Ohio University is concerned about maintaining safe and healthful working conditions and acceptable indoor air quality. Although there are currently few regulations in this area, the Safety Department (SD) conducts evaluations where appropriate. Indoor air quality often includes mold related issues and falls into this area. If groups of people seem to be affected by possible IAQ problems, air sampling may be necessary, and SD can assist with this as needed. SD also works with Facilities Management & Safety to solve any problems that may be found.
Industrial hygiene is the science and art devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of those environmental factors or stresses arising in or from the workplace that cause sickness, impaired health and well-being, or significant discomfort among workers or citizens of the community.
Stressors in the workplace can generally be broken down into those that are chemical, biological, physical, or ergonomic. The Safety Department conducts air sampling, respirator protection, ergonomics and various other types of assessments and evaluations. We offer recommendations to various campus units on appropriate control measures in order to maintain a safe and healthful work environment, such as those dealing with indoor air quality issues. Numerous federal and state OSHA laws and standards regulate the industrial hygiene field.
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