We provide exceptional industrial hygiene services to help you make informed decisions about your workplace safety. Our team of subject matter experts utilizes the latest research, planning, instrumentation, and analysis techniques to deliver accurate and actionable data. By partnering with us, you can streamline your decision-making process, prioritize worker health, and eliminate uncertainty. Let us help you create a safer and healthier work environment today.
Our Industrial Hygiene Services provide:
Real-time and field-gathered exposure data that helps identify specific project, facility, or process hazards.
Minimization of employee exposure to chemical, biological, and physical hazards.
Tailored exposure monitoring campaigns to identify and mitigate workplace hazards.
Documented exposure assessments that help protect your organization from OSHA regulators and worker claims.
Significant cost savings compared to attempting to resolve issues in-house.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Investigations and Mold
Breathe easy with Summit’s IAQ and mold investigations. We get to the root of the problem, identifying sources of air contaminants and providing targeted corrective actions. Our experts meticulously evaluate environmental factors, including HVAC systems, building materials, and occupant sensitivities, using top-of-the-line instruments to diagnose the issue.
Common IAQ hazards we identify include:
- Asbestos
- Airborne Particulates
- Building Dampness or Mold
- Construction Activities or Remodeling
- Chemical Use including Cleaning Agents
- Radon
- Poor Ventilation or HVAC Maintenance
- Temperature Variation
- Unpleasant Odors
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Investigations and Mold
Summit investigates IAQ problems, determines the sources of air contaminants, and corrective actions. A detailed investigation of environmental factors, including Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) characteristics, building layout, building-specific materials and furnishing, chemical usage, occupant sensitivities, airborne particulates, biological intrusion, or the use of instrumentation for diagnosis may be necessary.
Common IAQ hazards include the following:
- Asbestos
- Airborne Particulates
- Building Dampness or Mold
- Construction Activities or Remodeling
- Chemical Use including Cleaning Agents
- Radon
- Poor Ventilation or HVAC Maintenance
- Temperature Variation
- Unpleasant Odors
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Monitoring and Assessing Chemical, Biological, and Physical Hazards
We provide thorough monitoring and exposure assessments for chemical, biological, and physical hazards related to processes, job classifications, tasks, or work locations. Our approach follows the guidelines set by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) to ensure comprehensive employee exposure analysis. This process helps prioritize hazards for corrective actions and determines the need for additional information or future reassessments.
Our assessments meet OSHA requirements for workplace safety, limiting liability for your organization and ensuring employee protection. We use a combination of direct-reading instruments and laboratory analysis to gather accurate data. Common examples of hazards we assess include:
- Asbestos
- Ammonia
- Aluminum
- Benzene
- Beryllium
- Cadmium
- Chromium
- Confined Space
- Heat Stress
- Lead
- Lighting Levels
- Manganese
- Mold
- Noise
- Paints and Solvents
- Particulates/Dust
- Silica
- Welding Fumes
- Vibration
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Occupational Noise
Did you know that more than 30 million workers are exposed to hazardous occupational noise? Don’t let your organization be liable for expensive worker’s compensation claims for hearing loss that can reach up to $150,000 in some states. Protect your workers from harmful occupational noise levels with Summit’s expert occupational noise assessments. Our process is tailored to your organization’s specific needs, from physical work locations to job tasks and equipment. Using guidelines from the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), we fully characterize noise exposure and develop strategies to reduce exposure.Â
Our services include:
Noise level measurements
Surveys
Developing OSHA-required Hearing Conservation Programs
Workplace control evaluation
Audiometric testing criteria
Exposure reduction strategies
OSHA Program Development
At Summit, we understand the importance of having comprehensive OSHA programs that meet regulatory requirements and promote safe working environments. That’s why we specialize in developing written programs with a focus on industrial hygiene for both General Industry and Construction.
Our team works with you to create programs that are tailored to your organization’s specific needs and requirements. We’ll conduct an exposure assessment, if necessary, to ensure that the program addresses all relevant hazards.
Our expertise covers a wide range of OSHA written programs, including:
- Asbestos
- Benzene
Bloodborne Pathogens
- Cadmium
- Confined Space
Hearing Conservation
Lead
Medical Surveillance
Programs
Respiratory Protection
Silica
Project Support and Project Staffing
We offer comprehensive and flexible industrial hygiene project support, both on-site and remotely. Whether you’re facing a multi-week facility shutdown, a complex maintenance turnaround, or rotational work, our team can help. We provide expert oversight and subject matter expertise to help your organization navigate any challenge.
Our project support and staffing solutions are designed to meet your unique needs. We can provide specific oversight for projects, serve as subject matter experts for specialized scenarios, or even augment your organization’s safety department. Some common applications of our project support and staffing services include:
- Auditing and Inspections
- Building Characterization and Hazard Assessments
- Confined Space Support and Permitting
- Exposure Monitoring/Assessment
- Remediation Support
- Respiratory Mask Fit Testing (Quantitative Testing Only)
- Permitting
- Project Initiation, Planning, Execution, Monitoring, Control, and Closure Deliverables
- Training
Why Invest in Industrial Hygiene?
Are you wondering why it’s worth investing in industrial hygiene? The answer is simple: your employees’ safety and your organization’s liability depend on it.
OSHA regulations require exposure assessments for workers who may come into contact with hazardous materials. Accurately assessing these hazards is crucial to identifying the right controls to protect your employees, including eliminating or substituting hazardous materials, implementing engineering or administrative controls, and providing personal protective equipment.
