Industrial Hygiene in Construction

Here in the Northwest, rock crushing definately has a season…and that season is now. Road crews are getting set up and now is the time to make sure you get everything is in order…before the MSHA inspector shows up.

Below is my safety punch-list, specific to industrial hygiene:

• Training – I know it’s required for MSHA sites, but double check. Does everyone have it? What about contractors onsite?
• Water controls working & in place? The dust isn’t bad, yet.
• Air monitoring for silica – done it yet? Are you at a new location? New part of the quarry? Better do it again.
• Miner’s hearing checked (audiogram taken?). Anyone with a threshold shift? Make sure you follow up with another test.
• Are the air conditioning units working in the vehicles? – if they’re not= the windows will be down = noise levels WILL be up.
• Noise monitoring (dosimetry) performed 8-hour time weighted averages? If you don’t do it, MSHA will (maybe will be citation too).
• Is your shop done hardfacing the equipment? see my earlier post here.
• Paperwork in order?

Be safe out there!

1. To better understand the levels of exposure(s).

•  avoid possible exposures to employees, document the non-exposure, show how safely you can perform the work

2. To save $.

• Avoid OSHA fines, worker compensation claims, avoid lawsuits, reduce liability

3. To go “Green”.

• reduce airborne emissions, remove harmful chemicals from the environment & employees, recycle & reuse emissions

4. To increase employee morale.

• investigate employee concerns, change environmental conditions to avoid exposures, increase employee involvement, reduce disgruntlement

5. Increase efficiency.

• doing the job right-the first time, less overhead, better prepared for the project and future projects