Occupational Health &
Industrial Hygiene
Programs
Industrial Hygiene Program
Introduction
Industrial hygiene is defined as “a science and art
devoted to anticipation, recognition, evaluation &
control of those environmental factors or stresses
arising in or from the workplace, which may cause
sickness, impaired health and well-being, or significant
discomfort among workers or among the citizens of the
community.
Types of Environmental Factors
(1) Stressor hazards - can cause sickness, impaired
health, or significant discomfort. Comes from
excessive airborne concentrations of mists, vapors,
gases or solids that are in the form of dust or fumes.
(2) Physical hazards - excessive levels of electromagnetic
and ionizing radiation, noise, vibration, and extremes of
temperatures and pressure.
(3) Ergonomic hazards - improperly designed tools or
work areas, improper lifting or reaching, poor visual
conditions or repeated motions in an awkward position.
(4) Biological hazards - includes insects, molds, fungi and
bacterial contamination
Workplace Assessment
The IH shall conduct a baseline survey. The baseline
will include, as a minimum, the following information:
(1) Description of operations within work area (e.g.,
welding, spray painting). Must carefully describe
time course of events occurring within the workplace.
(2) List of hazardous materials used, handled, stored or produced in
the workplace in terms of quantity per unit time, including a brief
description of how the materials are used.
(3) List of potential harmful physical hazards (e.g., noise radiation)
including a brief description of their sources.
Workplace Assessment (cont’d)
(4) Brief description of existing controls (e.g.,
ventilation, personal protective equipment),
and an evaluation of their use and effectiveness.
(5) Number of personnel assigned to the operation
or workplace and specific location.
Exposure Assessment
• Follows the workplace assessment
• Used to assess whether or not there is a potential
for employee exposure to toxic chemicals or
harmful physical agents
• IH Department shall make assessment
• Written record shall be maintained for each
workplace where toxic chemicals or physical
agents may be found (Provide information in IH
survey)
Workplace Monitoring Plan
Shall be prepared and implemented if the exposure
assessment indicates workers are exposed to toxic
chemicals and/or harmful physical agents. The plan
must be developed jointly by the industrial hygienist,
cognizant MTF and installation of unit safety manager.
Workplace Monitoring Plan (cont’d)
Each workplace must be evaluated to identify
potential hazards from toxic substances or harmful
physical agents. Workplace monitoring shall be
provided by the IH Department in accordance with
OPNAVINST 5100.23E, MCO 5100.8F and NEHC TM 6290.91-2 Rev. B.
Permanent changes to workplace procedures or work
location will require a new baseline survey including
workplace monitoring of the operations completed by
the IH Department.
Periodic Evaluation
Workplaces with recognized potential health hazards
shall be evaluated in accordance with OPNAVINST
5100.23 Section 0802 (g) “Reevaluation”, Appendix 8-B.
Baseline surveys may indicate that the periodic evaluation
may need to be performed more frequently
Supervisors shall notify IH of any changes to procedures,
location and/or materials/equipment that cause adverse
effects to human health
Industrial Hygienist Responsibilities
• Provide comprehensive baseline and periodic workplace evaluations
• Provide technical direction of workplace monitoring programs
• Provide training and certification of workplace monitors
• Provide special assistance as requested by the activity
commander (i.e., selection of PPE, review of engineering
designs, member of process hazard analysis team)
• Industrial Hygiene Officers assigned to Marine Corps activities shall
establish programs specific to their command and ensure that
monitoring and exposure data is provided to the medical department, for
entry into personnel records
Occupational Health Program
Shall be based upon Industrial Hygiene
recommendations. The installation or unit safety
office shall ensure that effected Marines are
entered in the appropriate Medical Surveillance
Program