Re[2]: HP Job Shortage - IH/HP question

[RONALD GOODWIN <RONALD_GOODWIN@health.ohio.gov>]

     Because there was not return, allow me to answer for several of the 
     HPs at the Ohio Department of Health.  We find that our hats cover 
     such a broad spectrum of work that we must be not just familiar but 
     trained in the topics of OSHA compliance, RCRA and CERCLA compliance, 
     NESHAPS, Clean Air, Clean Water, and the Old Testament (no offense, 
     just a little joke).  We find we must also be able to quote lead and 
     asbestos rules and regulations, as well as know where in the library 
     the Code of Federal Regulations are kept (just another little joke, we 
     all have our very own set of 1977 CFRs - nothing but the best you 
     know).
     
     This includes everyone in the Nuclear MAterials Safety and 
     Contaminated Sites divisions within our bureau.
     
     Please forgive the sarcasm above.  I woke up this morning and realized 
     I had to come to work again.
     
     Best regards
     
     Ron Goodwin
     Ronald_Goodwin@health.ohio.gov
     
     My management has neither read nor approved the above,  If I am lucky 
     they won't read it in the future either.


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: HP Job Shortage - IH/HP question
Author:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu at Internet
Date:    4/4/96 1:30 PM


An informal survey...How many RADSAFE subscribers who consider Radiation 
Safety & Health Physics to be their main job are also finding themselves 
responsible for IH, Occupational Safety, and Environmental Compliance?
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From: radsafe
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Re: HP Job Shortage - IH/HP question 
Date: Thursday, April 04, 1996 11:45AM
     
As an educator interested in producing a professional with the greatest 
flexibility in the present job market (or lack of it), would it be better 
for to hire a health physicist and have them learn the IH side of the job 
or to hire an IH who has to learn the HP side of the job?
     
>I would like to add another problem that I have observed in the past
>few years.  A hospital, a university or any institution in the industrial 
>sector requires that a person fill the position of RSO, but there is also 
>a need for a "safety" person to conduct all other safety operations. 
>Thus, an Industrial Hygenist is hired, having very little knowledge of 
>Health Physics. Later, the Industrial Hygenist is sent to attend one of 
>many courses for Radiation Safety Officers, and there you have a
>brand new HP with little knowledge and zero experience. 
>
>But the argument is that the company is "saving" thousands of 
>dollars, but they are creating a great potential for liability and a 
>definite risk to the health of maybe thousands of employees.
     
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Nolan E. Hertel
Health Physics Program
George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA 30332-0405
(404) 894-3717
facs:  (404) 894-3733
nolan.hertel@me.gatech.edu
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