Safety Professional of the Year

Dave Baker, Safety Supervisor with TEP Corporation, was selected as the Safety Professional of the Year by the American Society of Safety Engineers, Southern Arizona Chapter (ASSE SAC). Chuck Gessner, President of the ASSE chapter, presented the award to Dave at the organization's annual banquet this past Friday, May 18, 2007. Dave is intimately involved in many safety endeavors in Southern Arizona, including contractor safety training, Arizona Blue Stake, investigations, contractor organizations such as Tucson Utility Contractor's Association (TUCA) and American General Contractors (AGC). In addition, Dave was involved in founding the Southern Arizona Safety Council. Dave eagerly shares safety information with the safety community and is a great resource for the safety community as well.
Congratulations, Dave!!

Community Safety Award

Granite Construction Company was recognized for its strong commitment to Safety. "Safety is more than a priority at Granite, here safety is a value." Granite's Accident Prevention Program includes formal safety training, inspections, audits, and a formalized system of reporting. The Company recognizes that accident prevention is a line management responsibility and that responsibility is shared at every level of the organization from the President all the way through to the craft workforce. Our community is better because of companies like Granite.

Sheila Robinson and the Pima Community College Motorcycle Rider Education Program was also awarded the Community Safety Award by the ASSE SAC. Ms. Robinson has been "growing" this education program for the past 10 years.

She strives to improve and expand the program and is passionate about making motorcycle rider training accessible to as many people as possible.
Robinson says "education isn't expensive, but ignorance is." Robinson, along with a staff of 25 instructors, give up their weekends to help new riders learn to ride and to help experienced riders learn to ride better.

In addition to the PCC Motorcycle Rider program, Robinson also serves as Chairperson of the Arizona Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council. In addition, Robinson spends a lot of time conducting motorcycle awareness presentations in high school driver's education classes. Our community owes a debt of gratitude to Pima Community College for its foresight in establishing and funding this program. Our community is lucky to have people like Sheila Robinson who take action to mentor motorcycle riders regardless of their age.

Safety Professional of the Year Award Criteria

1. Eligibility
Nominees must be a Professional Member or Member of the Society and must not have received this award within the past five (5) years. Nominees must be active dues-paying members of a Chapter. Nominees cannot be running opposed for national ASSE Executive Committee office or currently serving on the national Technical and Professional Recognition Committee.

2. Judging Criteria
Only the nominee's past five (5) years activities will be considered.

A. Demonstrated technical expertise in the broad field of safety and a thorough knowledge of the operational aspects of his/her safety employment.

Society, Council, Chapter, Region or Practice Specialty activities,including committee or task force chair, officer, project director,services to members, lecturer at seminars, etc.

Professional contributions to advance the Safety profession, such as fostering professional development, public/community services,instructor at educational institutions, involvement in codes andlegislation, articles written, work with allied groups, etc.

Awards and innovations, including citations, honors, plaques or new procedures or systems developed.

Leadership in establishment, maintenance and improvement of technical or Society programs in organization nominee serves or elsewhere.

Other personal achievements related to safety and health.

Endorsements by superiors and verifications by associates, in the form of letters on appropriate stationery of the employer and Chapter, Council, Region or Practice Specialty.

3. Award and Presentation
The Chapter Safety Professional of the Year winner receives a handsome engraved plaque for display in home or office and is eligible for nomination to Regional, Practice Specialty and National Safety Professional of the Year awards.

Community Safety Leadership Award Criteria

1. Eligibility
Nominees must be a business or professional leader in the community who has demonstrated leadership in furthering the safety and health in the workplace or the community at large. Nominees must not have received this award within the past five (5) years.

2. Judging Criteria
Only the nominee's past five (5) years activities will be considered.

Leadership in establishment, maintenance and improvement of safety and health programs in business or the community.

Awards and innovations, including citations, honors, plaques or new procedures or systems developed

Professional contributions to advance the Safety profession, such as fostering professional development, public/community services,instructor at educational institutions, involvement in codes and legislation, articles written, work with allied groups, etc.

Other personal achievements related to safety and health.

3. Award and Presentation
The Chapter Community Safety Leadership Award recipient receives a handsome engraved plaque for display in home or office.