Safety Tidbit 4.34 – The Art of Industrial Hygiene
The American Industrial Hygiene Association, founded in 1939, defines industrial hygiene in the following way:
“Industrial Hygiene is a science and art devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, prevention, and control of those environmental factors or stresses arising in or from the workplace which may cause sickness, impaired health and well-being, or significant discomfort among workers or among citizens of the community.”
Typically, the art portion includes anticipation and recognition. Although the more education and experience you have, the more scientific this can become. I find that evaluation, and most especially control are where the art of industrial hygiene falls. Once a hazard is identified (putting anticipation and recognition together) and possibly quantified (although really, we just want it reduced) the IH must come up with a way to control whatever the hazard is balancing the economics, politics, and regulations.
Economics are foremost in every client’s mind, and most expect you, the consultant, to provide your insight for free. Although if you wanted a “widget” from their assembly line, they would gladly take your money for it. But I digress. So, the takeaway message is the IH must explain the proper or preferred way but always look at the most economical (at least perceived cheapest) method to control a hazard.
Second, the IH must also gauge the company politics what the EHS Manager wants is probably not what the Plant Manager wants. Therefore, the art is to convince both about the preferred control method. There may be a need to use interim protective measures while the ultimate control is budgeted in and implemented. Document all of this in the implementation plan, so the end goal might become a reality.
Lastly, regulations are the base on which to start. If the consultant advises the client that they are currently out of compliance with a federal or state standard, then they have a pretty good chance of swaying the client to implement controls. However, when the client does not exceed any rule, or there is no law and only prudent practice to use, then the artistic ability of the IH is fully engaged. Again, this may mean writing an implementation plan so that in time, the company achieves precise control of the hazard.
Ultimately, all industrial hygienists want to control all hazards in the workplace. We tend to work ourselves out of a job. Since once the risk is, the client doesn’t need us around as much. But remember, the workers all get to go home to their families at the end of the day.
Hope this was helpful and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan
P.S. If you have a new safety or health question, please let me know.
