INDUSTRIAL HYGIENIST

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is technical safety work identifying, evaluating and controlling occupational health and safety hazards. An employee in this class performs inspections of workplace and public facilities and utilizes engineering design and industrial hygiene principles, worker training and other tools to insure that potential hazards to City employees and the general public are minimized. Contact with departmental managers, supervisors and employees, union representatives, safety administrators and consultants to investigate potential health and safety hazards, communicate findings, implement corrective actions and enlist support and cooperation for centralized safety programs is a significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under the direction of a technical superior. The duties may require light physical effort and exposure to hazardous materials or agents.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met in order for a position to be allocated to this class.)

· The position must apply industrial hygiene theory and practices in the investigation of a wide variety of health and safety hazards and the development of sampling methods for chemical, biological and physical agents.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (Illustrative Only)

Responds to requests for inspections or investigations of potentially hazardous materials or conditions; inspects buildings, worksites and materials to evaluate extent of compliance to health and safety standards; determines appropriate sampling method to collect samples of dust, gases, vapors, and other potentially toxic materials for analysis; reviews results of analysis and calculates level of employee exposure and severity of hazard; investigates adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting and other conditions which may affect employee health, comfort and efficiency; determines the presence and effectiveness of protective devices on equipment and machinery, safety of material storage and handling procedures, and use of protective clothing and devices by workers; researches appropriate methods to eliminate, reduce or control exposure to hazard; prepares reports including observations, analysis of contaminants and recommendations for control and correction of hazards; performs follow-up to insure correction of conditions.

Develops and implements safety programs and procedures to mitigate or eliminate occupational health and safety hazards; meets with supervisors, managers and employees to discuss occupational health and safety issues in their work areas and to assist them in resolving such issues; conducts training for employees on the nature of hazards, warning signs of exposure, medical surveillance and protective measures.

Conducts on-site inspections in response to emergency situations involving accidental spills or emissions; conducts tests to determine if hazardous conditions exist using instruments which include a gas chromatograph, photo-ionization detector, and an organic vapor analyzer among others; analyzes and interprets test results; recommends corrective action.

Provides support to departments and agencies in planning, developing, implementing and modifying occupational and public safety programs; reviews accident and incident reports and data to determine where problems and trends exist; develops recommendations or proposals to resolve safety issues; researches, evaluates and responds to the technical aspects of occupational health and safety concerns, grievances and proposals submitted by municipal labor organizations; acts as representative of management by testifying and presenting information at grievance and interest arbitrations, depositions, and meetings with unions and advocacy groups.

Prepares or receives specifications for safety related equipment; insures that items conform to accepted occupational safety and health standards; presents or recommends various training devices and aids used in safety education programs.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• industrial hygiene principles, theories and practices

• hazard sampling methods and techniques for chemical, biological and physical agents

• federally established health and safety regulations and standards.

• engineering design principles as they relate to occupational and environmental health and safety

• principles and practices of developing and maintaining occupational and public safety programs

• the methods of planning and implementing safety education programs

ABILITY TO:

• identify health and safety hazards in the workplace

• identify and specify controls to minimize safety and health hazards

• interpret sampling results

• train employees on methods of avoiding workplace hazards

• compile and analyze statistical data as it relates to safety

• present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing

• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the public

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience standards as approved on 10/08.)

EDUCATION:

Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in industrial hygiene or one of the related physical/biological sciences.

AND

EXPERIENCE:

Two years of industrial hygiene experience which has involved investigating, analyzing and evaluating workplace conditions, practices, programs, and employee injuries.

OR

Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources which has included a bachelor's degree in a related area as an educational minimum.

NOTE: A master's degree in industrial hygiene, environmental science or safety science may be substituted for the experience indicated above, but must have included at least a three month full-time co-op or internship performing industrial hygiene work.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class, which may require light physical effort, ability to wear respiratory protection, and exposure to hazardous materials or agents.

Class Established:

CSC – 11/96

Ad. Board - 3/97

Latest Spec Revision:

CSC -9/08

Ad. Board -10/08

Change in Pay Rate:

CSC – 3/11

Ad. Board – 5/11

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