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NEOCHMM Meeting October 18, 2018

The featured speaker at the October 18 NEOCHMM meeting was Mark Baumgardner, CHMM who spoke about the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM) and the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals (AHMP) and how certification and credentials offered through IHMM can add value to your career.

The IHMM is a certification body made up of a Board of Directors consisting of 10 members serving staggered 4-year terms. The Board elects an Executive Committee and advises the Executive Director. The Board conducts 4 meetings per year plus committee meetings.

Obtaining a professional certification demonstrates a commitment to public safety and the environment. Mark discussed the four premier credentials offered by IHMM – Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), Certified Hazardous Materials Practitioner (CHMP), Certified Dangerous Goods Professional (CDGP), and Certified Dangerous Goods Trainer (CDGT). IHMM certification credentials have been granted accreditation by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). In addition, the IHMM CHMM and CHMP certification programs are accredited by The Council of Engineering & Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB). Accredited credentials validate assessments of the hazmat professional’s knowledge, skills, and abilities and provide the acknowledgment that an individual has the competency to perform the functions of the profession.

Some of the goals of IHMM are to maintain and enhance premier brand identity, enhance and expand credentials such as attracting millennials to the CHMM certification and expanding the CDGP in China, and streamline the back office operations.

While IHMM is a certification body, the AHMP promotes advocacy, professional development, and social engagement. Some of the topics Mark touched upon were AHMP being open to non-certified members and chapters may combine into sections which are sections of AHMP. Mark noted that attendance at the recent National Convention held in Reno, Nevada was down from previous conventions.

Mark finished up his presentation on the topic of the annual Riversweep event held each year in May. In the past NEOCHMM partnered with the West Creek Conservancy and took on projects like removing shopping carts and debris from the West Creek and the surrounding areas. The new West Creek Reservation, a joint venture of Cleveland Metroparks and West Creek Conservancy, will keep 278 acres of diverse and valuable green space protected and further support the watershed. Riversweep has evolved from a reactive to a proactive program. For the past several years NEOCHMM has focused its energy on planting assorted trees and shrubs in vacant lots in an effort to provide an additional riparian buffer around West Creek. Mark predicts that future Riversweep projects may involve naturalizing the area following the demolition of former dormitories at the Parmadale Campus may be coming in the next few years.

We thank Mark for his presentation and his continued tireless involvement with IHMM, AHMP, Riversweep, and NEOCHMM.

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Written by Ken Doyle

Created: 02 November 2018

Last Updated: 02 November 2018

2018 Fall IHMM Fall Update

As a Board Member of the IHMM, I periodically provide the Chapter with an update of the proceedings at IHMM.

The IHMM Board held its Third Quarter Board Meeting at the AHMP National Meeting in Reno, Nevada. We do this to support the AHMP in terms of providing additional attendees and additional room nights for the AHMP National Meeting. In addition, the IHMM has historically been a Silver Sponsor and Exhibitor at the Meeting, providing additional revenue for the event.

IHMM recently announced the hiring of a new Executive Director, Eugene Guilford Jr. Mr. Guilford has a background as a lobbyist and will helping IHMM extend its efforts for credential protection.   Credential protection was recently secured in Wisconsin and IHMM is making a similar effort in Florida.   Also, several states have legislation which may affect professional credentials and licenses. One example of such legislation, now pending in Ohio, is SB 255. IHMM and our associated lobbying group have contacted the respective authors of this legislation, with the intent making sure these legislators understand the value of professional credentials. Also to have these authors to consider extending legal protection for those holding these credentials against those who represent they have a credential, when in fact, they do not.

IHMM continues its efforts with the CPCIF in China. The CPCIF will assist IHMM in supporting the Certified Dangerous Goods Professional (CDGP) certification in China. IHMM is now taking applications for that certification and is expecting to offer the examination in China in November.   In anticipation of offering the exam, IHMM has recently updated its blueprint for the CDGP Exam. The Board thanks all the Committee members and IHMM Staff whose hard work made this recent update possible.

IHMM continues to upgrade and automate its back office operations. Certificants should be receiving automated reminders when recertification or when fees are due. It is important and incumbent upon Certificants to keep their contact information

current with IHMM. IHMM has a hard time contacting you if your information is incorrect or dated. IHMM recommends that you start your recertification application now. By doing so, you can just add in documentation of training for recertification points as you earn them and avoid the stress of trying to compile 5 years of records when your application is due.

IHMM will be holding elections some seats on its Board of Directors. Certificants will be sent instructions on how to vote in the upcoming month and are encouraged to cast their vote immediately upon getting instructions.

IHMM’s office lease is up at the end of the year. Current plans are to move to a more welcoming and modern space by January 2019. IHMM will advise all Certificants of our new address, once the move has been completed.

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Written by Mark Baumgardner, CHMM

Created: 23 October 2018

Last Updated: 23 October 2018