What is Environmental Health Science?
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EHS involves the study and elimination of health hazards in work and community environments. Formerly the Industrial Hygiene Program, EHS adopted a new name to reflect the wider range of work that industrial hygienists perform.
Recognition is the process of identifying hazards which is the first step to controlling or eliminating risks in our environment. Potential hazards in the workplace may include chemical, physical, ergonomic, and biological hazards.
Evaluation is this process of quantifying the hazard and using that information to assess the risks to the workers and the community. Evaluation of a potential or existing hazard is very important, it can yield the information that can ultimately protect people and the environment.
Control is implemented after a detailed evaluation is completed. They are designed to control contaminants in the workplace and reduce the risk of injury or illness to the worker. There is a hierarchy of controls which are in priority order, they are, engineering controls, work practices, administrative controls, and as a last resort personal protective equipment.
What Do Industrial Hygienists Do?
At a chemical production site, chemical exposure measurement and control are major issues and much time is spent on air monitoring and process safety assessment. At an automobile production site, noise measurement and control and ergonomics (joint stress) are the major focus. Measuring involves collecting air samples using pumps, chemical traps, meters, and other types of equipment that measure chemical, biological, and physical agents. Control involves developing methods to reduce or prevent exposure to hazardous agents. Controls include engineered devices (e.g. ventilation systems), management systems (e.g. limiting access to dangerous areas), and personal protective devices (e.g. selecting appropriate respirators, gloves, and goggles).
Most plant-site industrial hygienists train others to perform their day-to-day air or noise monitoring; while they spend their time implementing programs to minimize risk.
Where Do Industrial Hygienists Work?
Industrial hygienists work for small and large manufacturing companies; for consulting firms and insurance companies; for universities; and for state or federal government agencies such as OSHA, EPA, and Health Departments.
Small Companies often have one person for environmental health and safety departments, and often that person is an industrial hygienist. Large companies may have a team of industrial hygienists and responsibilities are divided up according to individual experience and interest.
Many industrial hygienists work as consultants in private consulting firms or insurance companies. They perform chemical surveys and develop employee training programs. Sometimes consultants serve as expert witnesses in court cases.
Industrial hygienists work in universities and colleges as industrial hygienists, and additionally may teach industrial hygiene courses, or may perform research in the field. Also, each of the branches of the armed forces has an industrial hygiene program.
Industrial hygienists work for state and federal OSHA programs as compliance officers; they inspect work sites to ensure that OSHA rules and regulations are followed. Industrial hygienists also work for other federal or state programs to assist in environmental and workplace health research.