by jbs060109h3 — June 3, 2009—ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) recently announced plans to develop a closer alliance with one another. This alliance is an opportunity for ACGIH and AIHA to do what each organization does best while cooperating more closely than before; it is not a merger, nor is it a move toward unification, say the organizations.
If approved by both Boards and the ACGIH membership, it is hoped that the alliance will result in a sustainable member organization and a scientific oriented organization. AIHA will administer a single, inclusive membership organization. ACGIH will autonomously focus on practice standards and guidelines. Both organizations will share services that will manage costs, drive efficiencies, and avoid duplication of efforts.
Both ACGIH and AIHA are soliciting comments from their members through a specific Web site devoted to the proposal, “town hall”-style meetings by conference call, blogging, podcasting, possible articles, and an “Ask the Leadership” session in Toronto.
If the organizations’ work this summer is successful, an ACGIH member vote would occur in the fall of 2009 to shift the nature of the ACGIH structure. The organizations hope to begin implementing changes in 2010.
