Could Your Workplace Be Facing Hidden Health Risks?

Wondering if it’s time for a health risk analysis? Whether you’re trying to stay compliant or be proactive, a timely industrial hygiene assessment helps identify and control exposure before it becomes a serious issue.

You may need sampling if:

• Employees are showing symptoms listed in Section 2 or Section 11 of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
• Exposure limits listed in Section 8 of the SDS are under 100 ppm or mg/m³
• You notice visible dust, fumes, or smoke in the workplace
• Employees complain of eye, skin, or respiratory tract irritation
• Employees express concerns regarding adverse health effects not in Section 2 or 11: headaches, lightheadedness, or other symptoms and request exposure assessments
• The chemical is regulated under OSHA’s expanded standards (typically carcinogenic substances with standards after 1910.1000, such as for Methylene Chloride, 1910.1052)
• Chemicals used can be absorbed through the skin
• Work areas that might exceed the Action Level in 1910.95 the Occupational Noise Exposure standard
• OSHA has issued a citation requiring sampling
• There have been changes since your last exposure monitoring that may have changed or increased exposures.

Any of these signs point to possible employee exposure risks that should be addressed with a professional workplace evaluation. Conducting an industrial health assessment can provide clear answers and help you take effective next steps.

What You Need Before Scheduling Sampling

Getting ready for an industrial hygiene hazard assessment?

The most cost-effective sampling strategy is one you develop in partnership with Practical Safety and Health Solutions. Invite us in for a walk-through with you so that you can discuss your concerns and show us the areas and employees you would like sampled and we can evaluate potential chemicals in the work area that would interfere (increase or decrease the results) with the sampling or analytical process.

We will also tell you whether sampling is not necessary and write a report to show to OSHA that the hazards were identified and assessed. We will stand behind that report if OSHA calls it into question.

If you already know what hazards you want assessed here’s what your consultant will need to get started:

• Number of personal and area samples needed
• Shift start and end times, we will arrive half an hour or more before shift starts
• Name and phone number of contact person
• Which door should be used when we get on site
• Details on PPE our hygienists will be required to wear during sampling
• Whether some samples will represent other employees’ exposure
• Equipment placement strategy for area sampling

When it comes to workplace hazard identification, experience matters. Keep these points in mind:

• The exam to be a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) is focused entirely on the hazard identification and sampling process
• Only 12% of the exam to be a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) is about hazard assessment and sampling information
• We, at PsaHS have a worked in OSHA standard enforcement and have full knowledge of the standards that cover the sampling, analytical, and report writing process

The goal is clear: protect your workforce and your business by a thorough occupational risk assessment and through solid exposure risk management.

Working in Appleton? Here’s What You Should Know

Practical Safety and Health Solutions is Appleton, WI-based and we are the only Industrial Hygiene specialist firm north of the Milwaukee and Madison areas. Our region covers all of Wisconsin South and North of Highway 10 and on up into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Protecting your team is more than a checklist—it’s a responsibility. Don’t wait until small problems become big issues.