Workplace Exposure Monitoring
In the workplace it is not uncommon to find noise, dust, vibration hazards and, in general, working conditions that can negatively affect the health of employees. It is therefore essential to identify, quantify, and control physical, chemical, and biological risk factors to ensure a healthy and productive working environment. Our OH&S consultants undertake the appropriate workplace exposure monitoring, tests, and sample analyses to establish fitting preventive measures and controls. Exposure and risk assessments are done using certified instrumentation, which includes direct-reading instruments, sampling pumps, and stationary monitoring devices, among others. Our direct-read instruments give immediate data, and include indicators such as gas detector tubes and electronic devices such as gas monitors and particle counters. Securitas Consulting workplace exposure monitoring briefs are backed by our OH&S corporate license and our licensed professionals.
We perform the following exposure monitorings:
- Niveles de presión sonora por sonometría evaluación del ruido dentro de las áreas de trabajo, así como del ruido ambiental. Las mediciones se realizan con un barrido de bandas de octava y tercios de octava para definir las medidas de intervención requeridas, como controles de ingeniería y los elementos de protección personal (EPP) para los trabajadores.
- Iluminación: evaluación de la iluminación en ambientes laborales mediante luxómetro con el objetivo de establecer los niveles óptimos y las adecuaciones necesarias a partir de las actividades realizadas por los trabajadores en sus puestos de trabajo.
- Gases y vapores: evaluación de los gases y los vapores en el lugar de trabajo utilizando la metodología de muestreo y análisis, conforme con los protocolos de higiene laboral correspondientes y con el objetivo de confirmar la presencia de sustancias identificadas como potencialmente riesgosas (p. ej. CO2, CO, etc.).
- Temperatura: evaluación del ambiente térmico y el estrés térmico que se presenta en un espacio determinado. Utilizando los instrumentos establecidos para este tipo de mediciones (i.e. termómetros de bulbo seco y de bulbo húmedo, así como herramientas para la medición de la velocidad del aire) se determina si el clima en el lugar de trabajo es adecuado y en caso de que las mediciones estén por fuera de la zona de bienestar se establecen medidas de control.
- Material particulado: evaluación de los niveles de material particulado presentes en los ambientes de trabajo a partir de muestreos gravimétricos. Con base en las mediciones realizadas y a partir de los márgenes de tolerancia y los límites permisibles se establecen objetivos de reducción para que dichas partículas no tengan efectos nocivos en la salud, particularmente en el desarrollo de síntomas respiratorios.
- Radiaciones no ionizantes: evaluación de las radiaciones no ionizantes de acuerdo a su frecuencia. En el evento de que sean requeridos se determinan el campo eléctrico, el campo magnético y la potencia en casos específicos de estudio, con el objetivo de minimizar los efectos biológicos en las personas.
Acoustic measurements
Noise level monitoring in the workplace is done using sound level meters, which enable us to undertake noise pollution studies to quantify different sorts of noise, primarily industrial, aircraft and mining noise. The IEC 61672-1:2012 is the international standard that establishes the sound level meter functionality and performance, which we use to define any engineering controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers that may be required.
Illuminance
We monitor light levels at facilities using light level meters as per standard test methods. Our consultants carry out illumination studies and risk assessments in order to recommend the right level of light comfortable for a person in an office, manufacturing or production area, and improve employees' safety. Thus appropriate recommendations are provided for the areas where low lux is observed.
Gases and organic vapors
Gas monitoring and testing must be part of any safety procedure where there is a potential exposure to hazardous atmospheres. For organic vapors and gases, solid sorbent sampling tubes are used with charcoal and other sorbents. We monitor gases and organic vapors in the work environment by collecting samples and analyzing them, taking into account the appropriate occupational hygiene protocols with the aim of establishing the presence of gases, such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), oxygen (O2) and the lower explosive limits (LEL) of combustible gases.
Thermal comfort
The firm helps our clients manage the temperature in their workplace in order to guarantee the thermal comfort of employees. We use the instruments required for this type of measurements (i.e. dry-bulb and wet-bulb thermometers, as well as tools for measuring air speed) in order to determine whether the temperature and thermal comfort are suitable. If the measurements are outside the comfort zone, control measures, such as local heating or cooling, heating systems, and additional facilities, e.g. cold water dispensers, may be required.
Particulates
For particulates, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) filters are used for sample collection in order to undertake gravimetric analyses. Based on the measurements made and the tolerance margins and permissible limits, reduction targets are set so that particulates do not have harmful effects on the health of coworkers, primarily with regards to their respiratory symptoms. Our sampling distinguishes between total, inhalable, thoracic, and respirable dust.
Non-ionizing radiation
Monitoring of non-ionizing radiation is done by identification of the hazard and assessment of the associated risk. Whenever necessary, electric fields, magnetic fields and power are measured. We ensure employers identify and label all sources of electro-magnetic radiation (EMR) and monitoring of emissions and checks on workers' exposure levels are undertaken. If it is deemed to be required, we introduce measures to reduce electromagnetic field (EMF) exposures, such as labeling existing sources of EMR, grounding sources of electrical fields, shielding UV sources by glass filters, use of lower EMF designs, etc.
