INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE-

INDUSTRIAL TOXICOLOGY
 Introduction
Industrial Hygiene – the
science of protecting the
health and safety of
workers through:
• Anticipation,
• Recognition,
• Evaluation, and
• Control
…of workplace conditions Source:
OSHA

that may cause workers’

injury or illness.
Types of Health Hazards
Common workplace health hazards:
Chemical Physical

Biological Ergonomic

Source of photos: OSHA

Chemical Hazards and Controls
Forms
Multiple chemical
• Solids hazards
• Liquids
• Gases and vapors
• Aerosols - dust, mist,
Spraying mist
fumes
Welding fumes Dust particulates

Source of photos: OSHA

Chemical Hazards and Controls
Effects of chemical exposures:

Health Risks
Heart Ailments Lung Damage Sterility
CNS Damage Kidney Damage Burns
Cancer Liver Damage Rashes

Safety Risks
Fire Explosion Corrosion
Chemical Hazards and Controls
Exposure entry routes:
Breathed in
Inhalation: (most common route)

Swallowing via eating

Ingestion: or drinking

Drawn through skin or

Absorption: eye surface
Source of graphics: OSHA

Penetration through
*Injection: the skin
Chemical Hazards and Controls
Warning Signs of Potential Chemical
Exposure:
• Dust, mist, smoke in the air
• Accumulation of particulates (dust)
on surfaces
• Unusual tastes and/or smells
• Eye, nose, throat, upper respiratory,
and/or skin irritation
Chemical Hazards and Controls
Examples of chemical exposure symptoms:
• Eye, nose, throat, upper respiratory, skin irritation
• Flu-like symptoms
• Difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Loss of coordination
• Memory difficulties
• Sleeplessness
• Mental confusion
Chemical Hazards and Controls
Types of health effects:
Exposure Condition Exposure Example
H2S exposure
Short-term, high
ACUTE Immediate within a
concentration
confined space
Delayed; Continuous; for
CHRONIC generally for long periods of Asbestosis
years time
Acute Chronic

Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Source: OSHA

Chemical Hazards and Controls

What is toxicology?
• The science that studies the poisonous or
toxic properties of substances
Chemical Hazards and Controls
Toxic effects:
• Dose
1. Concentration – amount
2. Duration of Exposure – time
Chemical Hazards and Controls
• Toxic chemicals disrupt the normal
functions of the body. Effects can be:
▫ Local - at the site of exposure
▫ Systemic
 Affects the entire body
 Target organs - organs or systems
where symptoms of exposure appear
Chemical Hazards and Controls
Local (direct) effects:
• Irritation (dryness, redness, cracking)
- fiberglass
• Corrosion (chemical burn) - acid
• Upper Respiratory Tract Infection –
inhaling particles

Source: Occupational Dermatoses (CDC)

Chemical Hazards and Controls
Systemic effects:
• Hepatotoxins
▫ Cause liver damage
▫ Carbon tetrachloride, nitrosamines
• Nephrotoxins
▫ Cause kidney damage
▫ Uranium, halogenated hydrocarbons
• Neurotoxins
▫ Cause nerve damage
▫ Mercury, lead, carbon disulfide
Chemical Hazards and Controls
• Hematotoxins
▫ Cause blood system damage
▫ Carbon monoxide, cyanides
• Anesthetics
▫ Depress nervous system
▫ Hydrocarbons, propane, isopropyl ethers
Chemical Hazards and Controls
Factors affecting exposures:
• form and innate chemical activity
• dosage, especially dose-time
relationship
• exposure route
• age
• sex
• ability of chemical to be absorbed
• metabolism
• distribution within the body
• excretion
• presence of other chemicals
Chemical Hazards and Controls
Hierarchy of control:
Chemical Hazards and Controls

• Elimination and
substitution
Chemical Hazards and Controls
• Engineering controls
▫ Ventilation – local (hood) / general
(dilution)
▫ Process and equipment modification
▫ Isolation/automation

