RESULTS OF A SURVEY TO ASSESS CURRICULUM NEEDS FOR ACADEMIC TRAINING-PROGRAMS IN HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

With the advent of new industrial hygiene academic training programs i n hazardous substances, located at nine United Stares universities, a curriculum needs assessment survey was developed at the University of Minnesota and completed by members of the joint American Industrial Hy giene Association/American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygie nists Hazardous Waste Committee and members of the Health and Safety S ubcommittee of the Hazardous Waste Action Coalition. The survey asked respondents to indicate whether 27 course subjects (1) should be requi red (2) may be required or elective, (3) should be elective, or (4) sh ould nor be offered. Respondents were also asked to recommend addition al course subjects, research needs in the hazardous materials and wast e field and certifications to be pursued. Results from 50 completed su rveys (50% response rate) showed that about half of the respondents wo rk for consulting companies and have more than 15 years of experience in the hazardous material or waste field. The courses receiving the mo st ''required'' responses included (1) the relevant regulations, (2) w orker training in health and safety, (3) waste management technology, (4) pollution prevention, and (5) treatment technology. Of elective su bjects, respondents recommended education in communications, public af fairs, negotiations and conflict resolution, property inspection, gove rnment relations, and air pollution modeling. Respondents indicated th e strongest research needs were in the areas of direct reading instrum ents (improved versions and their use for personal exposure monitoring ) and heat stress management of personnel wearing protective clothing. Respondents felt that the best qualifications to pursue after graduat ion were the Certified Industrial Hygienist designation alone, or in c ombination with the Certified Safety Professional designation.