When performing baseline industrial hygiene assessments, AirQuest follows the Department of Defense (DoD) Industrial Hygiene (IH) Exposure Assessment Model. This model is based on the model developed by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) for exposure assessments and serves as a continual process for the anticipation, identification, evaluation, and control of workplace hazards.
Industrial hygiene projects are executed in a methodical, professional manner. After the initial consultation, a specific methodology for the industrial hygiene concern is developed. With industrial hygiene consultations and assessments, our hygienists at AirQuest follow a thorough step-by-step process. These steps allow us to do our work correctly and provide you the best results that you demand. Assessments follow the AIHA protocol. AirQuest will provide all necessary testing equipment to ensure accurate data.
When conducting an industrial hygiene assessment, AirQuest will work with your team to perform the following tasks:
- Survey Preparation – In this beginning phase, we will gather assets necessary to be successful for the industrial hygiene assessment. Required information about the site will include detailed operations, a list of processes performed, building layouts, documentation on ventilation systems, noise sources, and other information that will help our industrial hygienists be successful. We then take this information and prepare appointments, forms, plans of action, and datasheets for future reporting management of the site.
- Interviews – A meeting will take place between you and our industrial hygienist to review the scope of work, identify concerns, solidify priorities to acquire information, and discuss access procedures that will take place.
- Walk Through – The walkthrough requires the entire field team to be present in order to effectively identify potential problem areas. This stage also allows our professionals to have a clear understanding of the facilities, processes, ventilation equipment, and noise sources to facilitate the workplace assessment.
- Workplace Exposure Assessment – Conducted by a project manager, the goal of the exposure assessment will be to establish similar exposure groups (SEGs) based on similar exposures (type, concentration, duration) and workplace (process, shops, etc.). Sufficiently detailed documentation will be produced to support the Workplace Monitoring Plan which can include but is not limited to: hazardous operating characteristics, existing controls, and available emissions data for your team to keep on hand.
- Noise Measurements – Collected with a noise dosimeter or sound level meter, the industrial hygienist will identify potential risks that affect hearing. After measurements are taken and the data is reviewed, we will provide suggestions for appropriate hearing protection.
- Ventilation Measurements – Controlling airborne contaminants is an important aspect of industrial hygiene. We apply in-depth testing to ensure proper ventilation is applied within the space to ensure the safety of those who conduct day-to-day work.
- Field Measurements – Our industrial hygienists will conduct testing on relative humidity, temperature, carbon dioxide and monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and respirable particulates through real-time digital displays in efforts to find suspected sources of contamination.
Workplace Monitoring Plan & Implementation – Developed by a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), this plan includes detailed results of the assessment. The Workplace Monitoring Plan is used to characterize, assess, and control exposures which are reported, recorded, and periodically re-evaluated.