Possible Solutions

Industrial ventilation generally involves the use of supply and exhaust ventilation to control airborne contaminants, in the workplace, to acceptable levels. Other major applications of industrial ventilation are to prevent fire and explosions, and to control temperature, humidity, and odors. The following resources contain information about the use of ventilation controls.

• OSHA Technical Manual (OTM). OSHA Directive TED 01-00-015 [TED 1-0.15A], (January 20, 1999). Several portions of the OTM reference ventilation as a means for controlling health hazards:
  • Heat Stress. Discusses ventilation as a main engineering control for heat stress.
  • Laser Hazards. Describes how ventilation is necessary to reduce hazardous fumes and vapors produced when using lasers.
  • Controlling Lead Exposures in the Construction Industry: Engineering and Work Practice Controls. Discusses ventilation techniques for controlling lead exposures.
• Indoor Air Quality. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page. Provides safety and health information about indoor air quality in the workplace. Concerns over indoor air quality are often addressed by employing a variety of ventilation techniques.
• Control of Exposure to Perchloroethylene in Commercial Drycleaning (Ventilation). US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-157, (1997). Contains information on using ventilation to control chemical exposures and help prevent vapors from reaching the worker's breathing zone.
• Control of Smoke From Laser/Electric Surgical Procedures. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication 96-128, (1996). Discusses recommended ventilation techniques for effectively controlling airborne contaminants generated by surgical devices.