What is Occupational Hygiene?

The AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENISTS defines occupational hygiene as the art and science dedicated to the Anticipation, Recognition, Evaluation, Communication and Control of environmental hazards in, or arising from, the workplace that can result in injury, illness, impairment, or affect the well-being of workers and members of the community.

These hazards are normally divided into the categories of Biological, Chemical, Physical, Ergonomic and Psychosocial.

In lay terms, occupational hygienists use their scientific and engineering knowledge and skills to champion the protection of workers from the hazardous chemicals and other agents they have to work with.