Personal information
Tjabe Smid is professor in working conditions at the department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research of the VU University Medical Center. The endowed chair is supported by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Tjabe Smid was born in Groningen in 1955, studied Human Nutrition at Wageningen University, and specialized in epidemiology and (nutrition) psychology. He worked at the department of Environmental and Tropical Health at Wageningen University until 1988, when he joined the medical department of KLM. In 1991 he completed a Master in Health, Safety and Environment at Delft University of Technology. The subject of his PhD thesis in 1993 was Exposure to organic dust and respiratory disorders. In 1996 he was appointed at the endowed chair of working conditions at the EMGO Institute for Healh and Care Research. In KLM he has held several positions in health and safety, the most recent being Manager Occupational Safety in KLM Strategic HR. He is also affiliated with KLM Health Services.
Tjabe Smid has been involved in research projects on health effect of disasters; and on musculoskeletal disorders.
Recent research activities comprise longitudinal changes in work, lifestyle and health; and risk perception and medically unexplained symptoms in occupational health.
He is a member of the Netherlans Health Council where he chairs the committee on science based standards for working conditions. Tjabe Smid is a certified occupational hygienist and safety professional.