Monday, October 29

Breakfast Discussions (BD)

7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m.
Tickets are limited. A continental breakfast is included; note special dietary requirements when registering. Tickets are $35 through October 12; $45 after October 12.

  BD 1
Breakfast with Champions: How AIHA Taught Me to Win Friends and
Influence People 

Moderators: Gayla McCluskey, CIH, CSP, ROH, QEP, Global Environmental Health Services Inc., Radnor, PA; and John Henshaw, CIH, ChemRisk, LLC., Sanibel, FL

Can active involvement in a professional association help you develop a fulfilling career, make valuable contributions to society, and improve your social life? Two dynamic Past Presidents of AIHA emphatically say YES! Come listen to their personal stories on the value of active participation in AIHA.

AIHA Fellows will serve as hosts at each table to make sure the coffee is fresh and the conversation is lively. AIHA Fellows, Students and Early Career Professionals, and any other AIHA members who want to discover or rediscover the benefits of active volunteer participation should attend! Fees will be paid for the first students and early career professionals to register.

Interested in helping a student or early career professional attend Breakfast Discussion 1? Just check the appropriate box when you register!

  BD 2
Emerging Threats to Industrial Hygiene Training and the Profession

Moderator: Gurumurthy Ramachandran, PhD, CIH, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN

There is continued demand for Industrial Hygienists. Recruitment to the profession, however, is threatened by related professions and education programs, and potential elimination of fellowships for graduate level IH education. Join a discussion of the strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities for IH training and careers.

   BD 3
Fracking: An Answer to Our Energy Problems or a New Problem?

Sold Out

Moderators: S. Zack Mansdorf, PhD, CIH, CSP, QEP, Sustainability Consultants, Boca Raton, FL; Susan Stuver, PhD, Texas Center for Applied Technology, Texas A&M University System, San Antonio, TX

Natural gas production has greatly increased, and the relatively inexpensive cost of natural gas has promoted natural gas demand. As natural gas production has increased, so have booms in jobs, population growth and development. Also increasing are evergrowing concerns about the potential environmental and human health impacts of hydraulic fracturing. However, there appears to be a growing disconnect between public perception and scientific fact. For example, Hydraulic Fracturing is not a new technology nor is it a drilling technology. Hydraulic fracturing is a “completions” process that involves the pressurized injection of water, chemical additives, and proppants into a geologic formation to stimulate the flow of natural gas or oil. Many concerns about hydraulic fracturing center on potential risks to drinking water and air emissions. Other growing concerns are related to fracture-induced earthquakes, silicate exposure and more. Some of these issues are very real and in need of mitigation. Others are opinions only and have little scientific evidence backing them. Do you know which is fact and which is opinion? This and other related EHS concerns will be discussed.

Keynote Session

8:45 a.m.–10:00 a.m.

  
High Consequence Events and the Fallacy of Randomness

Michael D. Larrañaga, PhD, PE, CIH, CSP, Oklahoma State University, Boots & Coots Center for Fire Safety and Pressure Control, Stillwater, OK

As technology advances and the world becomes increasingly networked and optimized through the pressures of globalization, everyday systems become vulnerable to cascade failure, or a failure in which a single failure leads to successive failures in a system. We see a rapid increase in system complexity and large-scale catastrophes that cannot be described by reductionist thought, or cause-and-effect, action-reaction, or predictive a priori/posteriori relationships. Can we explain catastrophic events by a single initiating incident or a series of incidents, or are we fooled by randomness? Understanding reductionist relationships is only one step toward accident prevention. But another plausible explanation rooted in complex adaptive theory exists that lies halfway between cause-and-effect and the unpredictability of “acts of God.” This theory maintains that inevitable catastrophe is imbedded within complex systems themselves and that this is a property of the system’s evolution and emergence. This tendency is exhibited in natural systems, and we can look at nature to learn more about why catastrophic events occur and how cause-and-effect preventive measures are not always the best solutions to complex problems. 

10:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Exhibit Hall Break

General Session
Henry F. Smyth Lecture

10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

  Chronicles of Health and Safety in Shipyards

Jim Thornton, CIH, CSP, Northrop Grumman Newport News, Newport News, VA

Ships have played a pivotal role in the history of mankind. Ships have been used to bring war and to foster peace. Ships were used in the discovery of then unknown continents and islands, and to bring immigrants to America. Ships have made the world smaller through facilitation of trading of goods throughout the world. The uses of ships throughout the world are numerous.

This lecture will focus on the construction and repair of ships and associated hazards. In the shipbuilding and repair industry, virtually every form of chemical, physical, biological, and even radioactive hazard can be found. A number of shipbuilding process and associated hazards will be discussed, including specific control strategies employed to mitigate those hazards.

Luncheon Discussions (LD)

11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
Tickets are limited. A light lunch is included; note special dietary requirements when registering. Tickets are $45 through October 12; $55 after October 12.

