What Does an Industrial Hygienist Do?

Industrial hygiene is the science of anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling workplace conditions that could cause the injury or illness of a worker. Industrial hygienists use environmental monitoring and analytical methods to detect the extent of worker exposure and employ engineering, work practice controls, and other methods to control potential health hazards. It is the role of the industrial hygienist to identify any ominous conditions that could cause harm to a worker, and alert the business unwittingly placing its workers in nefarious conditions that the conditions need to be changed. If those changes are not put into place that make the conditions better for the worker, the industrial hygienist has the right to expose the unsavory conditions to the proper authorities, so that the business can be forced to fix the conditions, otherwise the company runs the risk of being shut down. EcolinkImage

History concerning industrial hygienists and their practices can be dated back to four hundred years B.C., when Hippocrates noted lead toxicity in the mining industry, and the health risks associated with working in such dire conditions. For the sake of brevity, this blog will cover the most recent strides in the profession.

In the early 20th century, and while working in the United States, Dr. Alice Hamilton led efforts to improve industrial hygiene. She observed industrial conditions first hand and startled factory managers, state officials, and mine owners with evidence that there was a correlation between worker illness and their exposure to toxins. She also presented definitive proposals for eliminating unhealthful working conditions.

At about the same time, U.S. federal and state agencies began investigating health conditions in industries deemed the most harmful to its workers. In 1908, the public’s awareness of occupationally related diseases stimulated the passage of compensation acts for certain civil employees. States passed the first workers’ compensation laws in 1911. In addition, in 1913, the New York Department of Labor and the Ohio Department of Health established the first state industrial hygiene programs. All states enacted such legislation by 1948. In most states, there is some compensation coverage for workers contracting occupational diseases.

The U.S. Congress has passed three landmark pieces of legislation relating to safeguarding workers’ health: (1) the Metal and Nonmetallic Mines EcolinkImage2Safety Act of 1966; (2) the Federal Coal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1969; and (3) the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Today, nearly every employer is required to implement the elements of industrial hygiene and safety, occupational health, or hazard communication programs, as well as to be responsive to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Act put into law, and its regulations.

One area of hygiene every company should review is their use of industrial cleaners and the levels of toxicity they may have. Ecolink is an environmentally conscious company who develops and manufactures chemicals that leave the smallest impact on the people and environment they come in contact with. Contact Ecolink today and one of their professional customer service representatives will be able to recommend cleaning solutions that will clean just as thoroughly as your current cleaners, while keeping workers safe.

Reducing Worker Exposure to Toxic Chemicals

Numerous industrial companies require the use of certain types of chemicals in order to clean parts, metals, and materials, so that those pieces can be utilized to perform as intended. Industrial companies rely on chemical cleaning agents for their business to thrive, because products that have not been properly cleaned can lead to serious problems, including operation malfunction, lower than expected functionality, and loss of business. In the past, because of the inherent need to clean parts and materials, people who are responsible for implementing the cleaning protocol were exposing themselves to toxic chemicals, whether knowingly and not taking the matter seriously, or unknowingly due to ignorance of the severity of these toxic chemicals. Fortunately, nowadays there is a stringent focus on not only reducing, but also eliminating the potential of harm caused from the exposure to toxic chemicals.EcolinkImage

Reducing worker exposure to toxic chemicals is an important matter to all federal regulatory committees. The key is to expose the harmful effects of certain chemical compounds, and alert companies using these chemicals that their business must find alternative sources of chemicals for cleansing materials. Unfortunately, some of these businesses can be stubborn, and will either delay or refuse the transition to another cleaning agent because they have become so accustomed to the one their company has been using, likely for years with consistent success. No matter how much success a company has had with their particular cleaning agent, there is no excuse to allowing workers to endanger themselves by handling toxic chemicals. It is important to explain to these business that, first, it is illegal to ignore the mandates set forth by regulatory committees regarding the stoppage of any use of cleaning chemicals deemed toxic.

The next step is to explain to these businesses that remarkable strides have been made in creating chemical cleaners that are not hazardous to the health of those who come into contact with them, and can clean as efficiently and effectively as traditional cleaners. Companies exist, such as Ecolink, that have performed countless hours of research and development that have led to the solutions that reduce worker exposure to toxic chemicals. Ecolink has identified cleaning agents that can clean as efficiently, if not more efficiently than conventional cleaners made up of toxic chemicals.

It is recommended that, if you are a part of an industrial business that needs cleaning solutions for your parts, metals, and materials, that you contact Ecolink so one of their professionals can help you make the transition to a safer chemical solution that cleans as effectively as the agent currently used by your company. Make the change, and become a part of the movement that many companies have joined that reduces worker exposure to toxic chemicals. In doing so, you not only will be protecting your workers and the environment, but you will likely even save money – view our product list today.

Ask the Chemist About Custom Cleaning Solutions

As it pertains to custom cleaning solutions for parts, metals, materials, and other types of products that need to be cleaned or degreased before being placed into operation, Ecolink is one of the most reliable companies to provide factual and trusted information, and is an excellent source for industrial strength parts cleaning solvents that are also eco friendly. Ecolink has been involved in the proprietorship of providing solvent substitutions for over twenty years (more than two decades), which means the company has been at the forefront of discovering, devising, and providing innovative and improved cleaning solvents for industrial organizations. When a business has sustained success and longevity for as long as Ecolink, you can be confident in knowing you are receiving the absolute best regarding custom cleaning solutions.

