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  2. Occupational Hygiene 2: Physical and Biological Aspects [OHS6159]

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Exercise and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Occupational Hygiene 2: Physical and Biological Aspects

  • Unit Code

    OHS6159

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    20

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    Online

Description

This is one of three specialist units in occupational hygiene. In this unit students will gain skills in the assessment of potential risks from a range of physical, chemical and biological hazards in the workplace. Students will be required to utilise a range of literature sources including legislation, standards and guidelines. This unit will focus on physical and biological hazards.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

Online delivery supported by discussion groups, study modules and prescribed texts with a compulsory 2.5 day on-campus workshop (Joondalup campus).

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded HST5159

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse and record risks based on the outcomes of workplace monitoring.
  2. Interpret workplace monitoring results with reference to legislation, standards and guidelines.
  3. Plan exposure assessments utilising a range of sampling equipment and monitoring techniques for physical and biological hazards:
  4. Prepare and present written and verbal reports at a level appropriate to various target audiences (management, workforce and/or community).
  5. Review and summarise the scientific literature related to physical and biological hazards in the workplace.
  6. Select and use a range of assessment techniques for the quantification of a range of physical hazards, such as noise, light and thermal stress.
  7. Select and use a range of assessment techniques in the quantification of a range of biological hazards, such as mould and bacteria.

Unit Content

  1. Biological hazards (microbiological and biological materials).
  2. Ergonomic assessment.
  3. Exposure assessment protocol design for a range of hazards and risks in identified populations of workers, including; use of historical data, existing controls, materials used, process, work practices, properties of hazards and routes of exposure.
  4. Exposure evaluation through comparison to appropriate exposure standards with due regard for limitations and the type of monitoring undertaken.
  5. Measurement of noise, heat and illumination exposures using standard sampling techniques.
  6. Occupational hygiene reports.
  7. Physical hazards (noise, vibration, thermal stress, illumination & radiation).
  8. Quantitative and qualitative risk assessment.
  9. Sampling options and methods to monitor exposures under various conditions with due regard to instrument and methodological limitations.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Online delivery supported by discussion groups, study modules and prescribed texts with a compulsory 2.5 day on-campus workshop (Joondalup campus).

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentDevelopment of sampling protocols30%
TestOnline test30%
WorkshopReport on activities undertaken in workshop40%

Text References

  • ^ Tillman, C. (Ed.). (2006). Principles of occupational health & hygiene. Sydney: Allen&Unwin.
  • ^ Cherrie, J., & Semple, S. (2009). Monitoring for Health Hazards at Work. New York: Ebooks Corporation.
  • Perkins, J. L. (2003). Modern Industrial Hygiene, Volume 2 - Biological Aspects. Cincinnati USA: ACGIH.
  • McPhee, B., Foster, G. & Long, A. (2009). Bad Vibrations: A Handbook on Whole-Body Vibration Exposure in Mining (2nd ed.). Sydney Australia: Joint Coal Board Health and Safety Trust.
  • Di Corleto, R., Coles, C. & Firth, I. (2003). Heat Stress Standards & Documentation Developed for Use in the Australian Environment. Melbourne Australia: AIOH.
  • Burroughs, H.E. & Hansen S. J. (2011). Managing Indoor Air Quality (5th ed). Cincinnati USA: ACGIH.
  • ACGIH. (2009). Bioaerosol Sampling and Analytical Techniques: A Monograph of the ACGIH Air Sampling Instruments Committee. Cincinnati USA: ACGIH.
  • ACGIH. (2001). Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values for Physical Agents (Including 2001 to 2011 supplements) (7th ed.). Cincinnati USA: ACGIH.
  • Rose, V. E.& Cohrssen, B. (2010). Patty's industrial hygiene (6th ed.). New York: Wiley.
  • Tranter, M. (2004). Occupational hygiene and risk management (2nd ed.). Sydney Australia: Allen & Unwin.
  • Luxon, L. M. & Prasher, D. (2007). Noise and Its Effects. Chichester UK: Wiley.

