Throughout the last few years, AIHA has highlighted stories of members from different fields and stages of their professional career through the video series #IAmIH, a favorite with both our members and the general public. The video series has provided a window into the diverse and rich world of occupational and environmental health and safety, while the latest episode showed how an OEHS professional can help even in non-occupational settings.

In 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic showed us that OEHS professionals are also vital to developing a public health response. AIHA members were quick to take action from the earliest days of the outbreak: from donating PPE to China and the Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia to drafting guidance documents and infographics for the reopening of businesses. In light of the profession’s recent accomplishments, AIHA members ought to show general audiences that what they do goes beyond industrial hygiene. That’s why AIHA announced a new content submission campaign, “Share Your Story,” a few weeks ago, which aims to showcase some of the great work OEHS professionals are doing to ease the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But why should you share your story?

• Stories create connections. Sharing stories has the power to help AIHA members relate more profoundly to their colleagues, peers, and communities, and vice versa.
• One real example is worth a dozen reports. There’s no better way for someone to understand what is happening in the world than by hearing examples from real people.
• Stories send a powerful message. Talking about your challenges and achievements might inspire students to consider OEHS as their future profession.

Share with us how you helped your company adapt to changes resulting from the pandemic, helped others with PPE, slowed the spread of the virus, or took other definitive actions to help keep workers safe from COVID-19. Stories come in all shapes and sizes, and there is no such thing as a story too small or inconsequential—we look forward to reading them all!