Sergeant Derek Miller Occupational Health Technical Officer, Royal New Zealand Air Force Directorate of Air Force Safety and Health, HQ485 Wing, RNZAF Base Auckland, Auckland 0662 derek.miller@nzdf.mil.nz (P01, Wednesday 26, Civic Room 1, 10.30)

1. Proposed Occupational
Hygiene Training in the NZDF
Sergeant Derek Miller – Occupational Health Technical Officer, Royal New Zealand Air Force
derek.miller@nzdf.mil.nz
OHSIG – Wellington 26 – 28 Oct 2011

2. Why Train in Occ Hyg?
• Industrial processes
• Maintenance of good health
• Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster
Relief (HADR)
• Hazards on overseas deployments
• Interoperability with coalition partners
• Competency
OHSIG – Wellington 26 – 28 Oct 2011

3. Levels of Training
• Basic (awareness)
• Intermediate (technician level)
• Advanced (qualified hygienist)
OHSIG – Wellington 26 – 28 Oct 2011

4. Basic level
• 3 avenues
– OHTA Basic principles course (plus NEBOSH
certificate)
– ADF basic training
– AMEDDS Basic
• Practicals in specific areas for HADR
– Eg 4 Gas and Photoionization Detectors Course
OHSIG – Wellington 26 – 28 Oct 2011

5. Intermediate Level
OHTA Route
– Noise Measurement and its Effects
– Asbestos and Other Fibres
– Measurement of Hazardous Substances
– Thermal Environment
– Control of Hazardous Substances
– Ergonomics Essentials
– Health Effects of hazardous Substances
OHSIG – Wellington 26 – 28 Oct 2011

6. Why look at the OHTA Route?
• Can pick and chose areas if a specific
requirement is identified
• Also for those who:
– Successfully pass exams in 6 subjects
– Successfully complete a personal learning portfolio
– Successfully pass the examination body’s
intermediate interview
• Will gain, on application, an International
Occupational Hygiene Certificate

7. Intermediate Level (alternative
route)
• Post graduate Certificate in Occupational
Hygiene – Australia
• Toxicology – NZ
OHSIG – Wellington 26 – 28 Oct 2011

8. Advance
• MSc in Occ Hyg plus oral exams with a
National Accredited body + registration
• or
• Mixture of on the job training and short
courses to a higher level with a National
Accredited body + registration
OHSIG – Wellington 26 – 28 Oct 2011

9. Competency
• Why?
• NZ Health and Safety Strategy 2005 -
2015
– Objective 3A - Action 8
• Strengthen the competency of occupational safety
and heath professionals and practitioners through
specialised education and training and
professional development programmes

10. Competency
• Are you competent after passing a
theoretical course?
• To become competent you need to:
– Maintain a portfolio
– Peer review
– Continuing Professional Education
– Gain experience from practising/ experienced
personnel
OHSIG – Wellington 26 – 28 Oct 2011

11. Aim of these courses
• Develop competent personnel at all levels
• Allow those who wish: to become a
Registered Occupational Hygienist
• Maintain development of Occ Hyg skills
throughout their working life
OHSIG – Wellington 26 – 28 Oct 2011

12. Practical skills
• Pool of operators for equipment in event
of an emergency
• Competency in using and interpretation of
real time detection systems
• Knowing limitations of equipment and own
skills
OHSIG – Wellington 26 – 28 Oct 2011

13. QUESTIONS?