Thank you to all who attended our February 18, 2026 virtual technical session featuring Dr. George Gruetzmacher, a highly respected industrial hygienist with more than 40 years of experience in exposure assessment, engineering controls, and risk communication. The session provided members with a clear, practical walkthrough of AIHA’s exposure assessment strategy and the statistical tools that support more accurate decision‑making in the field.
Dr. Gruetzmacher began by outlining the challenges industrial hygienists face when evaluating exposure data—particularly the tendency to underestimate exposures when relying solely on professional judgment. He emphasized how heuristics, structured strategies, and statistical methods help reduce bias and improve the reliability of exposure assessments.
Participants were introduced to AIHA’s iterative exposure assessment strategy, which begins with qualitative evaluations and progresses to quantitative sampling and analysis as needed. Dr. Gruetzmacher highlighted how qualitative tools can be applied through observation, while quantitative tools become essential once sampling data is available.
The session also included an overview of AIHA’s free online analytical tools and training resources, which support statistical evaluation of sampling data. Attendees learned how to locate, select, and apply these tools to determine exposure categories, identify elevated risks, and guide appropriate control measures.
By the end of the presentation, participants gained a clearer understanding of how a structured, statistically informed approach leads to more accurate exposure assessments, better targeting of controls, and ultimately a reduction in occupational illness and disease.
About the Speaker: Dr. George Gruetzmacher is a Certified Industrial Hygienist, Certified Safety Professional, and AIHA Fellow with more than four decades of experience in occupational health and safety. He works in the OSHA On‑Site Consultation Program, teaches at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, and serves as a research scientist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His extensive background in industrial hygiene, safety management systems, and emergency management made him an exceptional resource for this session.
Special thanks to both Zane Frund, MSA Safety (Pittsburgh AIHA President-Elect / Program Committee Chair), and Joseph Hill (Member Networks Coordinator & LS Liaison, AIHA) for organizing this event! We would also like to acknowledge the following members / guests who participated in the event:
Dr. Gruetzmacher began by outlining the challenges industrial hygienists face when evaluating exposure data—particularly the tendency to underestimate exposures when relying solely on professional judgment. He emphasized how heuristics, structured strategies, and statistical methods help reduce bias and improve the reliability of exposure assessments.
Participants were introduced to AIHA’s iterative exposure assessment strategy, which begins with qualitative evaluations and progresses to quantitative sampling and analysis as needed. Dr. Gruetzmacher highlighted how qualitative tools can be applied through observation, while quantitative tools become essential once sampling data is available.
The session also included an overview of AIHA’s free online analytical tools and training resources, which support statistical evaluation of sampling data. Attendees learned how to locate, select, and apply these tools to determine exposure categories, identify elevated risks, and guide appropriate control measures.
By the end of the presentation, participants gained a clearer understanding of how a structured, statistically informed approach leads to more accurate exposure assessments, better targeting of controls, and ultimately a reduction in occupational illness and disease.
About the Speaker: Dr. George Gruetzmacher is a Certified Industrial Hygienist, Certified Safety Professional, and AIHA Fellow with more than four decades of experience in occupational health and safety. He works in the OSHA On‑Site Consultation Program, teaches at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, and serves as a research scientist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His extensive background in industrial hygiene, safety management systems, and emergency management made him an exceptional resource for this session.
Special thanks to both Zane Frund, MSA Safety (Pittsburgh AIHA President-Elect / Program Committee Chair), and Joseph Hill (Member Networks Coordinator & LS Liaison, AIHA) for organizing this event! We would also like to acknowledge the following members / guests who participated in the event:
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