We just completed an Industrial Hygiene project – chemical monitoring for a client. It wasn’t just the tasks we performed, but the perspective that guided those tasks – the “Hows” not just the “Whats.”
The monitoring results were extremely low or non-detectable exposure, which is good. The report started out this way, but here’s what we learned and observed while monitoring:
- Employees had concerns that had been voiced over time.
- The company listened and attempted ventilation through fans.
- Employees had developed their own procedures to reduce their exposure.
- At the end of monitoring, our employee observed the product on safety glasses.
- Standard vinyl gloves were worn.
- All involved also noted a nuisance odor and mild irritation.
- The work requires standing on concrete floors for several hours.
Although the results were well within permissible parts per million, consider the hierarchy of controls and what recommendations would you make from our observations?
We came up with:
- Substitutions for the chemical: several had been tried and did not work for what was needed.
- Better engineering controls would help, and recommendations were made.
- Administrative controls suggested were to document the procedure employees used and train all employees on the safest application developed.
- Personal protective equipment recommendations included,
- nitrile gloves that do not hinder dexterity, but would provide better resistance, even though the nitrile gloves may still need to be changed frequently.
- face shields until engineering controls can be implemented.
- voluntary respirators according to the OSHA requirements.
- Last, but not least, slip resistant anti-fatigue mats.
Our approach is not defined by just the tasks or services performed. Using the ‘collective we’ – it is important to remember that it is not just what we do that matters, but how we do it that is the most valuable. The greatest benefit is not performing our assigned tasks well but is in the broader perspective that frames those tasks.
For that perspective, sometimes all it takes is an outside pair of eyes to observe the situation. You can do this internally by asking employees from a different department to assist. Or it can also be a pause before performing tasks to remember and think about the purpose and intention.
And of course, safety programs are also not about compliance alone (preventing an exposure in this instance) but consideration of the culture, the systems, and all the determining factors that contribute to ensuring a safe and well workplace.
Photo by Hoi An and Da Nang Photographer on Unsplash