State agencies Research and Teaching

197 The source of funding for a consultancy can affect both the service provided and the way it is perceived, e.g.  independent foundations and universities are seen as objective but may have limited resources.  commercial companies may provide faster response but on a limited range of services and at a price.

21.1.3 State agencies

Services provided by the state may have enforcement or advisory roles or both. Sometimes the two functions sit a little uncomfortably together, as when an inspector offers advice but threatens to prosecute if the advice is not taken. State services are usually seen as authoritative but may also be viewed with suspicion if they have a role in enforcement. Enforcing inspectors in the field are usually health and safety generalists, who call in specialist occupational hygiene help when required to carry out surveys and provide advice. Hygienists may also be involved in:  Coordinating data for standard setting.  Serving on national and international committees.  Liaison with many national scientific, industrial and academic bodies.  Commissioning or conducting research.  Producing guidance on the whole spectrum of prevention and control issues.  Drafting and reviewing legislation. In some countries the state agencies are funded through general taxation. In others, companies pay a compulsory levy to fund state occupational health services. The levies may be supplemented by discounted consultancy fees for specific projects. In these countries, private commercial consultancies tend to be uncommon. 198

21.1.4 Research and Teaching

The universities, colleges and research organizations provide the last major employment area for hygienists. They may:  carry out research into health hazards, measurement techniques or control methods  teach undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and lecture to doctors, nurses, safety officers, engineers etc, as a subsidiary subject.  conduct occupational hygiene investigations within the organisation and sometimes externally as consultants. The career structure of lecturer, senior lecturer and professor is common to other university functions and does not necessarily relate to occupational hygiene qualifications.

21.2 Implications for hygienists