Industrial hygiene activities at UMES are organized to distinguish between environmental evaluation functions and the control programs used to prevent or reduce occupational exposure. This page provides a high-level overview of the primary control programs that support worker protection and regulatory compliance through established standards, procedures, and best practices. While these programs are primarily intended for occupational settings, certain requirements may also apply to campus-controlled environments where employees perform work activities, including residential facilities.
The topics covered on this page were selected because they represent commonly encountered occupational exposure hazards across laboratory, maintenance, and facilities operations. This page is intended as a quick reference resource to help users identify applicable risk mitigation guidance. For detailed requirements, procedures, and regulatory criteria, refer to the Industrial Hygiene Plan located within the Safety Manuals and Policies page.
Hearing Conservation Guidance
Hearing protection should be worn at any time a person is an area that has noise levels at or above an action level of an 8 hr TWA of 85 dBA. Hearing protection is mandatory in areas that are posted as requiring hearing protection and/or when entering an area that has been posted as a noise hazard. A variety of hearing protectors must be made available to the employee to ensure comfort and fit. The following list are examples of the common types of hearing protection devices
- Expandable foam plugs
- These plugs are made of a formable material designed to expand and conform to the shape of each person’s ear canal. Roll the expandable plugs with thumb and fingers or across your palm into a crease-free cylinder smooth enough so that about half the length will fit easily into your ear canal.
- Pre-molded, reusable plugs
- Pre-molded plugs are made from silicone, plastic or rubber and are manufactured as either “one-size-fits-most” or available in sizes for small, medium or large ear canals. A person may need a different size plug for each ear. The plugs should seal the ear canal without being uncomfortable. Directions for fitting each model of pre-molded plug may differ slightly depending on how many flanges they have and how the tip is shaped. Insert this type of plug by reaching over your head with one hand to pull up on your ear. Then use your other hand to insert the plug with a gentle rocking motion until you have sealed the ear canal.
- Canal caps
- Canal caps often resemble earplugs on a flexible plastic or metal band. The earplug tips of a canal cap may be a formable or pre-molded material. Some have headbands that can be worn over the head, behind the neck or under the chin. Newer models have jointed bands increasing the ability to properly seal the earplug.
- Earmuffs
- Earmuffs come in many models designed to fit most people. They work to block out noise by completely covering the outer ear. Muffs can be “low profile” with small ear cups or large to hold extra materials for use in extreme noise. Some muffs also include electronic components to help users communicate or to block impulsive noises.
Heat Stress Prevention Guidance
Heat stress prevention is used to reduce the risk of heat-related illness in settings where employees may be exposed to elevated temperatures, humidity, or physically demanding work conditions regardless of whether work is performed indoors or outdoors.
The following are general best practices to help reduce the risk of heat-related illness. Specific controls may vary depending on the work activity, environmental conditions, and required personal protective equipment.
- Schedule heavy work during cooler periods of the day whenever practical
- Rotate workers to limit time spent in hot environments
- Implement appropriate work-rest cycles to allow for cooling and recovery
- Develop and implement Acclimatization plans for new or returning workers to gradually adapt to temperature, humidity, and radiant heat exposure
- Wear breathable, lightweight, reflective or thermally conditioned clothing when practical and compatible with job requirements including PPE requirements.
- Drink at least 8oz of water every 15 minutes, up to 1 quart per hour while working in hot conditions
- Provide readily accessible shaded or cooled recovery areas where workers can rest and cool down.
The following table provides general guidance for recognizing common heat-related illnesses and the recommended immediate response.
Note: Notify the supervisor or person responsible for the work area immediately if an individual exhibits signs or symptoms of a heat-related illness. If heat stroke or another medical emergency is suspected, call 911 immediately. Notify Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) as soon as practical so the incident can be documented, investigated, and appropriate corrective actions can be implemented.
| Condition | Common Signs and Symptoms | Recommended Response |
|---|
| Heat Rash | Red, irritated skin; small blisters | Move to a cooler area, keep skin dry, seek medical evaluation if symptoms persist. |
| Heat Cramps | Painful muscle cramps, heavy sweating | Rest in a cool location, drink water or electrolyte-containing beverages, avoid strenuous activity until symptoms resolve. |
| Heat Exhaustion | Heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, cool or clammy skin | Move to a cool area, loosen clothing, cool the individual, provide water if conscious, and seek medical evaluation if symptoms worsen or do not improve. |
| Heat Stroke (Medical Emergency) | High body temperature, confusion, altered mental status, seizures, hot skin, loss of consciousness | Call 911 immediately. Move the person to a cooler area and begin active cooling while waiting for emergency responders. Do not delay emergency medical care. |
Respiratory Protection Guidance
Respiratory protection is used to reduce exposure to airborne contaminants when engineering and administrative controls are not feasible or are not sufficient to maintain exposure below applicable occupational exposure limits. This includes hazards such as dusts, fumes, vapors, gases, and other airborne particulates. The following table is provided as a quick reference to the types of respiratory protection available and is not a substitute for formal respirator selection. Employees required to wear respiratory protection as part of their assigned duties, their specific respirator will be selected by their supervisor/EHS based on the hazard assessment and confirmed through fit testing. Note: all respirators must be NIOSH-certified.
Air-Purifying Respirators
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Filtering Facepiece (Dust Mask) | Disposable, NIOSH-certified respirator (e.g., N95) worn over the nose and mouth. Protects against dusts, mists, and other particulates specified by the manufacturer. Note: uncertified comfort/nuisance masks do not qualify as respiratory protection. |
| Half-Face Respirator | Reusable facepiece with interchangeable cartridges/filters for protection against dusts, fumes, mists, gases, or vapors within manufacturer-specified limits. Operates under negative pressure. Requires fit testing. |
| Full-Face Respirator | Same operating principle as the half-face respirator, with a full facepiece for improved seal and eye protection from irritating gases or vapors. Requires fit testing. |
Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR)
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Half-Face | Battery-powered blower delivers filtered air to a half facepiece under positive pressure. Subject to manufacturer guidelines. |
| Full-Face | Battery-powered blower delivers filtered air to a full facepiece under positive pressure. Subject to manufacturer guidelines. |
| Hood or Helmet | Loose- or tight-fitting head covering supplied with filtered air from a battery-powered blower. Subject to manufacturer guidelines. |
Air-Supplying Respirators
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Airline Respirator (Half-Face or Full-Face; Demand, Continuous Flow, or Pressure Demand) | Supplies clean breathing air through a small-diameter hose connected to a compressor or compressed air cylinder. Wearer remains attached to the hose at all times. Subject to manufacturer guidelines. Requires fit testing (tight-fitting facepieces). |
| Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) | Supplies clean air from a compressed air tank carried by the wearer. Used primarily for emergency response, rescue, or IDLH atmospheres. Air supply is time-limited (typically 20–60 minutes). Requires monthly inspection with written records, operator training, and fit testing. |
