Definitions

Definition - What does Occupational Hygiene mean?

Occupational hygiene is the practice of safeguarding against existing or potential risks in the workplace to protect the health and safety of employees and the surrounding environment. It is a process of preempting, identifying, assessing, and managing factors that can cause illness, poor health, or considerable physical discomfort to an employee. Occupational hygiene is important in many industries such as manufacturing, mining, hospitals, farms and petrochemical plants.

SureHire explains Occupational Hygiene

There are several factors that occupational hygiene is concerned with. It encompasses air quality, radiation, occupational disease, biological hazards, temperature, ergonomics, noise, exposure to and disposal of hazardous materials. Occupational hygiene is implemented by occupational hygienists who conduct assessments of all work areas, equipment, job roles, and job activities. Any issues that are identified are then evaluated and measures are put in place to mitigate and manage them so that the health and safety of employees and the community is protected.