If you peruse the Ecolink website, you will eventually come across the “Ask the Chemist” webpage. Ecolink attributes much of its success to the Ecolink President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. John Roudebush. Mr. Roudebush, who is also a chemist, is instrumental in creating new, industrial strength, eco friendly and green alternative custom cleaning solutions to bring industrial businesses into the new age of using incredibly strong parts cleaning solutions that are also safe for people and the environment. Therefore, when we pose the question: “Ask the chemist about cleaning solutions,” it is not merely lip service or a catchy phrase to incite interest into our business. The Ecolink leader is completely ‘hands on’ in committing to performing exhaustive research and creating innovative parts cleaning resources.

The above information, along with having an incredible staff dedicated to the relentless pursuit of providing industrial companies with the strongest and safest cleaning and degreasing solvents, is why Ecolink has sustained continuous success for more than twenty years. Simply contact one of our professionals, and you will quickly realize why Ecolink has achieved so much in our field. Please, we urge you to ‘ask the chemist about custom cleaning solutions.

Eco Friendly Options to Replace NPB Bromide

An abundant source of information has recently come out about the negative and serious side effects of using n-Propyl Bromide, or n-PB. Recently, The New York Times published an eye-opening piece describing how hazardous the NPB Bromide chemical agent is to the environment and to people exposed to, and coming into contact with, the chemical compound – which can lead to fatality. The publication also took umbrage with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Organization), which is a federal regulatory agency that is usually known for its strict guidelines and serious penalties for businesses that negligently place their workers in harms way. According to the article, OSHA has been perplexingly ineffective and irresolute in eliminating, even reducing the use of NPB Bromide, especially when the word is out about the dire effects of long term exposure to the chemical compound.

Whatever the reason for the inability of OSHA to prevent, or even significantly reduce the use of NPB Bromide, the fact remains that the word is out, and industrial organizations that claim ignorance to understanding the negative effects of this chemical agent is no longer an excuse. Fortunately, eco friendly options to NPB Bromide exist, and these eco friendly options are industrial strength, and have proven to be as reliable, if not more reliable, than n-Propyl Bromide. Any industrial business can make the change to a green alternative parts cleaning solvent, and still receive the same, likely better outcome cleaned and degreased finished product. The following statement is fact: There are eco friendly options to NPB Bromide that clean and degrease parts, metals, and materials better than the former cleaning agent could ever hope to.

An excellent source of information for transitioning to a better and more eco friendly part cleaning solution is Ecolink. Ecolink knows that the use of NPB Bromide must be stopped, and their professionals can help you discover eco friendly options to NPB Bromide that will clean and degrease any part, metal or material you have.

Industrial Cleaners That are Eco-friendly

Cleaning agents in the forms of liquids, sprays, powders, or granules simplify the removal of contaminants on surfaces during many industrial processes. It has been common for companies to rely on organic solvents with carbon as part of their chemical solution to eliminate undesirable contaminants; however, these chemicals have raised much concern about worker and environmental safety. The development of eco-friendly industrial cleaners has increased as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations buckle down on the use of dangerous solvents and consumers demand companies to utilize safer solutions. Companies desiring to “go green” have the option of selecting environmentally preferred or natural agents with little to no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) and Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP’s).

What Are the Cost Benefits of “Going Green”?

Eco-friendly industrial cleaners deliver several benefits to businesses using these products for meeting cleaning or degreasing requirements. Cost savings is one of the biggest advantages and a safer cleaning agent can help your bottom line in these expense areas:

  • Purchasing
  • Shipping
  • Storage
  • Facility Operations
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Worker Safety

A safe alternative to traditionally applied hazardous materials allows purchasing, shipping, and storage costs to be reduced as the agent can be bulk purchased in its concentrated form. Additionally, the choice to switch to green chemicals decreases the amount of hazardous materials residing in the workplace and limits worker exposure to harsh chemicals. Insurance costs are also reduced because the switch prevents workers from developing serious health conditions caused by chemical exposure.

Tips for Selecting the Right Cleaning Agent

Eco-friendly cleaners can be found just about anywhere these days as regulations and consumer awareness of the dangers of toxic chemicals have increased. A number of characteristics contribute to the eco-friendliness of a product; however, the industrial process to be performed, type of contaminant, and involved equipment will be major decision factors when making the switch to green cleaners. Here are a few things to consider before choosing a safe alternative for your business:

  • Is the industrial cleaner biodegradable?
  • Does the manufacturer use eco-friendly manufacturing processes?
  • Does the solution contain hazardous materials?
  • Does it contain “All Natural” ingredients?
  • Is it water-based or derived from natural sources?
  • Does the cleaner contain VOC’s?
  • Does it emit HAP’s?

It is easy for companies to say their product is eco-friendly, but your keen eye will be required to ensure the safest option is being selected. Some cleaners fall in the environmentally preferred category meaning the ingredients meet the defined standards of the EPA, but are not completely natural. An environmentally preferred choice is a great secondary option when an “All Natural” cleaner does not meet specific industrial needs. Make certain you read the list of ingredients before choosing an alternative for your business. Several eco-friendly industrial cleaners have been made available for degreasing, equipment maintenance, general cleaning, and production processes. Contact an industrial cleaner manufacturer today to learn more about what eco-friendly products are available for meeting your specific business needs.

Industrial Cleaners with eco-friendly qualities decrease costs and play a pivotal safety role in the workplace. For additional information about environmentally friendly, low VOC products, please call (800) 886-8240 or email info@ecolink.com.