Technical Tours
Technical Tours
Technical tours offer attendees the opportunity to go “behind the scenes” to look at OEHS issues in the daily operation of a facility or program. These tours are led by an industrial hygienist or other safety professional. Tours are considered part of the education program, and CM points are awarded in the same manner as if a registrant were attending a session. We offer a limited number of tours during AIHA Connect, which defines the facilities selected as those featuring “best practice” OEHS standards.
All technical tours, unless otherwise noted are $60 (advance rate when purchased by 3/29/2026) and $75 (beginning 3/30/2026).
Tuesday, June 2
Tuesday, June 2
8:00 a.m.-Noon
Description: This tour will provide an overview of the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility with a factory tour of the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion production areas.
Capacity: 45
Security Requirements: US citizens only; no exceptions. Must have a physical Real ID or US Passport for entry. Note: NASA does not accept electronic IDs.
NOTE: To facilitate security access, AIHA will ask for and provide NASA with the following registrant data for all tour participants: The first and last name as they appear on the participant’s driver’s license or passport, nationality, agency/company name, title, email address, and cell phone. Registration for this tour closes on Thursday, May 21. No additional registrations will be accepted on or after May 22.
Additional Requirements: All visitors must wear long pants, closed-toe shoes (no heels above 2"), shirts/blouses with sleeves (short or long). No large purses or backpacks will be allowed in the facility. No video or photography is allowed on the factory tour; however, NASA will provide a photographer to capture group photos and candid shots.
Schedule (anticipated):
- 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.: Depart Convention Center for NASA Michoud Assembly Facility
- 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.: Tour
- 11:00 a.m.-Noon: Depart NASA Michoud for Convention Center
Fee: $60 (advance rate) or $75 (beginning 3/30/2026)
Wednesday, June 3
Wednesday, June 3
8:00 a.m.-Noon
Description: This tour will be an overview of the first two facilities involved in manufacturing "Renewable Diesel":
- receipt of feed stocks by rail with conveyance to storage, and
- pretreating feedstocks to prepare for conventional refining processes.
The one-hour tour periods will include an overview of the equipment, workflow, associated potential hazards, and time for questions and answers.
Capacity: 40
Security Requirements: Participants must stay in their group with the tour guide at all times and follow all directions of the guide to ensure everyone's safety.
Additional Requirements: Participants must have closed-toe footwear with quality soles. Participants will be loaned FRC coveralls by Bulwark and other PPE (hard hat, safety glasses, and gloves) by Chalmette Refining. All PPE will be returned at the end of the tour.
Schedule (anticipated):
- 8:00 a.m. – Depart Convention Center
- 8:45 a.m. – Arrive at Chalmette Refining – Saint Bernard Renewables. Review important safety and health rules for the tour and split into 2 groups.
- 9:00 a.m.-9:45 a.m. – Group A remains on bus for drive-by tour of the rail offloading operation, conveyors, and storage. Group B walks through the PTU with a guide.
- 10:00 a.m.–10:45 a.m. - Groups switch
- 11:00 a.m. – Depart facility for return to Convention Center
- 11:45 a.m. - Arrive Convention Center
Fee: $60 (advanced rate) or $75 (beginning 3/30/2026)
