GEORGIA LOCAL SECTION
AIHA
AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE ASSOCIATION
 September 1998
1998 AICHE
The 1998 American Industrial Hygiene and Exposition (AICHE) held in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center on May 9 ­ 15, 1998 was a great success! Over 9,500 occupational health and safety professionals attended the conference. As host for this event, the Atlanta Local Conference Committee (LCC) appreciates all of the volunteer support that the Georgia AIHA Local Section members provided before and during the conference. We could not have done this without your involvement! I would like to thank all of the LCC members for their diligent efforts. As Vice-Chair, Max Kiefer oversaw the Fun Run and Student Day as well as assisted with countless other tasks. All of the committee chairs and co-chairs deserve a big round of applause. We also offer our special appreciation to Florine Harbour for her vocal talents with the National Anthem.

Thanks again and see you next year in Toronto!

David Matthews, CIH
General Conference Chair
Atlanta LCC
 

 

Local Conference Committee Staff
Personnel: Steve Tochilin and Eva Ewing
Registration: Dave Taylor and Alice Farrar
Community Service: Art Tippit and Dave Beem
Opening Session: Mel Myers and Stan Salisbury
Public Relations:
 Barb Epstien and John Decker
Technical Tours: Phil Williams and Grover Higgins
Hospitality: Catherine Joseph and Kathy Turner
 

Georgia Local Section Takes to the Airwaves
Contributed by Barb Epstien

Georgia Local Section members participated in a series of three radio programs aimed at introducing the community to industrial hygiene. This was done through the efforts of the Community Service Sub-Committee of AICHE 98 (particularly Dave Beem and Art Tippit). Atlanta's multi-cultural, community radio sation, WRFG, 89.3 FM, which is staffed entirely by volunteers, airs the weekly program "In Tune To Nature" on Tuesday evenings. The first show aired on April 28, with host Lisa Daly interviewing Dave Beem, Max Kiefer and Alice Farrar on general industrial hygiene issues. The following week Art Tippit, Barb Epstien and Myrtle Turner talked about building-related issues including indoor air quality, asbestos and lead. During Conference week, the program included Dave Beem and guest speakers Lynn Jenkins (NIOSH), Pat Biles (OSHA) and Jackie Nowell (Food and Commercial Workers International Union) discussing the emerging issue of workplace violence. These speakers participated in a roundtable session at the conference the next day.

Blood Drive a Success!
Contributed by Art Tippit

The GA Local Community Service Committee had a successful blood drive. In AIHCE's first ever blood drive approximately 168 pints of blood were collected during the three-day blood drive. Unfortunately about 150 - 200 people were turned away due to lack of American Red Cross Staff. We received a lot of praise and good comments from everyone, including AIHCE staff. Hopefully, this will become an annual event at the AIHCE.

As Committee Chair, I would like to thank all committee members and especially, Mr. Cliff Moseley, for their help with the AIHCE Blood Drive. I really appreciated your time. Special recognition goes to Mr. Moseley who was key in organizing this event.

ABIH Certification Maintenance Points Update

The American Board of Industrial Hygiene has awarded certification maintenance (CM) points for the following Georgia AIHA Local Section meetings:

Activity:            Fall 1997 Seminar Date: 10/13/97
                        CM Points Awarded: 0.5 CM point
                        CM Approval #: 11381

Activity:            Winter 1998 Seminar Date: 1/23/98
                        CM Points Awarded: 1.0 CM point
                        CM Approval #: 11383

Activity:            Spring 1998 Seminar Date: 4/13/98
                        CM Points Awarded: 0.5 CM point
                        CM Approval #: 11382

Georgia Power Establishes UGA Endowed Professorship in Industrial Hygiene

The Georgia Power Foundation has funded an endowed professorship within the Environmental Health Science Program at the University of Georgia. This position is a permanent endowment and the first recipient will be Phil Williams, the current Georgia Local Section AIHA President. Phil will hold the position of Georgia Power Professor of Environmental Health. In addition to the professorship endowment, the Georgia Power Foundation provided a major gift to UGA for the construction of an industrial hygiene teaching laboratory. The Environmental Health Science Program greatly appreciates the generous support of Georgia Power.

Georgia ASSE and AIHA to Partner for Title Protection

The Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) has elected to join forces with AIHA Georgia Local Section to seek passage of Title Protection legislation in 1999. The decision, made at the August 10th Georgia ASSE meeting, followed a presentation by Kevin Gara, CIH, entitled "Title Protection in Georgia ­ Defining the Safety and Health Professions." Those in attendance at the ASSE meeting voted unanimously to participate as a full partner in the Title Protection effort. This means ASSE will contribute both human and financial resources. We have been told that Georgia ASSE is possibly the first Chapter in the nation to participate fully, and financially, in a joint Title Protection initiative with AIHA. Bob Weir, CSP, (President-elect for the Georgia Chapter) was chosen to coordinate this effort on behalf of Georgia ASSE. In early September, the AIHA Local Section voted to form a State Government Affairs Office (SGAO) that will work with the ASSE and coordinate Title Protection legislation. Kevin Gara will lead this effort. Everyone should be ready to start communicating with their state representatives on this important issue.

Mark Your Calendars ­ Future Meetings

Reserve the following dates for upcoming meetings of your AIHA Georgia Local Section:

Jan 25, 1999 ­ Indoor Air Quality

April 12, 1999 ­ Vendors Day


Internships Needed!

The Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at Emory University is seeking internship opportunities for Masters of Public Health students.  Internships should last approximately 3-4 months with students working at least 20 hours per week.  If you would like to discuss student internships, please contact the Internship Coordinator, Amanda Sanders, at (404) 727-4620 or asander@sph.emory.edu.
 
 

Regulatory Reminder! 
The new OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard goes into effect October 5, 1998.