Industrial Hygiene Careers

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE: A CAREER WHERE YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

What is an Industrial Hygienist?

An Industrial Hygienist (IH) is a professional who identifies and prevents unhealthy exposures that may cause workplace injuries or illnesses. The IH applies scientific knowledge to anticipate hazardous conditions that could cause an adverse health effect on a worker or the environment. The IH must also be able to recognize existing hazards and predict the likelihood of their effects. Combining professional judgment and measurements, the IH evaluates hazards and determines methods for preventing or controlling them.

Example: Woodworking has a number of hazards: amputations and hand injuries from blades, eye injuries from flying objects, respiratory disease from inhaling wood dust and solvent, paint or glue vapors. An industrial hygienist would be concerned with anticipating these hazards and designing woodworking equipment and workers' jobs to minimize the effects of these hazards. The industrial hygienist might take samples of wood dust from a worker's breathing zone to measure exposures, compare these measurements with regulatory guidelines, and make recommendations for installing better dust collection systems.

How Can You Become an Industrial Hygienist?

Education, training and experience are all important aspects of an industrial hygiene professional career. Education can be obtained through a masters degree program, training can be gained by taking specialized courses, experience can be achieved with work in the field.

Pursuing a Masters Degree in Industrial Hygiene

Admission to a masters degree program requires a baccalaureate degree in science or engineering. Look for an ABET-accredited program (most are in schools of public health). Many programs require GREs, a minimum GPA (usually 3.0) and letters of reference from professors or advisors. The most highly-regarded programs are in Education and Research Centers (ERCs) supported by training grants from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). These ERC programs usually offer tuition support and a monthly stipend. The best programs are two years in length and include coursework in: principles and practice of industrial hygiene and environmental sciences; epidemiology; biostatistics; control of physical and chemical hazards; environmental health; occupational safety; and public health. Many programs also require a practicum and a thesis or research project.

What are the Job Opportunities for Industrial Hygienists?

Job opportunities are excellent! Here are examples of recent job listings:

Loss Control Technical Specialist/Industrial Hygiene, General Casualty Insurance Companies, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

This position will be responsible for developing and implementing industrial hygiene strategies and conducting field surveys; develop and maintain loss control guides, training programs, forms, materials, and train field staff. A BS degree in Safety, Engineering, or related field is desired. Certification as a CIH is desired. Requires 6-8 years of relevant loss control experience with demonstrated achievements and progressive responsibilities. Superior verbal and written communication skills are required.

Senior Health and Safety Consultant, Camp, Dresser and McKee, Detroit, Michigan

Camp Dresser and McKee (CDM) is currently seeking a Senior Health and Safety Consultant. CDM is an employee-owned global consulting, engineering, construction, and operations firm. We have a full-time permanent position in occupational health and safety. Incumbent will: Provide consultation to water and waste water utilities on process safety management; Provide environmental risk assessment for public agencies; Support CDM's internal health and safety program; Oversee health and safety on water and wastewater operations; Deliver health and safety training to CDM and client personnel; Sample or test for air contaminants in work places, in community air, and at contaminant sources, like ventilation stacks; Design air sampling protocols for hazard assessment in the above situations. This new position helps to meet expanding needs in 1) a rapidly growing and profitable health and safety practice, and 2) CDM's internal health and safety program. Applicant must have a B.S. in a natural science or engineering. We will view a master's degree in environmental engineering, industrial hygiene, or public health favorably. We require 6 years (minimum) of health and safety experience, including experience working with hazardous waste or hazardous materials. Certification in the comprehensive practice of industrial hygiene or the safety profession is strongly desired.

Safety Technician, Human Genome Sciences, Inc., Rockville, Maryland

The HGS Environmental Health and Safety group is seeking an individual with a background in laboratory health and safety practices. Initial responsibilities will center on support and maintenance functions for radiation, chemical, biological and general industry safety standards. Interested candidates will assist with the implementation of environmental monitoring, waste management, chemical hazards assessments, internal audit, job safety analysis and equipment QA safety programs in conjunction with record-keeping requirements. Interested candidates should be organized, able to prioritize, work within a goal oriented team environment, possess good judgment, and accept supervision and work within a diverse corporate environment. We require a minimum of a bachelor's degree in environmental or occupational safety sciences with 1-3 years of experience.

What are Typical Salaries for Industrial Hygienists?

What is a Certified Industrial Hygienist?

The professional certification for this field is the CIH, Certified Industrial Hygienist. Eligibility is based on baccalaureate degree and work experience. A masters degree from an ABET-accredited program counts toward work experience. Certification is obtained by passing two written examinations: Core and Comprehensive (each one day in length). Certification must be maintained, either by re-taking the exam or by approved activities. The American Board of Industrial Hygiene is responsible for professional certification.

More Information about the Industrial Hygiene Profession:

Web sites:

American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)

Applied Science Accreditation commission (ASAC) formerly ABET

American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH)

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Journals:

American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal

Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene