As part of our ongoing interview series with members of the National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health, we caught up with Commissioner Lawrence Sloan, CEO of American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), to get details on the organization’s new Heat Stress Mobile App, released in the summer of 2024.

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Could you explain how AIHA’s app functions and its importance for safeguarding workers?

AIHA’s Heat Stress Mobile App is designed to help workers and employers monitor heat risks more accurately using Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), unlike other tools that rely on heat index. It allows users to enter factors like workload intensity, clothing type, and cloud coverage to get real-time risk assessments and health guidance.

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What’s one thing employers can do today to protect workers and adapt to our changing climate?

Start using the app! It’s available globally and is an essential tool for managing outdoor work crews. By inputting localized data, supervisors can make informed decisions to protect worker health and safety.

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What are your key objectives for this initiative?

We aim to expand awareness of the app and continuously improve its functionalities. Feedback from employers and workers will help us enhance its value and efficacy.

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Is there a particular resource or podcast you’d recommend to our readers?

I’d recommend the Global Solutions and Outreach Programs (GSOP), a system-focused effort to address climate change. It’s an inspiring initiative that offers a structured approach to tackling this global issue.

‍‍Lawrence Sloan is the CEO of AIHA and previously led the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA), a trade association for the U.S. specialty chemical industry. He began his nonprofit career at the Adhesive and Sealant Council, becoming CEO in January 2005. Sloan holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

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