University of Alberta
SPH 521 Occupational Hygiene Course Guide for Winter 2017
Occupational Hygiene Wednesday, 1:00 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. Room ECHA 1-125
Instructor: Bernadette Quémerais, PhD 780-492-3240
[email protected] 1-73B HMRC
Course Description
The course is designed to introduce students to some of the fundamental concepts of occupational hygiene: anticipating and recognizing hazards in the workplace, exposure assessment, risk assessment, exposure control and workers’ protection. The legal perspective and implications for occupational health will also be discussed.
Course Format
The course comprises a series of small group learning sessions, which use a variety of teaching methods: lecture, real or hypothetical case studies, and exercises. Practical exercises will be performed throughout the course by using various instruments and with a site visit during which students will apply what they have learned in class.
Objectives
To provide students with an understanding of the principles of occupational hygiene and the legal framework associated with hygiene.
Competencies
On the completion of the course you should: • Know how to anticipate and recognize workplace’s hazards • Explain how to evaluate workers’ exposure to these hazards • Use occupational exposure limits to assess risks associated with exposure • Identify how to control and prevent exposure to workplace’s hazards • Understand the legal framework for Occupational Hygiene
Library Resources
The University of Alberta library system’s website www.library.ualberta.ca details the range of services offered to students on and off campus. If you need further information or assistance, contact the Library's Electronic Reference Desk at www.library.ualberta.ca/ereference/index.cfm or call 1-800-2070172.
Recommended Text:
There is no recommended textbook for this course but if you want reference materials these are my suggestions: Barbara A. Plog, Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene (available at the Division of Preventive Medicine library or at the bookstore) NIOSH, The Industrial Environment – Its Evaluation and Control (available online at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/1970/74117.html)
Office Hours
Tuesday 9:00 to 12:00 (to discuss on first day of class)
- 2014 Course Syllabus
University of Alberta, School of Public Health Page 2
Course Evaluation Exercises:
4 quizzes
Mid-Point Course Evaluation:
Student presentation #1 on February 15th 2016.
Final Course Evaluation:
Final exam: date to be determined.
Student Evaluation Assignment Quizzes Presentation #1 Presentation #2 Final exam
Percentage
Grading
See ‘Assignments and Marking Criteria’.
- 2014 Course Syllabus
10 marks 20 marks 20 marks 50 marks
Date During the session February 15th, 2016 April 12th, 2016 TBD
University of Alberta, School of Public Health Page 3
Grading System University of Alberta Calendar Section 23.4 Regulations and Information for Students Evaluation Procedures and Grading System The University of Alberta Grading System The University of Alberta uses a letter grading system with a four-point scale of numerical equivalents for calculating grade point averages. Grades reflect judgments of student achievement made by instructors. These judgments are based on a combination of absolute achievement and relative performance in a class. Some instructors assign grades as intervals during the course and others assign marks (e.g. percentages) throughout the term and then assign a letter grade at the end. Instructors must adapt their approaches to reflect the letter grading system. Grade distribution should reflect those shown in this document. (EXEC 03 FEB 2003) Descriptor Excellent
Good Satisfactory Failure
Academic Integrity
Grading in Graduate Courses Letter Grade A+ A AB+ B BC+ C CD+ D F
Grade Point Value 4.0 4.0 3.7 3.3 3.0 2.7 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.3 1.0 0.0
Plagiarism is a serious offence. The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.ualberta.ca/CodeofStudentBehaviour) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University. University of Alberta policy about course outline can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar. (GFC 29 SEP 2003)
- 2014 Course Syllabus
University of Alberta, School of Public Health Page 4
DETAILED COURSE OUTLINE AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES BY WEEK WEEK 1 January 11, 2016 Introduction to PHS 521
Instructors: Bernadette Quémerais
This week is an introductory week to the course. You will know the learning objectives for the course and we will discuss the course administration and the evaluation system. WEEK 2 January 18, 2016 Principles of Occupational Hygiene
Instructor: Bernadette Quémerais
During the second week you will be introduced to the principles of Occupational Hygiene. You will learn the main elements of a hygiene assessment and how to determine compliance. What you will learn will be applied in the following weeks when we will look more in detail at specific hazards. • • • • • • • • •
Understand the science of occupational hygiene and explain the components of occupational hygiene practice Explain the main routes of exposure and their importance Name the five workplace hazards and give examples for each of them Demonstrate how to anticipate hazards in the workplace Understand the importance of hazard recognition Explain what is an occupational exposure limit and where it comes from Explain the basic analysis of exposure measurement data Understand how to compare them to occupational exposure limits in order to evaluate compliance and estimate health risks to workers Identify the various types of controls
WEEK 3 January 25, 2016 Chemical Hazards
Instructor: Bernadette Quémerais
This is the first week of two on chemical hazards. You will learn in particular important physical properties about aerosols, the importance of the size of particles on their deposition in the respiratory tract, their health effects, and the regulations on exposure to particles. You will also have an overview of the WHMIS system. • • • •
Identify routes of exposure and know terms used in toxicology for chemical agents Provide the definition of an aerosol and give examples of different types of aerosols Understand characteristics of particles and measures of particle diameter Understand particle deposition in the respiratory tract and explain the definitions of inhalable, thoracic and respirable fractions
- 2014 Course Syllabus
