nihc ethics

Hazard and Risk Assessment Hazard and Risk Assessment

Ethics in Industrial HygieneEthics in Industrial Hygiene

National Conference in Industrial Hygiene

February 14, 2014

Maharshi Mehta, CSP, CIHInternational Safety Systems, Inc., Washingtonville New York, USAwww.issehs.com

AgendaAgenda Introduction to Ethics in Industrial HygieneIntroduction to Ethics in Industrial Hygiene Current SituationCurrent Situation ElementsElements The needThe need

– ProfessionalProfessional

– Personal Personal Religion and ethics Religion and ethics

– Place of worship (temple, synagogue, mosques VS Workplace)Place of worship (temple, synagogue, mosques VS Workplace)

– Gods Vs StakeholdersGods Vs Stakeholders Benefits - Case StudiesBenefits - Case Studies ConclusionsConclusions

©International Safety Systems, Inc. ©International Safety Systems, Inc. www.issehs.comwww.issehs.com

Current situationCurrent situation

Exposure control decisions seem to be made Exposure control decisions seem to be made based on erroneous data at 50%+ workplacesbased on erroneous data at 50%+ workplaces– One or more of reproducible, representative and One or more of reproducible, representative and

reliable data missingreliable data missing Issues with sampling and analytical methodsIssues with sampling and analytical methods Greed has no lidGreed has no lid

– Knowingly results are delivered what company or Knowingly results are delivered what company or client is looking at some of the workplacesclient is looking at some of the workplaces

– Financial gains at the cost of integrityFinancial gains at the cost of integrity


Issues with sampling and Issues with sampling and analytical methodsanalytical methods Collect more samples in limited timeCollect more samples in limited time

– Exposure numbers, no indicating on what is contributing to Exposure numbers, no indicating on what is contributing to exposureexposure

ReproducibilityReproducibility

– 1 sample 1 sample ReliabilityReliability

– CalibrationCalibration

– Laboratories analyzing samplesLaboratories analyzing samples RepresentativenessRepresentativeness

– Sampling durationsSampling durations Focus on monitoring and not on exposure controlsFocus on monitoring and not on exposure controls


The Need-ProfessionalThe Need-Professional

Impact on StakeholdersImpact on Stakeholders– EmployeeEmployee

ReputationReputation– ABC Environmental company in ChinaABC Environmental company in China

TrustTrust Financial and standard of livingFinancial and standard of living Business Growth – word of mouth Business Growth – word of mouth


The Need-OtherThe Need-Other Impact on Family, Society and NationImpact on Family, Society and Nation FamilyFamily

– Values in children and other family membersValues in children and other family members

– Bonding and benefits of bondingBonding and benefits of bonding

– FriendsFriends

– Ever widening virtuous circleEver widening virtuous circle

NationNation– Erosion of valuesErosion of values

– Economical impactEconomical impact

Impact on individual Impact on individual – Effective utilization of latent abilityEffective utilization of latent ability

– Peace of mindPeace of mind

– Growth Growth


Gods VS Workers and FamilyGods VS Workers and Family


Temples Vs. Workplaces and Temples Vs. Workplaces and Homes-True Haven Homes-True Haven


Examples All Around UsExamples All Around Us- Cost to Shareholders- Cost to Shareholders

Enron collapsed in 2001 – Enron collapsed in 2001 – costing shareholders costing shareholders $74B and prompting $74B and prompting Sarbane-Oxley Sarbane-Oxley Accounting Regulation.Accounting Regulation.

WorldCom-$11B. WorldCom-$11B.

How Do Professionals Use a Code?How Do Professionals Use a Code?

As “The Law?” As “The Law?” -- (Enforceable v. not enforceable?) -- (Enforceable v. not enforceable?)

As a “set of guidelines?”As a “set of guidelines?” As a means to set a baseline standard of As a means to set a baseline standard of

practice?practice? As a way to raise the level of practice?As a way to raise the level of practice?

