The Code of Ethics

One of the principal objectives of the Vietnamese Industrial Hygiene Association (VIHA) is the promotion of good industrial hygiene practices. Within that context the code defines the ethical principles and professional responsibility which should be followed, in the exercise of their profession, by the VIHA members with the aim that the absolute priority lies in the protection of the workers’ health.

The VIHA considers that the industrial hygiene profession requires strict standards of conduct given the importance of its work. In the same way, the VIHA believes that the trust of people and institutions in the work done by its members is fundamental to the recognition of industrial hygiene, its development and implementation and therefore for the protection of worker’s health.
The VIHA members should act with responsibility, defending the integrity and dignity of the profession responding to the following principles:

  1. Assure that the primary responsibility is toward the worker whose health may be affected.
  2. Prevent whatever kind of conduct that may discredit the profession or mislead the public, especially those people and entities he/she is advising and the workers who are the object of her/his workplace evaluation.
  3. Assure that the decisions made during the exercise of her/his profession are not influenced inappropriately by interests different to the protection of the workers’ health.

4. Maintain the highest level of competence, diligence and responsibility, obliging her/him to guarantee professional advice of high quality.
5. Consult other industrial hygienists and professionals of disciplines related to industrial hygiene about those items which he/she does not have sufficient experience and/or knowledge.

6. Promote scientific knowledge in benefit of the workers, society and the profession. The industrial hygienist will advise, with the utmost integrity, in the most completely comprehensive way, about the industrial hygiene hazards present at the workplace and about how to control them.
7. Act responsibly to uphold the integrity of the profession, and in this way, preventing its discredit. When critics or doubts arise from the advice given by the industrial hygienist, he/she will offer to the involved parties the possibility to consult other independent professionals.

8. Apply the maximum diligence, professionalism and competence to offer the highest possible level of protection for the health and welfare of all workers, without discrimination regarding to social, labour or personal conditions or circumstances, respecting the principle of equality and the particular conditions that may affect different groups of workers.

9. Practice the Industrial Hygiene profession with integrity, based on opinions, judgements, interpretations and recommendations within the legal framework as well as in technical and scientific criteria of recognised prestige:
9.1 Without distorting, changing or hiding facts or results that may modify the professional interpretations or opinions
9.2. Interpreting the findings with neutrality and in good faith
9.3. In matters of health protection and preservation of the environment, there is a concordance of interest amongst employers, clients and workers as well as the public in general. However, when conflict arises between those different interests, she/he should act to look for the greater good, and protect always the workers’ health, the environment and the community.

9.4. Advising all involved parties with honesty, responsibility and competence with the objective that the anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of occupational hygiene hazards in the workplace will be performed based upon sound professional principles of Industrial Hygiene.
9.5. Take all reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of people, management structures,  technical, commercial and industrial knowledge, or whatever other kind of third party information to which she/he has access as a result of her/his professional activities. Such confidentiality shall be subordinate to the ultimate responsibility of protecting workers’ health.
9.6. Meet the legal requirements regarding the sharing of information without compromising confidentiality.