Industrial Hygiene Assessment Leads to Cost Avoidance and Positive Workplace Culture

Republic’s primary production processes create waste products such as noise exposure, welding particulates, dust, metals, silica-quartz, and wastewater treatment hazards. As a pioneer in protecting people where they live and work and with a commitment to environmental responsibility, Republic requested assistance with an Industrial Hygiene assessment to include noise and air sampling. 

TMEP, part of the MEP National Network™, was able to provide access to a certified industrial hygienist to conduct the assessments. During an eight-hour on-site visit, the resource conducted a three-part evaluation. The evaluation included a noise level survey with personal sampling (dosimetry) and air monitoring inside defined areas and confined spaces. Additionally, Republic was provided a final report that described the process and tools used during the assessment and included conclusions and recommendations based on current applicable Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration Permissible Exposure Limits and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Values. Based on results, recommendations were made on which internal employees should receive hazard communication (HAZCOM) training, access to a hearing conservation program, enhanced PPE, or additional controls. The report also identified processes that could be improved by implementing engineering design controls.