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YOU DO WHAT?
360+
MAY 2014
360

Learn more
on the Core >
Departments >
Environment,
Health & Safety >
Industrial Hygiene.

She’s a hazard hunter

Johane Aubin spends a good chunk of every day thinking about the future. But she isn’t day-dreaming.

The industrial hygienist is asking questions work. They monitor the site’s noise and air “It’s important to talk with supervisors so

and implementing measures that will help quality with tools such as a portable pump, they understand the risks and what they
her colleagues at the Montreal reinery photo ionization detector, or electronic have to look for,” she says. “The challenge

enjoy a healthy quality of life, long after noise meter. Samples are sent to a lab and is to demonstrate the beneits of
they’ve retired. What she does is part of then analyzed when needed.
occupational hygiene, because the adverse

the mandate of industrial hygiene: health effects are not always immediate or
anticipate, recognize, evaluate and control “Safety regulations indicate the values that obvious, like many workplace injuries.”
should not be exceeded for the different
the hazards in the workplace.
work hazards,” Johane says. “If something Nevertheless, Johane says Suncor takes

“If the proper precautions aren’t taken in a isn’t right, we move quickly to make industrial hygiene seriously.
work environment, there can be lasting changes. For example, a work and rest
“At the reinery, I see a lot of
health impacts to people that aren’t felt schedule may be implemented to avoid
until decades down the road,” she says.
heat stroke on hot summer days.”
improvements in the protection of workers,
and our shut-down preparation has been

Johane is one of 12 industrial hygienists And as issues arise, frequent better over the last eight years. And it’s
employed across Suncor. These dedicated communication and collaboration with site done because we are committed to safe,

specialists – with expertise in chemistry, leadership and teams in Operations, healthy workplaces.”
biology, physics, engineering, toxicology Maintenance, and Environment,

and the law – generally have a long Health & Safety is critical.
to-do list.

At our reineries and plants, they assess

worker exposure to potential hazards
including carcinogens, airborne

contaminants, chemical agents, noise,
vibration and radiation.

At other Suncor sites, including the
corporate ofice environment, they might

also apply the science of ergonomics to

prevent back or muscular damage, eye
strain and carpal tunnel syndrome caused

from repetitive tasks.

“We look at whether the work

environment is under control,” says Johane,
who has worked in the ield for 20 years.

“For example, this might mean we need to
select and make available adequate

respirators and gloves, modify work
procedure to reduce workers’ exposure to

hazards, or replace worn-out equipment.”

On a typical day, Johane or her technician
colleague will conduct both ield and ofice

Johane Aubin, left, and Melanie Bardier support industrial
hygiene at the Montreal reinery.