The main areas of activity of an occupational hygienist include:
- The anticipation of health hazards in new and proposed work situations.
- The recognition of health hazards in existing work places.
- The assessment of health risks in the workplace; through qualitative assessments as well as quantitative exposure measurement surveys.
- The selection of appropriate control measures for health risks; this requires a thorough working knowledge of measures such as elimination, substitution, local exhaust ventilation.
- The development of tailored control solutions for unique work activities; many work places require the modification and development of control measures since off the shelf measures will not work adequately.
- The investigation into the causes of work related ill health.
- Assistance with occupational health related activities such as health surveillance/biological monitoring.
- Training and education; such as informing workers of the hazards associated with their work and training them in the correct use of control measures.
- Research activities into improved methods for recognition, evaluation and control of exposure.
The occupational hygienist can regularly work closely with environmentalists, safety personnel, medical practitioners, project, managers, engineers from all disciplines, food hygienists, local Government Officials, etc., to help reduce and control exposure to health hazards in the workplace. Learn more about The Complete Australian Guide to Occupational Hygiene in our detailed guide.
