Brisbane
Tuesday, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM08/09/2026
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AIOH
Is It Better to Be Safe Than Sorry?
Critical thinking, scientific reasoning and expert evidence in occupational hygiene
How do we know what we think we know?
Join us for a thought provoking session that takes a closer look at how occupational hygienists assess evidence, apply scientific reasoning and make decisions when the answers are not always clear.
Using occupational hygiene as the applied setting, the session will revisit some of the fundamental principles behind exposure assessment, causal reasoning, expert evidence and decision making, including the use of Bayesian thinking to help us assess evidence and uncertainty.
The session will explore how we balance potential costs, benefits and harms when making decisions, including the risks of both over-detection and under-detection. It will also consider how occupational hygienists can navigate an increasingly complex and, at times, "epistemically polluted" environment, where information is abundant but the quality and reliability of that information can vary significantly.
Practical case studies will bring these concepts to life, including the current issue of asbestos in sand, alongside examples from court matters involving occupational hygiene, epidemiology and expert evidence.
The session will demonstrate how the same scientific framework can be applied across occupational hygiene, epidemiology and law, providing a practical opportunity to step back, question our assumptions and consider how we reach conclusions that can stand up to scrutiny.
Whether you work in consulting, industry, regulation, research or professional practice, this session provides an opportunity to refresh your critical thinking skills and consider how we use evidence to make sound occupational hygiene decisions.
Join us for a session that asks a deceptively simple question, is it better to be safe than sorry?
The Ship Inn
Cnr Stanley & Sidon Streets
Southbank Parklands, Brisbane
Tuesday 8th September
Arrival 6pm (access time)
Presentation 630pm
Catering severed: 715/730
Member; $30.00
Non Member: $40.00
Students $20.00 proof of enrolment upon entry
Light Catering and Beverage tab
Carl Strautins is an epidemiologist, Certified Occupational Hygienist (COH)® and Certified Materials Professional combining these disciplines to evaluate exposure, risk and causation across workplace, building and public environments. Carl is regularly engaged as an expert witness in legal proceedings, providing independent scientific opinion on occupational and environmental exposures, asbestos, dusts and fibres, slip and fall incidents, and other matters involving injury and health risk. His recent work has focused on the development of multidimensional models for human health measurement systems, integrating measurement, perception and their interactions to improve scientific reasoning, interpretation and expert decision making.
a Certified Occupational Hygienist with extensive experience across mining, petrochemical and general industry environments. His expertise includes occupational health, safety and hygiene assessments, with a strong focus on practical exposure assessment and effective workplace controls.
Peter also brings advanced practical experience in the selection and use of occupational hygiene equipment, providing advice on fit for purpose, cost effective solutions and sourcing. His broader occupational health experience includes worker rehabilitation, primary care, audiometry and biological monitoring.
0.25 CM points will be allocated for attendance at this AIOH Chapter event.