Example: Replacing transfer belts

with screw augers on sand movers
used in hydraulic fracturing will help
contain sand and reduce dust release
(lowering exposure to silica).
Chemical Hazards and Controls
• Administrative controls
▫ Establish written
programs & policies
▫ Training
▫ Monitor/measure exposure
levels
▫ Inspections and maintenance
▫ Restricted area signage
▫ Develop SOPs
Chemical Hazards and Controls

• PPE
▫ Respirators
▫ Gloves
▫ Safety glasses
▫ Long clothing
Chemical Hazards and Controls
Worksite analysis – assessing exposures:
• Air monitoring – personal and area
• Noise monitoring
• Observation – PPE use and work
practices
• Ventilation measurements
• Wipe samples – surfaces and personnel
Chemical Hazards and Controls
Exposure limits:
• TWA = Time - Weighted Average
14

12

• Levels vary over

PEL
10

T
Exposure in PPM
the shift duration
8

0
8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00
AM AM AM AM PM PM PM PM PM

• These limits protect from chronic

Time

diseases
Chemical Hazards and Controls
“C” = ceiling limit:
• Level never to be exceeded during the
work shift
• Protect from acute disease or health
effects 60
Ceiling

50

40
Exposure

30

20

PEL
10

0
Time
Chemical Hazards and Controls
Substance-specific standards:
• Established by OSHA to identify
specific requirements
• Potentially exposed workers must
be monitored and protected
Chemical Hazards and Controls
• Components of substance specific
standards: (in general)
▫ Air monitoring
▫ Control of exposure
 Engineering controls
 Work practices
 Respiratory protection
▫ Medical surveillance / removal (lead)
▫ Recordkeeping
▫ Worker training
Chemical Hazards and Controls
Hexavalent
chromium:
• Toxic form of chromium;
• Known to cause cancer
• Compounds are man- Source:
OSHA

made and widely used

• Major source of exposure
during “hotwork” on
stainless steel and other
alloy steels containing
Cr(VI)
Chemical Hazards and Controls
Asbestos:
• Mineral fibers – chrysotile, amosie,
crocidolite, tremolite, anthophylite,
actinolite, and chemically treated/
altered forms
• Known carcinogen;
can cause chronic lung disease, as well as
lung and other cancers
• Used in numerous building materials and vehicle products
• Exposure potential during construction and ship repair; as
well as manufacturing of products containing asbestos
Chemical Hazards and Controls
Silica:
• Important industrial material found abundantly in
the earth’s crust; most common form is quartz
• Can cause lung diseases, including silicosis and
lung cancer, as well as kidney disease
• Exposure to respirable crystalline silica
▫ Inhalation of small particles
in air
▫ Common with operations
such as cutting, sawing,
and drilling
Chemical Hazards and Controls
Lead:
• Blue-gray, heavy metal occurring
naturally in Earth’s crust
• Can harm many of the body’s
organ systems; variety of ailments
• Exposure
▫ Inhalation and/or ingestion of airborne
particles containing lead
▫ Occurs in most industry sectors,
including manufacturing, wholesale
trade, transportation, construction,
remediation, and even recreation
Chemical Hazards and Controls
Welding fumes:
• Content depends on components of
base metal, coatings, and/or filler
materials; and welding temperatures
• Potential health effects
▫ Acute exposure: eye, nose, and
throat irritation; dizziness; nausea
▫ Prolonged exposure: lung damage; various
types of cancer, including lung, larynx, and
urinary tract
▫ Certain fumes and gases can lead to additional
health issues
Chemical Hazards and Controls
• Exposure to welding fumes
affected by:
▫ Welding process
▫ Materials used
▫ Location (outside, enclosed
space)
▫ Work practices
▫ Air movement
▫ Use of ventilation
Chemical Hazards and Controls
Toxic atmospheres:
• Confined spaces – storage tanks,
process vessels, bins, boilers, ventilation or
exhaust ducts, sewers, underground utility
vaults, tunnels, pipelines, open-top spaces
more than 4’ in depth (pits, tubs, vaults)
• Hazardous atmospheres
▫ Oxygen-deficient
▫ Hydrogen sulfide
▫ Carbon monoxide
Biological
Insects
Hazards
Animals
and Controls
Contaminated
Soil

