Assessment of knowledge and skills is a critical element of the evaluation of an applicant for Full membership of the AIOH or for a member who applies to become a Certified Occupational Hygienist (COH) under the AIOH certification scheme. One of the ways this knowledge and skill is evaluated is through a face to face oral interview. The full membership interview focuses on the applicant’s work and on their level of knowledge and skills in the different areas of occupational hygiene. The COH oral exam primarily focuses on the applicant’s ability to apply their knowledge and skills in real life situations presented as scenarios. This workshop will cover the interview process for both an applicant for Full membership and for a COH applicant. The course will not focus on technical content but rather on the process and on what the interview panels are looking for in an applicant. Attendees should come away from this workshop with a very clear idea of what if required of them if they wish to become a Full member or a COH.
Many organisations use varying statistical measures to define their performance in terms of workplace exposures. The aim of the workshop is to discuss the statistical approaches commonly employed in exposure assessment and investigate their value and limitations. Topics covered include basic descriptive statistics, simple tools to help hygienists evaluate data and an overview of more complex techniques such as Bayesian Decision Analysis.
CES 4 Safety Case - what is my role in the workplace?
This seminar will present the basic principles of biological monitoring techniques and strategies within a context of occupational hygiene assessments. It will provide authentic examples of the application of these principles in workplaces. It will also extend these principles into environmental settings where the focus is on the protection of community health, and will introduce elements of risk assessment and risk communication.
CES 6 Challenges of dealing with contaminant asbestisform minerals in the occupational environment
Asbestos may be a banned material under Australian OH&S legislation, however, the reality is that it is such a widespread mineral in the geological environment that contact still occurs in a considerable number of mining, construction and waste disposal activities. This workshop addresses the issue via toxicological and risk assessment concepts, identification and exposure assessment issues, and highlights potential political, litigation and commercial problems.
This session intends to look at occupational noise exposure from a practical perspective by keeping things simple. It is designed and intended to stimulate discussion and further thought such that through a process of understanding the problem solutions become more self evident. Looking from the perspective of the exposed individual and those charged with initiating preventative action we will try to build a basic understanding of the problem and gateways for realistic solutions.
This workshop will not take a highly scientific approach but will be based on solid scientific principles in order to encourage good understanding of what is occurring.
CES 8 Ambient air monitoring for volatile organic compounds using US EPA Methods
This CES presents a general overview of sampling and analysis for volatile organic compounds, including carbonyl compounds such as formaldehyde, using US EPA methods TO14/15, TO17 and TO11. The merits of whole air sampling using evacuated canisters compared with chemisorbent trapping are discussed. Practical hints and tips are provided to consultants who wish to use these methods for ambient and indoor air quality investigations. An understanding of the issues facing the analytical laboratory together with sampling requirements will be covered in order to help consultants gain the most from their investigation.
Sunday November 30, 2008
Continuing Education Sessions
CES 9 Mining & mineral processing - the changing and challenging role of the hygienist
Mike Rowe first visited a minesite in 1982 when he was asked to investigate several cases of acute mercury exposure. Since then he has visited most mine sites in Western Australia, first as a consultant, then as a regulator.
The complexity of mining, processing and refining has increased significantly during this time and the role of the occupational hygienist has also changed to reflect the diversity and needs of the industry. Mike will cover the risk assessment process he applies to new projects in Western Australia. Part of the process is to review the design of the plant and the control systems that will be used. He particularly focuses on the various chemical inputs, the properties of the process streams and management of emissions.
This presentation will provide many examples of potential problems that may be encountered at each stage of the mine activity - from exploration drilling, through mining, crushing, processing and/or refining, then finally to waste management. He will also illustrate problems that can be specific to the various mineral sectors within WA.
CES 10 Shake, rattle & roll - an introduction to whole-body vibration at work
This presentation focuses on the problem of whole-body vibration as a workplace health and safety issue. Content includes an explanation of whole body vibration, some common causes, short and long term health effects, measurement and assessment methods including demo of B&K's new 4447 HV Analyser in WBV mode, guidance and legislation (or the lack of it), some basic vibration control options, and the current state of WBV research globally.
CES 11 Sample speciation using advanced physical analysis techniques
In this CES we will cover a wide range of advanced physical analysis techniques to speciate samples, both in bulk and on filter papers. The techniques that will be presented include; X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) scanning electron microscope (SEM) combined with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), QEMScan, electron probe, ion probe, the use of synchrotron energy, laser particle sizing equipment, CT scanning, surface area analysis, leco analysis and other techniques.
