Industrial Hygiene

Biosafety

Hearing Conservation

The ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Hearing Conservation Program covers all employees who are exposed to hazardous levels of noise in their workplace.  The OSHA Hearing Conservation Standard () defines hazardous noise as any sound level greater than 90 decibels.  Employees who are routinely exposed to noise in excess of 85 decibels measured as an 8-hour time-weighted average are enrolled in the ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Hearing Conservation Program.

EHSRM can provide sound level testing and dosimetry services to employees who are concerned about hazardous noise exposure in their workplace.  Contact the industrial hygienist for assistance.

The ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Hearing Conservation Program provides enrolled employees with the following services:

  1. An initial (baseline) audiogram
  2. Training
  3. Assistance in selecting suitable hearing protection
  4. Annual audiograms
  5. Fit-testing of ear plugs
  6. Consultation services

Indoor Air Quality

If you are experiencing discomfort from the air quality in your building contact the industrial hygienist and we'll conduct an evaluation, collect samples if necessary, and make recommendations based on the results.

We have several instruments to monitor IAQ. Our instruments can measure or sample for:

  • Carbon monoxide (CO)
  • Mold
  • Carbon dioxide (CO2)
  • Temperature
  • Airborne particles
  • Humidity
  • Volatile Organic Compounds

Lab Safety

Occupational Health Services

Certain workers are required under the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) to have physicals, vaccinations, etc., depending on various exposures they may have. Please contact the Industrial Hygienist at 907-474-6771 if you have questions, or to request authorization for occupational health services.

Below are examples of workers who may require occupational health services:

  • Firefighters
  • Personnel working with animals
  • Researchers working in remote locations (villages or in the field)
  • Researchers who need vaccinations or travel consultations for traveling to remote field locations with certain infectious disease risks (i.e., malaria, Yellow Fever).
  • Respirator users
  • Scientific divers
  • Workers exposed to noise in excess of 85 dBA for 8 hours or more
  • Workers with exposure to: bloodborne pathogens, lead, asbestos, silica, or other specially-regulated OSHA exposures.

Radiation Safety

Users of radioactive sources or materials for any purpose must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, university policies, and radiation safety procedures. These requirements are incorporated into the ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Radiation Safety Program. There are several requirements which must be fulfilled before ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ personnel may acquire, transport, use, or dispose of any radioactive source or material. 
Persons wishing to become an Authorized or Supervised User of radioactive materials should contact the ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). The RSO will review the request and provide the necessary documents, including applications, exams, and copies of the Radiation Safety Manual and Authorized User’s Recordbook.  All users must demonstrate knowledge of radioactive materials and their hazards, and may be required to take radiation safety training in order to meet this requirement. 
Persons wishing to purchase a piece of equipment that emits x-rays (XRD, XRF, CT scanner, electron microscope, etc.) must register the device with the State of ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ and pay an annual registration fee. Contact the RSO for more information. 

Respiratory Protection

The respiratory protection program is governed by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) under .  Employees who wear a respirator must be medically-evaluated, fit-tested, and trained prior to use.  The ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ industrial hygienist can assist with these requirements, as well as help determine which type of respirator and which type of cartridges are necessary for your particular task.  Contact the ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ industrial hygienist for assistance before purchasing a respirator or beginning any operation where you feel respiratory protection might be necessary.