Source: OSHA Source: OSHA Source: CDC

Poisonous Plants Water/Sewage Bloodborne

Pathogens

Source: OSHA Source: OSHA Source: OSHA

Biological Hazards and Controls

• Possible effects of
exposure to biological
hazards:
• Mild, allergic reactions
• Serious medical conditions
• Death
• Most virulent and prevalent biological
agents
Biological Hazards and Controls
Protection against biological hazards:
• Practice universal precaution with:
▫ Blood
▫ Bodily fluids
• Practice personal hygiene
• Provide proper first aid
▫ Cuts/Scratches
• Vaccinations
• Wear proper PPE/clothing

Source of photos: OSHA

Biological Hazards and Controls
Protection against biological hazards:
• Practice universal precaution with:
▫ Blood
▫ Bodily fluids
• Practice personal hygiene
• Provide proper first aid
▫ Cuts/Scratches
• Vaccinations
• Wear proper PPE/clothing

Source of photos: OSHA

Biological Hazards and Controls
• Practice precaution with:
▫ Animals
▫ Insects
• Use insect repellent
• Provide proper ventilation Certain species of fruit bats are

or other appropriate
thought to be the natural reservoir for
Ebola virus. EHF outbreaks are
believed to start as a result of contact

environmental controls
with infected animals or animal
carcasses.
Source: OSHA; photo courtesy of
National Park Service, U.S. Dept. of
Interior.

The best way to protect yourself from

Zika, as well as other mosquito-borne
illnesses, is to prevent mosquito bites
by using insect repellent, wearing long
sleeves and pants, and reducing
mosquito breeding grounds, such as
standing water. Source: OSHA; photos
courtesy of CDC.
Physical Hazards and Controls

Types of physical hazards:

Temperatur Vibration
e

Radiation Noise
Physical Hazards and Controls
Effects of exposure to physical
hazards:
Temperatur
Radiation Vibration Noise
e
Rash; Interference
Burns Fatigue
Cramps s

Exhaustion Sickness Strains Stress

Carpal
Stroke Aging Tinnitus
Tunnel

Hypothermia Cancer HAVS Headaches

DNA
Frostbite Raynaud’s Hearing Loss
Mutations
Physical Hazards and Controls
Exposure to heat:

Health
Cause Symptoms
Effects
Red cluster of
Rash; Cramps Heavy sweating bumps/blisters; Muscle
pains or spasms
Dizziness, light-headedness,
Loss of body
Exhaustion weakness, heavy sweating,
fluids/salts
pale skin, sick to stomach
≥104F body temperature.
Rapid body
Stroke Red, hot, dry skin; dizziness;
temperature rise
confusion; unconscious
Physical Hazards and Controls

OSHA’s Heat
Safety Tool
 Physical Hazards and Controls
Protection against heat:
Engineering Administrative PPE
• Emergency plan • Insulated PPE, in
• Air conditioning • Acclimatization some work
• Ventilation • Adequate water places
• Cooling fans • Work/rest cycles • Thermal clothing
• Local exhaust • Avoid hottest (cool vests)
ventilation times; adjust work
• Reflective demands
shields • Rotate job
• Insulation functions
• Eliminate steam • Buddy system
leaks • Monitoring
Eliminate or substitute hazard, whenever
feasible
Physical Hazards and Controls

Exposure to cold:

Health
Cause Symptoms
Effects
Body Uncontrolled shivering;
Hypothermia temperature slurred speech; memory
drops ≤95F loss; blue/purple skin
Exposed to ≤0F Pale, cold, waxy-white skin;
Frostbite
air tingling; stinging
Physical Hazards and Controls
Protection against cold:
Engineering Administrative PPE
• Heaters • Warm liquids • Layered clothing
• Shield work • Adjust work • Hat or hood,
areas schedule face cover,
(windbreaks) • Buddy system gloves
• Monitoring • Clothing out of
• Frequent breaks in fabric that
warm areas retains insulation
• Acclimatization even when wet
• Insulated and
waterproof boots

Eliminate or substitute hazard, whenever

feasible
Physical Hazards and Controls
Exposure to radiation:

