Greetings and Happy New Year from the New Jersey Local Section of the AIHA (NJAIHA)!  It’s the 2023 Winter President’s message, and it’s an honor to volunteer for and support such a great community of EHS professionals!

This year NJAIHA hosted the in person Northeast Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (NEIHce) on Friday December 2, 2022, at the Princeton Marriott at Forrestal, Princeton, NJ.  This was  the first in person NEIHce since 2019.  It was a big success, with 144 attendees, 25 vendors, 6 corporate sponsors, and speakers on topics including Donna Heidel presenting on the National AIHA Update, Dr. Georgia Michlig on the Great Resignation and Workplace Mental Health, The Right Sensors Used Right 4.0 by Dr. Emanuele Cauda of NIOSH, Heat Stress by Dr. Margaret Morrissey, an AIHA Policies  Update by Mark Ames, a Panel on Heat Stress in the Workplace with Dr. Mitchel Rosen from the Rutgers Center for Public Health Workforce Development moderating with  3 panelists, and last but not least IH in Construction by NJAIHA ‘s very own Craig Doolittle, PE, CSP (see related photos in this issue).   

And if that wasn’t enough to round out 2022, the day before the Conference (12/1) two  virtual  NJAIHA Professional Development Courses (PDCs) were held. .These featured  NJAIHA  Summer Course Coordinator, Tom Burgess, CIH, CSP, MS, of T&M Associates, speaking on IH Aspects of Confined Space Entry, and Nancy Orr, CIH, CSP, FAIHA, speaking on Building an Ethical Foundation for Occupational Safety and Health Programs, a PDC that fulfills the BGC/ABIH ethics requirement for CIHs (see related photos this issue).

In January and February 2023, in anticipation of winter weather, we had 1 hour virtual zoom presentations. In January, Dr. Mike Jayjock of Jayjock Associates, LLC and the Lifeline Group gave an engaging speech on Human Health Risk Assessment concepts and processes, and in February Isabel DeOliveira, OSHA Compliance Assistance Specialist  from the Region 3 Philadelphia Office, provided  a very informative 2023 OSHA Update with some really good questions from our attendees. 

On March 16, 2023, we are having the Tri-Sectional Mid-Atlantic Biological Safety Association, NJ American Society of Safety Professionals, and NJAIHA meeting  at the Stage House Tavern in Somerset, NJ.  Please note this event is NOT at the Stage House Tavern in Mountainside, NJ where we were having the 2022 dinner meetings.  We are looking forward to another great meeting with our MABSA and NJ ASSP colleagues and friends! 

Our planned speakers are Alex Ruiz, MS, CIH, CSP, CHMM, CIT, SMS, CHST, Executive Director of Rutgers University Environmental, Health and Safety, who will present on the revised version of the ANSI/ASSP Z9.5 Laboratory Ventilation Standard that was published in 2022. This will include a review of what is changing and develop a new understanding about what the revised Standard will mean for laboratory organizations that apply it.  And Christine Seminerio, CVT, B.S. who has done environmental, health and safety work in veterinary hospitals for years, and currently works for Red Bank Veterinary network of emergency animal hospitals, will talk about the many health, safety, and biological hazards veterinary workers encounter in these 24 hour emergency facilities.  

Finally,to all our members. Please help NJAIHA remain strong and able to continue to provide the quality programs and services you have come to expect from your local section.  We are in search of a President-Elect for the 2023-2024 year. This is a three (3) year opportunity that begins with one-year sequential terms as President-elect, President, and Past President.  Elected members of the NJAIHA Executive Committee whom are CIHs can receive 0.5 ABIH Continuing Maintenance (CM) points annually (the President receives 1.0 CM point) per year for their service. Elected officers must be and remain in good standing with NJAIHA and National AIHA to be considered for the position.

Information regarding the complete duties and responsibilities for this leadership position can be found on the NJAIHA website by scrolling down at the following link: http://www.njaiha.org/about/officers-directors/

If you are interested in running for this leadership position, please forward your name and a brief biography or resume to: info@njaiha.org Don’t worry, plenty of mentoring assistance will be provided by all current Executive Committee Members, a number of whom have served in this President-Elect position in previous years.

Thank you all!
Marc Vargas CIH MPH
NJ AIHA President