Industrial Hygiene in Safety: How Are Companies Addressing This Overlooked Issue?

Industrial Hygiene: A Critical Component of Industrial Safety

Dear friends, we often have serious discussions on industrial safety. However, have you ever thought of industrial hygiene as a serious issue that forms part of industrial safety? How many industries have employed industrial hygienists so far? Do safety officers have exposure to industrial hygiene practices? In the absence of a hygienist, what can safety officers do about industrial hygiene? Can anyone bring out the issues related to industrial hygiene in your own industry and allow the forum to start a useful discussion?

Regards,
Kesava Pillai

Let me share my thoughts inline with your posting.

Industrial Hygiene as a Serious Issue

Have you ever thought of industrial hygiene as a serious issue and part of industrial safety? I have conducted a few assessments with teams for MNCs. In India, I have noticed that companies give very little importance to Industrial Hygiene. Now, in India, there is a growing awareness, especially among organizations in the pharmaceutical and F&B sectors, as they pursue international collaborations and undergo customer audits like PSCI audits. Pharmaceutical companies, in particular, need to focus on meeting industrial hygiene requirements, leading to the deployment of industrial hygienists.

Employment of Industrial Hygienists

How many industries have employed industrial hygienists so far? Perhaps only 2 to 3%. Even with market pressure, this percentage remains low, and many companies try to manage the situation as best as they can.

Exposure of Safety Officers to Industrial Hygiene Practices

Do safety officers have exposure to industrial hygiene practices? Generally, no. Most of them have basic knowledge and may attend one or two-day awareness courses to become self-proclaimed experts in the field.

Role of Safety Officers in the Absence of a Hygienist

In the absence of a hygienist, what can safety officers do about industrial hygiene? They can conduct checklist-based audits and seek assistance from external agencies for Industrial Hygiene Assessments, implementing the recommendations provided. However, there is limited scope for safety personnel to address industrial hygiene issues effectively.

Issues in Industrial Hygiene Practices

There are numerous issues at hand. For instance, I have observed employees in chemical companies taking tea breaks during work by standing in a corner of the shop floor without even washing their hands. Many such issues go unnoticed until they escalate into accidents, with organizations either turning a blind eye knowingly or unknowingly.

Thank you.