While the term hygienist tends to make people think of visiting their dentist or orthodontist, industrial hygienists battle far more diverse threats than plaque and tooth decay. An industrial hygienist is a highly trained professional who plays a critical role in workplace safety.
What is Industrial Hygiene?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration defines industrial hygiene as the science of identifying, evaluating, predicting, preventing and controlling for conditions in an employee’s workplace that might cause illness or injury to workers or the surrounding community. Issues examined by industrial hygienists fall into five categories: biological, chemical, physical, pyschosocial and ergonomic. Since it deals specifically with workplace conditions, industrial hygiene is sometimes referred to as occupational hygiene.
What Does an Industrial Hygienist Do?
Industrial hygienists visit worksites and use scientific data and testing to identify potential health and safety hazards. They may sample for overexposure to noise, mold or hazardous chemicals, walk through to spot possible physical threats, interpret material safety data sheets, and review safety precautions to spot any inadequacies. After evaluating the situation, industrial hygienists offer recommendations to correct or mitigate any problems. This might involve swapping a hazardous chemical for a less dangerous one, take steps to eliminate exposure to biological hazards, recommending technological solutions like ventilation changes to improve air quality, or implementing more rigorous safety gear requirements for things like goggles, gloves, safety harnesses and hearing protection. Industrial hygienists may also be called on to consult on work practices, assist in the design of engineering controls, and aid in the creation of safety and health programs.
Where Do Industrial Hygienists Work?
Practically every industry must deal with concerns regarding workplace safety, which means industrial hygienists enjoy a wide range of opportunities. They are often employed by government agencies. Nearly half of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s compliance officers are industrial hygienists. Some industrial hygienists find jobs with educational institutions, labor unions, insurance companies and healthcare providers. Others work for private companies that deal with manufacturing, hazardous waste and chemicals. Many work for consulting firms or become entrepreneurs who run their own consulting business.
How Does Someone Become an Industrial Hygienist?
To be considered a qualified industrial hygienist, individuals must have a balance of education and experience. People who hold a bachelor’s degree in industrial hygiene, engineering, physics, chemistry or a similar physical or biological science need at least three years of field experience. A master’s degree in an appropriate field may reduce the field experience requirement to two years. A doctorate in an appropriate field can reduce the needed experience to one year. While certification is not required, it is highly recommended. The American Board of Industrial Hygiene offers a certified industrial hygienist credential to individuals who have four years of field experience and can pass their exam. The certification is valid for five years; to remain accredited, certified industrial hygienists must take part in continuing education.
Related Resource: Public Health Advisor
Industrial hygienists use a mix of science, observation and experience to identify things in the workplace that might endanger the workers or the surrounding community. By helping companies spot these hazards and educating them on courses of preventative action, they play a vital role in safeguarding both employees and the general public. Whether they work for the government, the company or their own outside consulting firms, industrial hygienists always have the same goal: safety.