The response to the American Society of Safety Engineers’ (ASSE) new ‘Salute Your Safety Professional’ program launched earlier this month (5/4/11) for the annual Occupational Safety and Health Professional (OSHP) day has been overwhelming. Hundreds of companies have taken the time to salute their safety professionals and teams highlighting their commitment to workplace safety for OSHP 2011 day.
Groups such as the Milwaukee School of Engineering, the ITT Corporation, Dow Chemical, Kuwait Oil Company, ConocoPhillips, Brinkman Constructors, and the Walt Disney Company, saluted their occupational safety, health and environmental professional members who work around the clock to make sure all employees leave work injury and illness free to return home every day to their families and friends. Those employees and teams are being recognized on the ASSE web site.
ConocoPhillips noted that its hundreds of safety professionals have worked tirelessly over the past several years to reduce injuries and have done so by 65% while executing over 1.5 billion work hours. The group, it was noted, has created rigorous systems, processes, and their attention to detail has made work sites safer.
One of the safety professionals recognized on the site is Julie LaRose of the Milwaukee School of Engineering who, according to school officials, “has taken charge and made a difference—she has put health and safety on the minds of everyone working and living at the university through spreading knowledge about fire extinguisher training, blood borne pathogens, hazardous waste training, PPE use, and has improved safety awareness at the school.”
According to Kuwait Oil Company officials, safety professional Hamad Al-Kandari provides great safety leadership and guidance for the company’s Exploration and Production Development Directorate office. He has introduced innovative health, safety, and environmental (HSE) communication tools including an HSE extranet for company business partners. They noted that, as a result, the directorate’s performance has improved substantially the past two years and continues to do so.
The Terex Aerial Work Platforms Company noted its safety and health professional team has a fun, cooperative, and improvement-oriented style where ergonomics is a key focus with dedicated teams committed to safety.
Tim Myatt was described as the “best safety director ever” by Brinkmann Constructors stating, “he makes sure we all are following proper safety guidelines on job sites across the country, holds weekly safety walks with staff, and knows all areas of safety.”
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s division of safety and hygiene was recognized as the “team that strives to protect and educate employers in Ohio to promote safety for all.”
Disney recognized several safety professionals for their diligence in protecting workers. Mark Tylec, of Disney, was noted for his ability and reputation to follow through on several safety issues, and works with all employees in order to enhance safety. Michelle Demarest focuses on prevention through design and “is thankful for the injuries that have been prevented due to her critical review and input on projects large and small.”
To launch the new program, ASSE sent a letter to the Fortune 500 companies in February alerting them to the new ‘Salute Your Safety Professional’ program in addition to the 35+ members of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Alliance Program’s North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week supporters. As a result, several companies from all industries are participating and putting the spotlight on their safety professionals and teams. ASSE will continue to add to the listing through October 14, 2011, ASSE’s 100th birthday.
Occupational safety, health, and environmental professionals prevent harm to people, property, and the environment by applying principles from engineering, education, psychology, physiology, enforcement, hygiene, health, physics, and management. The safety professional uses appropriate methods and techniques of loss prevention and control and works in all industries worldwide.
