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How to Pursue a Career in Industrial Hygiene

Written by Staff Writer

A smiling technician dressed in a white lab coat, protective hairnet, safety glasses, and blue gloves uses a digital tablet inside a brightly lit food processing facility.

More than half a century after the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, workplace hazards continue to claim lives and cause serious health issues. According to a 2021 AFL-CIO report, 275 employees died each day in 2019 due to job-related exposures or accidents. The need for well-trained professionals who focus on preventing these tragedies is more urgent than ever.

That’s where sanitarians make a real impact. By merging scientific knowledge, engineering principles and regulatory compliance, these specialists help minimize risks such as toxic chemicals, excessive noise and repetitive-motion injuries. If you’re driven to protect workers and support public health, occupational health could be your ideal career path.

In this article, you’ll discover the core responsibilities of a sanitarian, explore step-by-step instructions on the entry to the field and learn about the significance of earning OSHA-compliant certifications.

What Does This Role Do?

Industrial hygienists are workplace health and safety experts who bridge science, engineering and regulatory compliance. They protect employees (and sometimes the surrounding community) from hazards such as chemical fumes, excessive noise, radiation, biological contaminants and even ergonomic stressors that can lead to repetitive-motion injuries. 

By applying risk assessment techniques, industrial hygienists identify both immediate and long-term threats and recommend practical controls.

Common Workplace Hazards 

  • Chemical hazards: Toxic substances or dangerous chemicals that can harm workers if inhaled, ingested or absorbed. Learn more about the different types of chemical hazards that industrial hygienists manage.
  • Biological hazards: Infectious pathogens like bacteria, viruses and other materials that can spread disease.
  • Physical hazards: Noise, heat, vibration or radiation. For more detail, see what are physical hazards.
  • Electrical hazards: Exposures to faulty wiring, energized equipment or open circuits. Review what are electrical hazards to understand typical causes and prevention.
  • Ergonomic hazards: Repetitive motions, improper workstation setup or tasks requiring awkward postures.

By evaluating and controlling these threats, industrial hygienists help reduce workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities. Their duties might include performing air quality tests, suggesting ventilation solutions and ensuring staff members use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly. They also create safety guidelines that comply with regulatory requirements such as OSHA standards.

The Importance of OSHA-Compliant Certification

Before diving into the career steps, it’s crucial to emphasize the role of OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations and the value of OSHA-compliant certifications. Employers and government agencies rely on OSHA standards to set the baseline for employee safety across numerous industries. 

Industrial hygienists who understand and align with these standards are better equipped to evaluate hazards, recommend solutions and maintain legal compliance.

Taking formal OSHA-focused courses not only boosts your credentials but also ensures that you can recommend best practices when developing safety plans. For example, OSHA 10-Hour General Industry and OSHA 30-Hour General Industry training programs provide a comprehensive foundation of occupational safety guidelines. 

Additional specialized courses — covering topics like incident investigation, hazard communication or ergonomics — can further refine your skill set.

Step-by-Step Career Path

Below is a structured path to help you develop the necessary expertise and credentials. While the core elements are standard, remember that requirements and personal goals can vary — some industrial hygienists pursue advanced degrees, while others focus on targeted certifications and on-the-job experience.

1. Complete an Undergraduate Program in a Relevant Field

Many entry-level roles in this discipline require at least a four-year educational background. Programs focusing on worker health, biology, chemistry, physics or engineering provide a strong technical foundation. Coursework often covers:

  • Basic science fundamentals (chemistry, biology, physics)
  • Toxicology and epidemiology
  • Mathematics and statistics
  • Introductory concepts for hazard control

During your studies, consider electives or concentrations aligned with workplace hazard recognition, such as ergonomics or fall-prevention methods.

2. Strengthen Your Knowledge Through Specialized Courses

While pursuing your undergraduate studies or soon after, practical, targeted training will give you an edge:

Such training not only deepens your expertise but also shows dedication to ongoing professional growth. Employers often value these achievements as indicators of your commitment to worker well-being.

3. Gain Practical Experience (Internships or Entry-Level Roles)

Hands-on experience is vital for applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. Seek internships or entry-level protection roles in environments that frequently handle chemical, biological or physical hazards. This exposure allows you to:

  • Observe and support site inspections and audits
  • Learn best practices for risk assessment, including exposure monitoring
  • Contribute to hazard communication efforts (e.g., HazCom Standard)
  • Assist with training on personal protective equipment, referencing guidelines like “what is PPE in construction”

Working in a variety of settings — such as manufacturing plants, labs or building sites — will strengthen your overall skill set.

4. Pursue Advanced Studies in a Related Field

Though not always mandatory, completing a graduate-level program can lead to higher-paying roles and leadership opportunities. Such studies often delve into:

  • Toxicological and epidemiological data analysis
  • Designing engineering controls for airborne risks
  • In-depth program management and regulatory compliance
  • Noise and vibration evaluations, including hearing conservation strategies

5. Develop Key Interpersonal Abilities

Success in this field relies on more than technical expertise, and it also depends on how well you work with others. Employers value:

  • Communication: Explaining complex protocols and hazard assessments clearly
  • Attention to Detail: Spotting subtle changes that may signal emerging risks
  • Problem-Solving: Creating innovative approaches (e.g., replacing a toxic chemical with a safer one)
  • Collaboration: Working effectively with engineers, managers and frontline personnel to establish protective measures

These strengths help embed a culture of well-being in an organization’s everyday operations.

6. Pursue Professional Credentials

Obtaining recognized credentials can enhance your professional profile and often leads to higher compensation. One respected option is a designation from the ABIH, which generally requires:

  • Completion of specified educational groundwork (at least four years of study)
  • Accumulated experience in relevant fields (timelines vary with academic history)
  • References who can validate your proficiency
  • Passing an exam covering a wide range of knowledge

Achieving this status demonstrates mastery of crucial principles and practices, positioning you as a leader in the field.

7. Stay Current Through Ongoing Development

This discipline requires keeping up with evolving regulations, emerging technologies and new research. Many professionals regularly pursue additional courses, attend conferences or join relevant organizations. Beyond core duties, you might explore:

Start Your Journey with an Introduction to Industrial Hygiene Course

Embarking on an industrial hygiene career starts with building the right knowledge base, whether you’re an aspiring professional or a seasoned safety manager looking to expand your skill set. Our Introduction to Industrial Hygiene course provides:

  • 24/7 access: Study anywhere with an internet connection at your own pace
  • Concise modules: Cover topics like air contaminants, noise, ergonomics and more
  • Immediate certificate: Download proof of completion the moment you finish
  • Enhanced safety: Gain the foundation needed to help protect workers from a variety of hazards

If you’re ready to solidify your path toward industrial hygiene, consider pairing an introductory course with OSHA 10-Hour General Industry training or OSHA 30-Hour General Industry training to deepen your regulatory knowledge. The interplay of specialized coursework and essential OSHA standards will give you the well-rounded skill set employers look for.

Invest in Safety — Advance Your Career

Every employee deserves a work environment that supports their well-being. Industrial hygienists are on the front lines of this mission, using a blend of scientific rigor, engineering insight and regulatory awareness to anticipate and prevent hazards. 

By following the steps outlined in this guide — from obtaining the right degree and certifications to continually refining your expertise — you can become a valuable asset in protecting health and safety across industries.

Ready to take the next step? Enroll in our Introduction to Industrial Hygiene course today and begin transforming workplaces into safer, healthier environments — one hazard at a time.