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161 Industrial Hygiene: Basic
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Protecting People

The goal of an IH is to keep workers, their families, and the community healthy and safe.

I AM IH

They play a vital part in ensuring that federal, state, and local laws and regulations are followed in the work environment. According to the AIHA, typical roles of an industrial hygienist include:

  • Investigating workplace hazards and potential dangers
  • Making recommendations on improving worker safety
  • Conducting scientific research
  • Developing hazard control techniques
  • Training and educating about job-related risks
  • Advising in the development of regulations
  • Ensuring workers are following health and safety procedures

Industrial Hygiene Focus Areas

The AIHA describes the various areas of interest that IHs place a focus. Industrial Hygienists work with issues including:

  • Indoor air quality
  • Evaluating and controlling lead exposure
  • Emergency response and community right-to-know
  • Occupational diseases
  • Potentially hazardous agents
  • Cumulative Trauma Disorders
  • Radiation
  • Reproductive health hazards
  • Setting limits on exposure hazardous agents
  • Detection and control of hazards
  • Hazardous waste management

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-2. Areas of interest for industrial hygienists include _____.