Occupational
Hygiene
| Introduction:
Occupational Hygiene |
Many people are exposed to a variety of
hazardous substances, through their normal
activities at work. These range from chemicals
and dust,
to fume and fibres. These substances if not controlled effectively
can have a harmful effect on human health.
The effects of these substances may not
appear until a long time after the initial
exposure, so it is important to know in
advance how to safeguard the health of
your workforce.
To this end, the HSE publishes Workplace
Exposure Limits (WELs) for a range of hazardous
substances at work. They are set at a level
at which, according to current knowledge,
there is no effect to human health from
daily exposure.
WELs are concentrations of hazardous substances
in air, averaged over a specified period,
referred to as a time-weighted average
(TWA). Two time periods are specified,
long term (8 hours) and short term (15
minutes).
Short-term exposure limits (STELs) are
set to help prevent effects that may occur
following a few minutes of exposure e.g.
eye irritation.
Occupational Hygiene,
How Can
REC Help You?
Monitoring Surveys
REC experts undertake surveys to assess
worker exposure to hazardous substances
and provide comprehensive test reports
detailing;
 Monitoring results along with
an assessment of compliance against the
Workplace Exposure Limits specified in
EH40.
Site observations and advice
on improvements to working practices.
Advise on suitable RPE and PPE.
Local Exhaust Ventilation Surveys
Where exposure is controlled by a mechanical
extraction system, there is a statutory
requirement set out in HS(G) 54 Maintenance
Examination and Testing of Local Exhaust
Ventilation 1998 to ensure that the system
is extracting the hazard effectively.
REC can provide a complete LEV system
report check including a written report
with illustrations of the plant. Non-compliance
issues are raised with remedial actions.
|
Experience – our staff have
a wealth of knowledge in the field of occupational
hygiene.
We provide the service nationally
from one of our six registered offices, which
means that there's always someone in your
region to assist you.
Complete service from monitoring,
to problem identification, to bespoke solutions
for your company.
Often there is a requirement for
final exhaust emissions to be tested for
its release to atmosphere. REC has a dedicated
UKAS ISO 17025 and MCERTS accredited service
covering emission monitoring.
REC is a one-stop shop for all
of your air quality and contaminated land
needs.
Comprehensive UKAS ISO 17025 accredited
laboratory analytical service provided by
our sister company.
|
Occupational Hygiene
Project
Summaries:
Ceramic Materials Producer
Monitoring of worker exposure to various hazardous
substances including total inhalable, respirable
dust, crystalline silica and heavy metals. Various
operators were monitored and data assessed against
appropriate occupational exposure limits published
in EH40.
Animal Feeds Manufacturer
Monitoring of worker exposure to total inhalable
dust from the manufacture of animal feeds. Personal
samples were collected from various operators
involved in batch loading, sweeping and product
bagging.
A noise survey was also undertaken to assess operator
exposure to noise. Hearing protection zones were
established and REC also advised on PPE and labelling
of zones.
Road Sweepers Manufacturer
Monitoring of dust and bioaerosol (bacteria, fungi
etc) concentrations released during the operation
of their road sweepers. The data was to be used
to assess potential exposure of the operators
and general public. The performance of the sweeper
was also assessed against that of other rival
sweepers using different dust control techniques.
Retail Stores Offices
REC were contracted to assess the performance of
two potential filter extraction systems. These
were to be used to remove smoke from the designated
smoking area. Monitoring was undertaken to determine
concentrations of nicotine and benzene within
the smoking room when using the two extraction
systems to assess their performance in removing
these parameters and also general smoke levels.
Electrical Appliance Manufacturer
The company manufacture various electrical appliances
including hand driers. Monitoring was undertaken
to determine worker exposure to colophony fume
and lead potentially released from soldering
operations. Other operators were monitored for
potential exposure to a number of solvents used
in coating and metal cleaning operations.
REC also carried out an LEV system check to ensure
that the units were working effectively in controlling
the release of hazardous substances into the workplace.
A detailed report was provided including air flow
measurements which highlighted potential problems
with the systems that needed rectifying.
Copper Tube Manufacturer
Monitoring of worker exposure to respirable dust
and man made mineral fibres potentially released
into the atmosphere around bake ovens. Samples
were collected from personnel and at static locations
considered likely to give rise to emissions into
the workplace. Monitoring data was assessed against
EH40 limits.
Brake Lining Manufacturer
Monitoring of asbestos fibres, inhalable dust and
solvents released into the workplace from the
manufacture of brake linings. A number of operators
were monitored over their shifts to determine
exposure levels.
Sugar Company
Monitoring of dust levels released from the mixing
of lactose and sugar powders was undertaken on
behalf of the Client. Personal monitoring was
undertaken on several occasions to test various
control measures which were used with the aim
of reducing inhalation risks to the operator.
