Industrial Hygienists conduct programs in industrial plants, governmental organizations, or consulting groups to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, control, and/or eliminate occupational health hazards.  

JOB DUTIES 

Industrial Hygienists may:  

Collect samples of potentially hazardous materials for analysis  

Prepare and calibrate equipment used to collect and analyze samples  

Investigate the adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting, and other conditions which may affect employee health, comfort, or efficiency  

Evaluate exposure to radiation, noise, and vibration  

Review physicians' reports and conduct worker studies to determine if diseases or illnesses are job related  

Recommend measures to ensure maximum employee protection  

Collaborate with other health professionals on hazard control  

Prepare reports of their observations, analyses, and recommendations on industrial health problems  

Use cost-benefit analysis to justify money spent  

Instruct employees on occupational health and accident prevention  

Prepare documents to be used in legal proceedings and give testimony in court proceedings  

Participate in educational meetings to instruct employees on occupational health and prevention and accidents

Click here to learn more about Industrial Hygienists!  

Equipment and work aids used may include:  

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES  

079.161-010 INDUSTRIAL HYGIENISTS conduct health programs in industrial plants, governmental organizations, or consulting groups to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, control, and/or eliminate occupational health hazards and diseases.  

Some Industrial Hygienists may specialize in a particular area, such as the collection and analysis of samples or in acoustics, chemicals, radiation, or toxicology. Some work in managerial or administrative positions, or in teaching, consultation, research, inspection, law enforcement, or public information positions.  

Persons with specialized training in engineering may work as industrial health engineers (Career Exploration Script #146-Industrial Engineer).  

You may also wish to explore the program information for the following related Career Exploration Scripts:  

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 WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Industrial Hygienists may work alone or with industrial engineers, physicians, or other members of an industrial health team. Some may work with government officials, environmental groups, organized labor, and plant management when designing and developing systems for a healthy work environment.  

Hygienists work under varying conditions, as physical surroundings vary from plant to plant and from industry to industry. Some duties, such as collecting samples of pollutants from the top of an exhaust stack, may require outside work. Some of their other duties, such as analysis of samples, are conducted in a clean, well lighted laboratory. Industrial Hygienists may be exposed to hazards such as excessive noise, chemicals, and air contaminants.  

Industrial Hygienists usually work a 40-hour week. However, those employed by factories in continuous operation may work during any shift when problems have to be solved. Some Industrial Hygienists work in a central department from which they must travel between a number of work sites. Travel to attend business meetings is also common.

With certification, Industrial Hygienists become members of the American Academy of Industrial Hygiene .  Hygienists may also belong to professional organizations such as the American Public Health Association, and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Members generally pay periodic membership dues.  

You Should Prefer:

• Activities of a scientific and technical nature

• Working with and for people for their presumed good

 You Should Be Able To:

• Direct and plan an entire activity or the activities of others

• Rate information using measurable standards or personal judgment

• Perform mathematical operations quickly and accurately

• Communicate effectively in speech and writing

• Explain technical concepts in simple language

• Visualize how drawings or pictures would look as solid objects

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Adapt quickly to different situations and priorities

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:  

What is the air temperature if the speed of sound is 0.34 kilometers per second?  

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:  

The center of gravity is the point at which all the weight of an object may be considered to be concentrated in representing it as a particle.  

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:  

You should be able to write a report explaining any changes that may have to be made in an industrial plant to insure the safety of the employees.  

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:  

You should be able to look at a plant and decide the best way to increase the safety for the employees. 

Certification for Industrial Hygienists is optional. However, some employers require it of their top level Hygienists. Industrial Hygienists may be certified by passing a written exam in industrial hygiene or a related field offered by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene . At least five years of work experience is required. A Hygienist with a master's degree may be given one year of credit. A Hygienist with a doctorate may be given two years toward work experience.  

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 EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond High School) or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond High School) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond High School) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.  

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:  

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***  

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS , 2200 MATH, 2900 SCIENCE , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

  ***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***  

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.  

Students should obtain the local Education & Training Opportunities   for information on what happens to students who successfully complete a program. This information is available at each high school or career/technical center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***  

118 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH  

Programs in Occupational Safety and Health provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment conducting programs designed to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and control occupational safety and health hazards and diseases. Industrial Hygienists may work in industrial plants or in governmental agencies.  

Courses vary from school to school but may include:  

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program    

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***  

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script.  

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***  

Please check the Military website at  http://www.todaysmilitary.com .  

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICERS  

The services take great care to ensure safe working conditions and a clean environment. A clean, safe, and healthy environment results in happier employees and better work. Environmental health specialists study the air, ground, and water to identify and analyze sources of pollution and its effects. They also direct programs to control safety and health hazards in the work place.  

What They Do  

Environmental health and safety officers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Determine methods to collect environmental data for research projects and surveys

• Analyze data to identify pollution problem areas

• Inspect food samples to detect any spoilage or disease

• Develop pollution control plans and policies

• Conduct health education programs

• Work with civilian public health officials in performing studies and analyzing results

Special Requirements  

A 4-year college degree is normally required to enter this occupation. A degree in biomedical or biological science is required to enter some specialties in this occupation.  

Training Provided  

No initial job training is provided to officers in this occupation.

