Human Vibration Surveys

Employee exposure to vibration occurs in many work settings. Human vibration generally falls into two categories, namely, whole body vibration and hand arm vibration.

Whole body vibration occurs when transmission of vibration takes place through a broad body contact area. such vibration may be transmitted through the feet, buttocks or the whole body.  Sources of whole body vibration include:

  • heavy construction
  • forklifts
  • vehicles and
  • farming

 Negative health effects associated with whole body vibration include:

  • fatigue
  • lower back pain
  • vision problems
  • interference with or irritation of the lungs, abdomen, or bladder and
  • adverse health effects to the digestive , genital / urinary and female reproductive systems.

Hand arm vibration occurs when vibration is transmitted to the hand and arm when hand held power tools and hand guided equipment are used. It may also occur when holding materials being processed by machines.

It is therefore, essential that vibration exposure assessments are made. This includes assessment of effects on whole body and hand arm vibration, from use of heavy machinery and equipment. It can be achieved with the use of human vibration meters. The aim should be to eliminate or minimize employee exposure to vibration. 

Indoor Air Quality Assessments

Many workers spend most of their time indoors. Therefore, their long term health and comfort are quite dependent upon indoor air quality testing. Testing of the conditions that maximize worker productivity and save energy is therefore essential. Some of the parameters of indoor air quality are the temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

Various instruments can be used to measure the parameters mentioned above. It is also important the evaluation of the quality of air supplied to airline respirators is conducted. Also included in the services, is monitoring concentration of gases including oxygen, combustible gases, and toxic gases.

 

Noise Exposure Assessments

Noise is an unwanted or damaging sound that my have the following health effect to the exposed employee:

  • damage to hearing and
  • cause other health effects like stress, hypersensitivity to noise, increased blood pressure and increased heart rate.
  • interference with communication which could lead to accidents.

With the use of sound level meters, our occupational hygiene team is in an ideal position to quantify the amount of noise at your workplace. This will allow zoning of noisy areas for hearing conservation and for the implementation of noise reduction programs, which include the revision of engineering processes.

We can also determine the exact amount that an employees is personally exposed to during his or hear work shift. This is achieved by means of personal noise dosimeters that we affix to the employee. We will be able to advise you on the suitability of hearing protection that is in place  and advise on hearing conservation programs.

Thermal Comfort Assessment

Cold stress results when the body is not able to warm itself. Cold stress may result in tissue damage and may result in death. Factors that contribute to cold stress include cold air temperatures, high air movement, dampness of the air, and contact with cold water surfaces. Common cold induced problems include:

  • hypothermia, a serious health condition that occurs when the body heat is lost faster than it can be replaced. The exposed worker may begin to shiver and stomp their feet in order to generate heat. they may lose coordination, have slurred speech, and fumble with items in the hand. As a result the skin may become pale and cold. Anyone working in a cold environment may be at risk for cold stress.
  • Frostbite, occurs when the skin actually freezes and loses water. IN some severe cases, this may result in amputation of the frostbitten area. Frostbite generally affects the extremities, especially the feet and hands. These areas will be cold, tingling, stinging or aching which is followed by numbness. 

Heat stress is induced when employees are involved in operations with high temperatures, radiant heat sources, high humidity, direct contact with hot objects or strenuous physical activities. Such activities are typically found in iron and steel foundries, nonferrous foundries, brick firing and ceramic plants, glass products facilities, rubber products factories, electrical utilities (e.g., boiler rooms), bakeries, confectioneries, commercial kitchens, laundries, food canneries, chemical plants, mining sites, smelters, and steam tunnels.

Other activities that may expose employees to heat stress include outdoor operations that are conducted in hot weather (e.g., construction, refining, asbestos removal, and hazardous waste site activities, especially that that require workers to wear semipermeable or impermeable protective clothing. Heat disorders include:

  • Heat stroke which occurs when the body's system of temperature regulation fails and body temperature rises to critical levels.
  • Heat exhaustion which has signs and symptoms of headache, nausea, vertigo, weakness, thirst, and giddiness.
  • Heat cramps, usually caused by performing hard physical labour in hot environments.
  • Heat collapse / fainting whereby the brain does not receive enough oxygen because of blood pols n the extremities.
  • Heat rashes manifested as red papules and usually appears in areas where the clothing is restrictive.
  • Heat fatigue which predisposes an employee to heat fatigue.

Cold stress and heat stress measurements are conducted by means of a WBGT meter.