Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Medical 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

  2016

• 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.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

Text References

• ACGIH. (2014). Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values for Physical Agents (Including 2001 to 2014 supplements) (7th ed.). Cincinnati, USA: ACGIH.
• 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.
• 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

^ Mandatory reference