Occupational hygienists are scientists and engineers ethically committed to the prevention of work-related ill health through scientific measurement of exposures, risk assessment and identification of practicable controls to meet legislated exposure standards and minimise exposures as far as practicable. They are trained to assess and control chemical hazards including dusts (such as asbestos and silica), vapours (such as solvent vapours) and fumes (such as welding and individual metal fumes); physical hazards such as noise and vibration and ionising and non-ionising radiation; and biological hazards such as mould.

Occupational hygienists are represented by the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH). www.aioh.org.au

There are two professional membership grades

  • Full member (MAIOH)
  • Certified member (COH).

Each must have 5 years of mentored professional experience with demonstrable skills and knowledge. They must have completed a university degree with a focus on science or engineering. They are expected to have a postgraduate qualification, e.g. at Masters level. Provisional Members of AIOH are considered trainees. Associate Members do not have professional status, but have an interest in the field.

Certified Occupational Hygienists (COH) must

  • satisfy requirements beyond Full member status especially practical knowledge/problem solving with emerging or complex issues
  • participate in mandatory continuing professional education to keep up to date
  • abide by strict ethical requirements.

COHs have international recognition and are often responsible for occupational hygiene strategy within organizations, and supervise Full and Provisional members.

Although coming from a science or engineering background, they also have knowledge in health sciences. As WHS is a very broad field, occupational hygienists will

  • highlight their areas of expertise, e.g. noise, chemicals or biological hazards
  • only operate within those areas
  • recommend other professionals if the issue is not within their competence.

Where possible, PCBUs should engage a certified occupational hygienist and who operates within the area of business need. You can expect high quality advice and reporting based on best practice. Regulators recognize the particular expertise of COHs.

You can find COHs via the AIOH Find an Occupational Hygiene Consultant Database.