|
If you are managing
an occupational safety and health program, or you have health concerns relating to your
work, then perhaps you need the services of an industrial hygiene (IH) professional.
Collaborating with an IH
professional is an integral component of establishing and maintaining an effective
occupational safety and health program.
Industrial hygiene’s main
focus is the control of occupational health hazards encountered in the work place.
IH services are available to
afloat safety officers by calling your local IH professional either at an Environmental
and Preventive Medicine Unit or a medical treatment facility. The IH will address a
specific occupational health concern you might have or conduct a thorough ship-wide IH
survey.
OPNAVINST 5100.19D,
section A0304(a), requires that each ship have a baseline industrial hygiene
survey. This report details the identification and evaluation of hazards
found throughout your ship along with their associated control methods.
Additionally, in this single report you should find:
- A list of noise hazardous equipment and
areas.
- A list of sight hazardous equipment and
areas.
- Detailed respirator requirements listed
by area and operation.
- Assessments of general (ex. hazardous
material stowage lockers) and local exhaust (ex. flex-duct, fume
exhausters) ventilation systems.
- A list of medical surveillance
requirements.
- A list of required personal protective
equipment.
Get the idea? The IH report is the starting
point for establishing your NAVOSH program. It should also be referred to
frequently to serve as a reference point to ensure your program is
effectively ensuring a safe and healthful working environment.
The baseline IH report is a stand-alone
document that may require updates as changes occur in the workplace. These
changes could effect the original hazard risk assessment made by the
industrial hygienist and render the prescribed corrective measures
ineffective. Examples of the changes are; a new process is introduced, a
ventilation system is modified, or an introduction of a new hazardous
material. An update can also be conducted at the discretion of the
Commanding Officer. The request for an update to the IH report should be
directed to the supporting industrial hygienist in your area, either at a
Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit or a Medical Treatment
Facility.
The IH report can also be used as an
effective training tool. Crewmembers can read the section of the report
that pertains directly to their work center and the processes they are
involved in. The report will increase hazard awareness associated with
each process or area and further explain why the safety precautions and/or
personal protective equipment are needed.
To obtain the services on an IH
send your request to your safety officer. The safety officer can then contact your local
IH professional. Submit IH questions, as well as any other NAVOSH-related questions,
directly to an IH by completing the feedback form on this web site.
|
