AIHce 2008 Hosts The Largest And Most Comprehensive Education Program In Its History
Fairfax, VA - Thousands of industrial hygienists (IH) and environmental health and safety (EHS) professionals attended the 69th annual American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (AIHce), which continues its long history as the primary source for learning and networking for the profession. With an exciting mix of education, products and services, and entertainment this was one conference not to be missed.
Delegations from China, Brazil, France, Canada, Poland, Taiwan, and the Netherlands gathered for a week of professional development and networking. In addition to these delegations and their meetings, AIHA hosted an international reception for more than 200 international members and guests. The International Occupational Hygiene Association dinner and reception included presidents from different international organizations, including England, Australia, and Italy.
From May 31–June 5 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, conference-goers found hundreds of hands-on educational opportunities offered. Participants had the chance to earn up to 6.5 CM points and attend 84 weekend professional development courses; 40 educational tracks, including an early career and student track and a value of the profession track; 149 technical sessions, podium sessions, roundtables, EHS crossover programs, technical tours, and poster sessions. Cosponsored by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), the meeting also featured a three-day exposition with exhibits from more than 300 companies.
Renowned economic futurist Jeremy Rifkin, president of the Foundation for Economic Trends, presented the opening session on Monday. He is a frequent guest on numerous television programs, including Face the Nation, Nightline, 20/20, Larry King Live, The Today Show, and Good Morning America. Rifkin provided insight and analysis of factors impacting the economy, work force, and environment—namely the relationship between energy and communications and how it will change the workplace in the 21st century. "We are on the cusp of a revolution in the way we address health and safety issues," Rifkin said. "We [have to] rethink the workplace in the 21st century."
The June 3 general session discussed AIHA's value of the profession study and introduced "The IH Value Proposition." Jeffrey Pino, president, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, presented an informative and thought-provoking talk on the value industrial hygienists add to an organization's bottom line and the important role IH professionals have in communicating this value throughout the organization. Pino reiterated to the crowd by giving a CEO's perspective, "There are two things that must happen every day. First, every Sikorsky aircraft ever manufactured must land at the time and place of choosing of the pilot. Second, every employee must go home exactly as they came in, or better. We're much better at the first than the second. We must be perfect in both cases."
Featured June 4 general session speaker Robin Herbert, MD, director, World Trade Center (WTC) Medical Monitoring Program Data and Coordination Center, Mount Sinai-Irving J. Selikoff Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, discussed her experiences with WTC terrorist attack responders to illustrate lessons learned to help prevent occupational health problems in similar, future events. After addressing the physical and mental health effects of the WTC disaster on responders, Herbert had suggestions for the audience to help them prepare those who might respond to future disasters. "[It is critical to] create and define boundaries, keeping a list of who enters those boundaries, limiting the amount of time people can spend within those boundaries, limiting periods of work, and making sure people don't sleep where they are working," Herbert said.
"AIHce offers a unique opportunity for members and students to focus on new and evolving aspects of occupational and environmental health and safety and further develop their expertise in their particular areas of interest," said Lindsay E. Booher, CIH, CSP, AIHA president. "It's an exciting time in the field of industrial hygiene, and the program delivered by AIHA and ACGIH provided attendees with the information, tools, products, and services necessary to excel in their careers."
At the June 5 annual AIHA business meeting, Lindsay E. Booher, CIH, CSP, ascended to the position of president, as Donald J. Hart, PhD, CIH, concluded his successful presidential year. Cathy L. Cole, CIH, CSP, became president-elect and Michael T. Brandt, DrPH, CIH, PMP, became AIHA's new vice president. Allan K. Fleeger, CIH, CSP, will begin his term as treasurer, and Elizabeth L. Pullen, CIH, will continue her term as secretary. Cynthia A. Ostrowski, CIH, will begin this year as AIHA's secretary-elect. Cindy Coe, CIH; Barbara J. Dawson, CIH, CSP; and Steven E. Lacey, PhD, CIH, took their places on the board of directors. Daniel H. Anna, PhD, CIH, CSP; Ellen P. Clas, MS, CIH, CSP; Kevin G. Gara, CIH; Christopher D. Jones, MS, CIH; Zandra M. Walton, CIH; and Shelley R. Wheeling-Park, MPH, CHMM, CSP, CIH, will continue on the board of directors.
"On behalf of the AIHA Board of Directors, I would like to thank the hundreds of volunteers, speakers, presenters, and staff members who came together to produce another excellent conference," said Donald J. Hart, PhD, CIH, past president of AIHA. "I am always impressed by the generosity of our volunteers and others who work so hard to make AIHce appear so effortless. We'll see all of you in Toronto for AIHce 2009, May 30–June 5."
SOURCE: American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)