Client Description: Energy Provider
The internal health and safety policies of this energy provider included a requirement that periodic qualitative assessments be performed at each of their power plants, and HygieneTech provided such service at four separate power plant locations in Latin America. At each site, basic characterizations of operations were made and exposure evaluations were performed using a Health Effect Rating system, an Exposure Degree Rating Chart, a Potential Health Risk Rating Matrix Chart, an Information Uncertainty Ratings Chart, an Information Gathering Priority Rating Chart, and an Exposure Management algorithm. Among the stressors were various hydrocarbon fuels and oils, corrosives, toxic and asphyxiating gases, metal fume, asbestos, nuisance and toxic dusts, electromagnetic and radio frequency fields, ionizing radiation, bloodborne pathogens, vibration, temperature extremes, and both continuous and impact noise.
Qualitative surveys were performed in every department within each of the four power plants, at which time observations regarding employee work practices were documented, chemical use was determined, other exposure potentials were assessed (sometimes assessed, in part, with the use of a photoionization detector), engineering controls were evaluated, and the appropriateness of the use of personal protective equipment by employees was assessed.
Conclusions and recommendations were made concerning a wide variety of issues, including heat stress potentials during typical operations. heat stress first aid, the frequency of heat stress monitoring, noise exposure monitoring, hearing conservation programs, industrial hygiene sampling and monitoring strategies, medical surveillance programs, employee training, respiratory protection, ergonomics, recordkeeping, office indoor air quality, and follow up qualitative assessment schedules.
Cursory indoor air quality surveys were performed in two office environments, during which direct-reading instruments were used to evaluate the HVAC systems, and determine airborne concentrations of formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ozone, and total volatile organic compound solvents.