Helpful Attributes  

Helpful fields of study include chemistry, biology, environmental sciences, soil science, civil engineering, and veterinary science. Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in protecting the environment

• Interest in conducting research or analytical studies

• Interest in work requiring accuracy and attention to detail

Work Environment  

Environmental health and safety officers normally work in offices or research laboratories. They work outdoors while conducting environmental studies and surveys or inspecting facilities.  

Civilian Counterparts  

Civilian environmental health and safety officers work for engineering firms, manufacturing firms, and government agencies. They perform duties similar to those performed by military environmental health and safety officers. Depending on their specialty, they may be called environmental scientists, air pollution analysts, soil analysts, industrial hygienists, or water quality analysts.  

Opportunities  

The services need new environmental health and safety officers each year due to personnel changes and field demands. Positions for environmental health and safety officers in the Coast Guard are filled by U.S. Public Health Service Officers . New environmental health and safety officers are assigned to environmental health teams. After demonstrating leadership qualities, they may advance to senior management or command positions.   

E-Learning Courses and Programs  

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY 

There is little opportunity to gain direct experience in the field. A minimum of a bachelor's degree in occupational safety and health, engineering, physical science, or natural science is needed to become an Industrial Hygienist. An internship may be part of some bachelor's degree programs. The military offers an opportunity for experience also.  

School-to-Work opportunities include:  

informal apprenticeships  

mentorships  

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Industrial Hygienist employer  

internships  

volunteer work with an Industrial Hygienist employer  

community service work with an agency  

Industrial Hygienists usually enter the occupation through direct application to employers. Assistance in locating a job may be available from college placement offices, a local office of Michigan Works! , and professional associations. "The American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal" (monthly) lists both positions available and positions wanted. Also, employers of Industrial Hygienists hold interviews at the annual American Industrial Hygiene conference . In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.  

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT  

Earnings of Industrial Hygienists vary by training, experience, level of responsibility, certification, and the type, size, and geographic site of the employer. Generally, certified Hygienists earn higher salaries. Industrial Hygienists who teach usually earn less than do those employed in government or private industry. Top salaries are paid to managerial and administrative level Hygienists.  

Nationally, the salary earned is based on the business that you work for and your abilities, but generally Industrial Hygienists earn between $55,200 and $83,900, with salaries averaging about $63,300 in early 2009. Some top level Industrial Hygienists earned between $81,000 and $120,000. The median weekly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $722 in 2008. 

In the federal government, depending on their college achievement, beginning Hygienists with a bachelor's degree started at $35,135 or $40,173 a year (2009). Those with master's degrees started at $40,173 or $47,774 annually and those with doctorates earned at least $57,799 annually (2009).  The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.  

In the Great Lakes Region which includes Michigan, in early 2009, Industrial Hygienists' earnings ranged between $49,800 and $83,000 yearly. Their average annual salary was $58,900.  

Industrial Hygienists employed by governmental agencies (mid 2009) earned:

State of Michigan

City of Detroit

Some Industrial Hygienists receive bonuses and consulting fees. Most Industrial Hygienists received paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; and a retirement plan.  

The majority of Industrial Hygienists begin as trainees (with a bachelor's degree), and receive on-the-job training under the supervision of an experienced Industrial Hygienist. With experience, they may become certified and eventually they may also become supervisors or administrators.  

Because most companies combine occupational safety and health departments, some workers may start out in occupational safety or industrial engineering and get on-the-job training for a career in industrial hygiene.  

Advancement depends on ability, experience, skill development, and completion of advanced training.  

Most Industrial Hygienists working at the full professional level have master's degrees or bachelor's degrees and several years of experience in the field. A few technicians who have graduated from two-year industrial health programs may be able to advance with additional education and/or extensive experience.  

Highly experienced Industrial Hygienists may start their own businesses and work as consultants.

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  EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK  

Nationally, there were 45,200 Occupational Health and Safety Specialists employed in 2006. Employment of Hygienists is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2016.  The industry distribution for Industrial Hygienists looked like this:   

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.  

The number of openings for Industrial Hygienists is directly related to continued enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and other environmental regulations. Employment openings for Industrial Hygienists will also grow with the increasing complexity of manufacturing processes involving expanded use of high energy forms, chemicals, and other toxic substances. Also, industry will be employing more Industrial Hygienists to combat rising insurance costs, workers compensation cases, and other expenses associated with protecting workers from occupational hazards.  

National and state "right to know" regulations , requiring employers to inform their employees about the make-up and potential risks of materials with which they work, will add to growth openings. Also, more Hygienists will be needed to monitor the removal of asbestos from schools and other buildings.  

The exact number of Industrial Hygienists employed in Michigan is unknown. However, a major association that certifies Industrial Hygienists cited their Michigan membership at 248 in mid 2009.  There may be many Industrial Hygienists that are not certified. Most worked in industry or government. Others were employed by transportation companies, public utilities, insurance firms, agricultural operations, mining companies, suppliers of industrial safety equipment, chemical manufacturers and other businesses.

Employment of Industrial Hygienists in Michigan should increase because of union contracts covering work environment safety and voluntary compliance with health regulations by industry, business, and all levels of government.  

The need for Industrial Hygienists is likely to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016 because of the increased complexity of manufacturing processes and the increasing concern regarding the hazards associated with chemicals and/or materials with which people work. Other factors contributing to the growth in this occupation are the passage of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act (MIOSHA) , and the need to administer ongoing rules and regulations issued by agencies enforcing environmental protection and occupational safety laws.  

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  

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