Occupational Hygiene

Occupational hygiene plays a key role in the protection of employees' health. The IOM, from its Edinburgh HQ and from our regional offices in Chesterfield, London and Stafford, helps many employers assess and control exposure of their workforce to hazardous chemicals and physical agents including noise and vibration. This includes undertaking measurement surveys, interpreting the data and advising on the best methods of control. We are also able to help clients to successfully develop and implement Health and Safety Management policies and procedures.

Our qualified, experienced occupational hygienists have experience of a wide variety of industries and understand the specific problems of different sectors. We also have a special understanding of the Regulators' perspective. We work closely with the Health and Safety Executive within our Research Division and have a former Principal Inspector for the Health and Safety Executive amongst our associates.

We have UKAS accreditation for monitoring work place air and for the analysis of occupational hygiene samples (see Analytical Laboratory) and this, together with the professionalism and experience of our staff, provides clients with increased assurance of the quality of our advice and the results of our measurement surveys.

Our occupational hygiene services include:

• Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) thorough examination and testing

  Where LEV is used to control exposure to hazardous substances it must be maintained to ensure adequate capture and removal. Regular checks should be carried out by the user but a thorough examination and test must be carried out every 14 months, in compliance with Regulation 9 of the COSHH Regulations.

  IOM occupational hygienists can carry out the required tests applying the guidance given in HSG 258 'Controlling airborne contaminants at work.' in conjunction with their training, experience and knowledge. The tests measure the effectiveness of the system to capture and remove hazardous substances, i.e. successfully controlling workers' exposure. The examination will also identify any significant faults which require remedial action.

  IOM can assist you compile a user manual for existing systems describing how the LEV is designed to control and how this can be achieved. We can also help create a log book which should be used to keep records of the regular checks and any maintenance and repairs carried out on the system.

• Hospital Theatre Validation and Microbiological Monitoring

  IOM's specialist validation team are expert in the testing of both standard and ultra-clean theatres and are at the forefront in the battle to control airborne infection in hospitals in both the public and private sectors, ranging from single-theatre hospitals to hospitals with over 20 theatres.

  IOM can carry out the validation and annual verification of these ventilation systems - a principal requirement of HTM03-01 and HTM 2025 - relating to the design and testing of hospital ventilation systems for critical areas including:

  • Operating theatre suites.
  • Sterile service departments

  Providing UK coverage from our Stafford office and managed by Jerry Slann, a chartered engineer with extensive knowledge and expertise in the sector, we will ensure the necessary validation work is carried out to fit in with your tight theatre schedules. The key tasks undertaken are airflow measurements, pressure cascades, particle counting and microbiological sampling.

  New and old systems vary in complexity and any design or performance shortcomings can have potentially serious consequences in the battle to control airborne infection. Under-resourced and overworked hospital engineers, theatre managers and infection control departments can reply upon assistance from IOM to comply with HTM03-01and HTM2025

• Hand-arm and Whole-body Vibration
  
• Occupational noise monitoring, assessments and control
• COSHH assessments
• Chemical risk assessment
• COSHH Monitoring and Assessments of Dusts, Fumes, Gases and vapours
• Health and safety management, including general risk assessments for Management Regulations
• Policy development and implementation planning
• Training to professional qualifications
• Bespoke training courses for management and workforces
• Compliance and gap audits
• Respirator face fit testing
• Indoor air Quality (IAQ) surveys and assessments
  • The definition of the criteria for an acceptable indoor air environment must take account of the health impacts attributable to the range of potential air contaminants as well as the physical parameters of the environment.
  • Temperature, humidity, drafts and a wide range of contaminants such as organic or inorganic gases, infectious micro organisms, other biological agents and non-biological particles and fibres are among some of the factors implicated in creating an environment not conducive to good employee wellbeing.
• Legionella Risk Assessments
  • Legionella bacteria are found in many naturally occurring water systems such as streams and lakes but if they grow within water supply systems such as are present in residential buildings, factories, offices and other places of work, they can present a risk. Should such contaminated water become airborne e.g. as an aerosol, exposed persons may develop Legionnaires' Disease or associated conditions.
  • There is a legal requirement to assess your water systems and determine the level of associated risk. This is particularly important where more vulnerable persons may be present, e.g. in social housing .The assessment should include identifying and assessing sources of risk; preparing a scheme to prevent or control risk; a review of the water systems, and implementing, managing and monitoring the precautionary measures.
  • IOM can provide the above services and advise on the appropriate management procedures and requirement to keep records through:
    • L8 compliant Legionella Risk Assessments
    • Legionella Surveys
    • Legionella Management Policy
    • Water Testing
    • Training
• Moulds and yeasts
  • Fungi grow as moulds or yeasts and can be present in many buildings, mainly where the environment is damp. While exposure for many persons will cause no ill health some fungi may cause allergic or toxic reactions or infections in susceptible individuals. Inhalation of fungal spores can also aggravate existing conditions.
  • Mould growth predominates from water damage, condensation, leaks, or in the presence of high humidity. When such damaged building materials are disturbed the spores are released and become airborne. Release of fungi during demolition of buildings is a recognised source of contamination.
  • If you are concerned about the presence of mould IOM can inspect the area, including air handling units, and advise on remedial measures. If appropriate, air sampling and surface monitoring can be carried out to determine the nature and presence of the fungi, in particular to demonstrate the effectiveness of any remedial action. Recommendations are based on the number of spores present in doors and the type of fungi found compared with the external environment.
• Animal allergens
  • Individuals working with laboratory animals may experience allergies resulting from exposure to animal‚Äôs dander, urine, saliva, serum, or other body tissues. Symptoms can range from the mild (e.g. itchy or runny nose and eyes) to the severe (e.g. shortness of breath or red, itchy wheals on skin) and exposed individuals can develop asthma. In some instances those affected have to leave the industry to prevent further exposure.
  • IOM can carry out monitoring surveys to determine exposure within the workplace and during specific activities, e.g. cage cleaning. Recommendations for remedial action are made from interpretation of the results and review of detailed observations taken during the survey.
• Environmental noise assessments
• Reviews of current practice
• Practical and strategic advice
• Expert witness services

Our occupational hygiene services are supported by our specialist in-house laboratory which has extensive UKAS accreditations for chemical, metal and mineral analysis. Our occupational hygienists are also able to call on our occupational health professionals for assistance as and when required.