AIHA Connect 2024 Concentrates on Comprehensive Education

Last week’s AIHA Connect 2024 provided attendees with key knowledge and skills to advance their work in industrial hygiene and workplace safety.

• By David Kopf
• May 28, 2024

Last week’s AIHA Connect 2024, hosted at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio from May 20-22 offered much to attendees in the way of a packed exhibit hall and networking opportunities, but the event put a premium on education.  

This year’s edition of the American Industrial Hygiene Association’s annual event featured 170 sessions spanning 34 topics, delivered by 360 speakers. The sessions were designed to broaden knowledge and skills in industrial hygiene and occupational and environmental health and safety. Topics ranged from core IH/OEHS issues to sessions aimed at enhancing human skills like leadership and communication. Examples of some of this year’s don’t-miss conference tracks included: 

• The Academic Track focused on enhancing career opportunities for students in industrial hygiene and occupational health, featuring discussions on professional credentials, student presentations, and sessions from the Career Advantage Fair. 
• The Climate Change Hazards and Risks Track addressed climate change mitigation with topics on heat exposure standards, thermal stress management, and research-focused pop-up sessions. 
• The ESG/Human Capital Track explored the impact of environmental, social, and governance factors on organizational performance, highlighting the evolving role of safety and health.
• The Laboratory Health and Safety Shop, tailored for laboratory professionals, emphasized health and safety protocols, laboratory accreditation, and efficient lab operations. 

Also, with up to 17 certification maintenance hours available, attendees had ample opportunity to prepare for CIH recertification, which helped ensure that they stay at the forefront of industry standards and practices. Attendees also had access to the AIHA Educational Transcript, which provides proof of participation and updates following the event to reflect contact hours for both in-person and virtual participants. 

For those unable to attend every session or looking for flexible learning options, AIHA Connect OnDemand will offer recordings of most sessions for later viewing, included with full registration. For more details on maintaining certification through AIHA Connect and to explore the full range of sessions and activities, visit the event’s website. 

Bookending the event’s education were two keynote presentations that punctuated AIHA Connect 2024’s educational focus.  On May 20, Dr. Samuel Ramsey presented the keynote at the Opening General Session, titled “The Power of Peculiar Thinking: Problem-Solving Through Creativity and Ingenuity,” highlighting his innovative approach to bee research and demonstrating how unconventional thinking can lead to significant breakthroughs in solving complex problems. On May 22, Dr. Helena Boschi presented the Closing General Session, titled “The Neuroscience of Innovation – and How to Develop New Insights,” where she explored the limits of human attention and perception to enhance creative thinking and innovation, urging attendees to challenge their norms and expand their cognitive agility for continual learning. 

Together, these keynotes, along with AIHA Connect 2024’s comprehensive slate of educational sessions, equipped attendees with the needed knowledge and tools to elevate their safety practices in the workplace.