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 Sampling and Study Design

• Unit Code

  OHS6176

• Year

  2016

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  20

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  Online

---

Description

Modern workplaces are often very complex with a variety of exposures to chemical, physical and biological agents. In developing best practice occupational monitoring protocols it is thus important that sampling will be conducted in an unbiased and scientifically rigorous way. This unit covers advanced aspects of occupational hygiene sampling strategies and statistical aspects associated with environmental sampling and study design.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

Online delivery supported by discussion groups, study modules and prescribed texts.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded HST5176

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Argue the importance of establishing similar exposure groups (SEGs) in occupational hygiene sampling programs in the workplace.
2. Assess the advantages and disadvantages of the various statistical exposure data modelling packages available for the analysis of occupational hygiene data.
3. Design exposure monitoring strategies applicable to hazards which have a potentially health impact.
4. Design strategies to quantify and assess workers exposures to multiple hazards.
5. Develop a hazard management and control program for implementation in the workplace.
6. Differentiate between various occupational exposure assessment strategies.
7. Propose triggers to be used to initiate the reassessment of SEGs.
8. Summarise the principles of occupational hygiene exposure assessment program.

Unit Content

1. Designing an Exposure Monitoring Program.
2. Exposure Assessment.
3. Exposure Monitoring Strategies.
4. Exposure to Multiple Contaminants.
5. Health Hazard Control.
6. Reassessment of Exposures.
7. Similar Exposure Groups.
8. Statistical Tools to Analysis Exposure Data.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Online delivery supported by discussion groups, study modules and prescribed texts.

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.

Text References

• Anna, D. H. (Ed.). (2011). The occupational environment: Its evaluation, control and management (3rd ed.). Fairfax, VA: AIHA.
• Burton, D. J. (2010). Useful equations: Practical applications of OH&S math (3rd ed.). Utah, USA: IVE Inc.
• ^ Grantham, D. & Firth, I. (2014). Occupational Hygiene Monitoring and Compliance Strategies. Tullamarine, Australia: AIOH.
• ^ Ignacio, J. S., & Bullock, W. H. (2006). A strategy for assessing and managing occupational exposures (3rd ed.). New York, NY: AIHA Press.
• Leidel, N.A., Busch, K. A., & Lynch, J. R. (1977). Occupational exposure sampling strategy manual. NIOSH. Note: Seminal Reference. Note the reference by Leidel et al (1977) is a seminal text in the field of statistical analysis of occupational hygiene data.
• ^ Ogden, T., Kromhout, H., Hirst, A., Hommes, K., Ingle, J., Van Rooij, J., Kennedy, A., Scheffers, T., Van Tongeren, M., & Tielemans, E. (2011). Testing compliance with occupational exposure limits for airborne substances. Derby, UK: BOHS & NVvA.
• Plog, B.A., Niland, J., & Quinlan, P.J. (2002). Fundamentals of industrial hygiene. Illinois, USA: National Safety Council.

Journal References

• Annals of Occupational Hygiene
• International Journal of Epidemiology

^ Mandatory reference

---