16.7. Occupational Hygiene: Environmental monitoring

Occupational hygiene is a fundamental area of ​​work safety, focused on preventing diseases and promoting the health of workers. This discipline is concerned with the identification, evaluation and control of environmental factors that can cause illness or discomfort to workers. Environmental monitoring is an essential tool in this field, as it allows the detection and quantification of potentially harmful substances in the work environment.

Environmental monitoring in occupational hygiene involves the collection and analysis of samples of air, water, soil and surfaces to identify and quantify the presence of chemical, physical and biological substances that can affect the health of workers. This process is critical for identifying health risks, evaluating the effectiveness of existing control measures, and developing additional prevention and control strategies.

There are several techniques and methods used in environmental monitoring in occupational hygiene. For example, air sampling can be performed using air sampling pumps, which collect air samples into a filter or other collection medium for later analysis. Sample analysis can be performed using a variety of techniques, including atomic absorption spectroscopy, gas chromatography, and mass spectrometry.

In addition, environmental monitoring can also involve measuring physical factors such as noise, vibration, radiation, and temperature. These can be measured using a variety of instruments, including sound level meters, accelerometers, radiation meters and thermometers.

Environmental monitoring in occupational hygiene is not a single activity. Rather, it is an ongoing process that must be performed regularly to ensure that exposure levels do not exceed occupational exposure limits and to assess the effectiveness of control measures. In addition, environmental monitoring may also be necessary when there is a change in the work process, when new chemicals are introduced into the workplace, or when there is an incident or accident that may have released hazardous substances into the work environment.

In conclusion, environmental monitoring is a crucial tool in occupational hygiene to protect the health and safety of workers. It provides valuable information about health risks in the workplace and helps to develop and implement effective control measures. It is therefore essential that workplace safety professionals have a solid understanding of environmental monitoring and how it can be used to improve safety and health in the workplace.

This course will provide a comprehensive overview of environmental monitoring in occupational hygiene, including the basic principles, the techniques and methods used, the interpretation of results and the application of the information obtained for the prevention and control of occupational diseases. Through this course, you will gain the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively implement environmental monitoring in your workplace and contribute to the promotion of workers' health and safety.

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