Code HistoryCode History

Originally Adopted – Early 80’sOriginally Adopted – Early 80’s Revised – Mid 90’sRevised – Mid 90’s

– Cannons with Interpretive GuidelinesCannons with Interpretive Guidelines

– Joint IH Ethics Education Committee (JIHEEC)Joint IH Ethics Education Committee (JIHEEC) March 2006 MeetingMarch 2006 Meeting

– ABIH, ACGIH, AIH, AIHA & JIHEECABIH, ACGIH, AIH, AIHA & JIHEEC ABIH – Legally Enforceable Code of Ethics – ABIH – Legally Enforceable Code of Ethics –

May 2007May 2007– Diplomates, Applicants & ExamineesDiplomates, Applicants & Examinees

A guideline for professional ethical A guideline for professional ethical decisionsdecisions

Not a black and white set of rulesNot a black and white set of rules Not a replacement for good judgmentNot a replacement for good judgment

http://www.abih.org/downloads/ABIHCodeofEthics.pdf

IH Ethical Misconduct ExamplesIH Ethical Misconduct Examples

Borrowing from another’s proposalBorrowing from another’s proposal Deliberate failure to control data qualityDeliberate failure to control data quality Failure to protect confidential dataFailure to protect confidential data Release of results of study before peer reviewRelease of results of study before peer review Avoiding competition by refusing to share dataAvoiding competition by refusing to share data Research designed to favor a specific resultResearch designed to favor a specific result Fabrication of dataFabrication of data Deliberate failure to disclose sources of Deliberate failure to disclose sources of

supportsupport

Ethical DilemmaEthical DilemmaExposure assessment for formaldehyde in manufactured housing Exposure assessment for formaldehyde in manufactured housing is contracted and scheduled for a specific week with an industrial is contracted and scheduled for a specific week with an industrial hygiene consultant. The contract is for the collection of the data hygiene consultant. The contract is for the collection of the data only. The hygienist will not have access to the analytical results or only. The hygienist will not have access to the analytical results or be involved in writing the report. The client changes the date be involved in writing the report. The client changes the date twice for reasons not explained. The industrial hygienist arrives twice for reasons not explained. The industrial hygienist arrives on site ready to conduct the study, but it begins to rain. Rain is on site ready to conduct the study, but it begins to rain. Rain is projected for the entire week of the study and the relative projected for the entire week of the study and the relative

humidity is projected to be between 85-95%.humidity is projected to be between 85-95%.

A call to the laboratory and the sorbent tube A call to the laboratory and the sorbent tube media manufacturer confirms that the high media manufacturer confirms that the high humidity environment will skew the results low humidity environment will skew the results low if the data is used. Upon informing the client if the data is used. Upon informing the client of the current circumstances for performing of the current circumstances for performing the exposure assessment, the client complains the exposure assessment, the client complains that the hygienist is being too cautious and that the hygienist is being too cautious and should collect the data anyways. should collect the data anyways.

What are Potential Responses?What are Potential Responses?

Refuse to collect any further samplesRefuse to collect any further samples Collect and submit the samples and contact the Collect and submit the samples and contact the

laboratory to report field conditionslaboratory to report field conditions Collect the samples and report nothingCollect the samples and report nothing Collect the samples and require that the client Collect the samples and require that the client

submit them to the laboratorysubmit them to the laboratory

What are the Likely Outcomes What are the Likely Outcomes of the Responses?of the Responses? Integrity of the SamplesIntegrity of the Samples Integrity of the ClientIntegrity of the Client Role of the Laboratory and Media Role of the Laboratory and Media

ManufacturerManufacturer Long-term Responsibility – Social Justice Long-term Responsibility – Social Justice

IssuesIssues

Ethical DilemmaEthical Dilemma

You are bound by a contract to protect You are bound by a contract to protect the confidentiality of the project for the confidentiality of the project for which you are hired. Because of the which you are hired. Because of the complexity of the IH issues, you wish complexity of the IH issues, you wish to obtain input from a professional to obtain input from a professional peer regarding the technical aspects of peer regarding the technical aspects of the project.the project.


Ignore your desire to obtain input from a professional peer Ignore your desire to obtain input from a professional peer because it could be considered an ethical breach of your because it could be considered an ethical breach of your clients confidentiality.clients confidentiality.

Discuss the project without disclosing confidential details Discuss the project without disclosing confidential details such as the name of the company, individual names, such as the name of the company, individual names, proprietary or other.proprietary or other.

Discuss in full disclosure with a professional peer who is Discuss in full disclosure with a professional peer who is unrelated to the project and lives thousands of miles away.unrelated to the project and lives thousands of miles away.

Consider publishing your quandaries in the next edition of Consider publishing your quandaries in the next edition of the Synergist.the Synergist.

What are the Likely Outcomes of What are the Likely Outcomes of the Responses?the Responses?


You witness what you feel is a You witness what you feel is a violation of the code by one of your violation of the code by one of your professional peers who is a CIH. She professional peers who is a CIH. She agrees with her boss to date a safety agrees with her boss to date a safety review earlier than it was conducted, review earlier than it was conducted, so it lines up closer to when the issue so it lines up closer to when the issue was identified.was identified.

