Ethics

AIOH Code of Ethics

Adopted: December 05, 1989. Revised: December 03, 1996 by AIOH

This code enunciates standards of ethical conduct for members of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists. It places obligations on members to practice their profession in an objective manner, following recognised principles of occupational hygiene, realising that the lives, health and welfare of individuals may be dependent upon their professional judgement.

The Council of the Institute may refer to the Code when deciding whether the conduct of a member renders him or her unfit to remain a member pursuant to clause 12.1 of the Rules and Statement of Purposes of the Institute.

Nothing in the Code shall require a member to contravene any obligations under any relevant occupational health and safety legislation.
Definitions:
In this Code, unless the context makes it clear that another meaning is intended:

  • member shall mean a person holding any grade of membership of the Institute
  • workforce shall mean those persons who are employed in a workplace which is the subject of consideration by the member
  • employer shall mean the employer of the workforce
  • general public shall mean the community at large shall mean the community at large
  • consultant shall mean a member providing professional services on the basis of fee for service
  • client shall mean the person who has asked a member to provide professional services in return for a fee other than a salary

Throughout this Code the singular shall include the plural and the masculine shall include the feminine.
Primary Responsibility
In providing advice to employers , clients or employees, members shall give paramount consideration to safeguarding the health of the workforce.
Professional Conduct
Members shall conduct their affairs so as to promote and improve the professional practice of occupational hygiene, and shall so order their conduct as to uphold the dignity, standing and reputation of the profession. Members shall base the advice they give on the best available scientific evidence.
Responsibilities to Employers

  1. Advise the employer, responsibly and competently so that healthy working conditions may be achieved and maintained without unnecessary expense.
  2. Keep confidential all information relating to the employer’s business operation or manufacturing processes which is not common knowledge.
  3. Advise the employer so that unwitting contraventions of any relevant legislation or professionally accepted standard can be avoided; in particular, to inform the employer when he has a statutory duty to disclose findings to workers or their representatives.
  4. Report findings clearly and factually to the employer directly and to no other body without the permission of the employer, unless there is no way other than disclosure, of averting a high risk of death or serious injury. Where disclosure is to occur, the relevant member should notify the employer.
Responsibilities to the Workforce

  1. Adopt an objective attitude towards the recognition, evaluation and control of environmental factors adverse to health.
  2. Report clearly and factually; and ensure that matters of opinion are founded on adequate knowledge and are within the member’s expertise.
  3. Ensure that all information obtained is used solely for the purpose of promoting occupational health.
Responsibilities to the General Public
Make public statements claiming professional knowledge in an area of public interest only if competent to do so, and only if such statements are not inconsistent with other responsibilities set out in this Code.
Responsibilities of Consultants
In addition to conforming to the above standards of ethical conduct, a member acting as a consultant shall:

  1. Ensure that work performed by other persons at the member’s behest is competently performed and honestly and reliably reported.
  2. Inform the client of any interest or employment such as might compromise the exercise of independent professional judgement or conduct.
  3. Work for one client only on the same matter unless the consent of all relevant clients is obtained.
  4. Not solicit for work either by calling into question the ability or integrity of another member or by offering or paying to a prospective client financial or material inducements.
  5. Not disclose to any third person any finding on behalf of the client without the client’s permission, unless there is no way other than disclosure, of averting an immediate risk of death or serious injury. Where disclosure is to occur, the relevant member should notify the client.