We want Australian workers to be able to go home safely at the end of each day to their family and friends.

Occupational hygienists use their scientific knowledge, skills and experience to champion the protection of workers from the hazardous chemicals and other agents they have to work with.

Statistics released by Safe Work Australia indicate that on average 250 people will die from injury at work, while over 2000 people will die from an occupational disease.

Safe Work Australia report that workers in Australia are 8 times more likely to die from an occupational illness or disease than an accident at work.

Occupational hygienists

Use science & technology

to measure worker exposures, assess worker risks and develop controls to improve the workplace environment. Occupational hygienists can provide advice on control strategies including hazard elimination, engineering modifications, administrative controls and finally personal protective equipment. We focus on worker health protection by assessing the risk of hazards and improving work conditions and work practices.

Occupational hygiene is the

Anticipation

Recognition

Evaluation

Control

Confirmation of Protection

from hazards at work that may result in injury,
illness, or affect the well-being of workers.

Health hazards frequently encountered in the workplace include noise, whole body and hand arm vibration from tools and mobile equipment, chemicals from processing and maintenance activities as well as dusts such as asbestos, respirable crystalline silica, coal dust and diesel exhaust particulate. In times of climate change, issues such as heat stress from elevated ambient temperatures, bush fires, as well as moulds from floods, also pose significant risks to workers.

There are many ways that workers can be exposed to health hazards. Occupational hygienists can assess the hazards and help manage the risks to ensure the continued health of all workers.

Courtesy of ABC Australia