Ethics is associated with moral principles or values.  In the context of occupational hygiene, ethics means moral principles or values associated with the profession of anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of work related health hazards.

The International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) is an organization that represents the global community of occupational hygienists.  It is an association of occupational hygiene organizations from across the world.  IOHA member organizations (like the Southern African Institute for Occupational Hygiene in South Africa) have are dedicated to the discipline and application of the inherent principles of occupational hygiene.

IOHA has set a code of ethics which is intended for occupational hygienists as they practice their profession.  Member organizations also have their code of ethics.  As stipulated by IOHA, occupational hygienists have a duty to guide persons, in particular, working men and women, and the public in matters that affect their health and welfare, the environment and the profession of occupational hygiene.

Basically, as stipulated by IOHA, occupational hygienists have:

• Professional responsibility
• Responsibilities to working men and women, the public and the environment
• Responsibilities to employees and clients

 The following is the set of professional responsibilities as set out in the IOHA code of ethics.

Professional Responsibility

1. To maintain the highest level of personal integrity and professional competence
2. To apply appropriate scientific methods and to interpret findings with neutrality and in good faith.
3. To communicate scientific knowledge for the benefit of working men and women, society and the profession.
4. To protect confidential information.
5. To deal with matters within one's area of professional competence.
6. To act responsibly to uphold the integrity of the profession.

Responsibilities to Working Men and Women, the Public and the Environment

1. To recognize that the primary responsibility of the occupational hygienist is to protect the health and well-being of working men and women.
2. To consider the impact of decisions and actions on the public and the environment.
3. To anticipate, recognize, evaluate and control health hazards regardless of external influences realising that human health and welfare may depend upon the occupational hygienist's skill and professional judgement.
4. To counsel all concerned parties fairly, effectively and factually regarding health hazards and the precautions to be taken to avoid adverse health effects.
5. To responsibly apply occupational hygiene principles to provide and maintain a safe environment for all.
6. To strive to protect with equal diligence and standard of care, the health and well-being of working men and women for whom they are responsible.

Responsibilities to Employers and Clients

1. To advise the employer or client honestly, responsibly and competently so that anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of health hazards in the workplace is based upon sound professional principles.
2. To respect confidences but hold responsibilities to the employer or client subservient to the ultimate responsibility to protect the health of working men and women.
3. To advise the employer or client about accepted standards or guidelines, or regulatory requirements.
4. To factually report findings and recommendations and to ensure that professional judgment is based on capabilities within the occupational hygienist's field of expertise.
5. To act upon the principle that in matters of health protection and the preservation of the environment, there is, in general, a concordance of interest amongst employers, clients, working men and women and the public. However, when conflict arises between those interests, it must be resolved in the least harmful way practicable.

It is of paramount importance each occupational hygienist bear this code of ethic in mind whenever practicing the profession of occupational hygiene.  It should not just be about money and the next project at the expense of the code of conduct.