Occupational Hygiene
hygiene | CALCULATIONS | TRAINING | LEGISLATION
ANV Technology provides expertise for each aspect of an occupational hygiene program, ranging from assessment, to monitoring, control and management.
Occupational Hygiene Assessment
The cornerstone of health and safety legislation is a risk assessment. ANV Technology undertakes comprehensive risk assessments, where the depth of investigation is proportionate to the risk.
The clear and consistent risk assessments undertaken by ANV Technology assist management to oversee and quantify the risks, enable EHS personnel plan an efficient OH program and guide employees in understanding and recognising the risks.
Modeling methods are used to predict concentrations and noise levels as required.
Occupational Hygiene Monitoring
Where an assessment indicates that exposure of employees is likely to cause injury to health, measurement is required by regulations. Measurements may also be needed for containment testing, new equipment qualification, accident investigations, evaluation of controls and employee reassurance. All measurements are undertaken by qualified personnel in accordance with the appropriate standards and guidelines. ANV Technology measurement capabilities are as follows:
Chemical/Biological Agents: Measurement techniques include pumped sampling, direct reading instruments, colorimetric methods, surface sampling etc.
Noise: Noise measurement is performed with Type 1 sound level meter supplemented with Type 2 dosimeters as required.
Human Vibration: Measurement of exposure to hand arm and whole body vibration has become more widespread since the vibration regulations were implemented in 2006. ANV Technology have been providing this service for about ten years.
Thermal environment/Indoor Air Quality: Heat stress measurements are based on the WBGT index. Thermal comfort is quantified through measurement of the key parameters and where appropriate, application of the PPD/PMV index. Cold stress is also quantified.
Real-time measurement of carbon dioxide is used to evaluate ventilation in occupied spaces and indoor pollutants are measured using a combination of techniques.
Ionizing & non-ionizing Radiation: Measurement of light, electromagnetic radiation and ionizing radiation are all within the competencies and experience of ANV Technology.
Breathing Air Quality: Measurement of breathing air quality for compressed air respirators is carried out in accordance with EN12021. This task should be carried out as part of your periodic measurements.
Occupational Hygiene Control
ANV Technology advises on the effectiveness of existing control systems. Our measurement reports generally include suggested control measures for compliance. Where more detailed investigations are warranted, we rank sources and specify control measures where appropriate. ANV Technology also assess the effectiveness of the personal protective equipment (PPE) supplied and recommend appropriate PPE where necessary.
Occupational Hygiene Management
ANV Technology works with you to develop an occupational hygiene plan to ensure assessment, monitoring and control are implemented as required. We develop guidelines, procedures and assessment criteria for clients, devise and manage their sampling plans for annual, baseline and periodic measurements. This ensures legislative and corporate compliance and puts the health and safety of the employee at the heart of the system.
If you would like an occupational hygiene assessment or measurement you can have confidence in, contact us.
Exposure Calculations
Exposure to Chemicals
If you know the concentration for each task a worker is exposed to, you can calculate the daily exposure using the calculator here:
Exposure to Noise
If you know the noise level for each task a worker is exposed to, you can calculate the daily exposure using the calculator here:
If the noise exposure does not occur each week day, weekly averaging is permitted by the noise regulations. A calculator for this can be found here:
Addition of Noise Levels
When it comes to dB's, 2 and 2 don't make 4. To help you add in dB's, use the calculator below. For example, the noise level at a house due to a neighbouring factory is 43dB(A). The factory intends installing a new chiller unit which will contribute 45dB(A) at this house. Then the overall noise at the house will be 43dB(A) + 45dB(A) = 47dB(A).
In House Training
ANV Technology provides in-house training to management, in-house EHS personnel and employees.
We provide clear, unambiguous management training and briefings to assist management in understanding the key issues and making the most cost-effective decisions.
For clients who wish to develop in-house expertise, we offer in-depth, hands-on, training tailored to your specific needs. This gives an excellent return on your time investment compared with most public training courses, with enhanced benefits to both the company and the participants.
Health and safety regulations require that companies provide training to exposed employees regarding their exposure to noise, vibration and chemicals and inform them of the outcome of monitoring.
ANV Technology provides in-house employee training to help you fulfill the regulatory requirements. Employees gain a clear understanding of how exposure is determined, what their exposure is, how to control exposure and what the key legislative requirements are. Our training courses are tailored to your needs and your workplace, with site-specific references. We also prepare training material for in-house induction courses.
If you would like more information on training, contact us
Legislation
Summary of Chemical Agents Legislation
The safety health and welfare at work (chemical agents) regulations, 2001 (SI No. 619 of 2001) detail the requirements for compliance. Some of the specific requirements are as follows:
It is the duty of every employer to:
- To ensure that the exposure to chemical agents at work is prevented or, where necessary, adequately controlled
- Where any hazardous chemical agents are present, to undertake a written risk assessment
- Where appropriate, to measure the nature and degree of exposure. Records to be maintained and presented to employees
- To identify the measures to be taken to control the risk
- To ensure that an occupational exposure limit (set out in the 2002 code of practice) is not exceeded. If the OEL is exceeded, to implement control measures as soon as possible
- To make provision for health surveillance where there may be a risk to the employees health
- To provide information and training to employees regarding the potential risks, the exposure levels, where relevant the actions being taken to reduce exposure.
Where carcinogens or biological agents are in use, the safety health and welfare at work (carcinogen) regulations, 2001 (SI No.078 of 2001) and safety health and welfare at work (biological agents) regulations, 2001 (SI No. 146 of 1994).
Summary of Noise Regulations
Exposure to noise is regulated by part 5 of the General Applications regulations SI299 of 2007. The requirements are as follows:
- Assess noise exposure of workers
- Reduce risk of noise exposure
Exposure LEX,8hr
At or above 80 db(A)
At or above 85 dB(A)
At or above 87 dB(A)
Limit Value
Actions Required
- Make hearing protectors available
- Provide noise training
- Make audiometric tests available
- As Above, plus:
- Prepare written noise control program
- Employees shall use hearing protectors
- Post warning signs
- Delimit high noise areas
- As Above, plus:
- Take immediate steps to reduce effective noise exposure to below 87dB(A)
- Identify the reason for the exceedance
- Take measures to prevent the exposure limit value being exceeded again
Note that the definition of "noise exposure" is in terms of the average noise level throughout the working day. The 80dB(A) and 85 dB(A) action levels are assessed outside any hearing protection worn. In assessing the 87 dB(A) limit value, allowance is made for the sound reduction through any ear protection worn.