Industrial Hygiene, Article Review Example

Industrial Hygiene, Control and Analysis of Environmental Stressors

Objective

This article sets out to describe some control of environmental stressors as an element of industrial hygiene.

Extract

Environmental stressors are categorized as either chemical, biological ergonomic physical and psychological. The physical hazards may refer to temperature extremes, illumination extremes, noise, radiations or ergonomics. We consider a case in an article by the National Institute of health where the chemical exposures are evaluated include. Biological hazards may be because of exposure to organisms such as legionella or sometimes the blood borne pathogens.

The industrial hygiene tetrahedron usually acts as basis for providing a strategy for directing health protection program. By performing qualitative and subjective observations, the potential hazard is then identified. The assessment phase is where the contaminant concentrations are accurately determined.

The possible health hazard controls are; Administrative control Engineering controls, and use of personal protective equipment. Engineering controls may include, use of ventilation to minimize contaminant concentrations or, use of enclosures of hot work areas. Administrative controls are usually process-management oriented, for instance, the substitution of less toxic materials is also part of administrative controls. However much the use of protective wearing is seen as safe, this may not be the case since it may fail, and the user affected by the immediately contaminated environment (Harris, 2000).

From this study toxic materials are classified on basis of:

Chemical: here, chemicals are classified by their chemical structure composition and nature

Physical: Chemicals are classified on according to their form of existence.

Conclusion

There are more new chemicals and new manufacturing methods. There is, therefore, need to for industrial hygienists to remain vigilant. It is, however, clear that industrial hygiene programs are the key to securing the health and well-being of employees.

Reference

Harris, R. L., & Patty, F. A. (2000). Patty’s industrial hygiene. New York: Wiley.