Recognition

The first step in resolving a problem is to recognise that one exists. So to be successful in controlling risks to health we need to make sure that we've identified any potential health hazards.

The traditional scope of occupational hygiene covers chemical, physical and biological agents, with an occasional nod towards ergonomics (at least the musculoskeletal injury aspects). In fact there is quite a bit of overlap with ergonomics, and consideration of this is probably worth a post sometime in the near future.

Chemical agents are probably the main concern for most practising hygienists. With the advent of new European wide legislation (REACH )on the control of chemicals it will continue to be a major issue for the foreseeable future. (Having said that REACH isn't just about occupational health and it won't necessarily fall into the lap of occupational hygiene, a subject for a future post, I think). Of the physical agents noise and vibration are probably the only two that most hygienists get involved with, but they do account for a considerable proportion of occupational ill health (in Great Britain about half a million people suffer to some degree from occupational deafness while there are around 288,000 cases of vibration white finger) . Some may get involved with heat and cold stress and non-ionising radiation, but, truth be told, not that many know that much about them.

The nature of work in Western Europe is changing. Traditional industry is shutting up shop and moving to cheap labour economies. The number of people exposed to chemical and physical stressors in Western Europe and the USA has reduced and will probably continue to do so for the foreseeable future. In the developing economies occupational hygienists will continue to face the same types of problems that hygienists have been dealing with for many years. But elsewhere, the nature of work related illness is changing and will continue to do so. Occupational hygiene may need to change and start to address the new issues and challenges.

I could waffle on here as there are certainly a number of issues worth exploring, for example:

• what skills do occupational hygienists need in relation to recognising hazards? Should cram our brains with information on the harmful effects of lots of chemicals and other agents (which is our current professional qualifications require)? Alternatively, should we be aware of broader principles which allow us to recognise the types of agents that are likely to cause harm and develop the skills to use the wide range of information sources to find out about the effects?
• One issue we don't get involved in is mental health, yet this is a major cause of ill health associated with work. Should occupational hygienists should be more involved in helping to prevent mental health problems associated with work?
• How should occupational hygienists relate to REACH requirements on identifying hazards from chemicals? How do we make sure we aren't sidelined?

These issues warrant reflection in the near future.