Journal References

  • Journal of health and safety research and practice
  • International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health
  • Occupational ergonomics
  • Safety science
  • Occupational health management
  • Occupational health & safety
  • Journal of safety research
  • Journal of occupational science
  • Journal of Health, Safety and Environment (previously The Journal of occupational health and safety, Australia and New Zealand)
  • Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
  • Annals of Occupational Hygiene
  • Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health
  • Acoustics Australia

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

OHS6159|1|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Exercise and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Occupational Hygiene 2: Physical and Biological Aspects

  • Unit Code

    OHS6159

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    20

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    Online

Description

This is one of three specialist units in occupational hygiene. In this unit students will gain skills in the assessment of potential risks from a range of physical, chemical and biological hazards in the workplace. Students will be required to utilise a range of literature sources including legislation, standards and guidelines. This unit will focus on physical and biological hazards.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

Online delivery supported by discussion groups, study modules and prescribed texts with a compulsory 2.5 day on-campus workshop (Joondalup campus).

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded HST5159

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse and record risks based on the outcomes of workplace monitoring.
  2. Interpret workplace monitoring results with reference to legislation, standards and guidelines.
  3. Plan exposure assessments utilising a range of sampling equipment and monitoring techniques for physical and biological hazards:
  4. Prepare and present written and verbal reports at a level appropriate to various target audiences (management, workforce and/or community).
  5. Review and summarise the scientific literature related to physical and biological hazards in the workplace.
  6. Select and use a range of assessment techniques for the quantification of a range of physical hazards, such as noise, light and thermal stress.
  7. Select and use a range of assessment techniques in the quantification of a range of biological hazards, such as mould and bacteria.

Unit Content

  1. Biological hazards (microbiological and biological materials).
  2. Ergonomic assessment.
  3. Exposure assessment protocol design for a range of hazards and risks in identified populations of workers, including; use of historical data, existing controls, materials used, process, work practices, properties of hazards and routes of exposure.
  4. Exposure evaluation through comparison to appropriate exposure standards with due regard for limitations and the type of monitoring undertaken.
  5. Measurement of noise, heat and illumination exposures using standard sampling techniques.
  6. Occupational hygiene reports.
  7. Physical hazards (noise, vibration, thermal stress, illumination & radiation).
  8. Quantitative and qualitative risk assessment.
  9. Sampling options and methods to monitor exposures under various conditions with due regard to instrument and methodological limitations.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Online delivery supported by discussion groups, study modules and prescribed texts with a compulsory 2.5 day on-campus workshop (Joondalup campus).

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentDevelopment of sampling protocols30%
TestOnline test30%
ReportReport on activities undertaken in workshop40%

Text References

  • Anna, D. H. (Ed.) (2011). The occupational environment: its evaluation, control and management. (3rd ed.). Fairfax, Va.: American Industrial Hygiene Association
  • ^ Cherrie, J. W., Howie, R., Semple, S., Ashton, I. (2010). Monitoring for health hazards at work (4th ed.). Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Di Corleto, R., Firth, I., & Mate, J. (2013). A guide to managing heat stress: Developed for use in the Australian Environment. Melbourne, Vic., Australia: AIOH.
  • ACGIH. (2014). Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values for Physical Agents (Including 2001 to 2014 supplements) (7th ed.). Cincinnati, USA: ACGIH.
  • Luxon, L. M., & Prasher, D. (2007). Noise and Its Effects. Chichester UK: Wiley.
  • McPhee, B., Foster, G., & Long, A. (2009). Bad Vibrations: A Handbook on Whole-Body Vibration Exposure in Mining (2nd ed.). Sydney, NSW, Australia: Joint Coal Board Health and Safety Trust.
  • Patty, F. A., Rose, V. E., Cohrssen, B. (2011). Patty's industrial hygiene (6th ed.). Hoboken, N.J: Wiley.
  • ^ Reed, S., Pisaniello, D., Benke, G., & Burton, K. (Eds.), (2013). Principles of occupational health & hygiene. 2nd ed. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Allen&Unwin

Journal References

  • Annals of Occupational Hygiene
  • Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
  • International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health
  • Journal of Health, Safety and Environment (previously The Journal of occupational health and safety, Australia and New Zealand)
  • Occupational health management
  • Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

OHS6159|1|2