OHTA is a global not-for-profit organization with a mission to provide consistent, quality training on the core aspects of occupational hygiene and related health and safety topics. OHTA-approved trainers work in both underserved and developing countries to offer a selection of courses, successful completion of which results in the ICertOHTA. ICertOHTA certificate holders from developing nations who have a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering and five years of professional-level work experience in occupational health and safety are eligible to apply for the CIH. Through the partnership with OHTA, AIHA will help these ICertOHTA certificate holders prepare by offering them access to the CIH Exam Crash Course at a discounted rate.

WHWB-US, another member of the strategic partnership to improve global access to the CIH credential, will provide mentors who will help qualifying ICertOHTA certificate holders through the CIH certification process. WHWB-US is a not-for-profit organization that aims to raise awareness of the need for effective control of workplace hazards and risks for underserved workers and communities in the U.S. and developing nations.

“This strategic partnership of leaders in the profession enables us to have a profound impact on the world, one industrial hygienist at a time,” said OHTA Co-Chair Chris Laszcz-Davis, MS, CIH, COH, FAIHA, FAIC.

According to WHWB-US President Albert J. Tien, ScD, the partnering organizations “have created a cost-effective path to provide world-class training and mentoring for professionals who want the prestigious CIH credential.”

The AIHA membership delegation to Vietnam was scheduled to arrive in Hanoi on Oct. 26 and depart from Ho Chi Minh City on Nov. 1. The purpose of the trip is to allow AIHA delegates to network with their counterparts in Vietnam to learn about the country’s advancements and challenges in OEHS. Topics for discussion include formal processes for ensuring worker health and safety; training, certification, and educational standards for OEHS professionals; OEHS technology related to Vietnam’s growing semiconductor industry; and the country’s recent advances and research initiatives in OEHS.

The visit "will continue the legacy of advancing leadership through engaging citizens and forming networks between the U.S. and international high-level counterparts,” said AIHA President Nicole Greeson, MS, CIH, who is leading the delegation.

AIHA also offers OEHS professionals working in developing nations discounts on AIHA membership fees and digital versions of products such as reference books.

Volunteer Sought for JOEH LLC Board of Directors The JOEH LLC board of directors is the governing body for the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. The board manages journal finances, supports the journal editor in chief, strategically expands the journal’s reach, and oversees the journal’s relationship with its publisher, Taylor & Francis.

AIHA is seeking a volunteer to represent the association on the JOEH board. The open position has a two-year commitment. The selected individual will serve as vice president beginning in January 2025 and will become president in January 2026. Applications to serve on the board are due Dec. 1. More information and an online form for submitting an application are available via the AIHA website.

AIHA Donates to Helene Relief Efforts In October, AIHA donated $5,000 to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. At the time, at least 175 people had died and hundreds were missing from the destruction caused by Helene, which made landfall Sept. 26.

“As an organization committed to occupational and environmental health and safety in the workplace and the community, AIHA feels an obligation to support the residents struggling in the affected areas,” said Lawrence D. Sloan, the CEO of AIHA, in a press release. “Disaster response is a complicated area for worker safety, and front-line workers must be deployed with the appropriate safeguards in place to protect their health.”

The press release is available on AIHA's website .

Changes Coming for Z490.1 Training Standard AIHA standards representatives indicated in early October that a revision to ANSI/ASSP standard Z490.1, Criteria for Accepted Practices in Safety, Health, and Environmental Training, was expected to be released soon. The new standard is being merged with ANSI/ASSP Z490.2-2018, Accepted Practices for E-Learning in Safety, Health, and Environmental Training, into a single comprehensive training standard. Z490.1 was last updated in 2016.

The new standard aligns with the analyze, design, develop, implement, and evaluate (ADDIE) model for instructional systems design. A new section will require organizations to provide resources for safety, health, and environmental learning management systems to ensure competency. Criteria about the roles and functions of training providers have been expanded.

Other changes include enhanced language for learner-focused engagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Appendix A provides explanatory text that aligns with the revised sections of the standard to enhance understanding of requirements and effective accepted practices.

AIHA’s primary representative to the Z490 committee, Susan Marie Viet, serves as committee vice-chair.

Updated Documents Available on Waste Anesthetic Gases, Business Case Presentation New versions of a previously published white paper and technical framework are now available from AIHA.org.

The white paper “Recognition, Evaluation and Control of Waste Anesthetic Gases in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit” discusses the hazards of anesthetic gases used to keep patients unconscious during surgery. These gases, such as nitrous oxide and the halogenated agents isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane, can leak into the surrounding room and are present in the exhaled breath of patients.

“The Keys to Effective Presentation of Your Business Case” is a technical framework that outlines the knowledge needed to demonstrate a business case for OEHS interventions to reduce or eliminate adverse exposures. This knowledge includes competencies in identifying stakeholders and key business objectives; assessing and reducing risks; estimating, identifying, and communicating the impacts of OEHS interventions; and presenting the business case.

AIHA Accolades In July, Wiley published Health Risk Assessment for Asbestos and Other Fibrous Minerals, edited by Andrey Korchevskiy, PhD, CIH, DABT; James Rasmuson, PhD, CIH, DABT, FAIHA; and Eric Rasmuson, MHS, MS, CIH, DABT. The 480-page book discusses risk assessment methodology for elongate mineral particles, including theory, models, and practical applications; estimation of potential adverse effects for exposed populations; and the acceptability of risks at given levels of exposure. Michael Cimis, CIH, has been promoted to associate vice president for safety and risk management at Virginia Commonwealth University. Cimis previously served in the role on an interim basis. At VCU, where Cimis has worked since 2017, his team has received awards from the Campus Safety, Health and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA). For more information, visit VCU's website. Membership Renewals Now Open AIHA is now processing membership renewals for 2025. Members who renew by Dec. 31, 2024, qualify for a 10 percent discount on either a listing in the Consultants Listing or one 30-day posting to the AIHA job board. A link to the renewal portal is available in the “quick links” section of members’ profile pages on the AIHA website. Access your profile by signing in to AIHA.org. Submit to the Consultants Listing by Dec. 16 AIHA’s Consultants Listing provides a comprehensive online repository and search functionality, streamlining the process for individuals seeking industrial hygienists or experts in occupational and environmental health and safety within their locality. The deadline for submitting order forms for the 2025 digital Consultants Listing is Dec. 16. For additional information or to complete the online order form, visit the AIHA website. For more information, email Wanda Barbour or call (703) 846-0782. Bylaws Change Approved In an electronic vote conducted during September, members approved changing AIHA’s bylaws to remove an article on membership reinstatement. The updated bylaws are available on the AIHA website. The bylaws are published on AIHA.org. Online Access to The Synergist Visit the
Synergist home page to see articles from the latest issue of the magazine as well as articles from the archives that remain relevant to the industrial hygiene profession today.

Nov. 13 Ethical Insights for CIHs and CSPs: Exploring the BCSP Code.

Nov. 13 Brainstorming Session on Dermal Exposure Assessment and Surface Sampling.

Nov. 19 Respiratory Sensitization: Understanding Mechanisms of Sensitization and Mitigating Risk in the Workplace.

Dec. 31 Deadline to submit nominations for AIHA Fellows.

Jan. 13, 2025 Deadline to submit nominations for AIHA awards.