Industrial Hygiene & Health
Occupational health and industrial hygiene (IH) are interdisciplinary fields focused on anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, controlling, and confirming (ARECC) workplace hazards to protect worker health and well-being. These fields address chemical, physical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial stressors that can cause injury or illness. Industrial hygienists use monitoring and engineering controls to prevent long-term health decline.
Key Aspects of Industrial Hygiene (IH)
Definition: Often used interchangeably with occupational hygiene, IH is the science and art of protecting workers and community members from environmental hazards.
The ARECC Process: This framework involves:
Anticipation: Identifying potential hazards before they occur.
Recognition: Identifying specific chemical, physical, or biological hazards.
Evaluation: Measuring exposure levels using sampling and monitoring tools to determine risk.
Control: Implementing solutions such as engineering, administrative, or personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce exposure.
Confirmation: Verifying that controls are effective.
