Occupational hygienist
Also known as
Work environment
- Usually work regular business hours but may work extra hours
- Usually work in offices or laboratories and travel locally and nationally to worksites
- May work in noisy, dirty and hazardous conditions
- Need to be safety conscious, communicate well and identify and solve problems
Salary information
Typical tasks
- Identify risks to workers
- Ensure health and safety rules are followed
- Make sure workers use safety equipment
- Test workplaces for environmental hazards
- Prepare medical equipment for use
- Research ways to improve worker health knowledge
- Check and restock medical supplies
- Prepare health records and reports
Outlook
Occupational hygiene is evolving as workplaces adopt new technologies to monitor and manage health risks. In New Zealand and internationally, there is growing focus on preventing exposure to hazards such as dust, chemicals, noise and airborne contaminants. Real-time monitoring, wearable sensors and improved data analysis are helping organisations better understand workplace exposures and make informed decisions about worker health.
What employers and industry want in graduates
- Strong analytical and scientific thinking skills
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to assess and solve workplace health risks
- Confidence using monitoring equipment and technology
- Clear communication of technical information
- Commitment to improving worker health and wellbeing
AUT programmes
The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.
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This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.