Industrial hygienists apply their training in chemistry, physiology, toxicology, physics, and engineering to identify and eliminate workplace and environmental hazards. They work on a wide variety of projects. What is common to all industrial hygienists is that their projects are always aimed at reducing occupational and environmental hazards. At a chemical production site, chemical exposure measurement and control are major issues and much time is spent on air monitoring and process safety assessment. Measuring involves collecting samples using pumps, chemical traps, meters, and other types of equipment that measure chemical, biological, and physical agents.
Control involves developing methods to reduce or prevent exposure to hazardous agents.
Management includes training employees and managers, writing and implementing EPA and OSHA compliance programs, and consulting in the company on health and safety matters and in emergency situations. Small Companies have one person health and safety departments, and often that person is an industrial hygienist. Large companies may have a team of industrial hygienists and responsibilities are divided up according to individual experience and interest. Many industrial hygienists work as consultants in private consulting firms or insurance companies. They perform chemical surveys and develop employee training programs.