Included in every issue of The Synergist is the NewsWatch section, which includes short articles and updates from NIOSH, the CDC, EPA, OSHA, and other government agencies. NewsWatch focuses on news, new research and findings, and best practices. Hot-button topics like silica and GHS labeling have appeared here throughout the past year.
2020 Print Deadlines
(Click here for Digital Deadlines)
| Issue Date | Space Close | Art Due |
|---|---|---|
| January | 11/4/2019 | 11/11/2019 |
| February | 12/9/2019 | 12/16/2019 |
| March | 1/7/2020 | 1/14/2020 |
| April | 2/4/2020 | 2/11/2020 |
| May | 3/9/2020 | 3/16/2020 |
| June/July | 4/6/2020 | 4/13/2020 |
| August | 6/8/2020 | 6/15/2020 |
| September | 7/6/2020 | 7/13/2020 |
| October | 8/3/2020 | 8/10/2020 |
| November | 9/7/2020 | 9/14/2020 |
| December | 10/5/2020 | 10/12/2020 |
Featured Topics
DECEMBER 2019
Risks for dental workers. The hazards of dental work include respiratory and musculoskeletal disorders, exposure to radiation, and eye injuries. In addition, CDC recently found a cluster of a rare, severe lung disease among dental workers in Virginia.
Revisiting ototoxicants. A follow-up to last year's popular introductory article on chemicals that affect hearing, this article reviews the latest research on ototoxicants and discusses recent guidance.
The EHS role in a company acquisition. When one company acquires another, it often assumes unknown liabilities related to
environmental health and safety. This article offers tips for EHS professionals on how to assess the risks and opportunities presented by
potential acquisitions.
JANUARY 2020
New insights on noise. A recent NIOSH document has some key revelations about hearing loss, audiometry testing, and the need for improved dosimetry.
Exercise equipment in the workplace. Treadmill desks and exercise bike chairs are all the rage. But research touting the benefits of these devices ignores evidence that they lead to increased ergonomic injuries, pose safety risks, and have a negative effect on work performance.
Cognitive science for the IH. How to steer workers toward safer choices and fewer illnesses.
FEBRUARY 2020
Special Insert: AIHA's Environmental Scan Report
Combustible dust: conducting a dust hazard analysis. This article discusses the NFPA standard 652 requirement for facilities with combustible dust to conduct a "dust hazard analysis." The deadline for facilities to comply with this requirement is September 2020.
Trends in remote health monitoring. Remote working environments about in the oil and gas industry, mining, construction, and many other sectors. To protect workers and communities in remote locations, IHs need to develop effective models and make effective use of sensors and risk assessment.
Bloodborne pathogens outside of healthcare settings. This article discusses exposures in industries such as hospitality (hotels, restaurants, housing shelters, tourism), vet clinics, education, adult entertainment, and aesthetics.
MARCH 2020
Special Insert: The AIHA Annual Report
Integrating sensors in PPE.
Electrical safety in hazardous environments.
Perspectives on the Surveillance for Anti-Cancer Drug Exposure Study.
APRIL 2020
Special Section: Educational offerings and Expo features at AIHce EXP 2020
Biohacking and industrial hygiene. Advancements in medical science ensure that workers in the future will have changed their bodies in ways once unimaginable, through embedded magnets, electronic implants, or genetic modification. What responsibilities exist when an acceptable exposure is rendered unacceptable by an employee who has edited their own genes?
Heat stress assessment and control. This article discusses the importance of six critical factors associated with heat stress and shows how they can be used to identify and implement effective preventive measures.
PPE-101: penetration vs. permeation vs. degradation. This article parses out these common—and commonly confused—terms related to protective clothing.
MAY 2020
Special Section: Exhibitors at AIHce EXP 2020
Special Section: An interview with AIHA Past President Fred Toca
The underserved worker. This article explores the lingering health and safety issues associated with occupations typically filled by minorities.
Healthcare: Anteroom design. Hazardous drug compounding rooms are deigned to be under negative pressure relative to surrounding spaces in order to control the potential release of hazardous drugs. Since this negative pressure draws in air from the attached anteroom, the anteroom is required to be the same level of cleanliness (ISO-7) as the compounding space. It can be difficult to meet this requirement in an anteroom where occupants are garbing, supplies are being unpacked and disinfected, and there is direct connection to non-ISO Pharmacy spaces. A positively pressurized secondary anteroom keeps the hazardous drug compounding space negative relative to surrounding areas, while preventing air from the anteroom from flowing into the hazardous drug space from the traditional anteroom.
JUNE/JULY 2020
Drug-free workplace policies. With the legalization of cannabis on the rise, what do employers need to look for when revisiting their policies on drug use?
Implications of USP 800 for veterinarians. Chapter 800 of the United States Pharmacopeia, which describes standards for handling hazardous drugs in healthcare settings, goes into effect in December 2019. This article explains what the new chapter means for veterinary service providers.
AUGUST 2020—The Labs Issue
Special Section: AIHce Wrap-up
Topics to come.
SEPTEMBER 2020
BONUS DISTRIBUTION: Product Stewardship Conference
Special Section: Product Stewardship Conference Preview
Beryllium regulations. The Department of Energy is working on revisions to its beryllium regulation, and OSHA is considering changes to its beryllium standard. This article will explore the new landscape for beryllium health and safety.
Product stewardship.
OCTOBER 2020
Topics to come.
NOVEMBER 2020
Protective clothing for healthcare.
DECEMBER 2020
Topics to come.