Occupational hygiene around the worldperspectives on occupational hygiene in sweden

In Sweden, concern for hazardous working conditions dates back to the late nineteenth century. A brief history of important developments shows that the key to the Swedish approach in providing a safe and healthy work environment is the consensus and cooperation between employers and employees. Working conditions are regulated both by detailed guidelines and standards with statutory power and by supplementary agreements between employers and employees. On-site activities of safety delegates and safety committees are the cornerstone in the health and safety system. In the late 1940s, occupational hygiene emerged as an independent discipline. It is characterized by a strong focus on research and a large specialization. Occupational hygienists are predominantly employed by governmental and municipal services. Apart from research, these hygienists provide expert knowledge to safety engineers in occupational health services who carry out regular occupational hygiene activities. They are also involved in risk assessment for compensation claims. Occupational hygienists in industry are more technically oriented with chemical hazards as their principal field of competence. In Sweden, several facilities are offered for education and training in occupational hygiene at different levels. The University of Lund is the only educational resource center providing an M.Sc. degree in occupational hygiene. A certification system for professionals in occupational hygiene does not exist. The current economic depression brought turbulent times for occupational hygiene also. It is foreseen that the number of occupational hygienists in Industry will decline. The professionals in municipal and governmental departments will increasingly be called upon to assist safety engineers in dealing with complex health and safety hazards at the workplace. The growing involvement in environmental issues is due to the occupational hygienists’ skills in exposure assessment.