How Can I Become an Industrial Hygienist?
Would you like to keep people safe in their work environments? Are you interested in ensuring safe working practices are defined, enforced and practiced? Becoming an industrial hygienist allows you to educate businesses, employees and the public on practical and correct safety measures in the workplace. Schools offering Healthcare Management & Public Safety Leadership degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
What Would I Do as an Industrial Hygienist?
As an industrial hygienist, your job would be to prevent and mitigate environmental factors in workplaces that could cause injury or sickness. You could evaluate potential risk factors, recommend safety precautions, implement protocols and conduct research on the work environment. Some major workplace hazards that you might encounter include asbestos and lead in older buildings, communicable diseases in large worker populations and dangerous industrial chemicals. Your duties might vary by the type of workplace you monitor, which could include factories, business offices, outdoor work sites or government buildings.
What Education Do I Need?
To work as an industrial hygienist, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that a bachelor's degree is the most common educational requirement, though some employers might prefer a master's degree (www.bls.gov). You could qualify for technician or assistant positions with less formal education or on-the-job training. Relevant majors you can select from include industrial hygiene, chemistry, engineering, environmental science or public health. Coursework in an industrial hygiene program teaches you about chemistry, hazardous materials, environmental and workplace management, toxicology, health issues and practical instrumentation. Some programs also allow you the opportunity to gain experience through an internship.
What Certifications Would I Need?
Earning a certification is optional, though you might be required by your employer to obtain specialized safety training through organizations, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH). Earning a credential could have minimum education and experience requirements. Some organizations in the industrial hygiene field also offer membership benefits, such as continuing education and access to professional publications.
How Could I Advance My Career?
Earning certification generally demonstrates your ability, knowledge and professional standing to employers and their employees. However, you might also advance your career by furthering your education through a master's degree program. At the graduate level, several schools offer master's degrees in industrial hygiene and related fields, such as public health or environmental science. You can focus your studies to learn the scientific reasoning and practical techniques involved in your work.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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