Abstract A summary of the status of occupational hygiene in Switzerland is presented based on the author's experience. Because Switzerland is a very small country and the number of occupational hygienists is also quite small, a survey was not necessary to describe the state of occupational hygiene within the country. As in many other countries, the system for reporting occupational injuries and diseases suffers from strong limitations. This plays a significant role in underestimating the importance of occupational hygiene and the need of its development. The occupational safety and health legal framework is very complicated in Switzerland, which does not favor establishment of a comprehensive and rational approach in this area. Acceptable air contaminants concentrations are legal standards issued periodically by the Swiss National Accident Insurance Organization which is in charge of enforcing the law to prevent and compensate occupational diseases. The role of unions has been quite modest up to now and t...