Source:
OSHA
Physical Hazards and Controls
Protection against radiation:

Engineering Administrative PPE

• Enclose/Shield • Clearly mark • RF/MW protective
work areas to controlled suits, including
minimize stray spaces head and eye
radiation • Minimize protection
• Interlocked doors exposure times • Safety glasses,
on devices that • Location/ goggles, welding
can produce installation of helmets, or
acute thermal devices welding face
injuries • Proper shields with
• Remote operation maintenance appropriate filter
of radiation- lenses
producing devicesor substitute hazard,
Eliminate whenever
feasible
Physical Hazards and Controls
Exposure to vibration:
Early Signs
Health Later Signs and
and
Effects Symptoms
Symptoms
• Circulatory • Intermittent • Loss of sense of touch;
disturbances, tingling of one or numbness
such as VWF more fingers • Blanching of entire
and HAVS • Blanching of fingers
• Sensory nerve fingertips • Loss of grip strength
damage • Pain in fingers • Sever pain
• Muscle, bone, • Carpal tunnel syndrome
and joint injury • Pain and loss of strength
in arms
• Loss of finger dexterity
or coordination
Physical Hazards and Controls
Protection against vibration:

Engineering Administrative PPE

• Vibration reduction• Proper positioning • Anti-
equipment and grip; let the vibration
• Vibration machine do the gloves
dampeners or work
shields to isolate • Job rotation
source of vibration• Limit duration of
from employee task
• Proper
Eliminate or substitute hazard, whenever
maintenance
feasible
Physical Hazards and Controls
Exposure to noise:

Health Effects Signs and Symptoms

• Tinnitus • Ears feel stuffed up
• Permanent hearing loss • Ringing in the ears
• Physical stress • Limited ability to hear high
• Psychological stress frequency sounds, understand
speech, and communicate
Physical Hazards and Controls
• Noise – prolonged
exposures to
85 dB can lead to hearing
loss

Source: OSHA
Physical Hazards and Controls
Protection against noise:
Engineering Administrative PPE
• Use low-noise tools • Increase • Ear plugs
and machinery distance • Ear muffs
• Place a barrier between source • Hearing
between noise and worker bands
source and worker • Alter work
• Enclose or isolate schedule
noise • Limit time of
• Weld parts rather noise exposure
than rivet • Provide quiet
• Use acoustical areas for breaks
materials
• Install silencers,
Eliminate
mufflers, or substitute hazard, whenever
or baffles
feasible
Physical Hazards and Controls

• When to wear hearing protection

▫ Noise or sound level exceeds 90 dBA (OSHA)
▫ Recommended when exceeds 85 dBA
(NIOSH)

• What to wear
▫ Personal comfort preference
▫ Long-term/Single use (plugs)
▫ Short-term/On and off (muffs)
▫ Consider NRR
Physical Hazards and Controls
Dual hearing protection:

Formable Ear Plugs Earmuffs

Listed NRR = 29 Listed NRR = 16
Adjusted NRR (29 – 7) = 22 Adjusted NRR for Dual
Protection = 5

22 (adjusted NRR) + 5 (Dual Protection NRR) = 27

54
Ergonomic Hazards and Controls

Source of photos: OSHA

Ergonomic Hazards and Controls
Effects of exposure to ergonomic
hazards:
• Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
▫ Exposure to ergonomic risk factors for
MSDs increases a worker's risk of injury
 Repetition
 High force
 Awkward postures
▫ Work-related MSDs are among the
most frequently reported causes
of lost or restricted work time.

Source: OSHA
Ergonomic Hazards and Controls
Risk factors for MSDs:
• Overexertion
• Repetitive tasks
• Awkward
posture/positions
• Localized pressure
• Cold temperatures
• Vibration
• Combined exposure

Source of photos: OSHA

Ergonomic Hazards and Controls
Protection against ergonomic hazards:
• Use ergonomically designed tools
• Use correct work practices
▫ Proper lifting techniques
• Ask for help when handling:
▫ Heavy loads
▫ Bulky/Awkward materials

• Properly fitting PPE