Industrial Hygiene Services
The field of Industrial Hygiene is a science and art devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation/prevention, and control of those environmental factors or stresses affecting or contributing to sickness, impaired health or significant discomfort among workers or citizens of the community. A professional industrial hygienist (IH) is a person possessing a baccalau
reate degree in engineering, chemistry, physics, or a closely related biological or physical science from an accredited college or university with more than three years' experience in the field. All of our Industrial Hygienist exceed the AIHA definition of a Professional Industrial Hygienist
Typical roles of our industrial hygienist include:
• Investigating and examining the workplace for hazards and potential dangers
• Making recommendations on improving the safety of workers and the surrounding community.
• Conducting scientific research to provide data on possible harmful conditions in the workplace.
• Developing techniques to anticipate and control potentially dangerous situations in the workplace and the community.
• Training and educating the community about job-related risks.
• Advising government officials and participating in the development of regulations to ensure the health and safety of workers and their families.
• Ensuring that workers are properly following health and safety procedures. Some of our services include:
• Indoor air quality (sick building syndrome, microbial investigations)
• Evaluating and controlling environmental lead and asbestos exposure
• Emergency response planning and community right-to-know
• Potentially hazardous agents such as asbestos, pesticides, and radon gas
• Cumulative Trauma Disorders (repetitive stress injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome)
• Worker Exposure (re-enactments)
• Evaluation of exposure to chemical and physical agents
• Detection and control of potential occupational hazards such as noise, radiation, and illumination
A more detailed description of popular services are provided below
Microbial and Moisture investigations
Mold and moisture in building is not a new phenomenon. Molds are ubiquitous, that is they can be found almost anywhere. Molds can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. Molds like other living organisms need three basic things to survive.
1) They need food, molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods, and insulation.
2) They need moisture "water". Some molds need a lot of moisture and some can survive in a low moisture environments.
3) Molds need shelter from air currents and harsh environments. When molds accumulates in buildings or on building materials under favorable environmental conditions, mold growth will often occur. This is especially true if a moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. Areas that have chronic excessive moisture tend to favor Xerophilic (water loving) molds. Many of these molds, such as Stachybotrys chartarum, also called Stachybotrys atra, have been immortalized in the press. In reality, molds are molds. All molds have the potential to cause varying degrees of health effects. Molds can produce allergens that can trigger allergic reactions or even asthma attacks in people allergic to mold. Others are known to produce potent toxins and/or irritants. Some mold toxins are used as antibiotics in medicine, others may have potential adverse health concerns. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture indoors. Safety Health West's approach starts from a fundamental understanding of the building, and the people inside the building.
1) We begin by performing an inspection of the indoor environment for visible evidence of moisture intrusion and suspect fungal (Mold) growth.
2) Our skilled professionals understand construction methods, construction materials and general building technology, including ventilation systems.
3) Our inspection is designed to provide technical assistance to our clients which allows them to make informed decision on how best to meet their due diligence requirements.
4) All microbial-moisture inspections are performed under the direction of an ACAC Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC). Our services include visual inspections, with or without surface and/or air sampling for microbial agents as deemed appropriate, sample analysis and relevant recommendations for remedial action as indicated. Asbestos & Lead Surveys & Related Services
Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring minerals that are resistant to chemicals, heat and corrosion. Asbestos fibers are known to have been used in products, such as insulation for pipes and air ducts, roofing products, floor tiles, gypsum wallboard, tape and joint compound and many other common building materials. Asbestos was also used in respirator filters (WW1) and cigarette filters (1950's). Asbestos types includes the mineral fibers chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, actinolite. In the 1989 the EPA attempted a total ban, under Section 6 of Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), on the use of asbestos in products for manufacture, importation and exportation to be gradually phased in over a six-year period with a few exemptions. However, in 1991, this rule was vacated and remanded by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect, creating one of the world’s largest free trade zones and laying the foundations for strong economic growth and rising prosperity for Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Unfortunately, it also allow for unrestricted trade, including inexpensive building materials that contained low concentrations of asbestos. At Safety Health West, we help our clients comply with Lead Base Paint and Asbestos regulations. We provide technical insight and assistance to help them meet their due diligence requirements. (Local, State and OSHA). Our state certified asbestos and lead based paint inspectors have extensive experience in performing this work in California and Arizona. Indoor Air Quality
In an effort to build increasingly structure (AKA Homes…) to protect himself from the elements man has created a box that can potentially hold various environmental hazards. Earlier boxes were constructed to breath, thus were not energy efficient. In an effort to FIX this, man redesigned these boxes to minimize energy loss and thus consumption. Man's energy efficient building "Tight Building" creation did save energy costs, however, it came with an unintended problems. In tight buildings which have ventilation system deficiencies and/or moisture intrusion often experience increased concentrations of dust, pollen and gases within the interior spaces of the building and permitted the growth of molds and/or fungi as well as. Therefore by shielding ourselves from the outside environment, we have created an inside environment with a whole new set of problems. To understand this delicate and fragile interrelationship and interdependence between the indoor and the outdoor environment, building owners and managers need to view the building as a “habitat” or an “ecosystem.”
1) Safety Health West's approach to resolving indoor air quality issues starts from a fundamental understanding of the building, and the people inside the building.
2) We begin by performing an inspection of the indoor environment for visible evidence of moisture intrusion and suspect fungal (Mold) growth.
3) Our skilled professionals understand construction methods, construction materials and general building technology, including ventilation systems.
4) Our inspection is designed to provide technical assistance to our clients which allows them to make informed decision on how best to meet their due diligence requirements.
5) All microbial-moisture inspections are performed under the direction of an ACAC Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC). Our services include visual inspections, ventilation assessment, air sampling (biologics, air toxics, chemical), sample analysis and recommendations for air quality improvement from a holistic, comprehensive point of view. Noise and Acoustics
Noise is technically any perceivable sound that is audible. However, in the regulatory world the legal definition of noise is any unwanted sound. In contrast music is not generally considered to be noise even though it may be loud, because it is wanted by an individual. When unwanted sound is in the work place and is at a level which can have a negative impact on workers then companies need to take appropriate action to reduce or eliminate it. Whether this noise is originating from transportation, industrial, commercial or other sources, noise can significantly and adversely affect human health and the environment. Our scientists offer a full range of environmental noise consulting services to assist both industry and government in addressing and managing environmental noise challenges. We work closely with our clients to deliver an integrated solution tailored to their noise issues.
