03/07/1995 01:35 PM Senate L&C

 SL&C - 3/7/95                                                                 
           SB 58 USE OF TITLE "INDUSTRIAL HYGIENIST"                          
 There being no further testimony on SB 43, the committee took up SB
.  SENATOR LEMAN, sponsor of SB 58, explained the measure                   
 restricts the use of the title "industrial hygienist" at the                  
 request of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA),                
 Midnight Sun Section (the Alaska branch).                                     
                                                                               
 AARON TRIPLER, Director of Government Affairs for the AIHA, stated            
 the following.  "The AIHA is the world's largest association of               
 occupational and environmental health professionals.  SB 58 was               
 introduced because the AIHA believes the practice of industrial               
 hygiene is a very important tool for protecting the health and                
 safety of workers and their families.  With the increase and                  
 emphasis on the environment, there is always the possibility of               
 unqualified individuals representing themselves to the public as              
 capable of protecting the health and safety of employees.                     
 Sometimes the results of these unqualified individuals can be                 
 devastating.  Title protection for this profession really strives             
 to assure the public that qualified professionals will address                
 various occupational environmental concerns."                                 
                                                                               
 MARTIN FINKEL, President of the Midnight Sun Section of the AIHA,             
 testified.  He stated his membership unanimously supports SB 58 and           
 believes a mechanism is necessary to ensure that employers are                
 getting what they pay for when hiring industrial hygienists.                  
 Currently anyone can print a business card and use the title.                 
                                                                               
 PENNY GOODSTEIN, representing the Midnight Sun Section of the AIHA,           
 stated industrial hygiene is a safety and health discipline.  She             
 felt they need to be certified to protect the public.