DEPARTMENTS
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
DINA M. SIEGEL, CIH, CSP, FAIHA, is semi-retired and is currently a guest scientist at Los Alamos National
Laboratory, where she worked for 25 years in a variety of management and contributor roles. Her previous experience included OEHS for federal, contractor, and consultant firms.
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The Power of Partnerships
BY DINA M. SIEGEL, AIHA PRESIDENT
Over the years, AIHA has sought to expand our reach by partnering with like-minded organizations. As these relationships become more strategic, we’ve had more opportunities to develop ways to protect workers and communities. Here are some recent highlights from our work with partnering organizations.
American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. ACOEM and AIHA have cohosted two webinars in recent years: one discussed ways our professions can work together successfully, and another informed members of both organizations about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
American Public Health Association. APHA has invited AIHA members to participate in a new work group formed to influence CDC’s update of its infection control guidance. We are pleased that CDC is considering stakeholders’ feedback and that APHA is working with us to address shared concerns.
American Society of Safety Professionals. Last month, ASSP and AIHA held a joint town hall for Fellows of both organizations that highlighted our partnership. Several AIHA local sections have close working relationships with nearby ASSP chapters. AIHA appoints liaisons to select technical standards developed by ASSP, and we’re working to collaborate on new guidance that will help IH professionals interpret these standards.
ASHRAE. Our new Indoor Air Quality Task Force will be responsible for building a closer relationship with ASHRAE, which exerts tremendous influence on IAQ practices, particularly through its standard 62.1, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, and standard 241, Control of Infectious Aerosols.
Board for Global EHS Credentialing. BGC helped support the AIHA and Product Stewardship Society salary studies last year, as well as a new video promoting the value of the CIH credential. We also worked with BGC on creating the new Certified Professional Product Steward credential.
British Occupational Hygiene Society. BOHS has invited AIHA to adopt its Breathe Freely initiative for a U.S. audience. Breathe Freely aims to reduce occupational lung disease. AIHA’s Construction Committee is drafting content based on Breathe Freely materials for a new public-facing web page. The two organizations also work on shared OEHS concerns.
Through IOHA, we have established stronger working relationships with our sister organizations across Latin America.
Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association. A new agreement between CSHEMA and AIHA went into effect last year. Our Museum and Cultural Heritage Industry Working Group has been coordinating efforts with CSHEMA members.
Huntsman Mental Health Institute. HMHI’s Stop the Stigma campaign combats mental health challenges. AIHA is working with HMHI to create a toolkit of resources for IH practitioners. We are also exploring the possibility of working with the Ad Council on public service announcements targeted at worker mental health.
Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification. IICRC is working with AIHA volunteers, restoration experts, and other stakeholders to develop BSR/IICRC S760, Standard for Professional Wildfire Investigations and Restoration of Impacts to Structures, Systems, and Contents. The final standard is expected later this year.
International Occupational Hygiene Association. Through IOHA, we have established stronger working relationships with our sister organizations across Latin America. IOHA is promoting our Commit to C.A.R.E. resources, including the new ebook, Healthier Workplaces and Schools.
National Safety Council. Last year, AIHA was invited to cosponsor the NIOSH Prevention Through Design Award with NSC and ASSP. This year’s award will be presented at AIHA Connect in Columbus. AIHA and NSC are finalizing a new agreement that would broaden our collaborations across several areas.
Occupational Hygiene Training Association. AIHA is a founding member and annual sponsor of OHTA. Our members have helped create and update free OHTA resources—some of the best in the world for training practitioners in developing economies.
More information about AIHA partnerships, including a comprehensive list of alliances, activities, and points of contact, is available on the AIHA website.