Occupational Hygienist

Occupational or industrial hygienists can work in various settings, including offices, laboratories, and field sites. The work environment will depend on the specific industry and specialization of the hygienist. Industrial hygienists work in several industries, such as manufacturing, construction, healthcare, government, and consulting. In specific work environments, occupational or industrial hygienists may spend time conducting assessments and sampling air, water, etc. They may also spend time in the laboratory analyzing samples and interpreting data. Additionally, work in the office might be required to write reports, develop hazard control plans, conduct research, and communicate with colleagues and clients.

The office:

• Researching workplace hazards.
• Analyzing and interpreting data from workplace monitoring and testing.
• Writing reports and making recommendations for hazard control measures.
• Communicating with colleagues, clients, and government departments on health and safety matters.
• Developing and delivering training programs on workplace health and safety.

The field:

• Conducting workplace hazard assessments and sampling such as air, heat, water, etc.
• Using monitoring equipment to measure worker exposure to hazardous substances and physical stressors.
• Conducting noise surveys and assessing the ergonomic risks associated with job tasks.
• Implementing hazard control strategies, such as engineering controls and protective equipment.

The laboratory:

• Analyzing samples collected from the field, such as air or water samples
• Using laboratory equipment to measure the physical properties of materials and substances

Developing and validating laboratory methods and procedures for analyzing samples