AIHA, the association for professionals dedicated to occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS), is launching two initiatives to support the OEHS profession in developing nations. The first initiative involves a strategic partnership between AIHA, the Occupational Hygiene Training Association (OHTA), Workplace Health Without Borders-U.S. Chapter (WHWB-US), and the Board of Global EHS Credentialing (BGC). This collaboration aims to assist OEHS technologists in developing nations by providing access to training and certification opportunities. The second initiative is an AIHA delegation to Vietnam, led by AIHA President Nicole Greeson, which will facilitate knowledge exchange with local OEHS professionals and site visits.
OHTA, a global nonprofit, provides standardized training on occupational hygiene and health topics. Through this partnership, AIHA will offer ICertOHTA certificate holders from developing nations discounted access to the CIH Exam Crash Course, preparing them to achieve Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) certification. WHWB-US will also contribute by providing mentors to guide qualifying individuals through the CIH certification process, further advancing global access to this prestigious credential.
Chris Laszcz-Davis, OHTA Co-Chair, emphasized the global impact of the partnership, stating, “This collaboration allows us to make a significant difference, one industrial hygienist at a time.” WHWB-US President Albert J. Tien highlighted the initiative’s cost-effective path to world-class training and mentoring.
The AIHA delegation to Vietnam, from October 26 to November 1, 2024, will offer AIHA members the opportunity to engage with their Vietnamese counterparts and explore the country’s advancements in OEHS, including worker health and safety standards, training, and technology, particularly in the growing semiconductor industry. The delegation’s activities will be organized by Cultural Vistas, which has previously implemented programs like the International Visitor Leadership Program and the Fulbright Internship.
Nicole Greeson noted that the delegation would foster leadership and international networking, furthering AIHA’s vision of ensuring health and safety for workers and communities worldwide.
