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Protecting workers in the workplace is vital to employee morale and an organization’s reputation, additionally a healthy workforce can reduce operational costs and minimize liability. Industrial hygiene is defined as the art and science of anticipating, recognizing, and evaluating a multitude of risks to worker health, including hazards related to air contaminants and chemical, biological, physical, and ergonomic stressors. RHP Risk Management’s accomplished team of Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIH), Certified Safety Professionals (CSP), and Public Health Scientists have substantial, wide-ranging experience in regulatory and environmental evaluations and safety solutions for the prevention and control of workplace hazards.
Our Team of ABIH-Certified Industrial Hygiene and OEHS Professionals
RHP’s team of ABIH-certified Industrial Hygiene and Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Professionals have a well-deserved reputation of excellence in providing smart, sensible, and trusted industrial hygiene and environmental health solutions for clients.
RHP’s occupational health & safety experts have the background and experience to manage complex environmental consulting and industrial hygiene consulting issues by working with clients in the development and auditing of their health and safety programs, investigating and evaluating occupational hazards through site assessments, building assessments and environmental assessments, providing instruction for employee health and safety training, and implementing and validating improved work practices, and engineering and administrative controls as a primary means to reduce employee exposures.
Industries Our Occupational Hygiene Consultants Serve
RHP’s team of Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety Professionals have a breadth of experience in federal and state policy, health and safety compliance, best practices, audits, and surveys of real estate properties, industrial, manufacturing and commercial facilities, public buildings, transportation, and railroads. RHP’s industrial hygiene consultants work with business owners, health & safety managers, operations directors, and project managers to understand and address concerns and solve problems through worker exposure assessments and industrial hygiene program management.
What Are The Most Common Industrial Hygiene Exposure Assessments?
RHP’s industrial hygiene exposure assessments focus on identification of hazards related to chemicals, fumes, noise and ergonomics. RHP consultants seek cost-effective solutions that will keep businesses compliant and the workforce safe.
- Employee Exposure Assessments – through area and worker sampling, RHP’s employee exposure assessments identify and characterize workplace exposures by grouping workers according to those who are believed to have a similar exposure scenario (i.e. SEG), and develop estimates of exposures for exposure-response and risk assessment studies, and evaluate the significance of exposures and effectiveness of intervention strategies.
RHP reviews processes and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) to identify exposure risks based on key variables (chemicals used, effectiveness of current controls) and works with clients in development of strategies to collect representative samples to characterize worker exposures.
- Chemical and Toxic Substances (TSCA) – RHP develops Chemical Hygiene Plans through assessments and validation of potential chemical exposures in laboratory, manufacturing, commercial and industrial processes by reviewing SDSs, storage and labeling, air sampling, and employee exposure assessments.
Employers are required to identify and evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in their workplaces related to chemical hazards and toxic substances. RHP’s Industrial Hygienists utilize guidance from multiple sources of Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) that have been established, such as OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) (29 CFR 1910 Subpart Z), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values® (TLVs®), California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), and NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limits (REL).
RHP works with clients to ensure they are in compliance with the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA) that requires reporting, record-keeping, and verifies compliance relating to chemical substances and/or mixtures. TSCA address the production, importation, use and disposal of specific chemicals including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), asbestos, radon and lead-based paint.
- Fume Exposures – RHP’s employee exposure assessments of fume exposures related to welding, cutting, and brazing quantifies worker exposures, providing RHP professionals with the data to ensure workers are fitted and protected with proper personal protection equipment (PPE). RHP fume extraction efficiency testing includes evaluation of capture efficiency at an emissions source, measurement of operating airflow, evaluation of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) filtration, and personal air sampling.
- Noise – RHP’s industrial hygiene experts & safety professionals have experience in performing workplace noise monitoring and mapping to identify high noise areas and processes that could lead to noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) as well as trigger the threshold for an OSHA hearing conservation program. RHP provides effective solutions to reduce noise exposures and meet noise compliance requirements from The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) related to environmental noise assessments and workplace noise monitoring surveys. RHP implements solutions by creating environmental mapping or workplace mapping surveys to identify high-risk locations and develop and implement noise controls and hearing conservation program (HCP).
- Lead – employers are required to protect workers from inorganic lead exposure under OSHA lead standards covering general industry (1910.1025), shipyards (1915.1025), and construction (1926.62). The standards apply to workplaces where inorganic lead is present in any form and in any amount. The lead standards establish a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 μg/m3 of lead over an eight-hour time-weighted-average for all employees covered. The standards also set an action level of 30 μg/m3, at which an employer must begin specific compliance activities, including having a written compliance program and blood lead testing for exposed workers.
RHP’s EPA Certified Lead Inspectors and Risk Assessors perform lead-based paint inspections, lead risk assessments, exposure monitoring, and lead clearance inspections at industry sectors including construction, manufacturing, transportation, and firing ranges. Workers within these industries have potential to lead exposure as a result of the production, removal, renovation, or demolition of structures painted with lead pigments. Workers may also be exposed during installation, maintenance, or demolition of lead pipes and fittings, lead linings in tanks and radiation protection, leaded glass, work involving soldering, and other work involving lead metal or lead alloys.
