Occupational Hygiene Consulting

There are 11 designated substances under the Occupational Health and Safety Act; substances that pose severe and potentially fatal health risks to workers if over exposed. Ontario Regulation 490/09 requires employers with these substances to take action and reduce worker exposure, including completing an assessment to determine the risk to worker health.

During an assessment, WSPS occupational hygienists will complete a walkthrough of your facility with a joint health and safety committee (JHSC) representative to collect information. If the assessment finds that a worker is likely to be exposed to a designated substance and that their health could be affected, a control program is required.

A detailed report outlining the review of the products in the facility, process flow, general observations, engineering controls, protective equipment, and the likelihood of exposure to workers is provided, as well as recommendations for further action.

The objective of an air exposure assessment is to measure worker exposure to airborne biological or chemical agents during a typical work shift, so that hazards and risks can be identified, and controls implemented if required. Exposure to chemical agents can cause serious health problems including cancer, respiratory illness, skin irritations and disorders, even death. This service provides employers a means to confirm that their current health and safety program is effective and in compliance with regulations, standards and/or best practices, or if additional controls are required.

During this consulting service a WSPS occupational hygienist will consult with management, joint health and safety committee members (JHSC) or health and safety representatives (HSRs), union representatives and workers to collect data at the work site, including current controls and relevant health and safety practices and procedures. They will also conduct sampling using a variety of recognized methods (e.g. NIOSH, OSHA, etc.) and equipment (e.g. integrated sampling trains with pumps, tubing and sampling media, passive badges, direct reading instruments, wipes, and others) to determine worker exposure levels.

A detailed report, outlining the methods of sampling, sample results, an explanation of the findings of the assessment, and practical recommendations to eliminate or reduce exposure in the workplace is provided.

Noise induced hearing loss is one of the most common occupational diseases and most preventable.

A noise exposure assessment conducted by a WSPS occupational hygienist helps employers identify hazardous noise levels so they can protect their workers and meet legal requirements.

In addition to collecting noise exposure measurements, consultants meet with management, joint health and safety committee (JHSC) members or health and safety representatives (HSRs), union representatives and workers to learn about related issues and concerns, as well as review current controls and relevant health and safety practices and procedures.

A report outlining the noise levels identified, methods of sampling, an explanation of the findings of the assessment, as well as practical recommendations to eliminate or reduce noise exposure in the workplace is provided.

Workplaces do not have to have industrial processes or operations to have poor indoor air quality. A workplace’s indoor air quality (IAQ) can be impacted by its construction/building materials, furnishings, equipment (e.g. printers), occupants, activities occurring within the building, and the heating, cooling and ventilation system. Poor air quality can cause workers to suffer headaches, dryness and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin, allergies and fatigue.

An IAQ assessment conducted by a WSPS occupational hygienist generally includes comfort parameter spot measurements (e.g. carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, temperature, relative humidity, and particulates) and comparisons to industry standards, as well as a visual assessment of accessible areas. In addition, the IAQ assessment may also include air samples for viable/non-viable mould and tape-lift samples for suspected mould growth on building materials, as well as an initial evaluation of the HVAC system, its operation, and maintenance.

A report outlining the assessment methodology, sample results, an explanation of the findings, and recommended controls is provided.

This service is for office environments and does not include residential applications, as these are outside our jurisdiction.

Heat stress can harm or even kill people. Employers have a duty to protect staff who work in hot environments (e.g. bake ovens, kilns, furnaces, steam generation, hot water wash processes) or hot weather.

During a heat stress exposure assessment, a WSPS occupational hygienist will take temperature readings throughout the workplace with a calibrated Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Meter and review various workstations and clothing/personal protective equipment, so they can determine if there are problematic heat stress levels that require the business to establish or strengthen a heat stress and strain loss prevention program.

This service addresses the legislative requirements for both provincial and federal businesses.

A report outlining the sampling methodology and results, an explanation of the findings and recommendations for controls is provided.

Any employer who has a designated substance in their workplace that poses an exposure risk to their workers is legislatively required to have a Designated Substance Control Program.

Using Designated Substances Assessment data, a WSPS occupational hygienist can develop a control program that will meet the requirements of Ontario Regulation 490/09 and protect workers from potential occupational illnesses and injuries.

If a Designated Substances Assessment has not been conducted, an employer can complete it on their own (see our free Designated Substances Workbook) or request assistance from a WSPS consultant.

Noise induced hearing loss is one of the most common occupational diseases and one of the most preventable.

Following a Noise Exposure Assessment where hazardous noise levels were detected, WSPS experts can help organizations develop and deploy a hearing loss prevention program (HLPP) that reduces the potential for worker hearing loss and costs associated with lost-time and productivity. The HLPP will meet Ontario Regulatory requirements (Ontario Regulation 381) and all relevant CSA standards.

Employers that require workers to wear a respirator must have a written program that clearly outlines everyone’s responsibilities and the details of how to select, care and use the appropriate respirator for the task. The program must also provide training and instructions on proper use and care, as well as the limitations of their respirators.

A WSPS consultant can help organizations create a formalized respiratory protection program (RPP) that is aligned with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and meets Ontario’s regulatory requirements (i.e. Ontario Regulation 833 or Ontario Regulation 490) and the relevant CSA standard.

The RPP will be developed in consultation with the customer and will include guidance on various topics, including but not limited to roles and responsibilities of various workplace parties, selection of respirators, proper use and care of respirators, training, fit testing, recordkeeping, as well as provide some useful forms to support respiratory protection procedures.

This service does not include occupational hygiene assessments; these should be completed first as the assessment data/information is required to develop an effective RPP. This service also does not address the use of supplied air respirators, the use of respirators in oxygen deficient atmospheres or protection against radiological contaminants, nor does it include selection of respirators or respirator fit testing.

Employers who require workers to wear a respirator are required to provide respirator awareness training and, if the respirator is tight-fitting, have the worker fit tested before the respirator is worn and work begins.

During Qualitative Respirator Fit Testing, a WSPS consultant will use a solution that the worker can taste to determine whether their respirator forms a tight enough seal to effectively protect them from airborne exposures.

In addition to the fit test, consultants will provide worker training to legislative requirements and answer questions related to when, why and how to wear a respirator, and provide documentation to support the activities carried out.

WSPS’ Qualitative Respirator Fit Testing ensures businesses meet their requirements under Ontario Regulations 833/490 and 851 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, as well as the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304, Section 12) for federally regulated workplaces. This service limits respirators to an assigned protection factor (APF) of 10 regardless of the APF of the respirator listed in Ontario Regulations 833 and 490 Schedule 2 Table.

This service is not appropriate for workplaces where an APF >10 is required (e.g. supplied air, full-face respirators, etc.) or those that do not yet have a Respiratory Protection Program. If an APF >10 is required, WSPS can provide quantitative fit testing.

Employers who require workers to wear a respirator are required to provide respirator awareness training and, if the respirator is tight-fitting, have the worker fit tested before the respirator is worn and work begins.

During Quantitative Respirator Fit Testing, a WSPS consultant will work with individual staff to determine whether a respirator forms a tight enough seal to effectively protect them from airborne exposures. Specialized fit testing equipment is used to provide a fit factor and determines if the respirator properly fits the worker.

In addition to the fit test, consultants will provide worker training to legislative requirements and answer questions related to when, why and how to wear a respirator, and provide documentation to support the activities carried out.

WSPS’ Quantitative Respirator Fit Testing ensures businesses meet their requirements under Ontario Regulations 833/490 and 851 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, as well as the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304, Section 12) for federally regulated workplaces.