The results are in from the 2015–2016 AIHA Public Policy Survey, which is conducted every two years to reflect the two-year session of Congress. The survey provides insight into what AIHA members consider to be the top issues for the association to focus on in Congress’ next session. The results don’t necessarily limit AIHA’s efforts to the issues that come out at the top of the list, but the survey is an important tool for learning which issues the AIHA membership views as most important.

The response rate for this survey was close to 20 percent—a huge increase over any previous public policy survey conducted by AIHA. The survey was divided into several different categories, including specific individual hazards, general occupational safety and health issues, legislative issues, and general association issues. The results were tabulated to determine the top issues in each category. The results for the 2015–2016 survey are as follows: Top Specific Individual Hazards

• Combustible Dust
• Crystalline Silica
• Noise/Hearing Protection
• Nanotechnology

Top General Occupational Safety and Health Issues

• Updating the Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs)
• Risk Assessment
• Confined Spaces
• Infectious Diseases

Top Legislative Issues

• Updating the PELs
• Appropriations for OSHA, NIOSH, and Related Agencies
• Combustible Dust
• Professional Recognition/Title Protection

Top General Association Issues

• Professional Ethics
• National Standards on OHS Issues
• Laboratory Accreditation
• Professional Recognition/Title Protection

A complete summary of the results will be made available on the government affairs section of the AIHA website, and more information on the survey is forthcoming.