“To be clear, ASSE is not opposed to CIHs supervising or directing the monitoring of the control methods for PELs, as we have many CIHs among our members,” says ASSE President Terrie Norris. “What we oppose is any effort that would, without basis, give one certification an unfair competitive advantage. Giving all CIHs the exclusive right under California law to supervise and direct such monitoring will bar a much larger group of qualified safety and health professionals from doing work they already succeed at doing.”
Norris also says the change could harm California employers and their workers. “Given how few CIHs there are in California, many workplaces could go without needed professional expertise and workers could go unprotected from the very risks your legislation is meant to address. ASSE rejects any effort to limit this work to any one occupational safety and health designation. At the very least, if CIHs are included, CSPs and CHMMs must also be included.”
According to news reports, California Industrial Hygiene Council intends to pursue this bill as part of an overall legislative effort to see the current California process for developing PELs codified.