West Michigan Chapter of the ASSE

Feb 2005 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

Chad Boelman, Safety Administrator of Koyo Corporation - Battle Creek passed his ASP in December and plans to take the CSP later this year. Good Work Chad!

Dan Hempsall just started this job as safety engineer with Undercar Products Group. He is currently listed as a "contract to hire" employee working through K-force staffing. He says "They seem like an excellent group of people who are really gung ho about making this a top notch company as far as safety is concerned.."

NEW MEMBERS: (We will be listing our new members to help recognize these wise folks who have decided there is value in joining the West Michigan ASSE!)

        - Robert Blahnik of Engineered Plastic Components - Kalamazoo was         sponsored by Clark Corey.
        - Edwin Emrich of Personal Safety Services - Benton Harbor was         sponsored by Mike Rabach.
        - Jack Routley of Pro Services in Portage was sponsored by Mike Rabach.

We hope to meet these folks at a future meeting, and thank Clark and Mike for sponsoring them.

ASP/CSP STUDY GROUP

We had about 10 people attend the initial meeting for an ASP/CSP study group. These people are enthusiastic about preparing for - and then passing the test to become certified.

If you have any interest let Pat know. His phone is 616-233-4256

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.

QUESTION OF THE MONTH

You got a month off last month - but we come back strong with two questions! These are serious - Our members have asked and I don't have an answer.

1. Does anyone have a simple listing of training requirements and frequency of said training for Environmental - Haz Mat, etc.?

2. Many of you have probably heard of a new safety product for saws called Sawstop. If you haven't - it's new technology that claims to use sensors that stop a saw blade so quickly a hot dog is barely nicked by the blade. Further this technology costs only $50 to $100 (from their website). You can check this out at. http://www.sawstop.com/home.htm http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00108.asp.

Has anyone out there had actual experience with Sawstop? Given the low price and the terrible injuries we see with saws it seems too good to be true. Send in any testimonials - good or bad - and we'll share with our readers.

MEETING INFORMATION

The West Michigan Industrial Hygiene Society has two meetings coming up. Both sound like they will contain some really nice information.

Feb. 16th - Communication's Workshop featuring non-verbal communication skills, Communicating with Technical Jargon and Listening Skills. 9AM to Noon Cost $25 non-members

March 16th - Ventilation: Hands on approach 9 AM to 4 PM Cost $60 non-members Contact Julie Callaway at BDN Industrial Hygiene Consultants to RSVP or for information! Phone 269 329-1237
ANNUAL GOLF OUTING

Mike Rabach has generously volunteered to organize our golf outing. It's planned for a 9 AM tee time on June 17th. We are looking for sponsors and/or for door prizes. You can call Mike at 231 773 6791. This is generally the best attended .meeting. of the year - so it's a great opportunity to showcase your company!

FINANCIAL UPDATE

You may wonder what our Chapter does with the dues you pay. Here are several answers.

The Board obviously approves all expenditures above and beyond basic costs. The Board recently decided to purchase the study materials for the CSP/ASP exams to help our membership.

There is a contest to award student scholarships. An award totaling $1000 will be given away to three students who participate in the scholarship program. In order to win, a student must submit a paper on their views of the future of the safety profession. The awards will be announced at the Michigan Safety Conference. If you are a student and are interested in competing, please contact your professors or Clara DeVries at cdevries@parker.com for information. Applications and papers are due by April 1.

Our treasurer - Brian Becker - provided an update through the end of Dec. (This was requested back in early January so we are late - not Brian) In March 2004 we had a balance in savings of $4,057.49. As of December 31 our balance was $5,863.18. We spent $546 for the study guides in early January so we have approximately $5,300 in our account.

We encourage your input. If you have thoughts on our spending please contact an officer.

HERMAN MILLER SAFETY CONFERENCE - March 15th

We would like to extend our thanks to Herman Miller for opening an invitation to all those involved in Safety to attend a full day conference on safety issues. Those who attended last year's session know how much information was packed into these sessions! Herman Miller is offering this to our members at no cost. We hope that if you attend you will help network with their safety people and extend your appreciation.

This year's date is March 15th from 7:45 AM to 4:30. Four speakers are planned. Pat McDonnell will talk about "Leading for Organizational Excellence." Pat's talk will include a look at how to give your company the competitive advantage to impact their bottom line. Samual Gualardo will cover "Thirteen Critical Elements to Achieving Safety Performance Excellence." Sam is a nationally recognized expert on safety management and has lectured both nationally and internationally. Patricia Burns will discuss "Safety concepts for Line Management." Patricia works for DuPont Safety Resources and was based in Brussels Belgium prior to joining Dupont's North Central Region. The last speaker will be challenged to keep everyone awake. Peter Furst will talk on "Balancing Safety." Peter has 20 years in construction safety and kept his EMR at or below 0.50!

Space will be limited so get your name in early if interested! Contact Mary Arocha at Herman Miller (616) 654-3200 for information or to get your name on the list!

Two Quick Jokes

Nurse: "Doctor - there's a man in the waiting room who claims he's the invisible man..
Doctor: "Tell him I can't see him."
- (Thanks to "the Skippy Ala King Joke Book")

My cousin got so involved in line dancing that he became addicted. It was so bad that he had to join a two step program! (Readers. Digest)