What are Potential ResponsesWhat are Potential Responses

Contact anyone you can think of along with ABIH, Contact anyone you can think of along with ABIH, and/or AIHA and report the incident.and/or AIHA and report the incident.

Submit a written allegation of a breach of ethical duty or Submit a written allegation of a breach of ethical duty or professional responsibility to the chair of the JIHEEC.professional responsibility to the chair of the JIHEEC.

Call the AIHA President to personally complain.Call the AIHA President to personally complain. Explain to the peer that you feel they are acting Explain to the peer that you feel they are acting

unethically and give them an opportunity to correct the unethically and give them an opportunity to correct the situation before taking further action. If it remains situation before taking further action. If it remains unresolved then you could submit a written allegation of unresolved then you could submit a written allegation of a breach of ethical duty or professional responsibility to a breach of ethical duty or professional responsibility to ABIH.ABIH.


You are invited by a vendor who You are invited by a vendor who provides a majority of your industrial provides a majority of your industrial hygiene laboratory services to play hygiene laboratory services to play golf and have dinner at an “exclusive” golf and have dinner at an “exclusive” country club.country club.

What are Potential Responses?What are Potential Responses? Accept the offer and ask if he wouldn’t mind Accept the offer and ask if he wouldn’t mind

throwing in a sleeve of balls and a hat.throwing in a sleeve of balls and a hat. Investigate your company’s policy on accepting Investigate your company’s policy on accepting

vendor gifts and determine the best course of action vendor gifts and determine the best course of action with your supervisor.with your supervisor.

Decide to accept the offer, but only if you can pay for Decide to accept the offer, but only if you can pay for your own green fees and dinner.your own green fees and dinner.

Accept the invitation but insist that the bill be paid in Accept the invitation but insist that the bill be paid in cash instead of a credit card to avoid leaving a “paper cash instead of a credit card to avoid leaving a “paper trail”.trail”.

Ethical DilemmaEthical DilemmaAs an IH consultant you are asked by a major As an IH consultant you are asked by a major

insurance carrier to sample for mold in a insurance carrier to sample for mold in a residential setting. One of the home’s residential setting. One of the home’s occupants is recovering from cancer and occupants is recovering from cancer and recently had a bone marrow transplant. recently had a bone marrow transplant. Moderate to extensive visible mold is present Moderate to extensive visible mold is present throughout the home and you recommend throughout the home and you recommend relocating the family. The insurance carrier relocating the family. The insurance carrier disagrees and asks you “to keep your mouth disagrees and asks you “to keep your mouth shut” or they will take legal action.shut” or they will take legal action.


Wonder why you chose to be a consultant and run out of Wonder why you chose to be a consultant and run out of the building screaming.the building screaming.

Keep your mouth shut and pretend it never happened.Keep your mouth shut and pretend it never happened. Ignore the insurance carriers threats and immediately Ignore the insurance carriers threats and immediately

notify the occupants to vacate the premises.notify the occupants to vacate the premises. Contact a close friend, attorney and/or mentor and ask Contact a close friend, attorney and/or mentor and ask

for additional advice and direction.for additional advice and direction.

Challenges encountered-Ethical Challenges encountered-Ethical Approaches adoptedApproaches adopted

Filter fell off during sampling operator connected upside downFilter fell off during sampling operator connected upside down Calibrator did not function – only 3 days in AustraliaCalibrator did not function – only 3 days in Australia Middle man ask for % of the total project cost Middle man ask for % of the total project cost After leaving company, professionals learns about environmental violationsAfter leaving company, professionals learns about environmental violations Collect 10 samples/day by calling operators in lunch room and remove Collect 10 samples/day by calling operators in lunch room and remove

samples at the end of day samples at the end of day Spray welding exposure below limit-of Cr3 and Ni elemental – potential for Spray welding exposure below limit-of Cr3 and Ni elemental – potential for

hexchrome insoluble Ni exposure to exceed OEL exits, recommend RPE, hexchrome insoluble Ni exposure to exceed OEL exits, recommend RPE, Toluene exposure likely to exceed somewhere in EuropeToluene exposure likely to exceed somewhere in Europe Pharma clients ask not to mention exposure is above OEL in reportPharma clients ask not to mention exposure is above OEL in report Friend for 20+ years ask not to write about system not working just list Friend for 20+ years ask not to write about system not working just list

exposure above limit for new operation exposure above limit for new operation


Case Study: Construction SafetyCase Study: Construction Safety EHS professional in financial crisis finally gets job in EHS professional in financial crisis finally gets job in

middle eastmiddle east Manager sends letter to all EHS managers has full Manager sends letter to all EHS managers has full

authority to even close the work for safety violations and authority to even close the work for safety violations and calls EHS professionals in office and conveys – sit in the calls EHS professionals in office and conveys – sit in the office don’t go out we will give you salary-relax and enjoyoffice don’t go out we will give you salary-relax and enjoy

What would you do?What would you do? Mobile Crane is to be used at site without testing – Mobile Crane is to be used at site without testing –

Managers threatens EHS person you will loose job if you Managers threatens EHS person you will loose job if you insist on testing, what would you do? insist on testing, what would you do?


