A message from AIHA President Dina Siegel
Dear AIHA Members,
I hope this letter finds you in good health. I’m writing to share some important updates and exciting opportunities with you.
OH2023
In
June, I had the honor of attending OH2023: The Workplace Health
Protection Conference, organized by the British Occupational Hygiene
Society (BOHS). The speakers at this conference covered a range of
occupational and environmental health and safety issues, including
challenges with wearable monitoring devices, better noise risk reduction
practices, the impacts of climate change, improved local exhaust
ventilation solutions, Legionella management, and mental health in
workplaces. Other speakers highlighted advances in exposure science
aligning directly with AIHA’s Improving Exposure Judgment initiative.
The conference also addressed the continued shortage of qualified OEHS
professionals in the United Kingdom (and the United States). I remain
optimistic that AIHA’s continued close partnership with BOHS will help
both countries build a successful pipeline of future practitioners.
During
the conference, I spent time with Trace Bence, president of the
Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH), and Maharshi
Mehta, president of the International Occupational Hygiene Association
(IOHA). Trace’s sobering presentation on engineered stone health issues
in Australia and Maharshi’s discussion of IOHA’s various initiatives
targeted at developing countries reminded me of the shared challenges
faced by workers in both developed and emerging economies. I greatly
enjoyed presentations such as these, as they resonated with AIHA’s
commitment to promoting OEHS globally, in part by providing discounted
pricing on selected resources to practitioners in economically
developing countries. Furthermore, through AIHA’s close relationship
with AIOH, and as a member organization of IOHA, we will continue to
make progress towards our vision of a world where all workers are
healthy and safe.
AIHA Connect 2024 Call for Proposals
I’m excited to share that AIHA has opened its call for proposals
for AIHA Connect 2024! The AIHA Connect Conference Program Committee is
seeking proposals for professional development courses, education
sessions, case studies, scientific research presentations, professional
posters, education pop-ups, and student presentations and posters. This
is a fantastic chance to become a thought leader and contribute to
growth and knowledge-sharing within our OEHS community. The deadline for
submissions is September 15. Mark your calendars and get ready to share
your expertise and insights.
On the subject of the conference, AIHA’s YouTube channel has released two new videos covering AIHce EXP 2023. “Mark of Excellence” features AIHA Fellows and award winners. In “Expo Highlights,” our partners showcase some of their top-notch products and services.
DEI Virtual Conference – Embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
On October 16–20, AIHA University will hold a virtual conference
focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace through
the lens of occupational and environmental health and safety. The
program will cover a variety of topics, including equitable PPE
considerations for a diverse workforce, the impact of code-switching,
microaggressions and unconscious bias in the workplace, and workplace
ally training. In our commitment to fostering an inclusive and
supportive environment within the OEHS profession, I encourage you to
secure your spot and register for this event. Moreover, if your
organization is interested in partnering with AIHA for this conference,
please contact Laura Cilano Garcia, AIHA’s program director of strategic partnerships.
Free Workshops in Partnership with FCRI
AIHA is partnering with the Foundation for Chemistry Research and Initiatives (FCRI) on Many Paths – One Goal, a series of free workshops
on occupational risk assessment. These workshops aim to enhance
understanding of differing approaches to risk assessment used by the
Environmental Protection Agency and the OEHS profession. Experts from
both EPA and traditional IH receive a platform to discuss methodological
issues and refine assessment approaches. The first three workshops
explored the diverse facets of occupational risk assessment and delved
into means of optimizing the use of industrial hygiene exposure data and
near-field exposure modeling. The next two workshops will take place on
September 21 and November 9. These will enhance participants’
understanding of methods for evaluating dermal exposure and risk
characterization and management.
Volunteering Opportunities
Our community thrives on collaboration and engagement. I encourage you to explore volunteer opportunities on AIHA’s open calls page.
Your involvement can make a significant impact, and I believe that
together, we can make our workplaces and communities healthier.
Thank
you for your continuous support and dedication to AIHA. It’s my
privilege to serve as your president, and I’m committed to working with
you to advance our mission of creating healthier workplaces and a
healthier world.
Best regards,
Dina Siegel CIH, CSP, CBSP, FAIHA
AIHA President