Industrial hygiene tackles occupational health and workplace safety. An industrial hygiene consultant aims to prevent work-related injuries and diseases by eliminating or minimizing hazards in an industrial facility, such as a chemical factory or power plant. Chemical leaks, oil spills, unsafe electrical systems, noise pollution, stress, and improper machinery operations are only some of the many facets that industrial hygiene companies cover.
Industrial hygiene consultants also keep industrial and manufacturing facilities updated regarding the latest health and safety regulations and standards enforced by governing authorities. This guarantees full compliance and a well-maintained work environment at all times. The main objective of an industrial hygiene consultant is to recognize, evaluate, and manage physical, chemical, and biological risks in a workplace.
Active workforce participation is also encouraged for effective industrial hygiene services. Consultants may provide proper industrial hygiene practices through message boards and forums or host a series of industrial health teachings. Effective relay of hygiene practices, safety protocols, and preventive measures are essential to make sure a business will be able to conform to these strategies even with the absence of a consultant.
Why Hire an Industrial Hygiene Consultant?
Benefit versus cost will play an important role in making the final judgement. The cost of outsourcing industrial hygiene services or integrating a private hygiene consultation department for your workforce is a hefty investment, hence it is only a savvy decision to weigh the pros and cons.
Using the services of an industrial hygienist prevents occupational hazards. This means that injuries and casualties are also prevented. Personal injury claims, employee absences, and piles of paperwork atop your desk may drastically affect business operations, all of which can be avoided using the expertise of industrial hygiene companies.
Hygiene consultants are also very thorough and precise in their work. These professionals are trained to maintain, operate, and utilize a diversity of sampling and monitoring tools to precisely gauge industrial systems and equipment. They are also versed in evaluating and translating the results to determine and develop rectification methods. After getting results, industrial hygienists prepare precise and comprehensive reports of survey findings. They offer expert advice on how to resolve hazardous issues and how to prevent them from recurring in the future.
How to Get the Right Industrial Hygienist
Your chosen industrial hygienist can mean all the difference between the success and failure of your industrial hygiene and safety practices. A competent industrial hygienist with a solid background in occupational health policies, codes, and standards is a must-have and should be screened for when interviewing viable candidates. A good industrial hygienist should also have knowledge regarding the following aspects:
* Toxicological effects of occupational health and safety risks
* Methods, protocols, and strategies for sample collection and testing
- Management of biological components, dusts, fumes, noise, cold, and heat
- Risks related to stress
- Analysis and evaluation of a wide range of technical information and findings
- Designing reports and schemes
- Written and verbal communication
When looking for an industrial hygienist, make sure that he/she is trained and qualified to operate as a hygienist in your state. The minimum education requirement for industrial hygienists is a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Hygiene or any related coursework, such as physical or life science.