Occupational Hygiene Surveys
A preliminary survey, sometimes called an observational survey, involves a walking tour of the workplace (hence the more descriptive name, “walk-through”).
Some of the benefits of a preliminary survey include:
- obtaining an overview of the whole operation;
- identifying the key hazards in each area; and
- assessing the effectiveness of any control methods in place.
During a walk-through, the occupational hygienist will be asking:
- Are measurements needed in this area?
- If so, what hazards should be measured?
- Where should they be taken?
- Which workers should have their exposure assessed?
- When should the measurements be made?
- What conclusions might be drawn from the results?
The Occupational Hygienist might then recommend an Occupational hygiene or monitoring survey to obtain quantitative exposure levels or even a formal occupational health and safety risk assessment.
Occupational hygiene survey or monitoring survey is the quantitative measurement of workplace stressors including the following:
- Noise (occupational and environmental)
- Hazardous chemical substances (including lead and asbestos)
- Thermal stress
- Indoor air quality
- Illumination
- Vibration