Ever been frustrated by an industrial hygienist who just didn’t seem to get it?  The dude comes in with his air tubes, calibrators, gizmos and gadgets, but barely says a peep to the workers.  I’m not talking about the talented IH’s out there—who understand that talking to the exposed workers is an integral part of their job. 

No, I’m talking about the kind of IH who’s called in by management to hit the shop floor, but doesn’t venture too far away from his sampling pumps.  If workers’ symptoms persist, management resurrects those certified lab results to convince you that there’s no problem here—the IH told us so.  Now, get back to work.

Mark Catlin found an amazing clip on YouTube from a 1952 television show.   I call it “Avoid This Industrial Hygienist”; also known as Industrial Hygienist on Mars. (00:51 seconds)   If you don’t laugh out loud, you’ve luckily not crossed paths with this species of IH. 

Celeste Monforton, MPH knows dozens of exceptional IH’s and respects their work to protect workers’ from health hazards.  It’s the bad apples in the bunch who can rot the whole barrel.