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AIHA Supports Efforts to Improve Regulatory Compliance of Small Companies

Oct. 18, 2001

AIHA is supporting H.R. 203, the National Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act of 2001.

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) is supporting H.R. 203, the National Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act of 2001, which is now under consideration by the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business.

In a letter sent to Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), the committee chairman, AIHA reiterated its support for "any and all efforts to provide a low-cost process to significantly improve health and safety in the workplace." The letter was written by AIHA President Henry B. "Hank" Lick, PhD, CIH, CSP, ROH.

In July, AIHA testified in favor of the House bill, which will assist small businesses with voluntary compliance concerns pertaining to federal regulations, including those of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In its testimony, AIHA asked for language stipulating that only competent and qualified individuals would be allowed to contract with the Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), which would serve as third-party administrators of education, training, and consultation services relating to compliance.

The House Committee on Small Business adopted AIHA's proposed language, which also directs the Small Business Administration's director "to develop technical, educational, and professional competency standards for contracting with an SBDC."

The letter to Kerry urged him to retain the language in H.R. 203 as it relates to "referral to experts."

edited by Sandy Smith

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Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.