   LD 1
High Consequence Events and the Fallacy of Randomness

Sold Out

Moderator: Michael D. Larrañaga, PhD, PE, CIH, CSP, Oklahoma State University, Boots & Coots Center for Fire Safety and Pressure Control, Stillwater, OK

Interactive discussion of catastrophic events and how complexity played a role in these disasters. From the Macondo Incident in the Gulf of Mexico to the Space Shuttle Disasters and Fukushima. How complexity is introduced into human systems and how the introduction results in catastrophic breakdown of safety systems.

  LD 2
Expectations for the Practice of IH/OH Worldwide

Moderator: Gayla McCluskey, CIH, CSP, ROH, QEP, Global Environmental Health Services Inc., Radnor, PA

Core competencies for the practice of industrial/occupational hygiene have been established by a team of representatives from the Academy, AIHA, ABIH, and ACGIH. Minimum educational standards for technician, paraprofessional, and professional levels of practice are spelled out as are the expectations for each practice level for each competency.

  LD 3
Occupational Exposure Limit Setting--Is there a Future?

Moderators: Chris Laszcz-Davis, MS, CIH, REA, Principal, The Environmental Quality Organization, LLC and Affiliate, Aluminium Consulting Engineers, LLC, Lafayette, CA; Jimmy L. Perkins, PhD, CIH, UTHSC Houston School of Public Health, San Antonio, TX

Industrial Hygienists and allied professionals have historically considered Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) to be one of the most effective tools for performing risk assessments upon which risk management strategies for worker protection are based. OELs have been established for airborne workplace chemicals by various regulatory and authoritative organizations globally for well over 60 years. With the changing regulatory arena, particularly in Europe, shifting centers of manufacturing growth, a move toward a more global perspective on occupational and environmental health issues, tendencies toward control banding and the formulation of control assumptions without the apparent use of exposure data, is it time to re-examine the continued value of OELs? Are the profession’s needs shifting? Or do parallel paths exist internationally to converge in some logical venue in the near future? The discussion will explore the shifts historically and globally, their drivers, what is being undertaken to bridge gaps globally today, what potential professional alliances are forming, and the potential role each of us can play. The Moderators promise to deliver controversy, humor and “possibilities.”

Platform Session, Concurrent Sessions, Workshops and Technical Tour

Registration for these sessions, except the technical tour, is included in the conference fee. There is a nominal fee for the technical tour. Registration is required for workshops and the technical tour.

1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m.

 Concurrent Session 3
Influencing Risk Tolerance

Lindsay Booher, CIH, CSP, ExxonMobil Corporation, Houston, TX; Dave Fennell, PE, Imperial Oil, Calgary, Ontario, Canada; Joe Deeb, PhD, CEP, ExxonMobil, Houston, TX; Todd Conklin PhD, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM

This interactive session will highlight the role of risk tolerance in health and safety. Discussion will focus on factors that influence decisions to mitigate or accept risk at all levels of organizations, and how leaders can more effectively identify, discuss and influence risk tolerant activities and behavior.  Discussion will range from the underlying science to practical application across a range of operating settings

 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

 Technical Tour 1
Sea World

(Registration required)
Tickets are $35 through October 12; $45 after October 12.

This two-hour walking Safety and Environmental tour takes participants behind-the-scenes of Sea World. Hear about unique theme park issues related to safety and environmental conservation.  Participants should wear comfort shoes and be prepared for the day’s weather conditions. 

 1:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

   Platform Session 1
Heat Stress 

Joseph A. Cocciardi, PhD, CSP, CIH and Timothy E. Davis, MD MPH, HHS, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, Cheryl Metzler, CIH, BP, Houston, TX and W. Jon Williams, PhD, NPPTL/NIOSH/CDC, Pittsburgh, PA

Description
This interactive session will begin with a discussion of the physiology of heat stress, followed by the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) approach to maintaining worker safety in hot environments. This system has been proffered during exercise and real-world events and includes the NDMS Hazard Assessment/Risk Management Tool, used to evaluate risks to workers; pre-response; the Hazard Exposure Risk Analysis tool used to communicate these risks; and environmental monitoring, work assistance, and work restriction activities when personnel operate in these environments. The session will close with a presentation on the assessment of heat stress in drilling operations.

Workshops (WS)

Workshops include electronic handouts; internet access is not provided.

   WS 1
CBRN Respirator Selection, Use, and Maintenance Guidelines (Registration required)

Moderators: Jon Szalajda, MSIE, MS, NIOSH/NPPTL, Pittsburgh, PA; Richard Metzler, MSIE, Houston, PA

Description
Since September 11, 2001, there have been substantial advancements in respiratory protective device technical requirement standards in actual respirator technology and applications designed to protect emergency responders and other users against the threats posed by chemical warfare agents, biological hazards, radiological particulate, and toxic industrial chemicals. These new federal and consensus standards and advanced NIOSH-approved CBRN respirators have unique cautions and limitations of use and maintenance requirements. Due to the enhanced protection afforded by the respirators, they are commonly used in dual applications – industrial and terrorism response applications. The need for specialized training and guidance on the proper care, use and maintenance of these respirators has been widely recognized and is required by both emergency responders and private sector industrial hygienists. This workshop provides vital guidance information to aid participants in improving the effectiveness of their work site respiratory protection program.

