Why should I become an Occupational Hygienist?

Philip Roberts@Pmr1977Phil

So what is Occupational Hygiene?

Sometimes called Industrial Hygiene

Heard of Health and Safety?

We look after the Health part

Worker Health - your Father, Mother, Brother, Sister….

Do you want to look after them too?

Thousands of people die each year from illnesses associated with work.

Have you heard of Asbestos? Occupational Asthma? Cancer?

All can be work related – they don’t have to be – you can help.

We want workers to enjoy the afterlife - retirement!!!

Workers should be able to spend time with family, be there for special moments, walk their child down the aisle, celebrate graduations.

Why do we do it

Do you want to help with Health?

We investigate, we observe, we use our experience, we improve the workplace.

We are multi-skilled.

We combine science and engineering to protect workers’ health.

We share this information with colleagues

We innovate - we are innovative!

How do we do it?

Assess

Eliminate

Control

How do we do it?

1. Chemical: Dust, Fibre, nasty substancese.g. Welders, Woodworkers, Healthcare workers and Hairdressers

2. Physical Agents – Noise, Vibration, Heat, Cold, e.g. vibration, noisy tools, loud workplaces, hot/cold environments

3. Biological Agents – Legionellae.g. water systems, cooling towers

Workplace Hazards

You’re sat in a bar with friends

You start talking to a stranger

You are asked what you do for a living

It could go like this…..

And it really is interesting – a scenario, imagine it

If you are an occupational hygienist you are both interesting and good looking.*

*This conclusion cannot be supported by actual research, but it is probably true.

Conclusion

Multinational companies, including

Who could I work for?

Public sector:

Or there are numerous consultancies, maybe you could start one yourself with enough experience.

Who could I work for?

Worldwide discipline

The world is your oyster……

Locations

Lets talk money – as with most professions it differs, but as a ball-park:

With experience - £35000 - £50000

Senior - >£55000

You will get out what you put in….Source: Prospects website http://www.prospects.ac.uk/occupational_hygienist_salary.htm

Dosh, Dollars, Dinero

The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS)

Professional Development

Chartered

SocietyDiploma

of profession

al competen

ce

Certificate of

operational

competence

Climb the Faculty tree, become a Chartered Professional (the Queen knows we are the best!!!)

Chartered Occupational Hygienist

Licentiate Member

Associate Member

Get Chartered…

Career Path – 10 years in, where will you be?

Senior position?Working overseas?Self employed?Company Owner?Published author?

You will:Have achieved somethingBe proudHave had lots of funAnd….

Improved worker’s health!!!

No day will ever be the same

You will learn new things and meet interesting new people all of the time

You will have fun working with like-minded , passionate colleagues

Fun

Would you passionate about:

Letting workers enjoy their lives?

Letting their families enjoy them in their lives?

Give it a whirl! Go on………what’s the harm?

Convinced?

British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH)International Occupational Hygiene Society (IOHA)

More info?

@Pmr1977Phil@bohsworld@3M_UK_Safety

#occhygienecareer#occupationalhygiene#industrialhygiene