Industrial Hygiene Careers Information
The responsibility of industrial hygienists is to protect workers from hazard. Not only do they work to eliminate any dangers, they also use preventative techniques to ensure the workers safety is not at risk.
Industrial Hygiene Careers & Degrees
Using environmental monitoring techniques and analytical methods to detect these hazards, industrial hygienists then employ work practice controls and other methods to control and help eliminate health hazards.
Not only do they deal with hazardous materials that could be harmful, they also assess the situations and stresses that can cause sickness or impaired health in workers through chemical, physical, ergonomic, or biological exposures.
Employed by large industrial manufacturers, insurance companies, public health agencies and consulting firms, industrial hygienists spend most of their time in laboratories, analyzing samples, experimenting with chemicals, and running tests on health equipment to ensure of its reliability.
At other times, industrial hygienists work on-site, working with plant management, labor organizations, government officials and environmental groups to ensure that the health and safety programs established meet the individual needs of these different groups.
Industrial hygienists work as the intermediary between the companies and labor groups, and the federal and state government. As requirements vary from state to state, it is the job of the hygienist to inform the company of the particular requirements.
It is also their duty to ensure that the employees are fully aware of the dangers of the particular equipment they use. Additionally, hygienists may be called in to testify at government hearings on product safety, working conditions, and environmental pollution, or may be asked to represent their employers in workers’ compensation trials.
Industrial Hygiene Careers Path
If you are a high school or college student interest in a career as an industrial hygienist, make sure to load up on the biology, chemistry, physics, and math courses, as these are the foundation of the career, and will help to provide opportunities to advance your career quickly.
Once you graduate, an industrial hygienist is required to have at least a bachelor’s degree, majoring in a field such as science or engineering. Work-study programs are also highly suggested for those interested in pursuing hygiene as a career.
Employers often like to hire applicants with a graduate degree, perhaps in biological sciences or public health, but this is not a requirement.
If you have a bachelor’s degree in one of the sciences, medicine, or chemical, mechanical, or sanitary engineering, you qualify for certification by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH). Though this is not a requirement, a certified industrial hygienist tends to make considerably more than one that is not certified.
In order to become certified, hygienists must have already passed two ABIH examinations. The core examination covers all of the principles and facts that an industrial hygienist should already know.
Next, they may either take the comprehensive exam, which covers these same elements, only more in-depth, or they may take the chemical practice test, which covers areas like chemical reactions, analytical procedures, and methods used for monitoring the environment.
Industrial Hygiene Careers: Compatible Personality Traits
Organized and analytical, great communication skills, quick on their feet, and good at problem solving. Must be able to establish good working relationships with both management and workers.
Interview with a Professional Industrial Hygienist
Read More by a Professional Industrial Hygienist…
Industrial Hygiene Careers: Salary Expectations
In May 2008, occupational health and safety specialists held roughly 55,800 jobs. The majority of these jobs were through private sectors, though Federal, State, and local government agencies employed 41 percent of specialists.
The median annual wages of occupational health and safety specialists were $62,250, and the middle 50 percent earned between $47,490 and $77,880. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,870, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $93,620.
Industrial Hygiene Careers: Job Outlook
As a part of the occupational health and safety specialists, industrial hygienists are expected to see average job growth over the 2008-2018 decade. This steady growth of 11 percent is due to a continued interest in public health and safety.
Those with graduate degrees with specialized knowledge of industrial hygiene are expected to have the best job opportunities.
Slightly Off the Footpath
- Infection Control Officer
- Agricultural Inspector
- Construction Inspector
- Fire Inspector
- Occupational Health & Safety Specialist
