Industrial hygiene is a term that directly relates to having a healthy workplace.  The objective of the industrial hygiene profession in mining, as well as other industries, is to prevent job-related illnesses in the workplace.

In CORESafety’s Module #13 (Occupational Health), you can find a section that addresses this topic. In addition, our latest infographic identifies the four basic principles of industrial hygiene that include – 1) Anticipation, 2) Recognition, 3) Evaluation and 4) Control of workplace health hazards.

Each principle attempts to answer specific questions about the work environment and the potential health hazards that may be present. They are arranged in a particular order because the effectiveness of each step depends on the successful completion of the previous step.

To better understand industrial hygiene, consider these definitions:

• Exposure is the dose of a harmful agent that a worker experiences.
• Toxicity refers to the potency of an agent or its inherent ability to cause harm.
• Risk is the probability of a hazard being realized.
• Risk Reduction and Risk Elimination are the ultimate goals of industrial hygiene.

To learn more about industrial hygiene, check out this information:

• CORESafety Module #13 – Industrial Hygiene: Standard Operating Procedures
• Mine Health and Safety Management Textbook– Ch. 19, Industrial Hygiene in Mining – Kelly F. Bailey, C.I.H. – Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. (SME)