But be warned: shoddy industrial hygiene assessments can underestimate exposure levels, putting your employees in harm’s way. Conversely, overestimating exposure levels can lead to unnecessary and costly mitigation controls.
The effects of chemical, biological, and physical hazards can ripple across entire teams or departments. If exposure levels aren’t properly quantified, you could be putting your employees at risk and increasing your organization’s liability. Don’t take the chance – invest in industrial hygiene to protect your employees and your bottom line.
Workplace Injuries by State
Injuries can have a significant impact on the well-being and safety of workers across different states. Here are some key statistics regarding workplace injuries in the U.S.:
Vermont has the highest rate of non-fatal workplace injuries, with 2,896.54 injuries per 100,000 workers, attributed to its manufacturing and agriculture industries
Maine follows closely with a rate of 2,811.11 injuries per 100,000 workers
Nevada ranks third with a rate of 2,308.39 injuries per 100,000 workers, driven by its tourism industry and hazardous mining sector.
Wyoming has the highest rate of workplace fatalities, with 13 deaths per 100,000 workers, although the actual number is relatively low due to its small population.
Alaska follows closely with a rate of 10.7 fatal injuries per 100,000 workers, influenced by rugged terrain and remote locations.
South Dakota ranks third with a rate of 7.8 deaths per 100,000 workers, while North Dakota closely follows in fourth place with a rate of 7.4.
Idaho, like other states, faces its own challenges regarding workplace injuries and fatalities. Here are some statistics on Idaho workplace injuries:
The Idaho Industrial Commission receives approximately 35,000 reports of workers injured on the job each year.
Around 35 of these incidents result in fatalities annually.
In 2021, there were 30 fatal occupational injuries in Idaho, a decrease from the previous year’s 32 fatalities.
This decline is encouraging, considering the highest number of fatalities in 2018 was 45 deaths.
Key industries with high incidence rates and total injuries in Idaho include:
- Manufacturing: 1,876 injuries in 2021, with an incidence rate of 4.1 per 200,000 working hours.
Construction: 430 injuries with an incidence rate of 4.0.
Transportation and warehousing: 1,297 injuries, representing the highest incidence rate at 9.1 per 200,000 working hours.
These industries play vital roles in Idaho’s economy, but the high number of injuries underscores the importance of implementing robust safety protocols.
Occupational Fatalities by Year
Unfortunately, thousands of workers die on the job each year. In 2021, there were more than 5,000 fatal workplace injuries, representing an increase of nearly 9% year over year. The occupational fatality rate in 2021 stood at 3.6, marking the highest annual rate since 2016. A work-related injury claimed a worker’s life approximately every 101 minutes throughout 2021.
Here are some additional statistics from 2021 provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- The fatal injury rate in construction and extraction occupations decreased by 2.6% from 2020 to 2021, though 951 fatalities were still recorded in 2021.
- Exposure to harmful substances or environments resulted in the highest number of fatalities in 2021 at 798 deaths, an increase of 18.8% from the previous year.
- Falls, slips, and trips in construction and extraction occupations accounted for 370 fatalities in 2021, a 7.2% increase compared to 2020.
These alarming statistics highlight the need for industrial hygiene services to prevent fatal workplace injuries. By prioritizing thorough exposure assessments, hazard control measures, and strict safety protocols, organizations can effectively protect their workforce and foster a safer work environment.
10 Most Frequently Cited OSHA Standards
To help employers identify and address commonly cited safety standards, here are the top 10 most frequently cited standards identified by federal OSHA during worksite inspections. It is crucial to prioritize the prevention of avoidable injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in the workplace, many of which can be mitigated through adherence to these frequently cited standards.
- Fall Protection (29 CFR 1926.501) – This standard addresses general requirements for fall protection in the construction industry, aiming to prevent falls from elevated surfaces.
- Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200) – This standard ensures proper labeling, communication, and handling of hazardous chemicals in the workplace, promoting worker safety.
- Respiratory Protection (29 CFR 1910.134) – This standard focuses on protecting workers from respiratory hazards by implementing effective respiratory protection programs.
- Ladders (29 CFR 1926.1053) – This standard provides guidelines for the safe use of ladders in construction, reducing the risk of ladder-related accidents.
- Scaffolding (29 CFR 1926.451) – This standard outlines safety requirements for the proper construction, use, and inspection of scaffolding systems, preventing scaffold-related incidents.
- Control of Hazardous Energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (29 CFR 1910.147) – This standard aims to prevent the unexpected startup of machinery or equipment during maintenance or servicing by implementing proper lockout/tagout procedures.
- Powered Industrial Trucks (29 CFR 1910.178) – This standard sets forth safety regulations for the operation of powered industrial trucks, reducing the risk of accidents involving forklifts and other material handling equipment.
- Fall Protection Training (29 CFR 1926.503) – This standard emphasizes the importance of training workers on fall protection systems, procedures, and equipment, promoting safe practices in the construction industry.
- Eye and Face Protection (29 CFR 1926.102) – This standard requires the use of appropriate eye and face protection in construction activities where potential hazards may exist, safeguarding workers’ eyes and faces.
- Machinery and Machine Guarding (29 CFR 1910.212) – This standard focuses on machine guarding to prevent contact with hazardous moving parts and reduce the risk of injuries in the general industry.
These frequently-cited OSHA standards highlight areas where adherence to safety regulations and the implementation of industrial hygiene practices can help prevent workplace injuries and ensure the well-being of workers.
