Mission

To ensure AIHA is speaking with one voice and providing a consistent message with respect to how we as a profession are the right partner to support EPA and our external stakeholder community in Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) occupational risk assessments and management as mandated by the Lautenberg Act of 2016.

Goal (Measure of Success)

To influence occupational risk assessment practices through active engagement with our external stakeholder community, including EPA. These practices should progressively and positively more closely align with the manner in which occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) professionals conduct occupational exposure risk assessments. Evidence (anecdotal and otherwise) will be used to assess AIHA’s ability to positively influence TSCA risk assessments (i.e., continue to increase alignment and mutual understanding in risk assessment methods).

Strategic Objectives

  1. Serve in a strategic oversight capacity that helps direct, prioritize, and coordinate AIHA activities being undertaken at the Volunteer Group level to provide best practices and technical methods resources relevant to TSCA for use by EPA and the external stakeholder community.
  2. Build closer relationships with trade associations, organized labor, academic institutions, and other occupational health organizations to help AIHA amplify and broaden its support network.
  3. Provide messaging to EPA staff and our external stakeholder community to provide education resources on the fundamentals of how occupational exposure assessments are conducted.

Structure

The TSCA Advisory Group shall not be limited to a specific number of members. It shall be open to both AIHA members and non-members to ensure we reflect the perspectives of OEHS and allied professionals. There is no specific requirement for a formal chair / vice-chair position; however, the group may accommodate such a request should a willing volunteer wish to step forward. The group may develop specific internal working groups and subgroups to foster development of resources or engagements aligned with the mission and goals of the group.

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Work in conjunction with a designated AIHA Board Liaison, who shall report on the activities of the group throughout the year at Board meetings.
  • Coordinate efforts with the trade associations and other allied associations with a vested interest in ensuring TSCA risk assessments are aligned with recommended practices as published by the AIHA.
  • Maintain an ongoing list of activities being conducted within the AIHA, such as webinars and advocacy work, and technical resources development pertaining to TSCA.
  • Draft and maintain a harmonized list of talking points and outreach materials and resources that can be re-purposed for a variety of communication vehicles.

Measures of Success

  1. Achieve demonstrated collaboration among key stakeholders, including EPA and an IH-based professional society on occupational risk assessment practices.
  2. Where Existing Chemical Exposure Limits (ECELs) and OELs currently differ, organize an advisory group including key stakeholders (i.e. EPA, NIOSH, OSHA, AIHA, ACGIH, and industry CIHs) to understand the differences between the ECEL and the existing OEL to serve as clarification on interpretations of such limits the OEL user community.
  3. Succeed in advocating for the EPA Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) to ensure CIHs with a minimum of 10 years industry experience are included on the Committee.
  4. Gain EPA agreement to require a CIH to participate in all chemical hazard risk evaluations and risk management proposed rules.

    General Time Commitment

    • Monthly virtual meeting (each lasting 1 hour).
    • One in-person meeting (may be at AIHA CONNECT – formerly AIHce EXP).
    • Email correspondence as needed.
    • Other duties as assigned (based on identified project needs).

    Accountability

    • Accountable to the AIHA Board of Directors.
    • Agree to uphold and abide by the AIHA Bylaws, Conflict of Interest, and Code of Conduct policies.
    Topics Controls Core Sciences Emergency Preparedness & Response Exposure Assessment Hazard Communication IH Program Management Instrumentation Risk Safety