About Us

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) is the essential source for information on Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety issues. Founded in 1939, the AIHA is an organization of professionals dedicated to the prevention of workplace-related illness or injury. With more than 12,000 members, AIHA is the largest international association serving the needs of occupational and environmental scientists and engineers practicing industrial hygiene. The AIHA website is one of the largest international associations serving the needs of occupational and environmental health professionals practicing industrial hygiene in industry, government, labor, academic institutions, and independent organizations. From volunteers to related organizations, there are a lot of people that help make up the AIHA family.

The Rocky Mountain Section is a regional subdivision of the American Industrial Hygiene Association. Our members, as part of the AIHA, are part of an organization dedicated to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of contaminants and stressors that may cause sickness, impaired health and well-being, or significant discomfort and inefficiency among workers and the general public. The Section’s membership is comprised of professionals working in industrial hygiene and associated fields. The membership of the section stands at more than 80 members; and more than 49% maintain professional certifications such as CIH, CSP, CHMM, PE and others. Each year, the Section’s Educational Committee holds a few trainings, and our Programs Committee holds Lunch presentations and tours; we also host at least one Professional Development Course. The Rocky Mountain Section serves as one of the more focused groups. View the map  of all the local sections.

The RMS Mission
AIHA promotes, protects, and enhances industrial hygienists and other occupational health, safety and environmental professionals in their efforts to improve the health and well being of workers, the community, and the environment following the AIHA.

The RMS Vision
To be a recognized worldwide leader in promoting excellence in occupational and environmental health and safety following the AIHA.

The RMS Core Values

• The Prevention of occupational disease and chronic injury is the foundation of our profession.
• The Right of workers and the community to a healthy and safe environment.
• Active Collaboration among allied Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety professionals is essential.
• The Ethical practice of industrial hygiene through the anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of occupational and environmental hazards arising from the workplace.
• A sound Scientific basis for action and policy development.
• Good business performance and good occupational health and safety performance are Linked.
• Respect for Diversity of opinion and open communication.
• Acknowledgement and Consideration of the time commitment we require from our volunteers.

The RMS Goals and Strategic 2008-2015 Plan (Title) To achieve its mission, AIHA-RMS will identify and pursue specific goals. These goals will drive AIHA-RMS structure, governance, staffing and budgeting, and will serve as the basis for all evaluations of achievement and performance. These goals are intended as guidance strategy information for AIHA-RMS leadership personnel and are intentionally non-quantitative to allow for long-term planning recognizing that AIHA-RMS leadership personnel change each year.

The following broad goals and objectives are established for AIHA-RMS:

1. PROGRAMS AND SERVICES GOAL - Provide educational programs and services for the occupational and environmental health and safety community. To achieve this goal, AIHA-RMS will:

1.1 Maximize the number of high-quality professional development and certification maintenance point opportunities.
1.2 Continue to develop and expand the AIHA-RMS website as a primary and convenient source of related information and services for members as well as non-members. Continuing multiyear objectives are to (a) stabilize continuing AIHA-RMS website issues, (b) develop and periodically revise written procedures for the effective ongoing implementation and operation of the website, and (c) continue to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the website by incorporating new technologies as appropriate.
1.3 Provide other services in support of the careers of members, such as the local Job Posting service.
1.4 Periodically adjust member services to match the changing profile of membership.

2. IMAGE AND IDENTITY GOAL - Actively promote the value of the profession and the practicing professional. To achieve this goal, AIHA-RMS will:

2.1 Promote and market the CIH and other recognized certifications for OEHS professionals as relevant credentials.
2.2 Continue to support and provide direction to the Colorado Industrial Hygiene Council (CIHC).
2.3 Promote good science in legislation and regulations.
2.4 Promote recognition of the IH profession, and minimize practice restrictions.
2.5 Promote and support university education in industrial hygiene through local support activities for students and/or financial support of the American Industrial Hygiene Foundation.
2.6 Provide one or more awards that recognize the contributions of outstanding professionals within the profession, and further promote the external recognition of the IH profession.
2.7 Work locally to support the American Industrial Hygiene Association in its goal to best serve the OEHS professions nationally and internationally.

3. MEMBERSHIP GOAL - Increase membership recruitment and retention. To achieve this goal, AIHA-RMS will:

3.1 Continuously strive to increase the value of AIHA-RMS membership in an effort to attract and maintain members.
3.2 Strengthen communication, collaboration and networking between members including the use of surveys and electronic communications (e.g. e-mail).
3.3 Recognize and encourage volunteer efforts and new members.
3.4 Recruit and encourage new members to volunteer in leadership roles.
3.5 Ensure opportunities for membership involvement and input.

4. FISCAL RESOURCES GOAL - Have a diversified funding base to enable the financial capacity for a wide range of programs, products and services. To achieve this goal, AIHA-RMS will:

4.1 Deliver cost effective services while minimizing member expense
4.2 Generate sufficient revenues to expand local section capabilities and services
4.3 Identify and achieve the ideal balance for AIHA-RMS of dues and non-dues revenues
4.4 Leverage our efforts with CSU’s Occupational and Environmental Health Section and other Rocky Mountain Area functional groups
4.5 Maintain our non-profit status

5. STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE GOAL - Be structured and governed so as to facilitate timely decision making and efficient utilization of human, technological and fiscal resources. To achieve this goal, AIHA-RMS will:

5.1 Improve mechanisms to ensure important actions are implemented properly and on time.
5.2 Evaluate the use of contract management services to increase efficiency.
5.3 Utilize short-term, task- and time-specific task forces to accomplish organizational goals when appropriate.
5.4 Track achievement of strategic initiatives at each board meeting.
5.5 Examine the support staff, committee structures, and volunteer organization and adjust as necessary to reflect current activities, member needs, and organizational goals.
5.6 Continue to utilize the Operations Manual as a tool for efficient operations

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