The workshop includes PowerPoint presentations to lead group discussions complemented by display and hands-on inspection of NIOSH-approved CBRN respirators and components, NIOSH approval labels, and “Fact Sheet” guidance on the selection, use, and maintenance of CBRN respirators. Participants are encouraged to engage in discussions sharing their knowledge and experience and to raise issues for group discussion with NIOSH respiratory protection expert instructors. NIOSH will supply and deliver CBRN respirators for display and inspection during the course.

Upon completion, the participant will be able to:

• Describe the salient 42 CFR Part 84 standards applicable to CBRN respirators and their unique performance and design characteristics that make them distinct from industrial respirators approved by NIOSH.
• Describe unique caution, limitations and restrictions of use and special maintenance requirements for each NIOSH-approved class of CBRN respirators (SCBA, APR, PAPR, APR).
• Apply NIOSH respirator approval labels and manufacturers’ user instructions to inspect, select, use and maintain CBRN respirators.
• Apply the information and guidance provided in the PDC to establish a more effective OSHA compliant, 29CFR1910.134, 29CFR1910.120 respiratory protection program.

   WS 2
Semiconductor Health Hazards: Disputed Risks (Registration required)

Moderators: Fred Boelter, CIH, PE, BCEE, ENVIRON International, Chicago, IL, Craig Torres, CIH, MBA, ENVIRON International, Monument, CO, Linda Dell, ENVIRON International, Amherst, MA, James Poole, ENVIRON International, PhD, CIH, Valrico, FL

Description
The semiconductor manufacturing industry has changed dramatically over the past 50 years in terms of products, processes, chemical inputs, equipment and facilities. It stands to reason that along with these industry changes the potential for employee exposures have also been significantly altered over this time frame. Nevertheless, the semiconductor industry is incorrectly perceived and portrayed by some to be an exotic environment with specialized chemicals requiring space age controls and human isolation. In this workshop, participants will explore the tensions between the actual magnitude of exposure and perceptions of exposure and risk to workers in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. While the discussion will focus on the semiconductor industry, this tension exists around health and safety issues in all industries due to variation in the technical sophistication and personal belief systems of workers and community members.

Domestic and international exposure and epidemiologic studies of employees at semiconductor facilities will be presented. Participants will examine the data focusing on: methods employed, resulting data and conclusions drawn regarding historical exposures. They will also explore how to present findings to a skeptical audience when data contradicts belief systems or perceptions. Techniques will be explored to identify key belief basis and behavioral motivators, as well as the tendency to accept or dismiss technical information.

A case study will be explored that details recently completed worker exposure characterization and exposure reconstruction studies. The case study will summarize present-day worker exposures. The workshop participants will explore the use of techniques such as Qualitative Risk Assessment, Bayesian Decision Analysis, and Retrospective Exposure Assessment.

Upon completion, the participant will be able to:

• Establish an exposure assessment strategy based on diseases of interest.
• Compare occupational exposures with non-occupational exposures.
• Understand and interpret disease risk ratios in epidemiological studies.
• Opine whether the disease risk is significant for workers.
• Explore the foundations of intransigent individual beliefs in the face of contrary quality data.

  WS 3
Oil and Gas Extraction: Differentiating Health Hazards from Media Hype (Registration required)

Sold Out

Moderators: Moira Botham, MEng, CIH, ROH, CRSP, Cenovus Energy Inc., Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Susan Stuver, PhD, Texas Center for Applied Technology, Texas A&M University System, San Antonio, TX; E. Betty Tobias, CIH, OHNC, Syncrude Canada Ltd, Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada

Description

New advances in oil and gas extraction have increased efficiency of resource use and provided more secure energy for our nations’ future. Potentially a good news story – however, these advances have received significant negative attention from the global media. 

This workshop will increase participants’ understanding of current oil and gas extraction processes, including hydraulic fracturing and key Oilsands processes of steam assisted gravity drainage and surface mining. Participants will work with their colleagues to evaluate the information presented and assess the potential health risks from different aspects of each process. The goal is to separate the health risks from the media hype surrounding resource extraction.

Upon completion, the participant will be able to:

• Understand key extraction processes at the heart of current world-wide controversy.
• Assess health hazards associated with these extraction processes.
• Understand the emotionally charged atmosphere of energy production.

 3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

  Concurrent Session 4
Bringing IH Expertise to the Community

Larry Whitehead, PhD, CIH, Thomas. Stock, PhD, CIH, Univ. of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX; Margaret Sietsema, MS, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL

This session will highlight the application of industrial hygiene approaches to exposure and risk assessment for community health. Speakers will present research related to Brownfield sites and the impact of ambient pollution from petrochemical facilities on indoor environments. Discussion will focus on the relevance of? IH skills to public health needs outside the occupational environment and increasing opportunities for hygienists in the broader environmental health arena.