Welcome!

Welcome to the new ASSE St. Louis Chapter website!

2010 Mid-America Safety, Health & Environmentalk Conference and Exposition

May 4-7, 2010 - Tan-Tar-A Resort - Osage Beach, Missouri

"Seeking Sustainable Solutions"

The 2010 Conference featured expanded technical sessions, including new technical tracks for Occupational Health, Sustainability, and Fire Safety, as well as new speakers from OSHA, Homeland Security, and NIOSH and an enhanced Expo Hall with live entertainment and special Expo gifts and drawings!

See www.missourisafetycouncil.org for more information.

2010-2011 Officer Nominations

The Nomination Committee respectfully offers the following St. Louis Chapter members to serve on the 2010-2011 Executive Committee as officers. An election will be held during the May meeting and Officer transitions will take place in June 2010.

Candidate for President

Harry Miller, CSP, CHST
Harry Miller, CSP, CHST, is an authorized trainer for OSHA, in both General Industry and Construction, has served public and private sector customers with their safety needs by performing audits, reviews, inspections and training in OSHA compliance for 12 years. Currently Harry is one of the Safety Directors for the Greater St. Louis Carpenters District Council (CDC). He works with both contractors and members promoting health and safety issues. He holds a B.A. in Human Resource Management and a M.S.A in Business from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. He resides in Wentzville, MO and has three children. Currently serving as Vice President.

Candidate for Vice President

Erin Mutert, CSP
I am responsible for providing safety consulting services to help clients reduce risks associated with workers’ compensation, auto liability, general liability and property exposures. In addition to coordinating training sessions for clients at JW Terrill, I also coordinate the loss control seminar series at our office. These tasks require me to do a lot of the same duties that the secretary for ASSE would be responsible for. I maintain a client and attendance list for each seminar, send invites, coordinate speakers, and compile handout materials and follow-up information. I have the ability to communicate well with others and I am a very organized person.

In college I was the president of our ASSE student chapter at Central Missouri State. I worked closely with the other board members and understand the responsibilities of this position.

I feel my experiences at work and with the student section will allow me to best serve the St. Louis Chapter. I look forward to the opportunity and hope that you will elect me as your Vice-President. Currently serving as Secretary.

Candidate for Treasurer

Bill White, RBSM
Currently serving as Treasurer.

Candidate for Secretary

Dennis Dubitsky, CSP, CHMM
I am a twenty year veteran in the safety and health profession. For the past few years, I've been a local member and a Professional Member in ASSE. Over my career, I have been active in professional organizations, participating and contributing on the various boards. I have personally realized the benefits and advantages of membership in the ASSE and find participation on the board as a way to contribute to its success and give back to the organization.

Professionally, I am the Corporate Safety Director for Guarantee Electrical. I have responsibility for four divisions in four different states. My goals include identifying and implementing strategic initiatives that will build on current organizational strengths while continuously improving on our vision of “zero injury/harm”.

If chosen, I would look forward to the opportunity of actively working on the board of STL Chapter, ASSE.

President's Corner - February 2010

Two weeks have slipped away since Chris Walters’ untimely passing. It is still unbelievable to many. He was sincerely a terrific guy who will be missed greatly. The St. Louis Chapter received many warm emails and phone calls from other ASSE chapters across the country and even across the globe. One sympathy email came from the Kuwait Chapter. Chris was also popular in the Nutmeg Chapter he attended in Connecticut while working out East. They were quick to offer condolences as well and ask how to help. Each email that came in was looking for a way to help Chris’ family, and to honor his life. We will be posting the emails on our web page for all to see, and I’m printing them for Mrs. Walters to have as well. If any of you have a fond memory to share, you can send it to me and I will include it with the others for her and the children. Also, a fund has been set up at US Bank for Chris’s family. If anyone has questions or suggestions in publicizing the fund please do not hesitate to contact Mark Steinbrecher at 314.220.6345. For purposes of money being sent to the bank, the account is as follows, checks should be made payable to the “V. Chris Walters Family Fund”. Or you can drop off at any US Bank. While I wish it were under better circumstances, it was still nice to see how many ASSE members took the time to show they cared about a fellow professional.

V. Chris Walters Family Fund
c/o Parkside Financial Bank & Trust
8112 Maryland Ave. Suite 101
Clayton, MO 63105

Peace, prayer and blessings. Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family throughout this time of sadness and grief.

Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow,
May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.

~Author Unknown

Sheila Schmidt, CSP, ARM
2009-2010 ASSE St. Louis Chapter President

St. Louis Area Safety Professional Chris Walters Passes Away in Power Plant Explosion

Chris Walters, a member of Nutmeg Chapter and the Saint Louis Chapter of ASSE, was among five people who lost their lives Sunday in the explosion in Middletown, Connecticut. At the time of his death, he was safety manager of Keystone Construction and Maintenance Services. He was a dedicated member of ASSE, a dedicated safety professional, and a good friend. He leaves a family in Flourissant, MO.

The visitation will take place on Monday, February 15th from 3:00-8:00pm at Hutchens Mortuary, 675 Graham Road, Florissant, MO 63031 (map), and the funeral service will be on Tuesday, February 16th at 10:30am at St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Church, 3500 St. Catherine St., Florissant, MO 63033 (map).

The following Trust fund has been set up for Chris’s family. If anyone has questions or suggestion in publicizing the fund please do not hesitate to contact Mark Steinbrecher at 314.220.6345. For purposes of money being sent to the bank, the account is as follows, checks should be made payable to the V. Chris Walters Family Fund.

