Comments on: Industrial Hygienists heading for Extinction?

By: alex d

alex d — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:21:46 +0000

Occupational health professionals must manage the complexities of medical surveillance. They have to record employee health data from workplace injuries and illnesses, clinic visits, immunizations, audiometric exams, flu clinics, wellness programs, and lab tests. And, it’s not enough to just collect the data: They must be able to report on it in multiple formats. OHS software is essential to a company.

By: Tim Parkinson

Tim Parkinson — Sun, 29 May 2011 23:33:50 +0000

The role of the industrial hygienist is becoming increasing blurred with other compliance disciplines as service providers seek to maximise the bang for their IH bucks. The commercial imperative may be strong but it often means that the quality of the service is diminished as expertise is diluted. In the area of water treatment hygiene and legionella control this is particulary the case as this specialisation often gets lumped together with air hygiene, fire risk assessment and electrical safety.
Whilst the service provider may benefit from increased profitability the customer gets a second rate service.

By: industrial health

industrial health — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:44:28 +0000

Nice information that states that Industrial hygienists found that mold, rot, and corrosion are dangers that must be accounted for when builders construct energy-efficient homes. Recycled materials used in this type of construction are likely to absorb more water than new materials. Air quality can also become an issue because of a heightened focus on insulation which, in addition to reducing heating and cooling costs, can limit the movement of water vapor and potential pollutants. industrial health

By: Air Hygiene

Air Hygiene — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:00:21 +0000

Thank you for a very informative and well written article

By: Tony Uliano

Tony Uliano — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:03:24 +0000

I agree wholeheartedly with Walt’s comments and, in fact, have been saying that for many, many years. Not only should be define ourselves more widely, our venue should be well beyond the workplace and into the community as many have been heading in the past number of years. There is also the persistent problem of weekend wonder, taking specialty courses and claiming expertise.

By: Mark Spence

Mark Spence — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:55:51 +0000

The very first posting (Rich Fiore) makes a key point that I’ve noticed over my 30-year career as an IH at a major chemical producer. The exposure assessment, simple exposure risk communication, and practical exposure control solution skills that are central to IH practice in the workplace are EXACTLY the skills needed for effective product safety / product stewardship efforts.

Thanks in part to the success of the IH profession over the past decades, many of the major workplace health threats are widely recongnized and controlled. At the same time, concern about risk (or risk perception) from consumer exposure seems to be increasing. I find that toxicologists are often the ‘go to’ authorities on the subject, but are often ill equipped for the practical communication and problem solving that’s needed to address consumer exposure issues. I see an expanding niche for IH practice if we actively embrace product stewardship / consumer exposure as a key skill in the IH profession.

By: Alex Pollock

Alex Pollock — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:55:14 +0000

Thanks for the thoughtful dialogue. Thinking of ourselves in the “Value Driven Service” business forces a change in paradigm. Not only do we need the technical skills to be “EHS solutions providers” but we must augment those with the perspectives and language of those we “serve”. As we demonstrate value we create compelling stories that we can share with others and get them excited about what we do and how we do it.

By: Walt Rostykus

Walt Rostykus — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:59:11 +0000

Alex, if we agree that the IH profession is in decline (or even if it is just evolving), there seems to be two key priorities:

1 – Break the old paradigm of isolating ourselves into single professions. Be broad based in your areas of expertise. Pursue multiple certifications. Integrate the management of E, H, and S. The sciences and technologies behind the professions may vary (some) but the management of them is similar (compare the similarities between Environmental and Safety Management System models.).

2 – Demonstrate the value you bring to your employer/organization. IH’s have a challenge, to apply the sciences (toxicology, physiology, ventilation, etc.) to diagnose and improve the workplace. To survive in any organization, a department or function must somehow add value and contribute to the bottom line. IH’s and EHS professionals must be able to demonstrate their value (i.e. Return on Investment of programs and services). This is best accomplished by modeling their program and processes after the process and terminology used by the businesses (speak their language).

By: Heather Carias

Heather Carias — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:06:10 +0000

Do young high school and college students know about the field of IH? As a high school teacher I try to expose my students to a variety of different careers that involve the content that we are learning about in class. I’ve had genetic counselors, doctors, nurses, and radiologists speak to my students about their professions. Now when I hear my students talk about what they want to be I hear them talking about the careers that they know about. Perhaps getting students excited about IH would preserve the field.

By: John

John — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:35:19 +0000

I agree with the trend to EHS generalists, but I think the background of those folks depend more on the industry segment, and company itself. In our EHS world (about 150 world wide) the number of Env folks is < 10 %, IH a few more, and Safety the balance. Certainly there is also a trend in industry to outsource specialties, so I would think there is some give and take between consulting and industry in terms of where specialists are employed. In my exerience it takes at least 10 years for generalist to really have general knowledge, and they almost always have a strong E or H or S.