Industrial Hygiene


Ontario Lung Association: Know the Symptoms of Work-related Asthma

"There's a common misconception about who's at risk. Many people think that occupations like miners and chemical workers are at high risk. But in fact, hairdressers, dental hygienists, industrial bakers and even teachers are at risk, too," said Dr. Susan Tarlo, a respirologist at the University of Toronto and a spokesperson for the Ontario Lung Association for World Asthma Day (May 5).

IH Community Weighs in on Potential Pandemic, Urges Preparation

"Planning for pandemic influenza is critical, and the business community must not delay in considering the impact of a pandemic and to adjust their company's employee health and safety plans accordingly," says AIHA President Lindsey Booher, CIH, CSP.

Steel Research Center Attains Star Status

The facility, which uses the latest technology to research and develop new steel production, processes, and methods, sometimes while working in high-temperature and gaseous environments, was honored for maintaining high employee health and safety standards.

a hallway with surfaces showing moisture buildup

Tracking Moisture with Surface RH

The significance of surface RH is that it "bridges the gap between HVAC people's understanding of humidity issues and their relationship to mold problems," consultant and author Lew Harriman says.

Nailing Down Safety

Because products used in a nail salon may be extremely flammable, no one should be allowed to smoke in the vicinity. As required by OSHA, employees should be provided training on hazard communication (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200) and on the proper storage and handling of flammable liquids (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106).

CCOHS Offers Free Webinars During NAOSH Week

All Webinars are free and take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern Time.



a nano image

New Developments in Nano Safety

The promise and potential hazard of nanotechnology are both being explored at a rapid pace, Acting NIOSH Director Christine M. Branche reported recently.

A Week in the Life of a Portable Gas Monitor

Here comes Pete. It looks like he'll be carrying me today. I'm the portable four-gas detector that Pete will use to monitor the air. I'll make sure he doesn't walk into a situation that puts him in danger of being caught in an explosion or being overcome by poisonous gases. It's a pretty important job. I'm in the business of saving lives, and I take it very seriously. If only everyone would treat me like what I do is that critical.

people working in a cold environment

A New Approach to Dressing for the Cold

For users, the key to the new ANSI/ISEA 201 standard is a label that will provide information to make garment selection based on the work environment and tasks.

Eyes On the Prize in Toronto

In the 10 years since the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists last held their annual conference and exposition in Toronto, the world has changed—often dramatically, more often subtly. One subtle change is that American attendees of AIHce 1999 did not have to carry their passports just to return home from the event, as they will for AIHce 2009, which convenes at the Toronto Convention Centre May 30 through June 4.

Working Safely with Beryllium Oxide

Beryllium is the fourth element in the periodic table. It comes right after lithium and before boron. It's a metal that looks like aluminum but is lighter and stronger. In ceramic form, beryllium oxide (BeO) conducts heat but not electricity and has the highest thermal conductivity of commercially available ceramics. It is used in everything from wireless base stations to satellites and advanced radar systems.

Crushed Fluorescents, Leaking Batteries Lead to Hazwaste Charges

"Mercury and lead can pose severe threats to people's health, so properly managing waste that contains them is of the utmost importance," said EPA Acting Regional Administrator George Pavlou.

OSHA Starts Combustible Dust Rulemaking

U.S. Labor Secretary Solis also announced OSHA is moving forward the proposed regulation governing workers' exposure to diacetyl food flavoring by convening a Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) panel May 5.

Solis Announces Diacetyl Panel Meeting

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis recently announced that OSHA will convene a Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) panel May 5 on a draft proposed rule on occupational exposure to diacetyl and food flavorings containing diacetyl.

NIOSH, Many Others Observe Workers Memorial Day

The day will be marked in Washington, D.C., and on six continents with candlelight vigils, conferences, and rallies calling to governments to pay more attention to occupational deaths and injuries.

Lack of Dust Masks, 33 Other Violations Found at Rubber Products Plant

Inspectors identified other hazards including locked exits, obstructed exit access, and an unmarked exit; lack of welding screens and personal protective equipment for welders; untrained forklift operators; excess carbon monoxide levels from forklifts; and numerous electrical safety deficiencies including exposed live electrical parts.

Tammy Miser, founder of United Support Memorial for Workplace Fatalities (www.usmwf.org)

ASSE's President, Memorial Founder Testifying Tomorrow

Taking place on 2009's Workers Memorial Day, the hearing by the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety has a strong lineup of witnesses -- including Tammy Miser, shown here -- who will describe the true cost of workplace fatalities.

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