My First Impressions of AIHce and the Safety Industry
One of the common trends that I seemed to notice was connectivity. I stopped at several booths that were touting solutions that gave project managers and safety directors the ability to see the health of their workers at a glance while also instantaneously communicating with them.
- By Sydny Shepard
- May 24, 2019
This week I had the wonderful opportunity of networking and learning in Minneapolis at AIHce, my first-ever safety trade show. I had previously written about how excited I was to get experience AIHce and that I would follow up with my first impressions, what I learned, and my favorite parts of the show. If there's one thing you need to know about me, I always follow through!
My schedule only really allowed me to attend the first day of AIHce, so I had to pack a lot into a short period of time. I was able to stroll the show floor and get up close and personal with some of the industrial hygiene products and solutions that I had read so much about.
One of the common trends that I seemed to notice was connectivity. I stopped at several booths that were touting solutions that gave project managers and safety directors the ability to see the health of their workers at a glance while also instantaneously communicating with them if there is an issue and immediate action is needed. The idea of connectedness is familiar to me as I leave the security industry, where time is precious and every moment counts. I am learning quickly that sentiment carries over in the safety industry.
I was able to sit in on some demonstrations and learning sessions as well, including one called "Notable Confined Space—Inert Atmosphere," where I got to learn a lot from Jay Gieseke of Marathon Petroleum, not only about the hazards for workers in confined spaces, but also the dangers of certain chemicals and the importance of knowing the makeup of the materials so that you can work with them efficiently and safely.
In addition to the innovative solutions I got to see and the important information I got to learn, I also had the chance to meet and network with safety professionals like you. I was told when I was brought into the folds of this industry that if there was anything I could count on, it was that the people would be warm and welcoming. Boy, did you guys knock it out of the park. I felt so incredibly welcomed and thankful to be coming into an industry as kind and thoughtful as this one.
I hope that you all enjoyed your AIHce experience as much as I did. Now, on to ASSP in New Orleans! I can't wait to experience it, learn, and meet even more of you there.
About the Author
Sydny Shepard is the former editor of Occupational Health & Safety.