Occupational Hygiene

The course will provide an introduction on how to conduct risk assessment of chemical hazards. What factors are included in a survey and how to assess risk for human exposure to factors that affect individuals negatively. Topics to be discussed include: uncertainty in exposure measures, measures of diseases and acceptance criteria. An important focus will be the difference between risk assessment of hazards of the accident from a classical engineering angle. There is also an introduction to epidemiology. A central part of the course focuses on the factors contributing to reduce the risk of exposure, including ventilation conditions, analysis of work processes, substitution, and personal protective equipment. Systematic monitoring of the working environment is an important element and there will be a focus on how companies should deal with national legislation and national and international standardization work within the area.

Position and function of the course in the study: The course is advanced course for those who choose the specialization occupational hygiene for students on study programs MHMS and MIHMS, Otherwise open to civ.ing students who have followed TIØ4186 Occupational Health and Safety after application to the teacher.

The course will provide knowledge about the following: General knowledge of the different work areas of an occupational hygienist. Specific knowledge of methods for performing risk assessments in the work environment and of the factors that makes the basis of these risk assessments. Specific knowledge of regulations that apply to the work environment and specific knowledge of how to apply this. Specific knowledge of chemical management and ethical aspects with risk assessment of chemical agents. General knowledge of epidemiology. Specific knowledge of strategies for assessing and controlling chemical exposure. Specific knowledge of different measures for reducing risk from chemical exposure. The course shall give the student skills in analyzing and assess physical and chemical factors in the working environment. Other important learning outcomes are to validate methods and statistics for use in assessment, and to be able to report the results of a occupational hygiene risk assessment in a appropriate manner.

Seminars, lectures and compulsory term paper. Portfolio assessment provides a basis for the final grade. The portfolio includes 40% term paper and final written exam 60%. The results for the parts are given in letter grades, and the entire portfolio (final grade) is assigned a letter grade. If there is a re-sit examination, the examination form may be changed from written to oral.