Development of an exposure database and surveillance system for use by practicing OSH professionals

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health and Safety
• Environmental Science
• Database Management Systems

Background:

• Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site (RFETS), a former nuclear weapons facility, is undergoing extensive cleanup operations.
• Managing and analyzing occupational exposure data during highly variable cleanup tasks presents significant challenges for health and safety professionals.
• Existing systems lacked the necessary capabilities for detailed analysis and trend identification of exposure determinants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement an integrated occupational exposure database and surveillance system for RFETS.
• To assist health and safety personnel in managing, analyzing exposure monitoring data, and identifying exposure determinants.
• To enhance primary prevention efforts through timely and actionable exposure information.

Main Methods:

• Core data elements were established through focused meetings with site health and safety personnel.
• A task-based coding scheme with 34 hierarchical combinations of work type and task was employed.
• Data elements were incorporated into a Microsoft Access database featuring built-in data entry controls and a user-friendly report generator for complex analyses and queries.

Main Results:

• The system enables automated calculations for time-weighted averages and sample volumes.
• Integrated permissible exposure limits (PELs) allow automatic comparison with current occupational exposure standards.
• Automated graphical analyses and a flexible report generator facilitate 'drill-down' capabilities to identify specific exposure determinants.

Conclusions:

• The implemented integrated database system significantly saves time for industrial hygienists.
• The system provides timely and useful information crucial for guiding primary prevention strategies in occupational health.
• This database approach enhances the ability to monitor and manage worker exposure during complex environmental remediation projects.