Why mapping and risk assessment?
Mapping is carried out with a view to uncover and prevent indoor climate and health problems for employees. Various factors such as temperature, humidity, drafts, odours, noise, lighting conditions, chemical and biological air pollution, can individually or in combination cause indoor climate and health problems.
Mapping is included in the risk assessment of conditions in the workplace, both normally and when adverse events occur.
What is included in the mapping and risk assessment?
Occupational hygiene inspections are carried out at the workplace where the mapping is to take place. The inspection is attended by the employer's and employee's representatives as well as the Estate Department if necessary.
Quantitative or qualitative surveys are often carried out to uncover possible deviations and health symptoms.
The Occupational Health Service Unit possesses occupational hygiene measuring equipment. In some cases, however, this must be hired for the relevant assignment. Occupational hygienists then prepare a cost forecast for renting sampling equipment and analysis samples. The cost forecast is sent for approval and payment by the ordering unit before the mapping work is started.
The same also applies to such measuring equipment, laboratory analyses etc. where mapping work has been commissioned by an external OHS. Such assignments must be ordered well in advance, as there will be a delivery time for this type of measuring equipment and associated analysis samples.
OHSU can map and measure:
- Physical work environment
- Temperature
- Humidity
- CO2 (air exchange)
- Dust
- Noise
- Lighting
- Chemical working environment
- Chemicals (gases, vapors)
- Biological working environment
- Mold
- Animal allergens
- Biological material (viruses, bacteria)
An occupational hygiene report is prepared with the mapping findings, proposals for protective measures, health examinations, etc. The report is sent in ePhorte to the local employer.
For further follow-up, occupational hygienists participate in an information meeting at the workplace with the presentation of an occupational hygiene report.
Ordering
Ordering an occupational hygiene assignment must always be done via the head of the unit. Ordering is made at the annual action plan meeting between the department and OHSU. For urgent assignments outside the action plan assignment, this can be ordered at ebht-post@admin.uio.no.
An orientation meeting with affected employees should be held before the mapping work is started. Here, the mapping methodology is explained, so that expectations among the employees can be clarified.
For occupational hygiene mapping in the workplace, it is important that there is internal communication between the manager, safety representative and local working environment committee about this.
Contact
Urgent assignments:
Ordinary assignments:
- Occupational Hygienist Cheau Ling Poon
- Occupational Hygienist Knut Andresen