West Michigan Chapter of the ASSE

Dec 2004 News

What's Shakin??

This section provides an opportunity to brag abut promotions, certifications, announce job changes and generally keep track of what is happening in the safety community. If you, or someone you know, has reason to brag - please let us know

Back, but seemingly not forgotten--- Lewis Wiedewitsch has recently taken an EHS Engineer position with Citation Corp. in Grand Rapids. He has responsibility for Health, Safety and Environmental for two facilities, one in Grand Rapids and the other in Lowell, Michigan. Actually he never really officially left the area.

KELLOGG's is now the home of John Hoekstra. John says; "I went from being a Complex Safety Manager for ConAgra Foods (for seven years) to becoming a Corporate Safety Manager for Kellogg Company. My 13 1/2 years of experience in safety come from working in diverse industries such as office furniture, oil exploration, transportation, automotive, and food manufacturing/distribution. My current role focuses in on safety for 49 distribution centers, 30 sales zones, and four regional offices within the United States. Another great thing about this job change is that it was unnecessary to relocate to work at the World Headquarters for Kellogg. I already lived in Battle Creek." John has his BS in Safety from GVSU as well as an MBA with dual concentrations in Finance and Management from Spring Arbor University! Congratulations to John.

ASP/CSP Study Guides

Pat Knight, our Education Chairperson, has located the ASP/CSP study guides and they are available to our members for short periods of time.

If anyone has copies that they no longer need (having passed the tests) and would like to share with our membership we would love to put them to use.

ASP/CSP Study Group Forming?

Pat Knight - Education Chair would like to hear from you if you are interested in participating in a study group for ASP or CSP. Please call him or send him an email as soon as possible to confirm your interest in starting such a session. YOUR INPUT is essential for the Chapter to determine the value of such a group session. If we have enough interest, the Education Section will identify a place and time for sessions to be held regularly. In addition, the WMASSE Chapter Board is willing to invest by purchasing the necessary materials to make the most current information available to for your success. If there is interest in Kalamazoo, we may have a session there as well.

Call Pat at 616-233-4256 or email at Patrick.P.Knight@marsh.com.

NOMINATION COMMITTEE FORMING FOR NEXT YEAR's OFFICERS

Eric Krieger will be heading up a committee for next year's officers. If you are interested in being on the committee or serving give Eric a call at 616 446-0103.

JANUARY BOARD MEETING

January's Board meeting is planned for 7:30 AM January 6th at Steak & Shake on Clyde Park and 54th St.

Safety Person Of The Year Nominations

Nominations are now being received for the West Michigan Chapter of The American Society of Safety Engineer's Safety Person of The Year Award. This is one of the most important awards a safety professional can receive as it is bestowed by one.s peers and is meant to recognize outstanding service to the profession and the Chapter. To nominate an individual, e-mail Greg Green at greeng@gvsu.edu and provide the individuals. name and the reason you are nominating them.

QUESTION OF THE MONTH

Last month we asked for anyone who has had success with a mentoring program. We only got one response from a person who works for MIOSHA. The comment was that the VPP programs require companies who have great safety programs (and have the VPP recognition) to mentor others who want to improve.

Sadly it doesn't appear any companies have a similar mentoring program working person to person to help new workers get adjusted and to work safely.

I do have two other questions that came from a couple of our members. One recently started with a company that has manufacturing plants around the world. His question: "What safety metrics (leading and lagging) do our members track"?

The other person is struggling with deliveries for their fleet - handling various packaging safely to avoid injuries. The question is "Do any of our members have effective programs using lift assists, or other means to control material handling exposures for delivery drivers when moving a variety of shapes and sizes?"

Respond by e-mail to Elongman@thehartford.com or fax a response to 616 891-7949. Let me know if I can use your name and/or company in a future article. Some special recognition or prize will likely be given in thanks.

GET YOUR WM-ASSE SHIRT NOW!
News from the shirt man, as I have been called lately. Last years attendance contest has 3 people who still have a shirt coming to them- Bill Deemer, Pat Knight, & Paul Stefanski.

We have shirts left over, for $10.00 each . Womens only: 1 small W/ ASSE logo. 2 -XL's, 1 L, 2 S's.

Some have asked about buying their own shirts. EmbroidMe - 4643 Alpine Ave. NW, (616) 784-8336 has the logo in their system. $15.00 for embroidery on your own shirt. Any questions -See Mike Rabach at a meeting or call at 231-773-6791

JOB POSTINGS

We recently heard that MIOSHA has opened up for applications. There are approx. 8 openings in various areas. Check the Civil Service for the State for more information.

SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAMS

Our friends at CET asked that we remind our members of their many training programs. You can find them on the web at www.michigan.gov/miosha