How to Be Industrial Hygienist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Industrial hygienists play an important role in keeping workers safe by identifying and evaluating hazardous materials, airborne pollutants, and other potential health risks in the workplace. The effects of their work can be far-reaching; reducing employee health risks, improving productivity, and helping to create a safe working environment. As industrial hygienists assess the hazards of different materials and processes, they use a variety of tools, like air sampling and chemical analysis, to help identify and quantify the risks associated with each.

By taking preventive measures, such as recommending protective equipment, engineering controls, and proper ventilation, industrial hygienists help reduce the risk of occupational illness, injuries, and fatalities. they can provide valuable information to employers on government regulations and best practices for hazardous material management.

Steps How to Become

1. Obtain a Bachelor's degree. The first step to becoming an Industrial Hygienist is to obtain a bachelor's degree in industrial hygiene, environmental health, or a related field such as chemistry, biology, or engineering.
2. Gain relevant work experience. Industrial hygienists typically must have at least two years of related work experience before they can begin working independently.
3. Become certified. Most states require industrial hygienists to be certified by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH). Certification requires passing an exam and meeting other requirements.
4. Participate in continuing education. Industrial hygienists must participate in continuing education to maintain their certification. This can include attending seminars, conferences, or taking online courses.
5. Obtain licensure. Depending on the state, industrial hygienists may be required to obtain a professional license in order to practice.

Industrial hygienists must stay ahead and qualified in order to remain successful and effective in their roles. To do this, they must continuously update their knowledge and skills through continuing education, training courses, and participating in professional development activities. They also need to stay up to date on the latest regulatory requirements, industry standards, and technologies related to their field.

industrial hygienists must maintain a professional network and stay connected with the larger health and safety community in order to share best practices and keep up with new developments. Finally, they must be open to new ideas and approaches, as well as be willing to take risks in order to create innovative solutions for safety and health challenges.

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Job Description

1. Perform air sampling, noise level measurements, and other industrial hygiene monitoring activities.
2. Evaluate workplaces for potential hazards, such as hazardous materials, noise levels, and ergonomic conditions.
3. Identify sources of indoor air quality problems such as mold, dust, and chemical fumes.
4. Design and implement engineering controls to reduce or eliminate hazardous conditions in the workplace.
5. Develop health and safety programs for employers, including safety training and education.
6. Investigate employee illnesses and injuries related to occupational exposures.
7. Develop exposure limits for hazardous materials in the workplace.
8. Monitor compliance with health and safety laws and regulations.
9. Report findings and make recommendations to employers and government agencies regarding hazardous conditions in the workplace.
10. Provide technical support to employers on health and safety issues related to their workplace.

Skills and Competencies to Have

1. Knowledge of occupational safety and health principles, practices, and standards.
2. Knowledge of industrial hygiene, biological and chemical hazards, engineering controls, personal protective equipment and exposure assessment techniques.
3. Ability to recognize and evaluate hazardous conditions in the workplace and recommend corrective measures.
4. Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate industrial hygiene programs.
5. Ability to perform air sampling and analysis for hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead, silica and other chemicals.
6. Knowledge of the regulations and standards governing industrial hygiene.
7. Ability to prepare reports and make presentations.
8. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, management, and outside representatives.
9. Knowledge of laboratory safety procedures.
10. Ability to work effectively and cooperatively in a team environment.

Industrial Hygienists play a vital role in ensuring the health and safety of workers by minimizing exposure to harmful materials and chemicals. The most important skill an Industrial Hygienist must possess is the ability to recognize potential hazards and assess the risks they pose to workers. This requires a thorough knowledge of physical, chemical, and biological hazards, as well as the ability to evaluate exposure levels and recommend protective measures.

The Industrial Hygienist must also be able to develop and implement effective safety programs, investigate hazardous incidents, and educate workers on how to avoid dangerous working conditions. By doing so, they help protect workers from potential harm, protecting their health and wellbeing.

