Occupational hygienist : Employers and vacancy sources

Typical employers include:

• large industrial companies, such as steel, oil, chemical, car or food manufacturers;
• occupational hygiene consultancies;
• environmental monitoring companies;
• government agencies;
• academic institutions;
• Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) ;
• The National Health Service (NHS) .

Jobs have been created as a result of new health regulations. In addition, future hazards and problems must be pre-empted and the risks reduced, using the continually improving and diverse methods in occupational hygiene. Modern working environments have increased in complexity, and risks include electromagnetic fields, radiation, working hours/shift work, psychosocial hazards and chemical risks.

Much occupational hygiene-related activity in organisations is now being undertaken by other professionals, including doctors, occupational health practitioners, occupational health nurses, safety officers and chemists, and many companies have significantly cut back their employment of in-house occupational hygienists. This means that entry routes for graduates have been reduced. However, for those with adequate experience in the field, there are increasing opportunities for working on a consultancy basis, providing support to a range of organisations.

Consultants may specialise in providing services for a particular sector, such as the construction or foundry industries, or offer support to a wide range of organisations. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often require the support of occupational hygiene professionals on a consultancy basis. Hygienists are employed by consultancies in fields such as engineering and environmental advice, as well as those specialising in health and safety.

A list of consultants is available online in the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) Directory of Occupational Hygiene Consultants .

Sources of vacancies

• Search graduate jobs on this site.
• British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS)  - has a jobs board available to members.
• Health and Safety Jobs
• Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM)
• New Scientist
• New Scientist Jobs
• The Occupational Hygiene Newsletter
• The Occupational Hygiene Newsletter
• Principal People
• Safety and Health Practitioner (SHP)

Specialist recruitment agencies also advertise vacancies. These include:

• Keen Recruitment
• Martin Summers & Associates Ltd

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