Document 7RERNN7Ze27KgRqYBq8peazbj

Vista Chemicai Company 900 Threadneedle Houston, Texas 77079-2990 (71 3) 588-3000 P.O. Box 19029 Houston, Texas 77224-9029 Fax (713) 588-3236 October 3, 1990 : RF --VISTA Ms. Naomi Ballard Executive Editor - Synergist AIHA P. 0. Box 8390 345 White Pond Drive Akron, Ohio 44320 Dear Naomi: John Henshaw has suggested that the paper I presented in Orlando on the AAIH Licensing position be published in the Synergist. I've attached a copy of the paper as it appeared in the AAIH newsletter. Please contact me at 713-588-3445 to discuss if this paper can be put in the Synergist. Sincerely, Thomas G. Grumbles, G.I.H. Manager Environmental Affairs dlj Attachment VVV 000011267 SUMMER 1990 JEFFREY R. JONES EDITOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE: RO. BOX 8390, 345 WHITE FOND DR, AKRON, OH 4432ft (216) 873-2442 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR If you have not already made your decision, now is the time to arrange your schedule to attend the Profession al Conference on Industrial Hygiene (PCIH) in Vancouver, British Columbia, October 23-26. While Orlando was a meeting location for all ages, Vancouver is a place for adults who are interested in mixing business with plea sure. The program, entitled "Risk Assessment--Future Directions and Impact on Health and Environment," promises to provide an unusually challenging and infor mative lineup of topics and speakers. If you need informa tion on the PCIH, call the AAIH offices in Akron at (216) 873-2442. (Thanks to those who spotted the PCIH date typo in last newsletter. The meeting is in October, not September. The editor has promised to make no more mistakes.) This newsletter contains several items of general interest. 1. The AAIH position statement on licensing, as pre sented by Tom Grumbles at the Orlando AIHC, is published here. 2. Academy member Gus Ballis sent the newsletter a well thought-out discussion of licensing issues. 3. ABIH has approved two home study courses for CM points, "Industrial Ventilation" and "Indoor Air Quality." 4. Welcome 233 people who became CIHs following this spring, a new record! I hope to see many of you in Vancouver. Until then, your comments and publishable items are appreciated. Jeff Jones The FPE Group 517 Glen View Ave. Oakland, CA 94610 (415) 283-8860 Editor's Note: The following paper was presented by Councillor Tom Grumbles at the Orlando American Indus trial Hygiene Conference. AMERICAN ACADEMY OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE OSITION STATEMENT ON LICENSING We are all aware there is a growing trend at the state level to require licensing of individuals to allow them to perform certain duties related to hazardous materials. most notably asbestos. Activities regulated by the licens ing frequently involve classical industrial hygiene activi ties. Recent experience has shown the licensing bills do not in any way recognize certified industrial hygienists as being competent health professionals to perform the activ ities covered by the legislation. No exemption is allowed and certified hygienists must often take examinations, or more commonly three- to five-day courses, to become licensed. It is anticipated that the licensing trend will grow and potentially become a federal issue as well. Based on the objectives stated in our bylaws, the Academy has a clear role in this area. Among the purpose and general objectives of the Academy are the following: a. provide leadership in advancing the professional field of industrial hygiene; b. secure wide recognition of the need for high qual ity industrial hygiene practice; c. promote recognition by all individuals and orga nizations concerned with health maintenance in industry of the need for the highest level of com petence in industrial hygiene practice. It is presumed the licensing legislation is intended to protect the public by assuring high risk activities, such as asbestos removal and surveying, are done by competent persons, in a competent manner, to assure protection of worker and public health. This is the same general purpose of the certification program in industrial hygiene. Therefore, in simplest terms, to promote and gain recognition of the qualifications of certified industrial hygienists and the requirements for certification by the legislative bodies promulgating licens ing requirements would help achieve both goals. However, the licensing issue is a complex one to ad dress. Based on the content of recent proposed legislation and comments received by Academy members and other industrial hygienists, multiple issues must be addressed to adequately define the purpose of licensing and the Academy's appropriate role in the process. I. The key question appears to be, "What should be the purpose of licensing legislation?" 