AIHA Launches First Assessment-based Certificate Program

AIHA recently launched its first assessment-based certificate program, Field Use of Direct-Reading Instruments for the Detection of Gases and Vapors – Operations Level Certificate. This four-contact-hour certificate is designed for professionals who use direct-reading instruments, especially those who do not have access to robust training resources in their workplace. Operations and maintenance technicians, emergency responders, water service workers, utility workers, and construction workers are among those who would benefit from the new program. The program is intended to build upon what participants may have learned in manufacturer’s training and will focus on the context in which equipment is used and how the sensors in the instrument work. Learn more about the certificate or register on AIHA’s

. The AIHA education team plans to launch a second certificate program, the Occupational Exposure Assessment Certificate Program – Level 1, later this year. Visit AIHA’s

for updates about upcoming training opportunities.  Please feedback about other education topics or formats that AIHA should offer to Colleen Manning, AIHA’s program director of eLearning

.

July Vote Planned for Proposed Bylaws Changes

A vote of AIHA’s membership on proposed changes to the association’s bylaws is expected to open this month. The vote will be conducted by electronic ballot. The exact dates for the vote were not known at the time this issue of

The Synergist

went to press. To take effect, the changes must be approved by two-thirds of voting members. For more information about the proposed changes, visit the governance page of the AIHA

.

Call for New AIHA-LAP, LLC Volunteers

AIHA Laboratory Accreditation Programs, LLC is seeking qualified volunteers to fill positions on the Analytical Accreditation Board and the Technical Advisory Panel to serve terms beginning in March 2019.  The AAB is responsible for approving laboratories for accreditation and reaccreditation once site assessments are conducted. AAB members are also responsible for approving policy changes and participating on ad hoc task forces formed to address certain policy matters that may arise. TAP members advise the staff and AAB on technical laboratory matters and review accreditation packages for the major programs: industrial hygiene, environmental lead, environmental microbiology, food, and unique scopes.  Newly appointed volunteers will be required to attend the LLC’s annual training and orientation meeting in the first quarter of 2019.  AAB and TAP applications are available from the AIHA-LAP

. Applications will be accepted until Aug. 30, 2018. For additional information, please

.

Outstanding Volunteers, Professionals Recognized at AIHce EXP

Each year at AIHce EXP, AIHA and its volunteer groups recognize individuals’ and committees’ achievements and contributions to the association and the profession. Recipients of AIHA awards, volunteer group awards, volunteer Shining Star Awards, and volunteer service awards were honored at the conference in Philadelphia, Pa., along with outstanding volunteer group project teams, student poster award winners, and recipients of Local Section awards.  View the list of award recipients on AIHA's

. Photos from the conference are available

.

AIHA Accolades

In June, the Governor General of Canada presented a Michener Citation of Merit to the

Toronto Star

for its series “Temp Nation,” which followed reporter

Sara Mojtehedzadeh

, who went to work undercover inside one of North America’s largest industrial bakeries with a history of fatalities among temporary workers. Mojtehedzadeh presented the annual Upton Sinclair Lecture for Outstanding EHS Investigative Reporting at AIHce EXP in Philadelphia (read more about her presentation in ). Judges of the Michener Awards, which recognize outstanding and unbiased public service in journalism, present Citations of Merit to selected finalists. Mojtehedzadeh’s stories are available via the

Toronto Star

.

Alan Rossner

, PhD, CIH, FAIHA, was recently promoted from associate professor to full professor in the Institute for a Sustainable Environment at Clarkson University in New York. Rossner has conducted research and taught environmental health and environmental science at Clarkson for the past 20 years. Read more about his career on the university .

In May, AIHA member

James L. Unmack

, PE, CIH, CSP, was recognized by publisher Continental Who's Who as a 2018 Professional of the Year in the field of occupational safety and health consulting in recognition of his 50 years of experience and excellence at Unmack Corporation. Unmack previously received AIHA’s Rachel Carson Award in 2007.

Join AIHA in Minneapolis  

AIHA seeks IH and OEHS experts to submit proposals to present during AIHce EXP 2019 in Minneapolis, Minn. Professional development courses will be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19, and on Thursday, May 23. AIHce EXP educational sessions will take place Monday through Wednesday, May 20–22. The deadline to submit proposals for PDCs, educational sessions, late-night learning sessions, Ignite presentations, and professional posters is Sept. 5, 2018. Student poster submissions will be due in March 2019.  For more information, visit the conference

.

Become an AIHA Distinguished Lecturer  

AIHA’s Distinguished Lecturer Program identifies experts within the association who are willing to provide lectures in their area of expertise to the industrial hygiene community and to AIHA's outreach partners. The program is hosted by the AIHA Fellows SIG, and features prominent experts in industrial hygiene who are prepared to lecture on recent research, new developments, and topics of interest that affect workplace safety and the environment. Learn more on AIHA's

.

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The

SynergistNOW

blog offers ideas, insights, and perspectives on important topics affecting industrial and occupational hygiene professionals, written by and for experienced IH/OHs, researchers, academics, and AIHA leaders. The blog is available to everyone with an interest in the IH and OEHS fields, but even AIHA members must subscribe. Visit

SynergistNOW

to learn more.

Dates and Deadlines

in Arvada, Colo.

September 17–20

AIHA’s “” course in Westerville, Ohio.

September 21–23

in Washington, D.C.

September 24–26

in Washington, D.C.

September 24–28

in Ann Arbor. Mich.

For a complete list of events, visit the AIHA

.