The first step has been taken to merge the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and the American Academy of Industrial Hygiene (AAIH).
The AIHA board of directors and the AAIH Council voted June 6 to allow the two organization's members to vote on consolidation. Ballots are scheduled to go out in July or August.
"This merger is a culmination of efforts going back to the Unification Task Force," AIHA President Jim Rock said. "It is the time to merge these two strong membership associations."
"The Academy Council believes this merger is the best move for the profession," AAIH President-elect Loren Anderson said.
AIHA members will vote on bylaws changes that will create the Academy of Industrial Hygiene and the Diplomate category as parts of the association membership. AAIH members will vote to have the American Board of Industrial Hygiene dissolve the academy and recreate it as part of AIHA.