Updating PELs, OSHA’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program (I2P2) and getting more respect are the top upcoming issues for safety professionals, according to a survey conducted by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).

In the most recent version of a public policy survey it conducts every two years, the AIHA asked members to identify and prioritize industry-related federal policy issues. The association uses the survey results in reviewing its existing white papers and position statements and sometimes to draft new position statements.

AIHA members identified the following industry-related issues as the most important overall priorities for the coming two years:

• Updating Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs)
• OSHA’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program (I2P2)
• Professional recognition/title protection for industrial hygienists
• Appropriations for OSHA and NIOSH, OSHA reform issues, greater recognition of NIOSH
• Nanotechnology
• Laboratory accreditation

That list overlaps to some extent with the industry-related issues for Federal and/or State Legislative Activity identified by AIHA members as priorities for the next two years:

• Updating Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs)
• Appropriations for OSHA, MSHA, NIOSH, EPA
• Toxic substances—Toxic Substances Control Act
• Professional recognition/title protection for industrial hygienists
• Nanotechnology

In addition to legislative issues, AIHA members were also asked to identify priorities for both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Those responses, including a summary of the findings, may be accessed at http://bit.ly/SWJspu.