September 2023 – President’s Message

The summer’s end is approaching, The days are getting shorter again. Back to school routines are going to go into effect and the fall festivities are going to begin so I would like to take this time to officially begin our 79th year as a local section of AIHA. We have some interesting meetings and events planned during this year and we look forward to you participating! A few things that we have upcoming that you should be alert about:

  • September 21, 2023, 5:30PM – 9:30PM @ Stage House Tavern in SOMERSET, NJ: SAVE THE DATE! This will be our first dinner meeting of the season. Early registrations are eligible to win a door prize before dinner is served.
  • November 30, 2023 @ Virtual SAVE THE DATE! This year’s Professional Development Courses (PDCs) will be virtual again this year.
  • December 1, 2023, 7:15AM – 4:30PM @ Hyatt Regency in Princeton NJ: SAVE THE DATE! This is the Northeast Industrial Hygiene Conference & Expo hosted by the Metro NY AIHA, we are excited about this lineup. Early Registrations will receive a discounted rate!
  • Our Summer course has just concluded, and it was huge success. Stay tuned for detailed summary.

Our dinner meetings have industry professionals present and industry specific presentations, if you know of any young professionals looking for advice or information, please sponsor a student to attend our dinner meetings.

Lastly, I know I started this message talking about the transition to fall but we anticipate some more hot days and we want to remind you that there is still a National Emphasis Program on Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards. When the heat index is 80°F or higher, serious occupational heat-related illnesses and injuries become more frequent, especially in workplaces where unacclimatized workers are performing strenuous work (e.g., intense arm and back/lifting work, carrying, shoveling, manual sawing, pushing and pulling heavy loads, and walking at a fast pace), without easy access to cool water, or cool/shaded areas, when working in direct sunlight or areas where other radiant heat sources are present. Whether you are working in the heat or are responsible for managing people who work in the heat, please remember to be safe by:

  • Acclimatize workers starting the first day working in the heat, and after any extended absences
  • Provide shade for outdoor work sites
  • Schedule work earlier or later in the day
  • Use work/rest schedules
  • Limit strenuous work (eg., carrying heavy loads)
  • Use relief workers when needed

You may feel pressure from timelines and stakeholders to work faster and harder in the heat
but none of these pressures will matter if you or a member of your team ends up in a hospital
or dead from heat stress or heat related illnesses. This is the reality of heat.

Thank you NJAIHA, we look forward to seeing you this year!

Richard A. Lynch
President, NJAIHA
Richard@LynchCIHIAQ.com