OSHA Industrial Hygienist I

Job Code: 32001000
Salary Grade: NC17
Revision Date: 06/2018

Class Concept

Positions provide professional level work industrial hygiene work with the objective of protecting and improving the health and well-being of workers in vocational environments. Work involves enforcement, consultation, and training/education for industrial officials and employees to detect occupational health and safety hazards as stipulated by the extensive Federal Code and supplemental State standards for the full range of occupational areas covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and its subsequent amendments and they can provide consultative safety and health program assistance to private employers, state and local governments subject to the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973, and its subsequent amendments.

Positions enforcing compliance conduct programmed and un-programmed inspections and investigations of covered workplaces in NC. Activities include inspections and investigations related to: randomly selected NC work places, special emphasis areas, occupational deaths, injuries and illnesses, employee complaints and other government agency referrals. Positions make determinations on citations and fines, plan inspection schedules and performs independent inspections. Positions prepare reports documenting work. Positions appear as State's witness in quasi-judicial and civil proceedings arising from enforcement appeals. More experienced employees conduct more complex inspections and serve as team leaders and assist a District Supervisor in serving as mentor for new personnel.

Positions providing education and training have the primary responsibility for developing, coordinating and conducting safety and industrial hygiene training programs for internal personnel and external audiences. In addition, this position will assist the internal and external training efforts in responding to public demand for programs in the specific area of competence. Work includes direct participation or assistance in internal or external seminars, workshops, safety schools, speaker's bureaus, partnerships, alliances and any other outreach activities.

Positions providing consultative services have a primary purpose of providing industrial hygiene services to employers, upon request, on matters related to occupational health primarily through the conduct of onsite hazard surveys, written and telephone communication and oral presentations and training. The Health Consultant must identify existing and potential occupational health hazards, relate same to applicable state health standards, provide sound recommendations to eliminate or control these hazards and analyze and provide recommendations on the overall effectiveness of the employer's health and safety programs. Some positions are also responsible for activities associated with employer safety and health recognition programs.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
• Knowledgeable of industrial processes and potential occupational hazards.
• Working knowledge of organic and inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, and industrial toxicology in order to determine the severity of a hazardous situation and the dangers of worker overexposure.
• Basic understanding of physiology is needed.
• Considerable knowledge of industrial processes, potential occupational health hazards and industrial hygiene sampling techniques is required.
• Thorough knowledge of sampling techniques and procedures in order to maintain a sufficient chain of evidence is required, with the ability to prove hazards in hearings or in court.
• Some understanding of hazard control methods and their effectiveness is required.
• Working knowledge of introductory statistics.
• Ability to gain the confidence of workers in industrial situation and the ability to explain hazards and convince management of the severity of hazards.

Minimum Education and Experience

Master's degree in industrial hygiene with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, physics, mechanical engineering, or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution; or Bachelor's degree in chemistry, physics, industrial hygiene, mechanical engineering, or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of experience in industrial hygiene inspections; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.