University of Alberta, School of Public Health Page 5
• • • • •
Identify the health effects of particles and the importance of physical properties such as size distribution and surface area Identify and explain the occupational exposure limits for chemical agents Know the elements of the Workplace Hazard Materials Information System (WHMIS) and how to use a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Name the different types of controls appropriate for chemical agents Describe the main elements of a respiratory protection program
WEEK 4 February 1, 2016 Sampling and Analyzing for Chemical Hazards
Instructor: Bernadette Quémerais
For the second week on chemical agents, you will learn how to assess workers’ exposure to chemicals using various types of sampling equipment and direct reading instruments. You will also be introduced to various analytical methods commonly used in occupational Hygiene. Finally you will learn how to assess workers’ risk using occupational exposure limits. • • • •
Identify air sampling techniques and direct reading instruments Know common analytical techniques (GC, AA, ICP/MS, GC/MS) Explain limitations of sampling and analytical techniques Understand how to calculate TWA and how to determine compliance for chemical hazards
WEEK 5 February 8, 2016 Noise and vibration
Instructor: Bernadette Quémerais
This week will be focused on noise. As during the previous weeks, we will look at preparing for a noise survey, how to perform a noise survey and how to interpret your data and ensure compliance. We will also look at health effects of vibration and how to measure for vibration as well as occupational exposure limits. • • • • • • • • • •
Explain the importance of noise in the workplace Identify the health effects of noise exposure Comprehend sound propagation Distinguish the three acoustical quantities Understand noise measurement and calculation Describe the instruments used for noise exposure assessment Evaluate compliance using the occupational exposure limits for noise Understand exposure to occupational vibration and identify health effects associated with it Know the occupational exposure limits for vibration Understand controls for noise and vibration
- 2014 Course Syllabus
University of Alberta, School of Public Health Page 6
WEEK 6 February 15, 2016 Student presentations
Instructor: Bernadette Quémerais
This week is dedicated to student presentations. The presentations will count as your mid-term evaluation. FEBRUARY 22, 2015 – READING WEEK
WEEK 7 March 1, 2016 Sampling Equipment and Instruments
Instructor: Bernadette Quémerais
This week will be focused on sampling equipment and instrumentation. You will be shown the different equipment and instruments used for air sampling and noise surveys. This is a practical class during which you will be asked to calibrate a pump and use direct reading instruments for particles and noise. • • • •
Know how to calibrate a pump for air sampling Know how to use various samplers Operate direct reading instruments Operate a sound level meter and a noise dosimeter
WEEK 8 March 8, 2016 Radiation and Thermal Stress
Instructor: Bernadette Quémerais
In this second week on physical agents, we will focus on radiation, and thermal stress. Name the health effects of thermal stress Explain how to assess thermal stress and use the occupational exposure limits for thermal stress • Comprehend the different types of radiation and identify their health effects • Understand the principles of measuring radiation and use the occupational exposure limits • Know the controls used for thermal stress and radiations • •
- 2014 Course Syllabus
University of Alberta, School of Public Health Page 7
WEEK 9 March 15, 2016 Biohazards and ergonomics
Instructor: Bernadette Quémerais
This week we will focus on two subjects: biological hazards and ergonomics. You will learn how to recognize and assess the presence of biological hazards, and how to sample them. You will also learn health effects associated with physical demand at the workplace. • • • • • • • • •
Name and give examples of the different types of biological hazards in the workplace Recognize workplaces and occupations that may have biological hazards Understand sampling strategies and sampling instrumentation for biological hazards Explain the concept behind ergonomics Understand the importance of musculoskeletal injuries Identify ergonomic risk factors Give examples of ergonomic risk factors Explain how to evaluate ergonomic risk factors Identify and give examples of ergonomic controls and interventions
WEEK 10 March 22, 2016 Site visit
Instructor: Bernadette Quémerais
This week is a practical site visit. You will be divided in two groups and you will be sampling for various hazards. You will then prepare a presentation based on this site visit. WEEK 11 March 29, 2016 Ventilation and controls
Instructor: Bernadette Quémerais
This week will be a short overview of ventilation systems and engineering controls at the workplace. • • •
Understand basic principles of industrial ventilation including basic definitions and calculations for both local exhaust and general ventilation systems Explain how to assess the effectiveness of ventilation systems in controlling health hazards Identify and understand principles or air cleaning devices
WEEK 12 April 5, 2016 Overview of Occupational Health and Safety programs
Instructor: Various
For this week we will have different lecturers that will present you the Occupational Health and Safety programs at their organization.
- 2014 Course Syllabus
University of Alberta, School of Public Health Page 8
WEEK 13 April 12, 2016 Student presentations
Instructor: Bernadette Quémerais
This week will be dedicated to the student presentations based on the site visit. The presentations will be counted as a part of your evaluation.
- 2014 Course Syllabus
University of Alberta, School of Public Health Page 9
Schedule at a Glance Date Jan 11 Jan 18 Jan 25 Feb 1 Feb 8 Feb 15 Feb 22 Mar 1 Mar 8 Mar 15 Mar 22 Mar 29 Apr 5 Apr 12
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Topic Introduction to PHS 521 Principles of Occupational Hygiene Chemical Hazards Sampling and Analyzing for Chemical Hazards Noise and vibration Student presentations READING WEEK Sampling Equipment and Instruments Radiation and Thermal Stress Biohazards and ergonomics Site visit Ventilation Overview of OHS programs Student presentations
- 2014 Course Syllabus
Instructor BQ BQ BQ BQ BQ BQ BQ BQ RS BQ BQ MK/ND BQ
Assignment
#1
#2
University of Alberta, School of Public Health Page 10
