Industrial hygiene is the science of anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling workplace conditions that may cause workers’ injury or illness.
Evergreen AES can provide experienced Industrial hygienists to perform environmental monitoring and testing to detect the extent of worker exposure and employ engineering, work practice controls, and other methods to control potential health hazards.
Evergreen AES recognizes that engineering, work practice, and administrative controls are the primary means of reducing employee exposure to occupational hazards. Engineering controls minimize employee exposure by either reducing or removing the hazard at the source or isolating the worker from the hazards. Evergreen AES can assist clients in eliminating toxic chemicals and replacing harmful toxic materials with less hazardous ones; enclosing work processes or confining work operations; and installing general and local ventilation systems.
Work practice controls alter the manner in which a task is performed. Evergreen AES can aid clients in implementing work practice controls to include
- following proper procedures to minimize exposures while operating equipment;
- inspecting and maintaining equipment on a regular basis;
- implementing good house-keeping procedures;
- providing good supervision and
- mandating that eating, drinking, smoking, chewing tobacco or gum, and applying cosmetics in regulated areas be prohibited.
Evergreen AES can also recommend administrative controls such as scheduling production and workers’ tasks, or both, in ways that minimize exposure levels. In addition, personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety goggles, helmets, safety shoes, and protective clothing may also be required. To be effective, personal protective equipment must be individually selected, properly fitted and periodically refitted; conscientiously and properly worn; regularly maintained; and replaced as necessary.