Occupational Health

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Occupational Health Industrial Hygiene Programs
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Industrial Hygiene Program Introduction
Industrial hygiene is defined as a science and
art devoted to anticipation, recognition,
evaluation 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 the citizens of the
community.
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Types of Environmental Factors
(1) Stressor hazards - can cause sickness,
impaired health, or significant discomfort.
Comes from excessive airborne
concentrations of mists, vapors, gases or
solids that are in the form of dust or
fumes. (2) Physical hazards - excessive levels
of electromagnetic and ionizing radiation,
noise, vibration, and extremes of
temperatures and pressure. (3) Ergonomic hazards
- improperly designed tools or work areas,
improper lifting or reaching, poor visual
conditions or repeated motions in an awkward
position. (4) Biological hazards - includes
insects, molds, fungi and bacterial
contamination
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Workplace Assessment
The IH shall conduct a baseline survey. The
baseline will include, as a minimum, the
following information (1) Description of
operations within work area (e.g.,
welding, spray painting). Must carefully
describe time course of events occurring
within the workplace. (2) List of hazardous
materials used, handled, stored or produced in
the workplace in terms of quantity per unit
time, including a brief description of
how the materials are used. (3) List of
potential harmful physical hazards (e.g., noise
radiation) including a brief description
of their sources.
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Workplace Assessment (contd)
(4) Brief description of existing controls
(e.g., ventilation, personal protective
equipment), and an evaluation of their use
and effectiveness. (5) Number of personnel
assigned to the operation or workplace and
specific location.
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Exposure Assessment

• Follows the workplace assessment
• Used to assess whether or not there is a
  potential
• for employee exposure to toxic chemicals or
• harmful physical agents
• IH Department shall make assessment
• Written record shall be maintained for each
• workplace where toxic chemicals or physical
• agents may be found (Provide information in IH
  
• survey)

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Workplace Monitoring Plan
Shall be prepared and implemented if the
exposure assessment indicates workers are exposed
to toxic chemicals and/or harmful physical
agents. The plan must be developed jointly by
the industrial hygienist, cognizant MTF and
installation of unit safety manager.
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Workplace Monitoring Plan (contd)
Each workplace must be evaluated to
identify potential hazards from toxic substances
or harmful physical agents. Workplace monitoring
shall be provided by the IH Department in
accordance with OPNAVINST 5100.23E, MCO 5100.8F
and NEHC -TM 6290.91-2 Rev. B. Permanent
changes to workplace procedures or work location
will require a new baseline survey including
workplace monitoring of the operations completed
by the IH Department.
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Periodic Evaluation
Workplaces with recognized potential health
hazards shall be evaluated in accordance with
OPNAVINST 5100.23 Section 0802 (g)
Reevaluation, Appendix 8-B. Baseline surveys
may indicate that the periodic evaluation may
need to be performed more frequently
Supervisors shall notify IH of any changes to
procedures, location and/or materials/equipment
that cause adverse effects to human health
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Industrial Hygienist Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive baseline and periodic
  workplace evaluations
• Provide technical direction of workplace
  monitoring programs
• Provide training and certification of workplace
  monitors
• Provide special assistance as requested by the
  activity
• commander (i.e., selection of PPE, review of
  engineering
• designs, member of process hazard analysis
  team)
• Industrial Hygiene Officers assigned to Marine
  Corps activities shall
• establish programs specific to their command
  and ensure that
• monitoring and exposure data is provided to the
  medical department, for
• entry into personnel records

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Occupational Health Program
Shall be based upon Industrial Hygiene
recommendations. The installation or unit safety
office shall ensure that effected Marines are
entered in the appropriate Medical Surveillance
Program