Goals and Objectives
The Healthcare Working Group brings together occupational health and safety professionals to drive meaningful change within healthcare and allied work environments.
Network
Create a forum for healthcare occupational health and safety professionals to discuss issues of concern, share best practices, and promote positive change within the healthcare and allied work environments.
Educate
Develop educational materials and deliver specialized training on occupational safety and health issues in the healthcare industry to members and in partnership with external collaborators.
Communicate
Publish guidelines and white papers related to a variety of topics affecting the healthcare environment, such as airborne infectious diseases, waterborne pathogens, and the selection and use of disinfectants.
Advocate
Identify, evaluate, and comment on proposed legislation, regulations, and standards affecting healthcare occupational health and safety.
Support
Respond to AIHA Board requests to address specific issues impacting occupational health and safety in the healthcare environment.
Current Projects
The Healthcare Working Group is composed of project teams developed around common issues affecting occupational health and safety professionals in healthcare. There are currently four active project teams.
Hazardous Drugs
Currently working on a review and update of the Hazardous Drugs Surface Contamination guidance document.
Infection Prevention
Currently working on creating ventilation guidelines to be used in healthcare environments.
Hazard Evaluation and Control Techniques
Currently investigating and addressing healthcare work environment reproductive health concerns.
Home Health
Continuing to partner with the AIHA Ergonomics Committee and outside partners to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for the growing population of home healthcare workers.
Collaboration Efforts
The Healthcare Working Group has partnered with and continues to work with a variety of other AIHA committees and external organizations. These include:
- AIHA Ergonomics Committee
- AIHA Citizen Ambassadors Program (Chile)
- The World Health Organization
- The American Society of Perianesthesia Nurses
We continue to look for additional partnerships, both internal to AIHA and externally, to help further address the occupational health and safety needs of a dynamic and changing healthcare work environment.
Products Produced by the Group
Guidance Documents
Fact Sheets
White Papers
- Home Health Care Aides: Occupational Health and Safety Challenges and Opportunities
- Recognition, Evaluation and Control of Waste Anesthetic Gases in Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Criteria for New Construction
Awards
- AIHA Outstanding Volunteer Group (2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020)
- Shining Star Award (2010)
- Project Teams Excellence Award in the Community Domain (2025)
Group Dynamics
Our membership ranges from seasoned practitioners to individuals new to the field or even still in postsecondary schooling, and comes from a variety of different backgrounds, including:
- Major Medical Centers
- Research Institutions
- State Government
- Federal Government
- Higher Education Systems
- National Medical Systems
- Consulting Firms
We share the common goals of the Healthcare Working Group in order that we may help the ever-growing workforce employed in our healthcare systems to have a healthy and safe career.
Qualifications to Join
Any AIHA member who is interested in occupational health and safety focused on the healthcare environment is encouraged to join. Additionally, as a Working Group, non-AIHA members are also welcome to join and participate.