1. To protect the health and safety of the public, em ployers, and employees? 2. To protect or restrict the use of certain titles such as professional industrial hygienist or certified industrial hygienist? VVv 0000X1268 3. To restrict or define the scope of practices or work to be done by hygienists, or essentially to protect our professional viability? 4. To create barriers to entry into the profession? 5. To gain public or legislative recognition of the profession? As pointed out recently in an AIHA Journal letter to the editor, most currently licensed health professionals, such as doctors and dentists, interface directly with the general public. For this reason, licensing is necessary to protect the public from unqualified individuals. Also, for this reason Onroad public interface), licensed titles are read ily recognized in these fields. How many hygienists deal with the general public? Admittedly, consultants may, but even they generally deal with other professionals or busi nesses versus the public To regulate the use of title to protect the public would still require an educational or awareness-raising campaign to make people aware of when an industrial hygienist's services are needed and of the significance of the title. This scenario leads us to the possibility of the goal of licensing being that of protecting our professional viability and/or gaining legislative recognition of the qualifications of an industrial hygienist, if we can reach a definition of what those are. This is where the Academy and its mem bers may part company with other practicing industrial hygienists. Certification will be our definition of the hall mark of professionalism. II. If there is a licensing issue, how will it likely be administered? a. Nationally? b. By state? c. Combination of both with a national governing or testing group? d. Would only a test be required? e. Would education and testing requirements be needed? The most predominant concern of those responding to licensing questionnaires has been the issue of reciprocity and the problems with practicing in multiple states with multiple licenses required. This problem could be compli cated by the requirement to take multiple tests and the potential for varying standards of testing. The PE program with its National Council of Engi neering Examiners is a possible model to use to address these issues. It is anticipated that the ABIH organization would need significant restructuring to address the poten tial role of a national testing group in a scenario where certification, of some form, was required to practice. In other words, can ABIH handle an expected large increase of applicants with current resources. Also, if the eligibility for testing requirements continues to include specialized education, can the academic community provide enough qualified candidates. Based on the issues mentioned and many other ones, not mentioned due to the shorttime here today, the follow ing is the current position of the Academy. 1. At this time, the AAIH is not opposed to or in favor of the general concept of requiring licensing of industrial hygiene professionals to perform certain industrial hygiene activities. However, it is real ized external forces may eventually dictate a differ ent position. 2. Where it is proposed, the AAIH is opposed to legislation, on a state or federal basis, that does not explicitly recognize ABIH certification as meeting the criteria or definition of qualified persons when defining requirements for licensing. In a practical sense, certification should exempt any C3H from testing requirements. 3. The AAIH is opposed to legislation that permits licensing or registration based solely on a testing requirement. The Academy believes that achieving professional competence requires a combination of education and/or experience, demonstrated knowledge through testing, and a continuing edu cation requirement. To address the licensing issue, the AAIH will work on the following activities: 1. Develop and publish an issues paper on licensing. This document will provide factual information and perspectives; it will not advocate a position. 