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indhygiene@liesch.com
Industrial hygiene is classically defined as the recognition, evaluation and control of occupational hazards. As a result, industrial hygiene is primarily concerned with chemical, noise, heat and radiation hazards. To determine if a hazard exists, our industrial hygiene personnel inspect our clients facilities, perform appropriate sampling/monitoring services and based on sampling tests, offer cost-effective solutions. Clients representing a wide variety of private and public sector workplaces have utilized our expertise.
Employee complaints of stuffiness, fatigue, eye irritation and headaches associated with the workplace are very common. In today's energy efficient world, buildings are made more airtight and individual control over one's environment (i.e. open windows) is less common. Businesses often reside in buildings that were not designed for their type of occupancy; operations frequently change without ventilation considerations. Conditions such as inadequate ventilation, heating and cooling issues, mold, vehicle and/or chemical odors, and water leaks can cause indoor air quality (IAQ) problems and trigger employee concerns and complaints.
SICK BUILDING SYNDROME OR BUILDING RELATED ILLNESS
Indoor air quality issues are commonly referred to as sick building syndrome (SBS) or building related illness (BRI). Sick building syndrome involves building occupants experiencing a wide range of non-specific symptoms including headaches, fatigue, and eye irritation. These common SBS complaints are often partially caused by stressors such as lack of temperature control, lighting, job stress, smoking policies, and overcrowding. BRI is generally a more serious situation in which the majority of occupants experience distinct symptoms with a direct cause, such as flue gas back-draft, or exposure to biological agents such as mold or bacteria.
At Liesch, our experienced specialists provide indoor air quality services, which are designed to assess real or perceived SBS or BRI complaints. We propose cost-effective solutions, as well as address potential indoor air quality issues in proposed construction or renovation of buildings by reviewing building design, materials, and project protocol.
- Biological Agent Sampling and Speciation
- Toxic and Irritant Gas Sampling
- Air Flow Measurement and Testing
- Mold Abatement Specifications and Owner Representation
- Indoor Air Quality Surveillance Testing
IAQ INVESTIGATIONS
Resolution of IAQ issues can contribute to a company's bottom line. Employees who are concerned about air quality or exhibit symptoms that may be related to IAQ are less apt to be productive workers. Indoor air quality concerns, in time, may result in poor morale and in some instances worker's compensation claims and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspections.
- Workplace Walk-Through Inspection
- Air Quality Monitoring & Sampling
- Questionnaire Surveys
- Ventilation System Review
- Employee Review
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION
Proactive planning for new or remodeled buildings is the best way to eliminate potential IAQ issues and concerns. We have provided IAQ services for a wide variety of clients and work place environments.
- Specifications Planning
- Ventilation Design
- Appropriate Filtration Recommendation
- Building Materials & Furnishing Review
OSHA COMPLIANCE
In addition to industrial hygiene services, Liesch can provide your organization with comprehensive safety consulting services directly applicable to OSHA compliance and reduction of accident and injury rates in the work place.
- OSHA Type Inspection
- Job Hazard Analysis
- Safety Committee Consulting
- Written Program Development
- Regulatory Resource
- Expert Witness Testimony
TRAINING & EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Liesch understands the importance of having a well-trained work force that knows how to work safely. Minimizing accidents and injuries on the job through training activities not only minimizes work injuries, but is good business as well, potentially lowering workers compensation costs and establishing a more stable workforce. Compliance with OSHA regulations usually requires employee training. Ironically, lack of safety training is one of the most common violations cited by OSHA.