Industrial Hygiene & Chemical Exposure Sampling

Industrial Hygiene is the science and art devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, prevention, and control of those environmental factors or stresses arising in or from the workplace which may cause sickness, impaired health and well being, or significant discomfort among workers or among citizens of the community (AIHA)*.

Industrial Hygienists
Industrial hygienists are scientists and engineers committed to protecting the health and safety of people in the workplace and the community.

Blacktrail professional industrial hygienists possess either a baccalaureate degree in engineering, chemistry, or physics from an accredited university, and have a minimum of 30 years of industrial hygiene experience; or a completed master's degree in a related physical or biological science or in related engineering. This qualifies our industrial hygienists as being recognized by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH).

The American Board of Industrial Hygiene has established that successful candidates for certificates shall attain the status of Diplomate of the American Academy of
Industrial Hygiene subject to compliance with requirements established by the
American Board of Industrial Hygiene.

Blacktrail's senior industrial hygienist has been accepted to sit for the second of two 8-hour tests to become a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH). It is expected the second exam will be performed in the spring of 2019. This ABIH certification requires that the person be admitted to examination based upon academic training and at least 5 years experience for the CIH, successfully pass a one day examination, and maintain active professional involvement by re-certification on a 5-year cycle following first certification.

Protecting People

The goal of the industrial hygienist is to keep workers, their families, and the community healthy and safe. They play a vital part in ensuring that federal, state, and local laws and regulations are followed in the work environment.

Typical roles of the industrial hygienist include:

• Investigating and examining the workplace for hazards and potential dangers
• Making recommendations on improving the safety of workers and the
  surrounding community
• Conducting scientific research to provide data on possible harmful
  conditions in the workplace
• Developing techniques to anticipate and control potentially dangerous
  situations in the workplace and the community
• Training and educating the community about job-related risks
• Advising government officials and participating in the development of
  regulations to ensure the health and safety of workers and their families
• Ensuring that workers are properly following health and safety
  procedures

Issues That Concern Us All

Industrial hygienists deal with the health and safety challenges facing
people everywhere including:

• Indoor air quality (sick building syndrome, second-hand tobacco smoke)
• Evaluating and controlling environmental lead exposure
• Emergency response planning and community right-to-know
• Occupational disease (AIDS in the workplace, tuberculosis, silicosis)
• Potentially hazardous agents such as asbestos, pesticides, and radon gas
• Cumulative Trauma Disorders (repetitive stress injuries, carpal tunnel
  syndrome)
• Radiation (electromagnetic fields, microwaves)
• Reproductive health hazards in the workplace
• Setting limits on exposure to chemical and physical agents
• Detection and control of potential occupational hazards such as noise,
  radiation, and illumination
• Hazardous waste management

*Information on this page was provided by the AIHA and the ABIH.