346 Planning for growth: occupational hygiene capability

Abstract ILO estimates that each year a total of 160 million new cases of work-related illness occur globally (35 million due to exposure to chemicals) and 2 million lives are lost to occupational disease (3% of all deaths). How do we as a community grow the occupational hygiene skill base to manage this risk? In 2006, concerned at the slow growth in occupational hygiene capability, a group of senior occupational hygienists with global reach met to consider options. Their report was circulated widely and presented at International Conferences and IOHA and National Association meetings. With input and contributions from across the world, a series of modular training packages were developed. In 2009, the Occupational Hygiene Training Association (OHTA) was formed to run this program under the IOHA umbrella. This talk will cover how OHTA evolved, what it offers and how it complements and supports other programmes to develop and grow occupational hygiene capability. For the last 15 years, its resources have been used by occupational hygienists across the world for the training and development of the next generation of occupational hygienists. As OHTA enters the next phase of its evolution, hear latest developments and how you can become part of this program “Uniting Occupational Hygiene Professionals at a Global level to protect worker health”