Computer Applications Committee Mission and Goals

Mission Statement

To provide a forum for advancing the use of computer applications by occupational and environmental health professionals.

Goals

Goal: Assemble, evaluate, and disseminate to occupational and environmental health professionals information relevant to computer applications and information systems.

Objective #1: Discuss and act upon computer applications and information systems issues.

Strategies:

• Designate specific members to track and report on identified issues.
• Respond to AIHA Board requests to address specific issues.
• Solicit papers; organize sessions; and provide session arrangers, chairs, and monitors for the AIHCE.

Objective #2: Provide education and training on computer application issues.

Strategy: Develop new professional development courses (PDCs) and keep existing PDCs up-to-date.

Goal: Actively participate in identifying and responding to computer application issues.

Objective #3: Identify and assess needs of occupational and environmental health professionals for computerized applications.

Strategies:

• Review and report on available software.
• Recommend actions necessary for the development of new software to meet needs of occupational and environmental health professionals.
• Assist occupational and environmental health professionals in the identification, evaluation, selection, and use of manual and automated information systems.
• Work with the ACGIH Computer Committee on issues of mutual interest.
• Interface with AIHA committees that are addressing computer applications as related to that committee's particular area of responsibility.
• Provide leadership in standard setting, such as a generic industrial hygiene data coding system to facilitate comparison of data from different systems.

Following is a brief summary of activities of the Computer Applications Committee. For more information, contact the chair.

Publications, Recent and in Progress:

• Provides computer software reviews for The Synergist periodically and as needed.

Professional Development Courses (PDCs) and Other Educational Activities:

• PDC #307 Intro to Hand-Held Computers (PDAs) (AIHCE 2002)
• Forum 232 - PDA Applications for the Working IH (AIHCE 2002)
• Platform Session 135 Computer Applications in Industrial Hygiene (AIHCE 2002)

Other Activities:

• Assists AIHA technical committees/national office with extended e-mail projects.
• Provides support to committees and local section to maintain an Internet presence (web page hosting and development).
• Provides support and moderation for AIHA's e-mail discussion groups
• Provides support for AIHA Public Relations activities.