TORONTO, ON (June 1, 2009) – ACGIH and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) announced today plans to develop a closer alliance with one another. This proposed alliance is an opportunity for ACGIH and AIHA to do what each organization does best while cooperating more closely than ever before; it is not a merger, nor is it a move toward unification.

If approved by both Boards and the ACGIH membership, it is hoped that the alliance will result in a sustainable member organization and a scientific oriented organization. AIHA will administer a single, U.S. IH membership organization. ACGIH will autonomously focus on practice standards and guidelines. Both organizations will share services that will manage costs, drive efficiencies, and avoid duplication of efforts.

“We do not see this as a step to a full merger or unification,” said AIHA President Lindsay E. Booher, CIH, CSP. “In fact, this strategic alliance provides both ACGIH and AIHA with appropriate autonomy while simultaneously giving us the opportunity to share resources.”

“We believe that today, more than ever, ACGIH and AIHA must do more to work in a more strategic manner in order to ensure that our resources are utilized to the greatest degree possible,” said Jimmy L. Perkins, PhD, CIH, ACGIH Chair. “This will ensure the future success of industrial hygiene.”

The ACGIH and AIHA Boards approved a Summary of Principles for the Strategic Alliance on Sunday, May 31. They agreed that forming a Strategic Alliance which builds on the strengths of ACGIH and AIHA is the key to our long-term success. The Boards have appointed representatives to work with the chief staff officers to further plan implementation of the alliance terms. These representatives will report back to the Boards in the fall of 2009. In the meantime, various communications vehicles will be put in place to seek input from the memberships of both ACGIH and AIHA, including a specific website devoted to the proposal (www.acgihaihaalliance.org), “town hall” style meetings by conference call, blogging, podcasting, possible articles, and an “Ask the Leadership” session on Tuesday, June 2, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, room 705 South. If our work this summer is successful, an ACGIH member vote would occur in the fall of 2009. It is our hope to begin implementing changes in 2010.

“A temporary website (www.acgihaihaalliance.org) is being sponsored by the ACGIH and AIHA Boards of Directors,” Booher says. “The purpose of this site is to answer any questions that you may have about the strategic alliance. You will find a link to a “Frequently Asked Questions” document, links to ACGIH’s and AIHA’s websites, and perhaps most importantly, an opportunity for you to provide us with your feedback and input during this important process. We ask that you actively support this strategic alliance by reaching out to your colleagues and peers in the profession.”

Perkins added, “We anticipate conducting due diligence this summer. Assuming this due diligence reflects appropriate economic, legal, and strategic alignment, it is ACGIH’s intent to put forth to its members a vote to shift the nature of the ACGIH structure. This action requires a two-thirds vote of the ACGIH regular members in order to pass and take effect. There is no vote required of the AIHA membership, as there is no substantial change anticipated in its mission, vision, structure, or governance.”

ACGIH is a member-based organization that advances occupational and environmental health. ACGIH is one of the industry’s leading publications resources, with approximately 400 titles relative to occupational and environmental health and safety, including the renowned TLVs® and BEIs®. For more information, visit the ACGIH website at www.acgih.org or call our Customer Service Representatives at 513-742-2020.

Founded in 1939, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) is the premier association of occupational and environmental health and safety professionals. AIHA’s 10,460 members play a crucial role on the front line of worker health and safety every day. Members represent a cross-section of industry, private business, labor, government, and academia. For more information, go to www.aiha.org.