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Frequent Interview Questions

• What experience do you have in industrial hygiene?
• How do you ensure safety in the workplace?
• What strategies do you use to identify and control health hazards?
• What methods do you use to monitor and measure air quality?
• How do you assess the potential for chemical exposure in the workplace?
• How do you stay up-to-date on the latest industrial hygiene regulations?
• What techniques do you use to analyze and interpret environmental data?
• How do you develop, implement and evaluate an industrial hygiene program?
• How do you ensure compliance with safety and health regulations?
• What challenges have you faced in your past roles as an industrial hygienist?

Common Tools in Industry

1. Air Sampler. a tool for collecting air or gas samples for analysis (eg: SKC Button Pump).
2. Sound Level Meter. a device used to measure and analyze sound levels in a given environment (eg: Larson Davis Model 824).
3. Dosimeter. a device that measures accumulated exposure to certain types of radiation (eg: RadEye G-20).
4. Gas Detector. a device used to detect and monitor the presence of hazardous gases (eg: Draeger X-am 5000).
5. Particle Counter. a device used to measure the number and size of particles in a given environment (eg: TSI Model 3375).
6. Thermal Imaging Camera. an imaging device that detects infrared radiation, allowing users to visualize heat distribution (eg: Flir T420).
7. Hygrometer. a device used to measure the relative humidity of a given environment (eg: Extech 445815).
8. Dust Monitor. a device used to measure the concentration of dust particles in a given environment (eg: TSI DustTrak II).

Professional Organizations to Know

1. American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
2. American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH)
3. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
4. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
5. International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA)
6. National Safety Council (NSC)
7. Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM)
8. American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE)
9. International Labour Organization (ILO)
10. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

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Common Important Terms

1. Exposure Assessment. A process used to determine the level of a hazardous material that an employee has been exposed to in the workplace.
2. Risk Assessment. A process that evaluates the potential risk posed by a hazardous material or activity in the workplace.
3. Hazardous Materials. Any substance or material that can pose a risk to health and safety.
4. Ventilation Systems. Systems used to control the air quality in a workplace by providing adequate air supply and exhaust.
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Clothing and equipment worn by workers to protect them from hazardous materials and other threats in the workplace.
6. Air Sampling. The process of collecting and analyzing samples of air to determine levels of hazardous materials present.
7. Noise Monitoring. The measurement of noise levels in the workplace to ensure they are within acceptable limits and do not pose a health risk.
8. Ergonomics. The study of how people interact with their work environment and how their work environment can be designed to maximize safety, comfort, and productivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Industrial Hygienist?

An Industrial Hygienist is a professional with specialized training in the prevention of workplace health hazards. They are responsible for assessing, controlling and eliminating potential health risks in the workplace.

What qualifications are needed to become an Industrial Hygienist?

To become an Industrial Hygienist, individuals must possess a minimum of a bachelor's degree in industrial hygiene, safety or a related field, such as engineering or health science. In addition, many states require certification from the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH).

What kind of tasks do Industrial Hygienists perform?

Industrial Hygienists typically perform tasks such as monitoring air quality, conducting exposure assessments, designing personal protective equipment (PPE) programs, and developing health and safety policies. They may also be responsible for identifying and controlling hazardous chemicals, conducting noise surveys and providing training on health and safety topics.

How many Industrial Hygienists are there in the U.S.?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 8,650 Industrial Hygienists employed in the United States in 2019.

What is the average salary for an Industrial Hygienist?

The median annual wage for Industrial Hygienists in May 2019 was $82,080. Salaries can vary widely depending on experience, education level, and geographic location.

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Web Resources

• What is an Industrial Hygienist? | Midwest Center for … www.mcohs.umn.edu
• How to Become an Industrial Hygienist - Columbia Southern … www.columbiasouthern.edu
• How to Become an Industrial Hygienist - Tulane University publichealth.tulane.edu