International Training and QualificationsShamini Samuel Gerard TiernanNancy McClellan

Global Occupational/Industrial Hygiene Certification Programs (IOHA) - 2012

• 28 member organizations

• 19,569 members worldwide

• 10 recognized certification programs

• 7868 certified professionals

• 352 technical certificate holders

• Australia • Canada • France • Italy • Netherlands • Norway • South Africa • Switzerland • United Kingdom • United States • Sweden (recognized

2010)

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The Challenges

• “Our Professions is not only graying … it is poised for a dramatic decline – U.S. and Globally”

• “Other safety and health professional organizations are competing to capture market share”

Source: John Henshaw, AIHce 2009US Data

In many western countries, the number of occupational hygienists is static or decreasing

Emerging Economies

Increasing need for OESH risk management as countries industrialize

Blind spot on chronic & insidious risks

Limited recognition of OH professions

Global burden from risks at work*

• 318,000 deaths due to Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

• 102,000 deaths due to lung cancers and leukaemia

• 38,000 deaths due to asthma

• 30,000 deaths due to pneumoconiosis

• 9% of all lung cancers• 2% of all leukaemia• 13% of Chronic

Obstructive Lung Disease (bronchitis)

• 11% of Asthma• 100% of pneumoconiosis• 16% of all hearing loss• 37% of back pain

NB Each year there are 2 million deaths due to occupational injury and illness (312,000 due to injuries)

(*data derived from: Fingerhut, M, et al, SJWEH Suppl 2005;no 1:58-61)

Demand for Occupational Hygienists

• Number of hygienists related to economy and working population

• Potential demand can be estimated at ~45,000 certified professionals across 118 countries (Tresider, 2012)

ChinaWith current 1.32 billion pop., if developed to western levels,

would need 16,000 professionally qualified

hygienists and association membership of 26,000

2009 data

6-year evolution of a new international scheme for education, training and

qualifications in occupational hygiene

Shared Vision

• building occupational hygiene capabilities where there is a need

• promoting consistent quality of training• encouraging transferability of skills &

qualifications• fostering a global community of hygiene

practitioners• creating a sustainable business model for

training• engaging stakeholder organisations as

partners

Aim to reduce the global burden of ill health from the work environment

Professional bodiesNational associationsExam boards

Large companies Oil and gas Pharmaceutical Mining Petrochemicals Metallurgical

Key Partners

Collaboration with- professional bodies- employers- training providers- other voluntary organisations

Education and training providers Universities Non-profit institutes Commercial

businesses National institutions

Occupational HygieneTraining Association (OHTA) Ltd

• a not-for-profit organisation of volunteers

• dedicated to improving protection of people worldwide from the risks of the working environment

• manages the global training and qualifications scheme in occupational hygiene

• supported by the International Occupational Hygiene Association and its members

• provides free access to educational materials through its website (www.OHlearning.com)

Making the Training AccessibleThe OHTA website• has information on careers,

training and qualifications• allows students to find

training providers, course dates and locations

• provides free access to the training materials

• lists the award holders• links to the global OH

community• has Community pages for

your own projectswww.OHlearning.com

Sponsors and supportersAll time and effort is provided by volunteers and supporters. Operating costs are funded through sponsors and organisations that share our aims

Supporters:

Sponsoring companies:

Senior hygienists

Hygiene professionals

Hygiene technical staff

Safety specialists, engineers etc.

Managers and employees

Leadership skills

Advanced qualifications

Intermediate modules

Principles module

Awareness

The Intent

Professional

Intermediate

Foundation

Advanced modules

Intermediate modules

Principles module

QualificationsTraining

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Available Now

Achievements so far• Over 92 courses run in 28

countries (April 2012)• (62 More Scheduled for 2012) • Over 800 International

Occupational Hygiene Module examinations taken of which:

– 223 W501 Measurement of Hazardous Substances

– 164 W201 Basic Principles of Occupational Hygiene (only launched in Oct. 2010)

– 130 W505 Control of Hazardous Substances

• Nearly 30,000 website visitors from 170 countries (April 2012)

OHTAGoals

Leadership

Advanced

Intermediate

Principles

Awareness

Development Level

Professional bodies

Grow professional capabilities

Bring hygiene to a wider audience

Developing countries

Developed countries

International organisations

Where Next?

OHlearning.comMaking Training AccessibleGerard Tiernan

www.OHlearning.com

Provides access to materials, courses, assessment and certification bodies

A forum for collaboration amongst the global occupational hygiene community

For Students and Employers

The Qualifications Scheme

Finding the Events…

37 current events

Approved Providers

52 approved providers

Joining the Community

Analytics• Comprehensive

statistics available• ~80% of visitors from

Top 10 countries • 80% of visits are from

English speakers, followed by Spanish, Portuguese-Br, Norwegian, French, Chinese, Dutch, Italian

Only a beginning…

• Multi-lingual interface and training materials• Learning Management System with e-

learning options• Continuing Professional Development

….. and much more!

Current Collaborations and Activities• Webmaster Search• Translations• Workplace Health Without Borders

– Silica Module• AIHA Safety Committee

– Safety Module

Q1. How is the program going for your organization?

• your experience so far• recommendations for

improvement

Q2. What are the priorities?• Awareness courses or

advanced and leadership courses

• Professional development or outreach to developing countries

Q3. What opportunities do you see for growing

• funding or sponsorship• volunteer support

What Future Role Will You Play?• Marketing• Sponsors• Website• Translations• Module Development• Qualifications Group