Provide a forum for discussion and recommendations on methods for education, training, and communicating with employees, employers, and the community about occupational and environmental health risks and allied topics. To identify relevant issues on which position statements can be developed from AIHA Government Affairs actions.
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Provide information relevant to methods and techniques of risk training and communication.
Objective #1: Discuss and make recommendations or take required action on training and risk communication issues within AIHA.
Designate specific members to track and report on identified issues.
Respond to AIHA Board requests to address specific issues.
Assemble, evaluate, and disseminate information on the design, quality, and effectiveness of available training material useful to AIHA members in developing training programs.
Solicit papers, organize sessions and provide session arrangers, chairs, and monitors for the AIHce.
Develop new methods of training and risk communication for dissemination to appropriate audiences (AIHA, business, community).
Objective #2: Provide education and training on issues and effective methods of training and risk communication.
- Develop new PDCs as appropriate and keep existing PDCs up to date.
- Sponsor or develop short courses and seminars.
Goal 2: Identify and respond to occupational and environmental health training needs and risk communication issues.
: Identify, evaluate, and comment on training and communication methods proposed in legislation, regulations, and standards. Strategy:
- Designate specific members to identify, track, and report on relevant issues
: Identify "hot topic" issues on which AIHA position statements need to be developed. Strategy:
- Communicate pertinent "hot topic" issues to AIHA. Designate specific members to develop position statements at AIHA Board request.
: Promote employee awareness of safe and healthy work practices through use of effective training and risk communication techniques. Strategy:
- Designate specific members to survey the feasibility and appropriateness of communication and training techniques aimed at encouraging healthy work practices.
: Maintain liaisons with training and education associations and others working on innovative and effective employee and community education programs. Work with the appropriate committees within AIHA to establish policies on the quality of professional education and training and to explore areas of overlap and mutual concern. Strategies:
- Designate members to act as liaisons with the Continuing Education Committee and other appropriate groups.
- Identify areas of overlap and mutual concern with the appropriate committees.
The OH Training Association
: OHTA promotes learning in occupational hygiene with a framework of global training materials and qualifications.
The Communication and Training Methods Committee sponsors two annual awards, presented at AIHce.
Best Student Poster Award
The author of the best student poster at AIHce on a topic related to communication and training receives a prize of US$100. Since 2011, this award was named Margaret Samways Memorial Poster Award to honor the memory of Margaret Samways, past chair and long-time member of the committee. With her vast knowledge and practical experience as a trainer, Margaret worked tirelessly to provide industrial hygienists with valuable tools to deliver effective training that facilitates learning and ultimately improves worker health.
- 2010 Best Student Poster: "Preventing Silica-Induced Lung Disease in Roadway Construction with Real-Time Respirable Particulate Exposure Training and Dust Control Task-Based Analysis", Beauregard M. Middaugh, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Outstanding Member Award
A plaque is presented to an outstanding member of this committee for his or her extraordinary contribution to the committee’s mission. Since 2012, this award was named John Palassis Memorial Award to honor the memory of John Palassis, a former member who retired from NIOSH in 2010 after 33 years of service. His work at NIOSH produced significant impact in the field of industrial hygiene through worker training, outreach to small businesses, and the development of consistent and comprehensive safety and health program standards. He was highly effective in developing solutions and providing joint guidance; this approach served as a model for other CDC and NIOSH colleagues. In particular, John’s collaborations involving national programs to educate and protect young workers (e.g., National Skills Standards, School Chemistry Laboratory Safety) addressed key issues for an important public health audience. His development and promotion of the NIOSH Safety Checklist Program for Schools is one of his legacies.
2014 Outstanding Member - Elizabeth H. Maples, PhD
2011 Outstanding Member - John Dimos, MS, CIH
2010 Outstanding Member - Judy L. Jarrell, MA, EdD