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

General Job Tasks

• Collecting samples of potentially hazardous materials for analysis
• Preparing and calibrating equipment used to collect and analyze samples
• Investigating the adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting, and other conditions which may affect employee health, comfort, or efficiency
• Evaluating exposure to radiation, noise, and vibration
• Reviewing physicians' reports and conducting worker studies to determine if diseases or illnesses are job related
• Recommending measures to ensure maximum employee protection
• Preparing reports of their observations, analyses, and recommendations on industrial health problems
• Participating in educational meetings to instruct employees on occupational health and prevention and accidents

Work Environment

• 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.
• 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.

Information from: http://mois.org/scripts/374.HTM