Industrial hygiene is the science of protecting workers' health through the control of the work environment The Eastern New York Occupational & Environmental Health Center has on staff a certified Industrial Hygienist with many years of practical "real life" experience.

OEHC in Action >> A small manufacturing company that makes plastic products, requested the Center evaluate its' production process and to conduct a worker education program. The company was about to lose its workers' compensation insurance coverage because the company had a high rate of back injuries and other repetitive strain injuries. We conducted a site evaluation and made recommendations made included job sharing (training two people for each job), adding leaning/standing stools for assembly line workers and simple ergonomic changes to production machinery. Workers were also given several ergonomic training classes to help identify the early onset of ergonomic problems, stretching and stress-relieving exercises and learning how to respond to symptoms of common repetitive strain injuries. The company implemented the recommendations, and as a result, injuries decreased and their workers' compensation cases were significantly reduced.

Industrial Hygiene Services focus on:

• Workplace ergonomics
• Evaluation of toxic effects of chemicals
• Evaluation of effects of physical agents – noise, heat cold, vibration

The Industrial Hygienist, through a site visit, can:

• Identify health & safety problems in the workplace
• Do worksite sampling for exposure levels for lead, asbestos, silica, mold and noise
• Develop and /or recommend corrective measures to eliminate hazards and prevent future problems.
• Assist in developing mandated health & safety programs
• Consult on design of engineering controls and work practices
• Interpret material safety data sheets (MSDS)