Airborne Metals Exposure E-learning

This e-learning course is a hazard-focused module (to be taken after the Industrial Hygiene Fundamentals e-learning course). Participants will learn about:

• Common workplace sources of airborne metals, including welding, cutting, grinding, brazing, metal processing, and related industrial activities
• The characteristics and behaviour of airborne metal particulates in workplace environments
• Common exposure hazards associated with airborne metals, including tasks, processes, and work conditions that can increase worker exposure
• Health effects associated with acute and chronic exposure to airborne metals
• Occupational exposure limits and recognized industrial hygiene standards related to airborne metal contaminants
• Exposure monitoring methods used to assess airborne metal concentrations, including an introduction to NIOSH 7300 and 7303 sampling and analytical methodologies
• Workplace control measures used to prevent or reduce employee exposure, including engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment
• Approaches toward hazard management using the recognize, assess, control, and evaluate (RACE) principle

By completing this module, participants will gain foundational knowledge needed to recognize airborne metal hazards, understand potential health risks, support workplace exposure monitoring activities, interpret exposure assessment results, and identify appropriate control strategies to protect worker health.

Intended Audience

This course is designed for individuals who will support industrial hygiene monitoring and occupational health and safety programs in their workplaces by building awareness of airborne metals that may be present in their operations. Participants will develop a foundational understanding of exposure hazards, health effects, exposure assessment methods, exposure limits, and control strategies related to these airborne contaminants.

While participants in the Occupational Illness and Disease Prevention Research Project are encouraged to complete this module (if applicable to their workplace) and the IH Fundamentals e-learning course before attending a follow-up Applied Industrial Hygiene Fundamentals Workshop, this e-learning module is free for anyone interested in enhancing their knowledge of workplace airborne metal hazards, exposure monitoring practices, and the measures used to protect worker health.

Note that, through participating in this course, your name and contact information will be provided to the Institute for Work and Health for research purposes into the enhancement of occupational hygiene hazard awareness. Reach out to Workplace Safety North for more information.