Why Your Workplace Needs an Industrial Hygiene Strategy
If your company does business in manufacturing, mining, or any other industry through which employees are exposed to chemical or physical hazards, it’s imperative that you have an industrial hygiene strategy in place. Otherwise, you are jeopardizing your employees’ health and wellness. Your company might also be out of compliance as well.
The Basics of Industrial Hygiene
Industrial hygiene is both a science and a practice. It seeks to identify, evaluate, and control any and all hazards that could create illness or injury risks for workers. Industrial hygiene is also preventative in nature. The goal is to identify potential risks before these become reality. That way, policies and engineering solutions can be applied proactively.
As experts in industrial hygiene consulting, we use a systematic approach to identify and manage potential hazards. Examples include:
- Excessive noise
- High temperatures
- Respirable dust
- Chemical vapors
- Asbestos, radon, and other known carcinogens
Industrial environments are known for such hazards. By implementing an industrial hygiene strategy, companies can protect their employees from injury and illness. Productivity increases, and employees remain healthy and happy.
Proactive Monitoring Is Key
Once workplace hazards are identified, the key to keeping employees safe is proactive monitoring. A proper monitoring strategy involves continually collecting and analyzing data on associated workplace conditions.
For example, monitoring air quality and noise levels in a mining scenario is crucial. Monitoring chemical exposure in a manufacturing environment reduces employee risks. Monitoring for both asbestos and radon is crucial in the construction trades, especially when older buildings are being remodeled or demolished.
Proactive monitoring is about detecting potential threats in real time. In addition, regular audits can provide clues for identifying potential hazards before they emerge. The result should be:
- A Safer Environment – Proactive monitoring leads to a safer work environment when management responds to data properly.
- Fewer Injuries and Illnesses – A safer work environment is one in which fewer injuries and illnesses occur. Safer employees are happier and more productive. Morale also tends to be higher.
- Reduced Absenteeism – Fewer injuries and illnesses reduce absenteeism rates across the board. Operational disruptions normally caused by staffing shortages are mitigated.
- Fewer Worker’s Comp Claims – In addition to reduced absenteeism, fewer injuries and illnesses trend toward fewer worker’s compensation claims. That’s good for both insurance rates and the company’s bottom line.
Waiting to react until a hazard constitutes a full-blown emergency is waiting too long. Not only does waiting jeopardize employee safety and wellbeing, but it also exposes an organization to potential costly litigation. It’s far better to implement a rock-solid industrial hygiene strategy that includes proactive monitoring right away.
Our Industrial Hygiene Services
Compliance Consultants offers many industrial hygiene services designed to help your organization prioritize employee health and safety while also maintaining regulatory and industry standard compliance.
For example, our indoor air quality testing can reveal all sorts of hazards, including mold, microbes, dust and particulates, and dangerous chemicals. If necessary, we can also monitor and assist with all phases of remediation.
Industrial hygiene is not an option. If your workplace exposes employees to hazardous conditions, you need to have an effective industrial hygiene strategy in place. Failing to implement a sound strategy could lead to injuries, illnesses, worker’s compensation claims, lost productivity, and more.
Get Started Today with a Free Hygiene Assessment
Need help to improve your industrial hygiene strategy? Get started with a FREE Hygiene Assessment to identify and mitigate invisible workplace hazards.
Get a FREE Hygiene Assessment today!
Compliance Consultants, Inc. can help you develop a comprehensive Industrial Hygiene Strategy that achieves compliance with both regulatory and industry standards.