The presentation will explain the principle of each technique, how it can help in speciation, and examples of real samples and potential application of each technique in assessments of hazardous particles. The presentation will be based on the presumption that the participants have some basic scientific knowledge, but people do not have to know each of the techniques mentioned above.
This workshop will look at how to measure the thermal environment, interpret the data collected and manage the risk. It will also cover new research emerging in this field and have time for a question and answer session on problems currently in your work place. Journal publications will be available in this session. Please bring along your questions and discussion topics on thermal stress.
CES 13 Nanoparticles: assessing risk of health effects
Nanotechnology is a rapidly expanding area of research and industry with the potential to generate many innovative products. Many of these products include nanoparticles (three dimensions less than 100nm) including medicines, diagnostics, water purification, pollution remediation, food additives, food packaging, clothing and IT applications. Therefore their use is widespread with the potential for exposure to humans and the environment. There is some evidence to suggest that some nanoparticles are very reactive within biological systems and so this session will assess the evidence to nanoparticle hazard to humans and the environment.
This workshop provides practical guidance on reducing noise in the workplace. Topics covered will include principles of noise control, practical demonstrations of some common noise control techniques, noise control case studies and noise control management.
CES 15 Sweatware and wetware - occupational hygienist's tools of first choice
This CRISISLAB session will be in two parts. The initial presentation will explain what are the current best practices, in crisis management, especially in relation to those issues, and events, affecting the workplace. It will be followed by a simulation where participants will work in two teams in a simulated crisis situation. Half will respond as the Burswood Crisis Management team. The other half will respond as 2nd and 3rd parties. It will provide participants with an understanding of the strategies and executive actions needed to prevent and manage corporate crises – last resort risk management. It will enable participants to determine how much effort should be put into crisis preparation. All delegates will be challenged to interact. Several from each team will be asked to provide updates as CEO and spokespersons while formulating and communicating strategy. Others team members will be asked questions in a post crisis witness box.
CES 16 Industrial ventilation for occupational hygienists (All Day)
Many workplaces use materials and processes that release hazardous substances - and sometimes physical agents into the workplace. The effects of these can range from nuisance and irritation to serious acute and/or chronic occupational illness or injury. In many situations, effective dilution or local exhaust (or extraction) ventilation systems may offer the only practical and effective means to reliably control the hazardous exposures or conditions. Well-designed ventilation systems can also help control other workplace environment conditions, which may affect comfort, morale, and productivity. Poorly designed or poorly operated systems can have the opposite effect.
The programme will cover the basic and applied concepts of:
physics of airflow;
dilution ventilation for health for control of fire and explosion risks;
types, designs and functions of local extraction hoods;
ductwork systems;
single and multi-hood exhaust (extraction) systems;
Portable instruments with datalogger - more than just a measurement report Wolfgang May
Concurrent 5 Exposure Standards
Making REACH Work - A European Detective Puzzle Steve Bailey
Airborne crystalline silica (RCS) in Queensland quarries, small mines and exploration sites. Kevin Hedges
An investigation of the hazards associated with exposures to cured epoxy impregnated material dusts during the trim operation of composite aircraft parts Melanie Jensen
Concurrent 6 Noise
Cold Case: Compulsory Screening Audiometry: Protection for whom? Geza Benke
Occupational Noise Investigation for Fleet of Sydney Harbour Vessels Richard Benbow
Similar Exposure Groups (SEG) – The importance of clearly defining the SEG. Kevin Hedges
Managing the Asbestos Hazard in Gilsomastic Paint Vanessa Thelan
Concurrent 10 Noise & Nanotechnology
Responsible Management of Nanotechnology OHS in Australian Workplaces: The Nanotechnology OHS Program Brett Bissett
Hearing conservation in the Australian offshore petroleum industry – A regulatory approach towards identifying hazards, communicating risks and influencing improvement Andrew Chandran
This Ain’t No Pleasure Cruise – Maritime Noise Monitoring in the Malaccan Straits Peter Roy
Concurrent 11 Occupational Hygiene in Process Plants
Speciation of Nickel compounds at a refinery Ian Sawyer
The Modelling of Potential Heat Stress Exposures in an Aluminium Smelter Reduction Line Maintenance Project Using the ISO 7933 Predicted Heat Strain Model. Ross Dicorleto
