SHADES OF GRAY One interesting aspect of service on the Joint Industrial Hygiene Ethics Education Committee (JIHEEC) is the opportunity to discuss “what-ifs.” Ethics discussions don’t always have a black-or-white answer; often, there are shades of gray. The question of whether the ABIH code can coexist with attorney-client privilege is essentially a question about conflict of interest, which figures prominently in both disciplines. Here’s what the ABIH Code of Ethics, Section II.A.4, has to say: [The CIH shall m]aintain and respect the confidentiality of sensitive information obtained in the course of professional activities unless: the information is reasonably understood to pertain to unlawful activity; a court or governmental agency lawfully directs the release of the information; the client or the employer expressly authorizes the release of specific information; or, the failure to release such information would likely result in death or serious physical harm to employees and/or the public.​​ Further down, in the section on conflict of interest and appearance of impropriety (II.B), items 1 through 3 state that the CIH shall: 1. Disclose to clients or employers significant circumstances th​at could be construed as a conflict of interest or an appearance of impropriety. 2. Avoid conduct that could cause a conflict of interest with a client, employer, employee or the public. 3. Assure that a conflict of interest does not compromise legitimate interests of a client, employer, employee or the public and does not influence or interfere with professional judgments. But what if the CIH has, under “attorney-client privilege,” also become aware of significant issues that happen to threaten employees or the public, but has been retained by an irresponsible and even deadly company? In the United ​States, attorneys have adopted guidelines in the form of the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct. These vary slightly between states, but are essentially the same nationwide. Attorneys appear to be slightly more loquacious than we are: the ABA code contains 58 rules, each with multiple components, in eight main sections. Several of ABA’s rules and related subcomponents touch on a variety of issues related to conflict of interest, but rule 1.6, “Confidentiality of Information,” is particularly relevant. This rule states: (b) A​ lawyer may reveal information relating to the representation of a client to the extent the lawyer reasonably believes necessary: (1) to prevent reasonably certain death or substantial bodily harm...

​ So it does appear that the ABA code provides an “escape clause” in such cases that would allow an attorney to be in harmony with the ABIH code of ethics. In preparing this article, I spoke with my own attorney, who said essentially the same thing: that in cases of possible death or serious harm, allowances were built into their profession. OHS AT THE FOREFRONT Our world as CIHs can be complex. I don’t purport to h​ave all of the answers, but I do want to highlight the need for us to think about other codes and potential complications as we practice our profession. Regardless of which position might take precedence over another, CIHs who keep worker health and safety at the forefront will ultimately reach the correct conclusion.

 

JIHEEC: Promoting Ethical Practice The Joint Industrial Hygiene Ethics Education Committee (JIHEEC) promotes awareness and understanding of the enforceable code of ethics published by the American Board of Industr​ial Hygiene (ABIH) as well as the ethical principles of AIHA, ACGIH, and the Academy of Industrial Hygiene. It includes representatives from all four organizations. ​ JIHEEC is not an enforcement group or resolution board. It serves the profession by focusing attention on ethical dilemmas facing the industrial hygienist, and can also serve as a sounding board for challenges facing the professional. AIHA is the Secretariat of the JIHEEC and oversees its activities.