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