How Good People Make Tough Choices,How Good People Make Tough Choices, Rushworth M. Rushworth M. Kidder,1995Kidder,1995

Business EthicsBusiness Ethics, Richard De George, Richard De George ““Ethical Issues for Industrial Hygienists: Survey Results and Ethical Issues for Industrial Hygienists: Survey Results and

Suggestions”, Laura A. Goldberg & Michael R. Greenberg, Suggestions”, Laura A. Goldberg & Michael R. Greenberg, March 1993 AIHA JournalMarch 1993 AIHA Journal

““Observations of Ethical Misconduct Among Industrial Observations of Ethical Misconduct Among Industrial Hygienists in England”, Burgess G. L., Mullen, D., AIHA Hygienists in England”, Burgess G. L., Mullen, D., AIHA Journal (63) March/April 2002Journal (63) March/April 2002

ABIH Executive Director, Lynn O’Donnell, 2011 DataABIH Executive Director, Lynn O’Donnell, 2011 Data http://www.abih.org/downloads/ABIHCodeofEthics.pdf Lectures shared by Jeff Throckmorton, David Roskelley, Lectures shared by Jeff Throckmorton, David Roskelley,

Barbara Weeks, Pam Greenley, Steve RuckerBarbara Weeks, Pam Greenley, Steve Rucker

Beyond Reading - ActionBeyond Reading - Action

JIHEEC MissionJIHEEC Mission:: ““Promote an awareness and understanding of the Promote an awareness and understanding of the

enforceable code of ethics published by the enforceable code of ethics published by the ABIH”ABIH”

Not an enforcement group or resolution boardNot an enforcement group or resolution board Publishes case studies of ethical dilemmas in the Publishes case studies of ethical dilemmas in the

SynergistSynergist

Business Ethics: CodesBusiness Ethics: Codes

PremisePremise– Business integrity earns respect and brings peace in our livesBusiness integrity earns respect and brings peace in our lives– Transparency and ethics have positive impact on generations to Transparency and ethics have positive impact on generations to

comecome

CodesCodes– Do not give, receive bribe in any form cash, favor, kind, gift, % Do not give, receive bribe in any form cash, favor, kind, gift, %

commissioncommission– Do not compromise on identified risk in reporting, among other Do not compromise on identified risk in reporting, among other

thingsthings– Ensure sound basisEnsure sound basis– Offer to take client out for lunch/dinner once, do not push. Offer Offer to take client out for lunch/dinner once, do not push. Offer

to pay for lunch/dinner, do not push, go “Dutch”to pay for lunch/dinner, do not push, go “Dutch”

Confidentiality CodesConfidentiality Codes SignificanceSignificance

– Most Sensitive informationMost Sensitive information– Client’s trust on usClient’s trust on us

Do not communicate verbally or in writing what you saw at site especially process details and Do not communicate verbally or in writing what you saw at site especially process details and findings with any one out side ISS and in ISS with affected persons only findings with any one out side ISS and in ISS with affected persons only

Data protection: Password when you are not around in your laptop, no one should have Data protection: Password when you are not around in your laptop, no one should have access to your hard disk, place relevant information in centralized storage and delete from fileaccess to your hard disk, place relevant information in centralized storage and delete from file

Digital images:Digital images:– Obtain permissionObtain permission– Do not take if it does not serve purposeDo not take if it does not serve purpose– Avoid taking entire process large area, take what you want Avoid taking entire process large area, take what you want – Do not show images to ANYONE. Delete them once purpose is served Do not show images to ANYONE. Delete them once purpose is served – Keep only good images and provide to Chirantan or centralised storage and then Keep only good images and provide to Chirantan or centralised storage and then

delete all imagesdelete all images

One can make decent leaving even by One can make decent leaving even by following business ethics-Thenfollowing business ethics-Then


NowNow


ConclusionConclusion

Listen to inner Listen to inner voice and voice and implementimplement


nihc ethics

Education

data research

erroneous data

samples integrity

data quality failure

professional peer

industrial hygienist

professional ethical

reliable data missing