training, air monitoring and other specialized services to ensure that clients get the most thorough safety and industrial hygiene service possible.

Industrial Hygiene services include:

Air Monitoring / Exposure Assessments

After selection of the least hazardous materials that meet performance needs, along with implementation of engineering controls and sound work practices, exposure assessments are used to determine their adequacy. For facilities without an established process, a thorough review of Material Safety Data Sheets is usually a key part of this service. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are used. Qualitative methods alone are often sufficient without actual exposure measurements, based on contaminant characteristics, controls, proximity and duration of potential exposure. Assessments for personal protective equipment can also be a part of this process while generating the written documentation that is required by OSHA.

Air monitoring and other environmental sampling are conducted using NIOSH and OSHA methods when available, supplemented by ASTM and other methods as necessary. Air monitoring is conducted for comparison with established occupational exposure limits such as the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs), or employer defined limits. From the regulatory standpoint, respiratory exposure assessments are required by 1998 revisions to the OSHA respiratory protection standard.

Sample analyses are obtained from laboratories accredited by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).

Company / Site Specific Health & Safety Program Development

OSHA requires written programs for many health and safety hazards. In some cases written programs are not required, but aid in program management and consistency. Our staff of industrial hygienists and safety professionals develop and can assist with implementation of site-specific, functional programs for topics such as hazard communication, respiratory protection, industrial hygiene monitoring, hearing conservation, confined space entry, lock out/tag out, thermal stress management, and others. View a listing of OSHA programs that have training requirements.

Health and Safety Audits

Our industrial hygiene and safety professionals provide facility audits to assess compliance with OSHA and employer standards.

Written programs, work practices, record keeping, employee behavior and work environments are evaluated to assess program status. Hazard assessments are provided as an aid to identify and rank risks to aid in so resource allocation proportional to the hazard. Assessments vary in depth and scope, depending on customer needs.

Heat Stress Monitoring

Heat stress measurements are conducted to establish work-rest regimens for workers in hot environments, when indicated. Employee acclimatization state, work demand, and clothing are factors considered in making these determinations.

OSHA does not have a specific standard for heat stress but has issued citations based on Section 5 (a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the "General Duty Clause".

Exposure Surveys for Metalworking Fluids with Microbial Contamination Assessments

Existing monitoring data may well overstate exposures to these compounds if both soluble and insoluble portions were not measured. This issue has gained prominence with discussion by OSHA and NIOSH considering a much lower standard for these materials than for mineral oil mist, and the realization that the oil mist standard is not sufficiently protective for many of these compounds. (Note also that ACGIH has proposed drastically lowering the TLV for mineral oil mists.)

We also collect fluid samples for microbial assessment for use in implementation of system assessment and maintenance procedures. These precautions keep microbial populations in check, and much less likely to present biological hazards associated with these systems. (Additional information about metalworking requirements from the NIOSH and OSHA Web sites.)

MSDS Preparation and Revision

We prepare Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) using client-preferred formats or the ANSI Z400.1-1998 format. We are experienced in preparing MSDS for both manufactured products and chemical mixtures, and in obtaining exposure, emission, and other data to support MSDS content.

Noise Surveys

Worker exposure surveys including area noise measurements, personal dosimetry, and noise mapping; with comparisons to applicable OSHA (29 CFR 1910.95) or MSHA (30 CFR 62) standards, and to more stringent employer criteria if utilized. Octave band and source characterization measurements to guide noise control efforts.

Community noise measurements (source characterization, property line, or receiver sites) for comparison to local ordinances, or commonly used standards such as the 24-Hr. DNL criteria. Octave band analysis for source characterization, or when specified by local ordinances; including those rare ordinances using antiquated octave bands.

OSHA Simulated Inspections

Workplace Group performs general simulated OSHA inspections or can target a specific area. Safety procedures are compared to applicable OSHA regulations; a walkthrough of the facility is performed to determine physical violations; and employees are interviewed. A wrap-up meeting is conducted with senior management, and a report with major findings is issued.

PPE Hazard Assessments

Workplace Group performs PPE hazard assessments as required by 1910.132 (d)(1).

Cotton Dust

Air monitoring of cotton dust concentrations is conducted according to requirements of the OSHA Cotton Dust Standard (29CFR1910.1043). A full range of companion services, such as troubleshooting high dust concentrations , ventilation measurements, or assistance with other cotton dust program elements are also provided. Our Workplace Applications Software pulmonary module facilitates medical review and recordkeeping for pulmonary function test data required by the Cotton Dust Standard; we also provide medical review of the pulmonary data.

Respiratory Protection / Fit Testing

We develop or upgrade respiratory protection programs. Where none exist or there is need of further development, we will conduct exposure assessments to determine the need for respiratory protection, update written programs, guide selection of respirators, and provide training. We provide qualitative and quantitative fit testing services, along with full service medical clearance.

Training