How to become an occupational hygienist | Salary, skills, requirements

You'll need to understand how chemical, physical, biological and ergonomic factors can affect the health of the workforce and support organisations in managing workplace risks.

You'll focus on controlling workplace health risks in practical and cost-effective ways by anticipating, evaluating and resolving hazards. This will involve considering the short and long-term health effects caused by both acute and chronic exposure to hazards and helping organisations to respond effectively to legislative and regulatory requirements.

You may work across settings as diverse as manufacturing, construction, laboratories, healthcare, retail and offices and will often work as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside other health and safety professionals, occupational health nurses and occupational health physicians.

Occupational hygienists may also be known as industrial hygienists.

Types of workplace hazard

Occupational hygiene covers a range of workplace hazards, including:

biological - bacteria, parasites, fungi, viruses, enzymes and other biological agents
chemical - liquids, gases, dusts, fumes, vapours and fibres
ergonomic - repetitive movements, posture, musculoskeletal strain, manual handling, workplace design, controls and displays
physical - extreme heat and cold, lighting, noise, radiation, vibration and electromagnetic fields
psychosocial - factors such as stress or workplace violence that may impact health.

Responsibilities

As an occupational hygienist, you'll need to:

Assess workplace health risks

undertake surveys and evaluate risks to health in the workplace
accurately measure and sample levels of exposure using specialist monitoring equipment
interpret findings against workplace exposure limits and relevant standards
investigate health complaints or concerns raised in the workplace

Control hazards and ensure compliance

recommend practical control measures such as containment, local exhaust ventilation and personal protective equipment (PPE)
help eliminate or reduce risks by advising on workplace design, processes and organisational changes
support employers in meeting legislative requirements, including Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations
liaise with regulatory bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Communicate findings and influence change

compile data, write detailed technical reports and risk assessments, and present findings to clients or managers
provide clear advice and guidance on compliance, exposure control and best practices

Training and professional development

deliver training and awareness sessions on workplace health hazards (e.g., asbestos)
keep up to date with current legislation, standards, guidelines and technical developments.

For more information on the activities of an occupational hygienist, see the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS).

Salary

Salaries at trainee level typically start at £25,000 to £28,000.
With experience, you could earn between £30,000 and £50,000.
Senior occupational hygienists and managers may earn in the region of £40,000 to £60,000, with higher earnings possible in senior management or director roles or with established consultancies.

Salaries vary according to your experience, professional qualifications, level of responsibility, employer, sector and location.

Some employers provide additional benefits, such as a company car, health insurance, pension scheme, bonuses (in addition to your salary) and funding for recognised training courses.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours vary depending on the industry and setting you work in. You may work standard office hours, although some roles, particularly in sectors such as construction or manufacturing, may require shift work, early starts, late finishes or occasional evening or weekend work.

There are some opportunities for flexible and hybrid working.

What to expect

You can work for a company with an in-house occupational hygiene team or for a consultancy that assesses and controls a wide range of workplace health hazards.
You may work across general industry, visiting a variety of sites such as factories, quarries, foundries, breweries, laboratories or construction projects. Alternatively, you can specialise in a specific sector, such as manufacturing or energy.
Jobs are available throughout the UK, particularly in areas with large industrial employers, although occupational hygiene is a relatively small profession overall.
With extensive experience, it's possible to become self-employed or work as a freelance consultant.
The range of work is broadening due to increased regulation and growing recognition of other factors that affect staff health, such as exposure to hazardous substances, noise, vibration and workplace design.
Travel within a working day is common if you work for a consultancy or a company with multiple sites. Overnight stays for site visits may be necessary. Overseas travel may be possible, particularly with international companies or in offshore industries.

Qualifications

Most employers look for a strong scientific background and a degree in a relevant science, engineering or technology-based subject. In particular, the following subjects may increase your chances:

biology
biochemistry
biomedical science
chemistry
engineering
environmental health, science or engineering
mathematics
occupational health and safety
physics.

After graduating, you can build experience through trainee or graduate occupational hygiene roles, which combine practical work with professional training.

Some employers may also consider relevant professional experience alongside BOHS qualifications.

