AIHA-APS Fall Technical Session: Emerging Occupational Exposure Risks
October 21-22 | 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The American Industrial Hygiene Association Atlantic Provinces Local Section (AIHA-APS) invites occupational health and safety professionals to join us for two days of presentations and discussion on emerging occupational exposure risks.
This fall technical session will bring together practitioners, researchers, regulators, and industry experts to explore current and evolving challenges related to worker health and safety. Topics include wildfire smoke exposure, respirable crystalline silica and engineered stone, ticks and vector-borne disease risk, welding exposures, noise, risk management, and the future of the occupational hygiene profession.
Featured Keynote Speaker
Dr. Sandra Dorman, Laurentian University
Dr. Sandra Dorman will deliver a half-day session on October 22nd focused on wildland fire exposures and respiratory health.
Her presentation will explore:
- Ontario's approach to addressing respiratory and dermal hazards faced by wildland firefighters
- Air quality monitoring research and its application to real-world firefighting operations
- The PurpleAir Project and translating air quality data into meaningful information for workers and the public
About Dr. Dorman
Dr. Sandra Dorman is a Full Professor in the Faculty of Health at Laurentian University. She completed her doctoral degree in physiology/pharmacology and her research program focuses on health promotion and disease prevention in the occupational setting. She has authored over 40 papers and received over $10 million in research funding. My research team continues to lead participatory, field research and evaluation interventions to understand how to build successful health intervention programs to solve workplace problems and comprehensively protect workers from injuries and illness. My current area of focus is on respiratory health and heat stress prevention; particularly with wildland firefighters and mine workers.
Program Highlights
October 21
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Alicia Doiron & Andrew Rothwell (Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration)
Respirable Crystalline Silica Exposure and Engineered Stone
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Don Hartt (Nova Scotia Technical Safety)
Wildfires in Nova Scotia
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Chris Sheppard (Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration)
Ticks in Nova Scotia
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Kris Anderson (Pinchin Ltd.)
Wildfires in Jasper
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Matthew MacFarlane (NB Power)
Welding Exposures
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Aaron Jones (WorksafeNL)
Post fire health hazards
October 22
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Dr. Sandra Dorman (Laurentian University)
Wildfires in Northern Ontario: Research, Respiratory Protection, and Public Air Quality Messaging
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Alex Mercer (Stantec)
Exploring the Non-Auditory Effects of Noise Exposure
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Ryan Bouda (Professional Development Specialist)
Risk Management and Building Trust in High-Risk Environments
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Joey Bellino (Pinchin Ltd.)
CBROH and the Future of the Profession
Additional Information
Hotel Group Rate AIHA-APS $119 per night. Last day to book at this special group rate is Monday September 21, 2026.
Participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance from AIHA-APS that may be used toward continuing professional development requirements for Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) and Registered Occupational Hygienist (ROH) designations.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Attendees with dietary restrictions are asked to contact Alicia Doiron at Alicia.Doiron@novascotia.ca.
Whether you work in occupational hygiene, health and safety, environmental health, regulatory compliance, risk management, or workplace health promotion, this event offers practical insights and current perspectives on issues affecting workers across Atlantic Canada and beyond.
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