According to the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA), Industrial Hygiene
(sometimes referred to as Occupational Hygiene) is the discipline of anticipating, recognizing,
evaluating and controlling health hazards in the working environment with the objective of
protecting worker health and well-being and safeguarding the community at large. Industrial hygienists recognize, assess, evaluate and control health risks to keep workers, and the
communities surrounding workplaces, healthy and safe in line with regulatory requirements.

The Goal of Industrial Hygiene

Primary Goal

The primary goal of industrial hygiene is to prevent work-related illnesses and injuries by
identifying potential health hazards and implementing strategies to reduce or eliminate them.

These hazards can be:

  • Chemical (e.g., solvents, fumes, dusts)
  • Physical (e.g., noise, temperature extremes, radiation)
  • Biological (e.g., bacteria, viruses, mold)
  • Ergonomic (e.g., repetitive motion, poor workstation design)
  • Psychosocial (e.g., stress, fatigue, workplace violence)

How It Works

Industrial Hygienists use scientific methods and tools to:

  • Assess occupational exposure risks through sampling and monitoring of health hazards
  • Analyze data to determine if exposures exceed occupational exposure limits (OELs)
  • Recommend controls, such as improved ventilation, process changes, administrative controls, or personal protective equipment
  • Support compliance with health and safety regulations


Why Industrial Hygiene Matters

Industrial hygiene helps businesses:

  • Protect the health and wellbeing of employees
  • Reduce the risk of costly workers’ compensation claims and downtime
  • Ensure regulatory compliance and avoid penalties
  • Build a strong safety culture and improve morale