Occupational health training of local health department personnel: a curriculum model and implications of training

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 assigns to the federal government specific responsibilities for regulating safety and health in industry. At the same time, occupational health programs have traditionally been, and continue to be, one responsibility of local and state health agencies. In California, local health agencies are required to provide occupational health services in larger jurisdictions. Professional level positions which may be required include: Occupational health physician, occupational health nursing consultant, industrial hygienist or occupational health sanitarians, industrial hygiene engineer, and industrial hygiene chemist. Frequently a local health agency may satisfy its occupational health requirements by training a registered sanitarian to become an occupational health sanitarian.