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Physical Environment
The physical environment in the work place has a direct relationship on the health and safety of the individual. Physical hazards may cause injury or disease. These hazards may include noise, vibration, radiation, and extremes in temperature and pressure. When discussing the physical environment we focus primarily on three specific areas:
- Ergonomics
- Workspace
- Cleanliness
Information and questions leaders should consider includes:
- What are the issues regarding air quality or ventilation, lighting and heating, ergonomic, workspace and cleanliness issues? What evidence is available? What are the perceptions of others?
- What resources or actions if any, have been implemented in the past?
- Consider utilizing an external expert to investigate any issues or measures that fall outside of acceptable parameters.
Using a Consultant – Occupational/ Industrial Hygienist
When health and safety issues arise in the work environment, it may be the time to seek the expertise of a specific consultant. For example, you may want to seek outside resource if staff members begin to complain of unexplained ill effects such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, coughing, shortness of breath, or fainting spells. There may be issues with air quality and/or exposure to harmful chemicals.
Occupational (industrial) hygiene is a discipline involved in the protection of workers from adverse effects of workplace stressors. Industrial Hygenists focus on the work environment by anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling hazards in the workplace. In the above example, an Industrial Hygienist can test the air quality for harmful substances and provide a solution.
In general, you may want to consult a hygienist to:
- organize and conduct programs for the education and training regarding the prevention of occupational diseases;
- study work materials, operations, processes, and equipment;
- explain the results of examining the environment regarding its ability to damage health;
- make suitable measurements to determine the magnitude of workplace exposures;
- make conclusions about the hazards present and decide on the need for, or effectiveness of, control measures to protect your employees; and
- prepare standards and regulations for healthful conduct of work.
An occupational/industrial hygienist has a college or university degree in engineering, chemistry, physics, or biological sciences. A certified hygienist will have a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) designation, or a Registered Occupational Hygienist (ROH) designation.
Resources
The following offer valuable information on specific physical hazards in the workplace and information on workplace health and safety.
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