- Thermal Exposures & Heat Stress – the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns employers and workers of occupational illnesses and injuries they may experience due to heat stress in the workplace. RHP professionals are experienced in worker exposure assessments related to thermal exposures for workers in boiler rooms, foundries, and smelting operations. Heat stress can lead to increased blood pressure, heat stroke, heat exhaustion, Rhabdomyolysis, dizziness, cramps, and heat rash.
Ventilation Testing, Measurement and Validation
RHP’s Certified Industrial Hygienists address client concerns regarding air quality to improve and maintain the health of a building and its occupants through air quality validation in building ventilation systems, local exhaust systems and laboratory hoods. RHP tests for allergens, pollutants, irritants, toxins, VOCs, general toxic gases, and mold spores to create a comprehensive and cost-effective test plan for commercial and industrial spaces.
What is Ambient Air Monitoring?
- Ambient Air Monitoring – RHP is experienced in the assessment of pollutant levels through ambient air monitoring, by measuring the quantity and types of pollutants in air to assess the extent of pollution; provide pollution data; and evaluate the effectiveness of emissions controls.
What is Included in a Building Ventilation Assessment?
- Building Ventilation – RHP services schools, healthcare, commercial and industrial facilities, and multi-family residential buildings to provide building owners and managers quantitative evidence that their building ventilation and air filtration systems is performing up to ASHRAE standards for acceptable indoor air quality. RHP’s ventilation validation includes inspections of building mechanical systems, utilization of tracer gas and DNA-powered aerosol tracers to track and quantify air changes per hour (ACH). RHP provides clients with easy-to-understand reports and mapping that visually depict the amount of aerosol spread (or localized containment) of tracer aerosols, and data-driven recommendations for ventilation system improvements (if necessary).
What is Included in Laboratory Hood Performance Testing?
- Laboratory Hood – RHP’s EH&S professionals perform functional performance testing of fume hoods (ANSI/AIHA Z9.5) to assess hood effectiveness of laboratory hood performance to confirm laboratory ventilation equipment is calibrated to effectively flow at regulatory, method, and containment specific airflow removal rates and clean room validation studies.
What is Included in Local Exhaust Testing?
- Local Exhaust – RHP professionals evaluate the effectiveness of local exhaust systems through performance testing, air velocity measurement, smoke tests, and recording results and certifying performance. Local exhaust systems are used to control air contaminants by trapping them at or near the source. Face velocity testing, airflow visualization and performance testing should be regularly performed to ensure local exhaust systems are performing as designed.
Industrial Hygiene Safety Services
- What Are Asbestos Inspections & Sampling Services? – RHP’s asbestos consulting services include building inspections and audits, air sampling and monitoring, abatement project management, Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Program and Asbestos Management Plan consulting, and asbestos analytical testing to keep your business compliant with federal, state and local regulations and standards. RHP licensed inspectors conduct asbestos inspections in commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and multi-family residential structures to identify suspect materials that may contain asbestos, collect samples and taken for laboratory analysis to determine whether asbestos is present.
- What is Control of Hazardous Energy (LOTO) Services? – The OSHA standard for The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) establishes the requirements that employers must follow when employees are exposed to hazardous energy while servicing and maintaining equipment and machinery. RHP professionals work with clients to stay within compliance of OSHA’s control of hazardous energy (LOTO) standards, including development and implementation of energy control programs, tagout programs, and energy control procedures, and verify and ensure the proper use of equipment lockout and tagout devices.
- What Is Electrical Safety? – Electricity is recognized as a serious workplace hazard, exposing employees to electric shock, burns, fires, and explosions. Engineers, electricians and other professionals work with electricity directly, including working on overhead lines, cable harnesses, and circuit assemblies. Others, such as office workers and sales people, work with electricity indirectly and may also be exposed to electrical hazards.
RHP’s Certified Industrial Hygienists and Certified Safety Professionals can help eliminate or reduce risks to electrical hazards by through hazard recognition and implementation of possible solutions associated with electrical work.
- What is Ergonomic Testing? – RHP health and safety professionals’ onsite evaluations observe workplace practices related to a full range of tasks in manufacturing, industrial and office settings related to lifting, holding, pushing, walking, and reaching to devise ergonomic mitigation strategies. Many ergonomic problems result from technological changes such as increased assembly line speeds, adding specialized tasks, and increased repetition; some arise from poorly designed job tasks. Any of these conditions can cause ergonomic hazards such as excessive vibration and noise, eye strain, repetitive motion, and heavy lifting problems. Ergonomic hazards are avoided primarily by the effective design of a job or jobsite and by better designed tools or equipment that meet workers’ needs in terms of physical environment and job tasks.
