Safety Management: Industrial Hygiene Basics
“Industrial hygiene” (or “occupational hygiene,” outside of the U.S.) is the discipline of evaluating and controlling workplace hazards in order to protect the health and well being of workers and the community. This involves monitoring of work environments, evaluating exposures to hazards, and employing controls to prevent or minimize exposures and their effects. This course describes the job responsibilities of an industrial hygienist, discusses common workplace hazards, and details measures that can be used to control these hazards.





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Course Details
Learning Objectives
Define the terms “industrial hygiene” and “ergonomics” Describe the responsibilities of an industrial hygienist List and describe common workplace hazards, including airborne contaminants, chemical hazards, biological hazards, and physical hazards, including noise hazards and ergonomic hazards Describe the different types of airborne contaminants Identify the components of a “worksite analysis,” including a comprehensive survey, change analysis, job hazard analysis, and regular inspections Identify and describe the components of the “Hierarchy of Controls”
Specs
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of education and training does a certified industrial hygienist have?
What are the most common workplace hazards?
What is the main difference between chemical hazards and biological hazards?
What kinds of precautions should be used to protect workers from chemical hazards?
What is the “Hierarchy of Controls”?
Sample Video Transcript
Sound is inevitable in workplaces, but some sounds or noises can be bothersome and even harmful. Excessive noise at the workplace deserves extra attention because “noise-induced hearing loss” is one of the most prevalent health concerns for workers today. Sound is produced by vibrating objects or bodies. When we speak, air flowing from our lungs causes our vocal chords to vibrate. The sound of our voice then travels through the air as pressure waves, which travel to the inner ear and are interpreted by the brain. The frequency and intensity of the pressure waves determine the pitch and volume of the sound.
Additional Resources
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – www.osha.gov
- OSHA Publications – https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3143/OSHA3143.htm
- American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) – www.aiha.org
- AIHA Topics – https://www.aiha.org/publications-and-resources/TopicsofInterest/Pages/default.aspx