ABSTRACT
Industrial hygiene is a profession dedicated to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of environmental factors that could result in the injury, illness, impairment, or adversely affect the well-being or efficiency of workers and members of the community. This chapter discusses the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). It describes the two major professional membership organizations for industrial hygienists in the US These are the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). The chapter explains the professional certification body for industrial hygienists-the American Board of Industrial Hygienists (ABIH). It reviews the basic tenets of the art and science of industrial hygiene: namely, the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of occupational and community hazards. The chapter summarizes the major legislative history of regulations, state actions, and other significant events related to safety, health, and the environment.
