The University of Valencia’s actions related to hygiene are complex because there are many working centres with distinct characteristics, from centres with low occupational risks, such as the faculties of Social Sciences, to real workshops, as the technological centres, as well as ionising radiation, biology or medical laboratories (biological risks).
What is industrial hygiene?
It is a non-medical technique for prevent professional diseases.
What is a professional disease?
It is the one contracted as a worker during your job.
Types of contaminants
Chemicals
Any portion of organic or inorganic, natural or synthetic, inert matter that during the fabrication, handling, transportation, storage or usage can incorporate to the work as gases or vapors, dust or fibers, smoke or mist, and that has harmful effects on the health of the people who come in contact.
Physical
These are energy states that when are in contact with the human body can cause damage. The most common are:
- Thermal
- Pressure
- Vibrations
- Noise
- Illumination
- Ionising and non-ionising radiation
Biological
This is living matter with capacity of reproduction, such as viruses, bacteria or protozoa, which can cause infections.
Actions for hygiene
- Identification of contaminants
- Measures
- Direct: at the work position
- Indirect: sampling for laboratory analysis
- Evaluation: the results of the measures are compared with the established criteria..
- Corrective measures
- Intervention on the contaminant focus: prevent emissions.
- Intervention on the diffusion mean: prevent propagation.
- Intervention on the individual: protect the worker
