Introduction to Industrial Hygiene

Upon completing the Introduction to Industrial Hygiene , participants will be able to:

• Explain the AREC framework that defines industrial hygiene practice: Anticipation (predicting hazards before they occur), Recognition (identifying hazards in the workplace), Evaluation (measuring and assessing exposure), and Control (implementing measures to reduce exposure to safe levels).
• Identify the major categories of occupational health hazards: chemical agents (gases, vapours, dusts, fumes, mists, fibres), physical agents (noise, vibration, heat/cold stress, ionising and non-ionising radiation), and biological agents (bloodborne pathogens, airborne infectious agents, mould, Legionella).
• Interpret occupational exposure limits at the awareness level: OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs), ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (TLVs — TWA, STEL, Ceiling), and NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limits (RELs), understanding what each system represents and why they may differ for the same substance.
• Understand basic air monitoring and sampling concepts: purpose of sampling (compliance, exposure characterisation, control verification), personal versus area sampling, direct-reading instruments versus laboratory analysis, and how results are compared to exposure limits.
• Recognise common chemical hazards in the workplace: solvents, metals (lead, cadmium, chromium), silica, asbestos, welding fumes, and process-generated contaminants, including their health effects and exposure routes.
• Understand noise hazard fundamentals: how noise induces hearing loss, OSHA Action Level (85 dBA) and Permissible Exposure Limit (90 dBA), noise dosimetry concepts, and elements of a hearing conservation programme per 29 CFR 1910.95.
• Understand heat stress fundamentals: physiological effects of heat, heat-related illnesses (heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke), WBGT measurement concepts, and basic work-rest strategies for prevention.
• Apply the hierarchy of controls to health hazards: elimination, substitution, engineering controls (ventilation, enclosure, isolation), administrative controls (rotation, scheduling, procedures), and PPE (respiratory, hearing, dermal protection).
• Understand respiratory protection fundamentals: purpose of respirators, air-purifying versus atmosphere-supplying types, fit testing requirements, and core elements of a respiratory protection programme per 29 CFR 1910.134.
• Understand the role of health surveillance: medical monitoring, biological exposure monitoring, and how occupational health surveillance supports early detection and prevention of disease.

Core Curriculum Topics

• The AREC Framework: anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control as the foundation of industrial hygiene practice
• Chemical Hazards: gases, vapours, dusts, fumes, mists, fibres — classification, exposure routes, and health effects
• Physical Hazards: noise (dosimetry and hearing conservation), heat stress (WBGT concepts), vibration, and radiation awareness
• Biological Hazards: bloodborne pathogens, airborne infectious agents, mould, and Legionella exposure risks
• Occupational Exposure Limits: PELs, TLVs, RELs — definitions, differences, and application in exposure control
• Air Monitoring Fundamentals: sampling purpose, personal vs area sampling, direct-reading vs laboratory analysis, and exposure comparison methods
• Hierarchy of Controls for Health Hazards: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE
• Respiratory Protection Awareness: respirator types, fit testing, and programme requirements per 29 CFR 1910.134
• Hearing Conservation Awareness: noise exposure limits, audiometric testing, and programme structure per 29 CFR 1910.95
• Health Surveillance: medical monitoring, biological exposure indices, and early disease detection systems
• HazCom and SDS Integration: interpreting Safety Data Sheets for hazard, exposure limit, and control information

• No prior IH knowledge required
• No science degree required
• Suitable for complete beginners
• All instruction in English; working proficiency required

Upon completion, graduates receive an American Institute of Safety Professionals certificate, wallet card, and transcript. Employer-verifiable at amiosp.com/student-verifications.

• Safety officers and HSE professionals who manage chemical, noise, or heat exposure in their facilities but lack formal IH training
• Supervisors in manufacturing, chemical, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, and construction who oversee workers exposed to health hazards
• Safety managers who need IH awareness to evaluate their organisation’s industrial hygiene programme and communicate with IH consultants
• HR professionals and occupational health nurses involved in health surveillance and exposure management
• Workers designated to assist with air monitoring, noise surveys, or health hazard assessments
• Professionals preparing for the DIP-1022 (Advanced Industrial Hygiene) or DIP-1017 (Advanced Toxicology) diplomas who need the foundational knowledge first
• Anyone seeking CIH preparation who needs a structured introduction before advanced study

Introduction to Industrial Hygiene — YOU ARE HERE (foundational awareness)

•  International Diploma in Advanced Industrial Hygiene (480-hour specialist diploma: air sampling, ventilation design, hazard assessment, health surveillance)
• International Diploma in Advanced Toxicology (480-hour toxicology diploma: ADME, organ toxicity, dose-response, regulatory toxicology)
• International Diploma in Industrial Safety Management (Unit 5: occupational health and industrial hygiene at diploma depth)

This course is the entry point. DIP-1022 provides the professional IH practice. DIP-1017 provides the toxicological science. Together they form the complete occupational health science pathway.