We had outstanding programs in 2021. We thank all the speakers for participating and sharing their expertise.

November 10, 2021

Joint Meeting with CNY ASSP (Virtual)

    Silica Awareness & Standard Update Requirements

    Presented by: Shari Franklin Smith, CIH, CSP, MEng Lead Application Engineering Specialist 3M Personal Safety Division

    Description: The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, has finalized their enforcement direction for the silica standard on June 25, 2020. The recently published “Inspection Procedures for Respirable Crystalline Silica” applies to construction, general industry and maritime. Key areas where citations have been issued include the proper use of Table 1 in Construction, exposure assessment, written exposure control plans, hazard communications, and training. This interactive seminar will provide an overview of the enforcement guidance given to OSHA inspectors and may help identify areas in your program to review for compliance to current guidelines.

    Learning Objectives:

    • Summarize the top areas of citations and related OSHA enforcement guidance and checklists
    • Review of select interpretations, FAQs and guidance documents for construction, including exposure assessment options, and best practices for written silica control plans.
    • Summarize Table 1 recommendations and interpretations for proper implementation of silica
      controls and respiratory protection.
    • Review enforcement guidance on medical surveillance, training, record keeping, hazard
      communications, and housekeeping.

        October 13, 2021

        Respiratory Protection: New Developments and Regulatory Perspective

        Presented by: Liz Brooks, MPH, CIH and Megan Torgrude, MPH, CIH, CSP, 3M

        Agenda: Respiratory Protection Basics, OSHA 1910.134 respiratory protection plan overview, Key elements, Fit testing, New research and standards, Valved filtering facepiece respirator research, SHA Emergency Temporary Standard, ASTM F3502-21 Standard.

        September 23, 2021

        Health and Safety Issues of an Aging Workforce

        Presented by: Nellie J. Brown, MS, CIH

        About the Webinar:

        • What do we mean by an “aging workforce”?
        • Normal aging processes
        • Impact of aging in the work environment
        • Strategies for the workplace to minimize risk and vulnerability

        Nellie Brown is the Director of Workplace Health and Safety Programs for Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. A certified industrial hygienist, biologist and chemist, Nellie earned a master’s degree in natural sciences and applied science from the State University of New York College at Buffalo. Nellie provides industrial hygiene services for the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine – Western New York, a clinic funded by NYSDOH for diagnosis and treatment of occupational injuries and illnesses. For further information, see: www.ilr.cornell.edu/healthsafety

        April 29,2021 (Virtual)

        Quieter is Better: Basic Noise Control Concepts

        Presented by: Jeffrey Komrower, BS, MS

        With illustrations and examples from noise control work ranging from US Navy Aircraft Carriers to Hydroelectric Powerplants including the Grand Coulee Powerhouses and Hoover Dam Powerplant, this presentation covered the ramifications of a noisy environment and the important role of noise controls.

        Topics covered in the presentation included:

        • Why Noise Controls?
        • Basics (Very) of Acoustics (sound pressure, frequency concepts, A-weighting, dB)
        • Noise measurement basics
        • Source-path-receiver model
        • Basic noise control methodology and implementation
        • Case histories

        Jeff is a Senior Acoustical Engineer at Noise Control Engineering, LLC. He brings 40 years of experience in the noise and vibration field and has authored over 100 technical reports and papers. He holds a BS and MS in engineering and has a wealth of experience in noise control.

        March 24, 2021 (Virtual)

        Vibration: Exposure Hazards, Measurement Protocol and Controls

        Presented by: Michael Strange CIH

        This program started with a poll to the audience asking how many of us had performed a field evaluation for vibration. Exactly 0 had done so. Therefore, the program was full of new material for most of us and provided a framework for understanding and assessing Hand-Arm Vibration as follows:

        In the US, an estimated 1.45 million workers use vibrating tools. Workers who use high vibrating power tools regularly are at risk of nerve damage and restricted blood flow to the hand and fingers, also known as Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). HAVS-related health problems include peripheral vascular and peripheral neural disorders of the fingers and hands, Vibration White Finger, and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The prevalence of HAVS in worker populations that use vibrating tools ranges from 6% to 100%, with an average of 50%. This webinar explored how to recognize, measure, and implement control measures to reduce vibration exposure.

        At the completion of this activity, the learner will be able to:

        • Recognize Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV) and Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) in the workplace
        • Identify signs and symptoms of HAVS and potential effects of vibration exposure
        • Measure vibration acceleration level, and in combination with duration of exposure, identify vibration risk in the development of health issues
        • Implement control measures to reduce vibration exposure

        Michael is a Principal Consultant, Industrial Hygiene and Safety for Chubb Global Risk Advisors.

        In his words: “My #1 passion in life is my industrial hygiene practice. My mission is to provide high quality consultation services to evaluate airborne chemical hazards, noise, radiation, and vibration exposures to workers, as well as indoor air quality in office environments. I also provide effective control methods to reduce hazards for clients that include a wide variety of manufacturing facilities, chemical / pharmaceutical, medical facilities, agriculture, hospitality, agriculture, construction, office buildings, and others. I enjoy talking about industrial hygiene almost as much as I enjoy conducting the site evaluations”.

        January 21,2021 (Virtual)

        Ethics for the IH professional

        Presented by: Mark Katchen, MS, MBA, CIH, FAIHA

        This engaging program started with an ethics quiz! This got us all thinking and talking about ethical issues and our best responses.

        Through lecture and interactive discussion of case studies, we examined the fundamental causes of our actions. We also examined the Board for Global EHS Credentialing Code of Ethics for industrial hygienists. At the end of this course, students will be able to: Identify a conflict of interest; understand the difference between what is ethical, moral, and legal; set out the facts in a case/investigation; identify and select among alternative actions; reflect.

        Mark is the Managing Principal for The Phylmar Group, Inc. He is a CIH with more than 35 years of experience and is past Chair of the AIHA’s Joint Industrial Hygiene Ethics Education Committee. He is also an AIHA Distinguished Fellow and Lecturer who frequently speaks to business and academic groups.

        November 19, 2020 (Virtual)

        Introducing 7-Elements of a Hearing Conservation Program: Regulatory Requirements and Best Practices

        Presented by: Laurie Wells, Au.D., CPS/A

        This program introduced the 7-Element Hearing Conservation Program framework. Starting from understanding the health effects of noise exposure and the need for employer-driven hearing conservation programs, the presentation provided an overview of the federal regulatory requirements and offers some best practices for companies looking to enhance their policies and hearing loss prevention efforts.

        Learning objectives for attendees:

        • Describe two ways that too much noise exposure can affect a person's health.
        • Give an example of a recommended "best practice" for a company hearing loss prevention program policy.
        • List the common elements of a hearing loss prevention program.

        Dr. Laurie Wells is a board-certified audiologist and Regulatory Affairs Specialist for 3M Personal Safety Division. Laurie is a Certified Professional Supervisor of the Audiometric Monitoring Program©. She has taught numerous courses and made frequent presentations at professional conferences.