What is Occupational Hygiene ?
The word ‘hygiene’ is normally associated with the prevention
of disease. Occupational Hygiene
(or Industrial Hygiene as it is known in the U.S. and elsewhere) is the
identification, measurement, evaluation
and control of workplace environmental factors that may affect the health,
comfort or productivity of the worker.
The most usual question posed by employers and employees is “We know
our workforce is exposed to
chemical, physical or biological agents, but is it safe for them at this
level ?”
Some occupations may appear more dangerous than others. Potential short-term and long-term hazards occur in every workplace, whether to a bank clerk or to a chemical worker. Occupational hygiene plays an important part in ensuring that the workplace is as free from hazards as possible, and that workers and the community at large are protected from real and potential health threats.
Working to both national and international standards, actual exposure levels
to physical agents (such as noise) and
chemicals (such as organic solvents, dusts, welding fume etc) may be determined.
The data derived may then be used to complete risk assessments (such as
COSHH and Noise),
evaluate the effectiveness of existing engineering controls and other safety
systems in place, and to assist in the design of improved measures.
de Silva Safety Services is able to provide a full range of occupational hygiene services to :
Laboratory workplaces
Production facilities
Public Service and Local Government authorities
Measuring exposure to:
- Noise
- Organic solvents
- Dusts
- Fumes
- Indoor air quality
- Lighting
- Oil mists
- Gases
etc