What is the main purpose of an Industrial Hygiene Program?

The main purpose of an Industrial Hygiene Program is to recognize, evaluate, and control workplace hazards. This involves a systematic approach to identifying potential hazards in the work environment, assessing exposure risks, and implementing measures to mitigate these risks to ensure worker safety and health. By focusing on the identification and management of physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic hazards, an effective Industrial Hygiene Program aims to prevent occupational illnesses and injuries, thereby fostering a safe and healthy workplace.

The program's emphasis on recognizing and evaluating hazards is crucial, as it allows organizations to understand the specific risks their employees face. Once these hazards are identified, appropriate controls can be put in place, such as engineering controls, administrative measures, or personal protective equipment, to reduce or eliminate exposure.

While ensuring compliance with safety regulations is an important aspect of workplace safety, it is a broader responsibility that goes beyond the scope of industrial hygiene. Psychological evaluations and establishing employee work shifts are not objectives of an Industrial Hygiene Program. These areas focus on different aspects of workforce management and employee well-being, which, while important, are not central to the program's primary mission of hazard recognition and control.