08/16/95 B

This is the second class in the Industrial Hygienist series. Positions in this c1ass conduct surveys, reviews and inspections of highly industrialized, complex industrial, manufacturing and construction work sites to identify potential health hazards and evaluate work site conditions through observation, environmental monitoring of chemical and physical hazards and interviews with employees and employers; or serve as consultants to businesses and industries on health practices and training needs. Positions recommend abatement procedures or measures to control or eliminate occupational hazards or disease; assure compliance by issuing formal citations to employers; and monitor employer's progress in hazard abatement. Positions in this class typically inspect businesses, industries, or construction sites utilizing multiple and complex manufacturing, processing, assembly and/or production methods, often in a lead capacity. This class is distinguished from the Industrial Hygienist by the responsibility for leading or conducting inspections of businesses or industries involved in complicated manufacturing or fabrication techniques, or of highly industrialized, complex work sites or plants and providing guidance to lower level Industrial Hygienists. It is further distinguished from the Industrial Hygienist Supervisor class by the latter's supervisory responsibilities for a regional or special occupational health program.

Complexity of Work: Positions in this class perform work of considerable difficulty requiring independent judgment in the inspection of businesses and industries engaged in complicated manufacturing and fabrication processes or in the operation of highly industrialized, complex work sites or plants, to ensure compliance with state and federal occupational health standards and regulations. Positions typically conduct inspections in work environments with the greatest potential for serious health hazards and violations, often in a lead capacity, providing guidance to lower level Industrial Hygienists. Researches and applies complicated standards that regulate the industrial use of known human carcinogenic chemicals.

Performs on-site industrial hygiene studies which include data collection and analysis, review of employer health and safety programs and records. Calibrates and operates a wide variety of technical sampling and testing equipment and observes and evaluates industrial processes and the workers performing those processes. Investigates and evaluates adequacy of ventilation, engineering plans, acoustical engineering plans, protective plans for biohazards such as AIDS and hepatitis, lighting, and other factors affecting employee health in the workplace. Issues citations to employers for violations found and advises both employers and employee representatives of their legal rights and right to contest citations. Based on research and in-depth knowledge of health hazard controls, recommends abatement procedures to control or f eliminate hazards. Testifies in court or at administrative hearings as a state witness in contested cases, and workers' compensation issues. Positions in voluntary compliance programs serve as consultants to businesses and industries on industrial hygiene practices and recommend and/or conduct training for workers.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor; however, positions provide technical guidance and consultation to lower level Industrial Hygienists when functioning in a lead capacity.

Supervision Received: Receives direction from an Industrial Hygiene Supervisor.

Scope: Actions affect the recognition, control, and abatement or elimination of occupational health hazards and diseases in a broad range of businesses and industries in the Commonwealth. Actions affect the protection of workers from chemical, physical and other environmental hazards and the prevention of long-term health problems/diseases, work related accidents and fatalities.

Impact of Actions: Ineffective or inappropriate measures or recommendations could result in loss of life, injury or long-term illness to employees and the public and would incur long-term significant costs to employers and the Commonwealth in terms of time, money, services, production and the safety, health and goodwill of employers/employees, the community, clients and/or the general public. Effective job performance facilitates the agency's goal of controlling and/or eliminating occupational health hazards and diseases; reduces workers' compensation claims and reduces the frequency and seriousness of employer violations of federal and state health regulations.

Personal Contacts: Frequent external contact with employees, employers, union and other employee representatives, and the public for the purpose of investigating and resolving complaints and alleged violations of health standards; and with laboratories which analyze

samples obtained during inspections. Frequent internal and external contact with other state and federal agency personnel involved in environmental regulatory enforcement or referral and information exchange. Occasional external contacts with consultants, including physicians for technical or medical expertise; with Commonwealth Attorneys to prepare contested cases; with the media to provide information on regulatory questions and publicized cases; and with State Medical Examiner's office and local police to obtain information regarding accident and fatality investigations. Frequent internal contact with safety enforcement personnel in order to exchange information concerning possible safety violations.

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of the principles of industrial hygiene and inspection/investigation techniques. Working knowledge of chemistry and physics; of occupational disease and toxicology; and of federal and state regulations related to industrial health.

Skills: Working skill in the operation, calibration and maintenance of sampling and monitoring equipment.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and conduct inspections of large and complex workplaces/sites; to provide guidance to less experienced Industrial Hygienists in such inspections; to analyze and interpret inspection results; to interpret and apply state and federal regulations and laws; and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with all levels of employees and management.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in industrial hygiene, biology, chemistry, physics, environmental health, engineering or another field related to the work.

Level and Type of Experience: Progressively responsible experience in industrial hygiene, health/safety related investigative work or the application and interpretation of health/safety principles and regulations.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This is a new class established in February 1989 as a result of the statewide Classification Review/Specification Update Program. This class replaces the Industrial Hygienist B class.

Class title only; formerly titled Industrial Hygienist Senior.