FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Release No. SPR-08-312-01   

Stacey Talbot, AIHA Education
(703) 846-0747; stalbot@aiha.org
      
Melissa Hurley, AIHA Communications
(703) 846-0740; mhurley@aiha.org

AIHA Hosts Bayesian-Based Decision-Making TeleWeb

Presenters introduce the basics of the Bayesian-based decision-making method

FAIRFAX, VA (March 12, 2008) — The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) will host “Introduction to Bayesian-Based Decision Making,” an introductory TeleWeb Virtual Seminar, on April 17, 2008, from 2–4:30 p.m. ET. Featured speakers include Paul Hewett, PhD, CIH, and J. Barry Graffeo, CIH.

Hewett is the founder and president of Exposure Assessment Solutions, Inc. He worked for 25 years as an industrial hygienist for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) Division of Respirable Disease Studies specializing in the measurement of pneumoconiosis- producing dusts. Hewett is also the author of numerous articles and chapters on exposure assessment and statistics for industrial hygienists, as well as having served as a past chair of the AIHA Exposure Assessment Strategies Committee.

Graffeo is the corporate industrial hygienist at Eli Lilly and Company. He consults with research and manufacturing sites around the world to implement comprehensive exposure assessment programs. He has more than 16 years experience in bulk chemical, biochemical, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, as well as research and development activities. Graffeo has taught numerous exposure assessment courses and coordinated symposiums on the subject and is a past chair of the AIHA Exposure Assessment Strategies Committee.

The first presentation will be an overview of the theory behind Bayesian Decision Analysis, assumptions and limitations, a comparison to standard statistical analysis, as well as an overview of how Bayesian methods permit the explicit use of professional judgment in the calculations. The second presentation is an introduction to IHDataAnalyst-LiteEdition, which covers an overview of a freeware program for performing standard statistical analyses, plus Bayesian Decision Analysis of occupational exposure data.

The third presentation will address integrating Bayesian-based decision making into the AIHA Exposure Assessment Model, which is based on determining whether the exposure profile falls within one of five exposure ranges – Categories 0 through 4. Since specific actions (i.e., risk management decisions) tend to be associated with each exposure category, it is important to make the correct decision. Bayesian-based decision making can facilitate the decision-making process, particularly because the sample sizes tend to be small. The final presentation will cover case studies. Bayesian Decision Analysis, as well as standard statistical methods, will be applied to several exposure datasets and scenarios illustrating the uses and advantages of Bayesian analysis.

Attendees will learn to:

• Understand the basics of Bayesian-based decision-making method
• Recognize the advantages of Bayesian methods, particularly in leveraging professional judgment
• Preview the use of a software tool to perform both standard statistical analysis and Bayesian analysis of occupational exposure data
• Understand the AIHA Exposure Control Banding Model and how exposure control decisions are linked to risk management actions
• Use Bayesian-based methods to better apply the AIHA Exposure Control Banding Model
• Apply Bayesian methods to common exposure assessment scenarios
• Be aware of the assumptions and cautions associated with the use of both Bayesian and standard statistical methods

TeleWeb Virtual Seminars deliver cutting-edge educational content live via the Internet and telephone from the convenience of an attendee’s home or office; multiple attendees can participate for the cost of a single registration. Since TeleWebs debuted in 2000, nearly 14,000 individuals have used this convenient and cost-effective format to further their education and careers. An archive copy of the TeleWeb will be available on CD for purchase.

To register for “Introduction to Bayesian-Based Decision Making,” please call toll free at (800) 651-7916, or register online at http://www.aiha.org/Content/CE/DL/TelewebBaysian.htm. AIHA members who register by April 4, 2008, can attend the TeleWeb for $295, nonmembers for $325. After April 4, tuition will be an additional $100 for both members and nonmembers. Every site registered will receive materials that may be duplicated for each participant.
 
Please contact Stacey Talbot, AIHA’s education manager, at (703) 846-0747 or stalbot@aiha.org, with questions regarding TeleWeb Virtual Seminars or AIHA’s Distance Learning Program. For more information, including system requirements, please visit http://www.aiha.org/TeleWeb.htm.

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Founded in 1939, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) is the premier association of occupational and environmental health and safety professionals. AIHA’s 10,600 members play a crucial role on the front line of worker health and safety every day. Members represent a cross-section of industry, private business, labor, government, and academia. For more information, go to www.aiha.org.