The British Occupational Hygiene Society is incorporated as a limited liability company registered with Companies House and is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission.
The Society was founded in 1953, and merged in April 2003 with the British Institute of Occupational Hygienists (BIOH). It is one of the biggest occupational hygiene societies in Europe, and the only professional society representing qualified occupational hygienists in the UK. The Society as a whole offers membership to anyone with an interest in a healthier work environment, and there are approximately 1500 individual members in total. The Faculty of Occupational Hygiene within BOHS develops and maintains the professional standards of occupational hygienists, and is the UK examining board for qualifications in occupational hygiene; entry into the Faculty is restricted to professionally qualified occupational hygienists, of which there are approximately 460.
The Society is a founding member of the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA), established in 1987, which provides an international voice for the occupational hygiene profession and has close working links with the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization. It is also an integral member of the UK Professional Organisations in Occupational Safety and Health (POOSH) grouping, which works towards common aims through joint initiatives and reciprocal support. BOHS has a strong alliance with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), whose sponsoring governmental department is the Department for Work and Pensions, through many of its members (including several current and past Council members), as well as through partnered initiatives. Strong allegiances exist with trade unions, business and other health and safety organisations.
The Society is governed by its members through a board of directors, known as the Council, and the Faculty Board, which reports to Council through its Registrar. It also has a range of committees, chaired by members and with input from other volunteers and staff; these committees, alongside a team of regional organisers, also volunteers from the membership, provide technical, strategic and project-by-project input to the Society’s various initiatives and on-going activities.
The Society’s Head Office is led by a Chief Executive who is directly accountable to Council, with a senior management team responsible for finance and operations, membership services, conferences and events, publications, examinations management, marketing and communications, and overall administrative services.