In the United States, approximately 170,000 workers suffer heat-related injuries each year, while about 20,000 workers suffer cold-related illnesses or injuries. Additionally, millions of people risk permanent hearing loss due to exposure to hazardous noise levels at or outside of work. With so many people at risk of injury, illness, and death, the need for action is clear. Part of the solution to these complex problems involves encouraging more students to pursue careers in occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) and improving school infrastructure, creating better learning environments for students and better working conditions for teachers and other school personnel.

AIHA, building on its mission to protect workers and their communities, has announced three new public policy priorities that will guide and focus the association’s activities in 2023 and beyond. The three public policy priorities are: 

1. Protecting Workers and the Public from Hazardous Noise Exposure
2. Protecting Workers and the Public from Thermal Stress
3. Strengthening the Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS) Professional Pathway and Improving the Learning and Working Conditions of Schools

For other issues not covered by these public policy priorities, AIHA will continue to engage with association members and policymakers. The association’s goal is to translate as much of its members’ technical expertise into public policy recommendations as possible to protect more workers and their communities.
 
 “All of these issues are critical, and together, they play an important role in realizing AIHA’s vision of healthier workplaces and a healthier world,” said Mark Ames, AIHA’s director of government relations. “This is a vision shared by millions of American workers, the companies they work for, and the agencies that serve them.”
 
For more information on AIHA’s public policy priorities and to access public resources for working with local, state, and federal government representatives on worker health and safety issues, please visit AIHA’s government relations and advocacy webpage.