H.B. 82

126th General Assembly

(As Introduced)

 

Rep.       Hughes

·        Prohibits a person from assuming or using the titles or designations of "Certified Health Physicists" and "Registered Radiation Protection Technologist" or the abbreviations "CHP" or "RRPT" without possessing the applicable certification.

·        Changes the title "Industrial Hygienist In Training" to "Certified Associate Industrial Hygienist" throughout the Practices of Occupational Safety or Industrial Hygiene Law (R.C. Chapter 4777.).

Background

Current law prohibits any person from using the title or designation "Certified Industrial Hygienist," "Industrial Hygienist In Training," "Certified Safety Professional," or "Associate Safety Professional," or any of the abbreviations "CIH," "IHIT," "CSP," or "ASP," unless that person is certified by either the American Board of Industrial Hygiene or the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, as appropriate.  Any person who violates this prohibition is guilty of a fourth degree misdemeanor.[1]  (Secs. 4777.02 and 4777.99, not in the bill.)

Change of the title "Industrial Hygienist In Training" to "Certified Associate Industrial Hygienist"

Under current law, to use the title  "Industrial Hygienist In Training" or the abbreviation "IHIT," a person must possess a valid, unexpired certification from the American Board of Industrial Hygiene.  The bill changes this title to "Certified Associate Industrial Hygienist" and correspondingly changes the abbreviation to "CAIH," throughout the Practices of Occupational Safety or Industrial Hygiene Law (R.C. Chapter 4777.).  (Secs. 4777.01(C), 4777.02, 4777.03(B), and 4777.04(A).)

Title protection for Certified Health Physicists and Registered Radiation Protection Technologist

The bill defines "the practice of health physics" as the science and art devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of radioactive material releases and potential radiation hazards in or from the workplace that may cause impaired health and well-being or injury among workers, and may also impact the general community and the environment (sec. 4777.01(G)).  In addition to the title protections listed above, the bill prohibits any person from assuming or using the title or designation "Certified Health Physicist" or "Registered Radiation Protection Technologist" or the abbreviations "CHP" or "RRPT" without possessing the applicable certification (sec. 4777.02).  Under existing law made applicable by the bill, whoever violates this prohibition is guilty of a fourth degree misdemeanor (sec. 4777.99, not in the bill).[2]

In order to use the title "Certified Health Physicist" or the abbreviation "CHP," a person must possess a valid, unexpired certification from the American Board of Health Physicists (secs. 4777.01(H) and 4777.03(E)).  In order to use the title "Registered Radiation Protection Technologist" or the abbreviation "RRPT," a person must possess a valid, unexpired registration from the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists (secs. 4777.01(I) and 4777.03(F)).

Exceptions

Under current law, certain individuals are not prohibited from engaging in the practice of industrial hygiene and the practice of occupational safety.  The bill modifies those exceptions to include the practice of health physics.  Therefore, under the bill, the following individuals are not prohibited from engaging in the practice of industrial hygiene, the practice of health physics, and the practice of occupational safety:

(1)  A person working as an apprentice under the supervision of a Certified Industrial Hygienist, Certified Associate Industrial Hygienist, Certified Safety Professional, Associate Safety Professional, Certified Health Physicist, or Registered Radiation Protection Technologist.

(2)  A person engaging in the supervised practice of industrial hygiene, the practice of health physics, or the practice of occupational safety through a course of study in that practice.

(3)  A person who holds a certification, registration, or license under another section of the Revised Code if that person does not violate the title protection provision described above.

(4)  A person engaging in activities within the scope of the practice of industrial hygiene, the practice of occupational safety, or the practice of health physics who does not meet the certification requirements specified by current law and the bill if that person does not violate the title protection provision described above.  Such a person includes a person who is certified, registered, or licensed by groups, organizations, or certifying bodies other than the American Board of Industrial Hygiene, the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, the American Board of Health Physicists, or the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists.  (Sec. 4777.04.)

ACTION	DATE	JOURNAL ENTRY
Introduced	02-23-05	p.         233

 

 

 

H0082-I-126.doc/jc