Russian. Examinations have been conducted in Chinese, Russian and Norwegian, as well as English.
Student Assessment
Student assessment proved to be a significant challenge requiring a long period of trial and error. The founders
sought expert advice and eventually settled on a method of instruction that featured practical exercises. At the end of
each course, students take open-book
examinations designed to test their ability to make use of the material rather
than recall from memory. The results
provide feedback not just on the students but also on the success of the
course—and course providers—in achieving learning outcomes.
Successful candidates receive a certificate with the ABIH logo, and ABIH CM
points. After providing a personal learning portfolio showing application in their
workplace, students can put the certificates toward an intermediate technician-level certificate of competence, which
requires successful completion of six
modules and an oral assessment. With
the addition of higher-level academic
training and experience, students are prepared to sit for professional examinations
recognized by IOHA, including the CIH.
Course Levels, Modules, and Delivery
Three levels of courses and qualifications
are available: foundation, intermediate,
and advanced. These levels are stepping
stones to full professional accreditation,
but the courses can also be taken in iso-
lation. The awards are overseen by a
qualifications group that includes repre-
sentatives from ABIH and other indus-
trial hygiene examining bodies
recognized by IOHA. The program cur-
rently consists of the eight course mod-
ules shown in Table 1.
Developments around the World
The OHLearning.com website went live
on May 1, 2010. All the training materials and information on the site can be
downloaded free of charge.
Courses have been conducted or are
planned in Australia, Brazil, Canada,
Chile, China, India, Indonesia, Kaza-khstan, Norway, Singapore, South Africa,
Spain, Thailand, Trinidad, the UK, the U.S.
and Vietnam. The program is receiving
increasing recognition throughout the
world, with more than 40 courses planned
on all continents. Further courses are already in development, including one on
control banding led by AIHA.
To achieve the program’s original goals,
it must attain a broader reach. The program is now listed by the World Health
Organization (WHO) as a project supporting the 2009–12 Workplan of the Global
Network of the WHO Collaborating Centers for Occupational Health1, a network
of institutions dedicated to extending occupational health knowledge worldwide.
Discussions are in progress with several
other international organizations.
More information on industrial hygiene qualifications and careers is available at www.OHlearning.com. The
website also includes a collaboration
center where readers can upload projects
or training materials, or offer comments
on the program. Why not register and
participate in this global initiative within
our great profession? We would love to
hear from you!
Table 1. Course Modules
Modules available
Level
W201 – Basic Principles in Occupational Hygiene
Foundation
W501 – Measurement of Hazardous Substances
Intermediate
RogerAlesburyandSteveBaileyarepastpresidents
oftheBritishOccupationalHygieneSocietyand
foundingdirectorsoftheOccupationalHygiene
TrainingAssociation(OHTA).
NancyM.McClellan,MPH,CIH,CHMM,isalsoa
founderofOHTAandacertifiedindustrialhygiene
consultantwithBusinessHealthSystems,Inc.,in
Port Barrington, Ill. She can be reached at
nancy.mcclellan@comcast.netor(224)357-8028.
W502 – Thermal Environment
Intermediate
W503 – Noise
Intermediate
W504 – Asbestos
Intermediate
W505 – Control
Intermediate
References
W506 – Ergonomics
Intermediate
W507– Health Effects of Hazardous Substances
Intermediate
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