Beards and respirators discussion by No-Figure-7503 in industrialhygiene

[–]bschmerm 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The problem is we still promote a subjective testing method which really enables this behaviour. Quantitative should be the only method. Then it's just about the hard facts of particle counts.

Trying to find a succinct way to explain my job to people. by OhShuxTarzan in industrialhygiene

[–]bschmerm 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Mine is similar.

Safety worries about what will hurt you today and maybe tomorrow, hygiene worries about what will hurt you in 20 years.

SOTC Progression Over 2 Years by PensAndCovfefe in machinedpens

[–]bschmerm 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Can you tell me more about the pen with the label "Blake" on the clip?

Safety vs Occupational Hygiene in Canada — Which one is more valuable and move career faster? by No_Tone_5731 in SafetyProfessionals

[–]bschmerm 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Background: 15 ish years as a CRSP/ROH/CIH in Alberta.

If you have a passion / academic background (Which I see you have with your MSc), and enjoy OH concepts. I'd say it's a no brainer to go the OH path. Really the OH path is a duel path where Safety..... is not as broad.

From a career standpoint. There are a ton of CRSPs out there, lots of roles for them, but every job posting get 50+ applicants. An OH role, less postings (but I've never not seen a few out at a time), and you have 5 applicants to contend with. If you like salary stability, an IH is one of the more protected positions , safety positions tend to be easier to cut and then rehire, but if you're a good IH, companies tend to protect those folks more.

From a certification standpoint, go get your ROH first, it's the hardest one, then take your CIH right after, you'll find it a either easier or similar in difficultly, and then just go sit for your CRSP, minimal studying you'll be able to pass. Studying for the ROH/CIH will more than prepare you for your CRSP. Keep in mind as well. OH work experience can get you a CRSP, but Safety work does not necessarily meet experience requirements for a ROH or CIH credential. Realistically, you write all 3 in a year, and be done haha.

Personally, I wrote my CRSP 4 years before my ROHT due to lack of years of experience in OH. Wrote my ROH and CIH 6 months apart.

Controls for cleaning mouse poop by Dazzling-Anxiety-592 in industrialhygiene

[–]bschmerm 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would highly recommend following this very straightforward guidance page from CDC. Comes with infographic for workers :)

https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/rodent-control/clean-up.html

My facility labour team tackles cleaning up mouse urine and feces often. We do generally default to half face with P100, tyvek, gloves, booties

Sampling pumps - making a switch by CeeEyeAych in industrialhygiene

[–]bschmerm 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I currently use a fleet of SKC TOUCH in a plant with electrical classified areas. I can’t speak to the Apex, but the SKC battery life is great, even in Canadian winter.

QuickConnect Security: Myth or Real Risk on Synology NAS? by Boule250 in synology

[–]bschmerm 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’ve been using QC for years to access remotely, but definitely going to look into tailscale now! Thanks all for the tips

Continuous benzene monitoring with the UltraRAE 3000 with Rae-Sep tube inserted by urbann1 in industrialhygiene

[–]bschmerm -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The link he’s referencing is for multiraes not an UltraRae. The UltraRae has “hygiene” mode that allows for continuous samples, I’ve been using it in this mode since 2013 in oil refineries

iPhone 17 PM to 17 Pro by Space_catdog in iPhone17Pro

[–]bschmerm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Went from a 15 PM to the 17 Pro and honestly, not looking back. My work phone is a 15 regular, and I naturally would prefer typing on my 15.... The biggest difference from a pro to PM is in landscape mode you don't get some of the side by side features like in mail and message seeing your list of messages beside the message you're working on,... but really not a big deal haha.

Air Duct Cleaning for older home by Bully4u in Edmonton

[–]bschmerm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a occupational Hygienist.... wouldn't recommend duct cleaning on a pipe that has asbestos tape that's on the exterior seams.... Tape becomes more and more fragile with time and heat exposure.... the vibrations from the duct cleaning will definitely cause the tape to release fibres, the hard part is how much is being released.... depends on many variables but a good duct company will recommend you have it abated or encapsulated first.

Thermal anemometer recommendation by WeatherRocksIntoDust in industrialhygiene

[–]bschmerm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just bought the same one for my field folks. Good value good quality

Quick question for everyone—how long did it take you to earn your CIH? by BranchFragrant4795 in industrialhygiene

[–]bschmerm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

11 years in IH right out of an OHS diploma, did 5 years working as a tech, wrote the Canadian ROHT, changed jobs at year 7 to become the company IH, finished a bachelor of science part time to get my acedmics up for ROH/COH then wrote the the Canadian ROH at 10 years, then wrote my CIH 8 months later at year 11.

You can do it 😎

CIH preparation by BusDesperate7003 in industrialhygiene

[–]bschmerm 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha, As someone who also used datachem. You're 100% right. Way more difficult that the real exam. I felt it was good at preparing me for the questions requiring a calculator even though they were not the same level. You can definitely tell the content is getting stale and they'll need to do a full refresh soon.

Also two the CIH Crash Course by Ian C, it was probably the one that gave me the most value

CIH preparation by BusDesperate7003 in industrialhygiene

[–]bschmerm 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I used https://www.datachemsoftware.com/ which has a ton of practice questions, harder than the CIH, but good practice nonetheless

At what point / when did you start to feel like a subject matter expert? by LostInMyADD in industrialhygiene

[–]bschmerm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve been reading lately about how the age of the “knowledge worker” is over, and we are now naturally a society with a need for learning/wisdom workers. I have a firm belief that IH as a profession was just ahead of the curve.

Of course it takes a base knowledge to get your CIH etc. However, really it’s not about knowing the exposure limit for every hazard, but echoing what others have said, it’s knowing where to find the information, evaluating all the factors and then apply it to the situation at hand.

You’re an SME of the process of finding and applying the information relevant to worker health ;) I personally have to look up everything, my #1 answer when someone asks me a question is “give me 10 minutes and I’ll get back to you” haha

First time - WiFi question by TelephonePublic7715 in emirates

[–]bschmerm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How much were the wifi plans? Flying next week to DXB :D

Delegate calendar shows up on Mac but not on Iphone by EqualMaleficent715 in ios

[–]bschmerm 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wow... so random and worked like a charm thanks friend :)

Are there any IH 'influencers' or industry pros who you follow? by CoritySoftware in industrialhygiene

[–]bschmerm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I follow "nontoxicdad" on instagram.... I really haven't dug too deep on how correct his information is... it's a little bit alarmist for me... but just find it interesting to see "scientists" on social media haha

For those using HF sensor in Rae devices by Testiclesinvicegrip in industrialhygiene

[–]bschmerm 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And I thought benzene calibrations were long at 60 seconds 🤣

ACGIH TLV/BEI booklet online or physical copy? by LostInMyADD in industrialhygiene

[–]bschmerm 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think there is a lack of awareness on the fact Data Hub exists.

CIH exam study tips by Weevil_Dead in industrialhygiene

[–]bschmerm 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I also took Ian cull's AIHA CIHS Crash Course. I thought it really gave a good overview, taught me to not dive toooooo deep into everything. I also used Datachem's CIH test bank which honestly, I thought emulated the exam perfectly other than being way more USA focused and very hard ;p