Code of Ethics (1996)

OBJECTIVE

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.

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.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO EMPLOYERS OR CLIENTS)

1. Advise the employer honestly, 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.
4. Report findings clearly and factually to the employer directly and to no other body without the permission of the employer.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE WORKFORCE OF THE EMPLOYER

1. Recognise that any responsibility to the employer is subservient to the primary responsibility to safeguard the health of the workforce.
2. Adopt an objective attitude towards the recognition, evaluation and control of environmental factors adverse to the health.
3. Report clearly and factually and ensure that matters of opinion are founded on adequate knowledge and are within the member's expertise.
4. Ensure that all information obtained is used solely for the purpose of promoting occupational health.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

1. Report clearly and factually on occupational hygiene matters of public concern and ensure that professional opinions are based on adequate knowledge.
2. Adopt an objective attitude to related matters of public concern and strictly confine themselves to matters on which they can speak with authority, based on knowledge and relevant experience.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CONSULTANTS

1. Members who are engaged in professional consulting practice should act as faithful agents for their clients subject to the above standards of ethical conduct and the following additional criteria:-
2. Be impartial and objective in the advice given and the work performed and ensure that the work done by persons working under them is competently performed and honestly and reliably reported.
3. Inform the client of any interest or employment such as might tend to compromise the exercise of independent professional judgement or conduct.
4. Ensure that the client shall not present to any affected third party any professional advice provided by the member in such a manner as to distort or misrepresent it.
5. Work for one client only on the same matter unless the consent of all clients is obtained.
6. Work which is or has been carried out for a client should not be used to attract payment, gratuity, commission or reward from any other client.
7. Not solicit for work either by calling into question the ability or integrity of another member of by offering to a prospective client financial or material inducements other than those to be anticipated from the implementation of professional advice.