{"id":4215,"date":"2022-06-10T20:34:39","date_gmt":"2022-06-10T10:34:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/anitechgroup.com\/au\/?p=4215"},"modified":"2023-05-23T11:50:57","modified_gmt":"2023-05-23T01:50:57","slug":"introduction-to-industrial-hygiene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/anitechgroup.com\/au\/blog\/introduction-to-industrial-hygiene\/","title":{"rendered":"Introduction to Industrial Hygiene and Workplace Safety"},"content":{"rendered":"

Industrial Hygiene practices are becoming significant with the increase in workplace accidents and diseases that harm the well-being of the factory workers. In 2018-19, according to\u00a0SafeWork Australia<\/a>, a total of 87% of musculoskeletal disorders compensation claims were done for serious workers. Out of this, 40% of the claims were made for muscle, ligament, joint, and tendon injuries.<\/p>\n

Introduction to Industrial Hygiene<\/h2>\n

Industrial Hygiene<\/a> is the science that deals with the anticipation, examination, and overcoming of workplace hazards that can have a fatal effect on workers’ health.<\/p>\n

Industrial Hygiene consists of the development of remedial measures to control health hazards by either eliminating or reducing the exposure.<\/p>\n

It is essential to secure the health of workers employed at manufacturing, chemical, and other factories that deal with hazardous chemicals, raw material, heavy machinery usage, etc.<\/p>\n

Industrial hygiene plays a key role in the well-being and safety of global workers. Governments, as well as industries, have developed standards that aim to secure health and well-being for employees and associated communities.<\/p>\n

Objectives of Industrial Hygiene<\/h2>\n

Industrial hygiene is important because it can prevent potential illness, injury, and stressors at workplaces, which can have short- and long-term effects on the health and well-being of the people who work there. Employees at a factory, for example, may be exposed to harmful chemical agents.<\/p>\n

The key objectives of a Company’s Occupational Safety and Health Program that help in preventing occupational injury and illness are as below:<\/p>\n

Anticipate hazards<\/h3>\n

The anticipation of harmful health hazards before their occurrence allows more efficient use of resources by minimising costly retrofits and renovations needed to protect workers’ health.<\/p>\n

Recognise hazards<\/h3>\n

With an understanding of the work processes, it will be easy for consultants to uncover potential physical and chemical and physical hazards that can harm employees of an organisation. They should ask employees of the organisation how they complete their work. Based on the company’s layout analysis, they can evaluate adjacent activities that could affect employee exposure.<\/p>\n

Controlling Hazards<\/h3>\n

The Industrial Hygienist can implement and monitor controls that will reduce exposure to acceptable limits by working with other work team members. The Industrial Hygiene Monitoring Program is an integral part of this process.<\/p>\n

Sources of Hazards<\/h3>\n

It is essential to know the sources of hazards to analyse and overcome or eliminate workplace hazards. The consultants must know the industrial processes, chemicals, and materials used.<\/p>\n

Industrial Hazards<\/h3>\n

Industrial hazards are physical, chemical, biological factors or workplace environments and machinery that affect the health of industrial workers. These factors can be fatal and life-changing causing permanent ailments.<\/p>\n

We have explained in brief the various industrial hazards factory workers are exposed to:<\/p>\n

Airborne hazards<\/h4>\n

Manufacturing processes that produce dust, particulates, vapour, or gas lead to airborne hazards. The most common air contaminants that factory workers are exposed to include:<\/p>\n