There are several postgraduate diploma and Masters courses in occupational hygiene or workplace health available. Some are accredited by the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS), and successful completion may provide exemptions from parts of the BOHS professional qualification framework. See BOHS Accredited Degrees for details.

Occupational hygiene can also be a second career, with people moving into the profession from roles such as laboratory technician, chemist and engineer or from general health and safety work.

You'll usually need further training and professional qualifications as you progress in the field.

Skills

You will need:

the ability to apply occupational hygiene principles to assess and control workplace health risks
excellent communication and interpersonal skills to gain cooperation from employees and managers
strong written skills, including the ability to produce clear technical reports
analytical skills and attention to detail for monitoring exposures and interpreting results
excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills
organisational and project management skills
the ability to work effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines
confidence in influencing, negotiating and persuading others to achieve results
the ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
technical and IT skills for using specialist equipment and data systems.

You'll also need an understanding of UK health and safety legislation and a commitment to continuing professional development.

A full driving licence is usually essential as you will be travelling to sites.

Work experience

Pre-entry experience can provide valuable insight into workplace health risks and how they're managed. Relevant experience may include:

health and safety responsibilities within a part-time job
an industrial placement as part of your degree course
a work placement or internship in a laboratory role
site-based work experience in sectors such as construction, manufacturing or environmental health.

Some employers offer trainee or graduate occupational hygienist roles, particularly within consultancies, which combine workplace monitoring and risk assessment with professional training.

Full-time students on courses relating to worker health protection can join the BOHS to access networking opportunities, industry news, educational resources and job vacancies.

Experience in a science or engineering role can also help you develop practical skills and technical knowledge useful for a career as an occupational hygienist.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Jobs are available in all sectors due to the range of workplace health hazards. For example, you could find work with large industrial companies in areas such as:

chemicals
construction
energy and utilities (electricity, water, gas distribution)
engineering and manufacturing
mining
oil and gas (exploration, drilling, refining, offshore platforms)
pharmaceuticals.

Other employers include:

environmental monitoring companies
government departments and local authorities
health services
transport industries, such as rail and aviation
academic institutions (in teaching and research roles).

You can also work for regulatory bodies such as:

There are also opportunities with occupational hygiene consultancies, which may specialise in a particular sector or offer support to a wide range of organisations. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often use consultants to meet their health and safety requirements.

You can search for consultancies via the BOHS Directory of Occupational Hygiene Services.

Look for job vacancies at:

You can also search for vacancies on networking sites such as LinkedIn. Regulatory and government roles may be advertised on Civil Service Jobs, and healthcare-related opportunities on NHS Jobs.

Larger consultancies and industrial employers may also advertise vacancies on their own career pages.

Professional development

As a trainee occupational hygienist, you'll usually begin by shadowing more experienced colleagues to gain a thorough understanding of the role. You'll receive on-the-job training and will usually be encouraged to work towards British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) professional qualifications.

After gaining professional experience, typically around three years, you can take the BOHS Certificate of Operational Competence in Occupational Hygiene (CertOH). This allows you to apply for licentiate membership of the Faculty of Occupational Hygiene.

With further experience and the appropriate qualifications, you may progress to the BOHS Diploma of Professional Competence in Occupational Hygiene (DipOH). Successful completion enables you to apply for chartered membership of the Faculty. With substantial additional experience and a recognised contribution to the profession, you may be eligible for chartered fellow status.

You must carry out continuing professional development (CPD) throughout your career to keep your knowledge and skills up to date. BOHS provides conferences, events and mentoring opportunities to support professional growth.

Further postgraduate study in occupational hygiene or related subjects is also possible. Search for postgraduate courses in occupational hygiene.

Career prospects

There is a structured progression route in occupational hygiene. As you gain experience and professional qualifications, you can progress from trainee or technician roles into occupational hygienist posts, and then into senior occupational hygienist positions.

With experience, you may move into principal, consultancy or management roles, leading teams and advising on organisational strategy. Opportunities at senior level are more limited, as occupational hygiene is a relatively small profession.

You can choose to specialise in areas such as asbestos, noise, vibration or control of hazardous substances, or move into wider health and safety, risk management or government roles.

With considerable experience, it's possible to become an independent consultant. Some occupational hygienists move into research, teaching or academic work, although opportunities are limited.