Occupational Health
Our Occupational Health Program offers comprehensive services that integrate exposure assessment, risk mitigation, and medical surveillance to protect the occupational health and safety of Texas A&M University employees.
Hearing Conservation
Workplace Noise Surveys
EHS safety professionals conduct noise surveys to identify areas where sound levels may exceed 85 decibels (dBA) as an 8-hour time-weighted average.
If a noise hazard is found, EHS partners with departments to identify and implement solutions and determine who should be enrolled in the Hearing Conservation Program.
Audiograms
If your job may expose you to hazardous noise, EHS provides annual hearing tests to establish a baseline and monitor for early signs of hearing loss.
Training Opportunities
Online Hearing Conservation Training
In-Person Hearing Conservation Training
This training for groups can be held at the EHS office or on-site at your workplace and includes:
- An explanation of the physiological effects of noise on the ear.
- Hands-on demonstrations of various hearing protection devices (HPDs).
- Instructions on the proper care, fitting, and limitations of protective equipment.
- Open discussions regarding specific workplace concerns.
Protective Equipment & Resources
Choosing the right hearing protection is crucial—no single device fits every person or situation. EHS can help you select the best protection for your tasks, ensuring safety while maintaining comfort.
A variety of technical and educational documents are available:
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Noise Thermometer (English/Spanish): A visual guide to understanding decibel levels of common sounds.
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NHCA HPD Selection Guide: A comprehensive guide from the National Hearing Conservation Association on choosing the right earplugs or earmuffs.
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"Noise is All Around Us": An educational brochure highlighting the cumulative impact of noise in daily life.
For questions or to schedule individual or group training about any hearing conservation topic, please click below.
Ergonomics: Evaluation, Assessment and Resources
Request an Evaluation
If you experience discomfort or would like to optimize your workspace, please request a personalized evaluation. Our safety professionals will evaluate your setup and provide recommendations for improvement.
Additionally, we offer informative presentations for teams and departments on best practices and recognizing ergonomic hazards.
To request an evaluation, please email the Ergonomics team, including your name, office location, and preferred availability.
Self-Assessment
- Office Self-Assessment: This checklist is tailored for computer-based workstations, concentrating on key elements such as seating ergonomics, lighting quality, and the strategic placement of peripherals.
- Laboratory Self-Assessment: Designed for researchers who spend extended hours at benches, using microscopes, or performing repetitive tasks such as pipetting, this guide provides targeted recommendations to optimize your workspace.
- Industrial/Operations Self-Assessment: This assessment focuses on fundamental aspects of manual material handling, tool use, and standing workstations to ensure your operational environment is as safe and efficient as possible.
- Pre-Evaluation Questionnaire: A comprehensive preliminary form that gathers essential information regarding your specific discomforts and concerns before an official EHS visit.
Understanding Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
Musculoskeletal Disorders are injuries or disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, and cartilage. By understanding what MSDs are and how they develop, employees can better appreciate the importance of ergonomic interventions. The program provides resources to help you:
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Identify the symptoms of MSDs.
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Understand the risk factors (repetitive motion, forceful exertion, and awkward postures).
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Implement practical, low-cost solutions to prevent these injuries.
Respiratory Protection
The Respiratory Protection Program combines exposure assessment, risk mitigation, and ongoing medical surveillance for employees who must wear respirators to protect against airborne contaminants such as particles, dust, mists, fumes, or gases, or in oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
Respirators should not be the first choice for protection and should be worn only if an exposure assessment indicates that an inhalation hazard exceeds the occupational exposure limit, or if a job description, standard operating procedure, or emergency operating procedure requires a respirator and administrative or engineering controls are insufficient.
Need a Respirator?
Not every mask is a respirator, and not every job requires one. Respiratory protection is mandatory when:
- SDS Requirements: A chemical’s Safety Data Sheet specifically mandates respiratory protection for the task.
- Inadequate Ventilation: Work is performed in areas where engineering controls (such as fume hoods) are not available or cannot adequately reduce contaminants to safe levels.
- Hazardous Atmospheres: You are working with particulates or chemicals that pose an inhalation risk or in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.
- Unknown: Unsure if your role requires a respirator? Contact our team to assess your work environment and advise you on appropriate respiratory protection.
The 2-Step Compliance Process
All employees required to wear a respirator for non-biological respiratory hazards must complete these steps before starting work:
Step 1 - Medical Clearance: You must complete a confidential Medical Evaluation Questionnaire. An Occupational Health Physician reviews your responses and may require an additional physical assessment, such as a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT), to ensure you are physically able to wear a respirator.
To initiate this process, please email us.
Step 2 - Training and Fit Testing: After receiving medical clearance, we perform annual Quantitative Fit Testing to confirm that your respirator fits your face properly and provides adequate protection. We also ensure you know how to properly don and doff your respirator, perform a user seal check, and adequately maintain it.
Contact the Biosafety Occupational Health Program at bohp@tamu.edu for more information about mitigating risk(s) of exposure to infectious biohazards or to animal allergens.