2. Renew efforts to form a work group where all of the industrial hygiene organizations are represent ed to study and advance this issue. Letter to the Editor MORE THOUGHTS ON LICENSING I have given a lot of thought to the issue of a state registration for industrial hygienists, and I must tell you that, without certain restrictions, I am opposed to any such movement in this direction. The current system managed by the ABIH is widely respected. Its only drawback, and that of our profession, is an extreme lack of public aware ness. Frequently, many of us have had to indoctrinate our own upper management. However, the title of CIH com mands a great deal of respect. The one thing that is remem bered by those people who are vaguely familiar with industrial hygiene is that a CIH can be trusted to handle their problems. State exams for registration could be equal to the ABIH's. Past experience has shown that a grandfather exemption clause for experience may accompany the leg islation. (Would 15 years be fair?) I agree with Knowlton Caplan's proposal for a National Council (Fall 1989/Win ter 1990 AAIH Newsletter). Such an organization, man aged by the ABIH, would be in a position to protect our status as CIHs. We would have uniformity and reciproca tion. It would also be possible to restrict the activities of what I refer to as "overnight IHs." As a CIH, I fully realize how much effort is required to complete the certification process. I know all about the VVV 000011269 American INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 8390 345 White Pond Dr. Akron, OH 44320 TEL. (216) 873-AIHA (2442) FAX (216) 873-1642 Pr**id*nl JOHN l HENSHAW. ClH Monsanto Company 800 N. Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis. MO 63167 Phone; (3U| 694-6830 FAX: (314| 694-8806 Preaident-Elect ROBERTS. SHERIFF, ClH Atlantic Environmental, Inc. 2 E BlacKwell St.--Sts 24 Dover. NJ 07801 Phone: (201) 366-4660 FAX: (201)366-3116 Vice-President HENRY J. MURANKO. ClH, CSP CEOH 2428 Wisconsin Ave.. NW Washington. DC 20007 Phone: (202) 333-2364 FAX: (202) 333-2239 Past President FREDERICK M. TOCA. Ph D., ClH. CSP USS, Division of USX Corporation 600 Grant St. Ste. 2575 Pittsburgh. PA 15219-4776 Phone: (412)433-6636 FAX: (412)433-6775 Treasurer RUSSELL W VAN HOUTEN.CIH Liberty Mutual Insurance Company 71 Frankland Rd. Hopkmton, MA 01748 Phone: (508)435-9061 FAX: (508) 43S-3S7S Secretary DAN A. WRONSK1, ClH TLSCO 2/Env. Sciences Lab. Hte. 22 & Kemper Dr. Long Grove. IL 60049 Phone: (312)640-2488 FAX. (312)540-4331 Secretary-Elect STANLEY H. JUDD. ClH 4 Boston Ship Plaza San Francisco, CA 94111 Phone: (415) 956-3554 Olrectore CHARLES E. ADKINS. ClH USOOLJOSHA Phone: (202) 523-7075 FAX (202) 523-7312 or 6354 LOREN A. ANOERSON, Jr . ClH PPG Industries Phone: (412) 492-5455 FAX: (4121 492-5509 LAWRENCE R. BIRKNER, ClH ARCO Phone: (213) 466-6076 FAX: (213)486-2021 LEONARD A. KRAUSE. Se.D.. ClH Phone: (203)488-8011 FAX: (203) 781-5444 ROBERT G. LlECKFlELD. Jr.. ClH Clayton Environmental Consultants Phone: (313)344-1770 FAX: (313) 344-2655 LYNN C. O'DONNELL. ClH Michigan Department of Public Health Phone: (517) 335-8185 FAX: (517) 335-8010 VEHNON E. ROSE. Dr.PH, ClH University of Alabama Phone: (205) 934-7032 FAX: (205) 934-0639 SHARON R. SPERBER, ClH SRS Environmental Cons. Phone: (302) 479-0766 FAX: (302) 656-0778 DTTO WHITE, Jr., ClH ookhaven National Laboratory lOne: (516) 282-4248 . AX: (516)282-5483 Executive Oirector O. GORDON BANKS. CAE AIHA P.O Box 8390 345 White Pond Or. Akron, OH 44320 Phone: (216) 873-AIHA (2442) FAX: (216)873-1642 DATE: September 4, 1990 SUBJECT: AAIH's Position, on Licensing TO: Tom Grumbles I wasn't able to attend the presentation you gave at the AIHC in Orlando, but was very interested to read your paper in the Summer issue of the AAIH Newsletter. Tom, I believe the points you have articulated in that article are very salient, and I hope they stimulate a great deal of discussion on the part of our members. I would like to encourage you to publish this paper in other publications (e.g. SYNERGIST) so that all AIHA members have a chance to read your remarks. You probably are not aware, I have created an ad hoc committee on the licensing of professionals. Tom McManus from Arizona is the Chairman of that committee. Other members are: Mark Pheatt, Robin Coyne, Thea Dunmire, George Dwiggins, 0. Neil Banks and Harry Ettinger. I have talked briefly to Larry and I understand that Thea Dunmire is also a part of the Academy's effort. I would hope that AIHA and AAIH would have similar views on the subject and could reinforce each other's efforts. Let's keep the communication flowing. Tom, once again, congratulations on an excellent paper. in Vancouver. See you /jlu cc: 0. Gordon Banks T. McManus JLH083001 VVV 000011270