Environmental Health & Safety Program Development and Implementation
RHP’s Certified Industrial Hygienists and Certified Safety Professionals recognize engineering, work practice, and administrative controls are the primary means of reducing employee exposure to occupational hazards. Using criteria and strategies set forth by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), RHP works with clients to assess and modify existing compliance programs and/or develops effective, customized programs following best practice guidance that are simple to implement and ensures safety and compliance.
What Should Be Included In An Environmental Health & Safety Program?
RHP professionals have experience with health and safety programs related to asbestos management plans, pandemic response, hazard communications (HazCom), chemical hygiene plans (CHP), respiratory protection, and OSHA compliance audits. RHP’s industrial hygiene inspection surveys and monitoring identifies hazards to control employee health risks. An environmental health & safety program helps clients ensure their processes are in compliance under OSHA’s Occupational Safety and Health Act and OSHA-approved state workplace safety and health programs.
- OSHA Compliance Audits – Employers have a duty to provide a safe workplace under the OSH Act. RHP’s Industrial Hygienists perform third party audits related to programs for financial mergers and acquisitions (M&A), business continuation and prepare employers for an OSHA inspection with health & safety compliance audits. RHP’s comprehensive auditing process includes facility walk-thru, review of existing health and safety programs, records and documentation, and reporting and prioritization of potential risks, severity and corrective actions.
- Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) – In compliance with OSHA’s occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories (1910.1450), RHP Safety Professionals work with clients to create a written Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) stating the policies, procedures and responsibilities that protect workers from the health hazards associated with the hazardous chemicals used to protect laboratory workers from harm due to hazardous chemicals.
- Hazard Communications (HazCom) – Employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces are required by OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), 29 CFR 1910.1200, to implement a hazard communication program. RHP works with clients to update or create written programs indicating how employers will meet HCS requirements of labeling containers of hazardous materials, safety data sheets (SDSs) for hazardous chemicals, and worker training.
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) – RHP Industrial Hygienists performs hazard assessment that includes a comprehensive safety and health program to identify physical and health hazards in the workplace. RHP works with clients whose employees are required to be trained on personal protection equipment (PPE), including respiratory protection, eye protection, head protection, foot and leg protection, hand and arm protection, body protection, and hearing protection. Employees must be trained to know: 1) when PPE is necessary 2) what PPE is necessary 3) how to properly put on, take off, adjust and wear the PPE 4) the limitations of the PPE 5) proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of PPE. The training must make sure that each employee demonstrates an understanding of the PPE training as well as the ability to properly wear and use PPE before they are allowed to perform work requiring use of the PPE.
What Types of Employee Health and Safety Training Should I Have?
RHP’s Industrial Hygienists and Certified Safety Professionals work with clients to create customized employee health and safety training in compliance with OSHA for workers who face hazards on the job related to asbestos, silica, lead, infectious diseases, personal protection equipment (PPE), and general occupational safety.
- Asbestos – RHP Industrial Hygienists provide OSHA asbestos awareness and operations & maintenance (O&M) training. OSHA (1001) training requirements require employees who will be exposed to airborne asbestos concentrations at/or above the PEL and/or excursion limit. Employers must establish and continue an on-going asbestos training program and ensure employee participation in the program. Employers must also provide asbestos awareness training courses to employees who perform housekeeping work in an area that contains PACM or ACM.
- Lead – OSHA standard (1910.1025) requires each employer who has a workplace in which there is a potential exposure to airborne lead at any level must inform employees of the content of Appendix A (substance data sheet for occupational exposure to lead) and Appendix B (employee standard summary).
- Infectious Disease – RHP works in collaboration with clients to assess and develop health and safety management plans to protect their workforce and clients. RHP safety professionals evaluate workplaces, the work processes, and workforce tasks to provide a safe and healthy return to work plans that include engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Silica – RHP provides silica training for employers (managers, owners, and engineers) and workers in the high hazard concrete industry, including exposure assessments and record keeping. RHP’s training provides workers with an overview of silica hazards (recognition), methods to control silica exposure (abatement and prevention), and information on OSHA silica requirements (29 CFR 1926.1153).
Engineering Control Solutions
Anticipating and controlling exposures to hazards is a fundamental component of safeguarding worker health. Common occupational hazards range from trip hazards to airborne pollutants and pathogens. The Hierarchy of Controls emphasizes first eliminating or replacing hazards where possible. When not possible, the Hierarchy recommends use of engineering and administrative controls to mitigate hazard. Employers can use a variety of administrative and engineering controls to approach different types of hazards in different environments, including local exhaust ventilation, noise abatement, machine guarding, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
RHP Industrial Hygienists work with clients to implement controls to prevent illnesses and injuries, as well as validation of whether engineering controls are as effective as intended by tracking the application of controls, conducting personal hygiene monitoring as appropriate to confirm the controls are operating to their design purpose, and evaluation of the controls to make sure they are effective.
Contact Our Industrial Hygiene Experts Today
Contact RHP for an initial phone consultation and learn more about our professional services.
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