V. Chris Walters Family Fund
c/o Parkside Financial Bank & Trust
8112 Maryland Ave. Suite 101
Clayton, MO 63105

We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Walters and will certainly keep them in our thoughts during this difficult time. We have received questions and offers to help from many of you, and wanted to communicate to those of you who may not have heard. Thank you all for your support and assistance to the family of Mr. Walters.

More information is available at the links below.

2010 ASSE/AIHA St. Louis Chapter PDC

Monday, March 8, 2010 - Ameren UE Headquarters

Sponsored by Ace Industrial

Ace Industrial is a St. Louis based manufacturer of industrial fume extractors. For over fifty years, Ace has designed and built extractors specifically for welding, metalworking, and related processes, with specific emphasis on developing products that meet a wide variety of work applications. In order to accomplish the goal of maximum product flexibility, Ace has stayed abreast of ongoing developments in welder breathing safety and has responded with relevant equipment. For example, the implementation of OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1026, which addresses the control of airborne Hexavalent Chromium, is of particular concern in the welding community, and Ace has introduced with a variety of products, procedures, and training to help industry achieve worker safety and regulatory compliance. Tim Cronin, Ace Industrial’s Product Manager, will discuss the new OSHA standard, the reaction (some might say over-reaction) in the welding community to the new standard, Ace’s efforts to assist welders with objective data and realistic solutions, and the implications and opportunities for safety professionals.

Questions About the Conference?

General Sessions

OSHA Update
Rich Fairfax, CIH - Director Enforcement Programs, Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Washington, DC

Rich's presentation will cover what's new with OSHA, current enforcement data, top violations cited by the agency, and where the agency will be focusing its resources during the current administration. (1 Hour)

Regional Homeland Security: What is Being Planned
Nick Gragnani - Executive Director, St Louis Area Regional Response System (STARRS)

Nick will talk about STARS and how this bi-state organization is planning for emergency response in the St Louis metropolitan region. (1 Hour)

Health and Safety Overview of Welding Hazards
Mike Harris, Ph.D - President, Hamlin & Harris, Inc. - Baton Rouge, LA

This was rated as one of the top 10 PDCs in 2009. (2 Hours)

IH Session

Anticipation, Recognition, Evaluation and Control of Welding Health Hazards
Mike Harris, Ph.D - President, Hamlin & Harris, Inc. - Baton Rouge, LA

This was rated as one of the top 10 PDCs in 2009. (4 Hours)

Safety Sessions

Silicia in Construction: It's Not Just Dust
Dennis S. Gorscak, CIH, CSP - Sr. Industrial Hygiene Consultant, Zurich Insurance Corporation - Stewartstown, PA

Dennis will describe silica with an emphasis on exposures and practical controls. He will also present case studies. (1 Hour)

Distracted Driving / Tips for Fleet Benchmarking
Peter Van Dyne, MA, CSP, CFPS - Sr. Technical Consultant, Liberty Mutual - Milwaukee, WI

Peter's presentation will include more than the usual warnings and statistics about distracted driving. He will offer tips and suggestions about prevention. (1 Hour)

Aerial Lift Safety
Gary Riley - St Louis Aerial Platform and Telehandler Training (APT Training)

Gary will be reviewing the different types of aerial lifts and associated hazards and discuss a recent fatality as a result of an aerial life platform turning over. (1 Hour)

Location

Ameren UE Headquarters
1901 Chouteau Ave
St. Louis, MO 63101

Click the map to the right to customize driving directions using Google Maps.

Schedule:

  • 7:00-8:00am - Welcome & Registration
  • 8:00am - Conference Begins
  • 12:00-1:00pm - Lunch (Bandanas BBQ)
  • 5:00pm - Conference Concludes

Cost:

  • $100 for ASSE or AIHA Members (Non-refundable)
  • $125 for Non-Members (Non-refundable)

Registration deadline is March 1, 2010.

Conference Flyer & Registration Form (pdf)
  

St. Louis Chapter NAOSH Poster Contest Entries

 

Abigail Hart

 

Brooke Kristof

 

Caden Bish

  

Catherine Whitworth

 

Elisabeta Vondera

 

Elizabeth Hart

 

Jacob Whitworth

 

Rachel Patterson

   

Timlyn Runiewicz

   

U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA Announces Alliances with the American Society of Safety Engineers St. Louis Chapter

ST. LOUIS, Mo. ― The St. Louis Area Office of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and The St. Louis Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers have formed an alliance to focus on advancing workplace safety and health through the professional development of safety professionals.

“This cooperative alliance clearly illustrates our commitment to safety and health hazard prevention, through information sharing among safety professionals, while promoting best practices and technical knowledge for both the construction and general industries," said Charles E. Adkins, OSHA’s regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. “Cooperation between OSHA and The American Society of Safety Engineers-St. Louis Chapter will promote new ideas and opportunities to help ensure open dialogue among safety professionals and further enhancing workplace safety."

The St. Louis Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers and OSHA will collaborate on training and education programs for accident and injury prevention, as well as delivery media in communicating program information to beneficiaries of such information. The alliance signatories will participate in conferences, forums, stakeholder meetings and other events. For more information about this alliance, contact OSHA’s St. Louis Area Office at 314-425-4249.

At a signing ceremony in St. Louis, William McDonald, Director of the agency’s St. Louis Area Office, represented OSHA. Sheila Schmidt, President of the American Society of Safety Engineers-St. Louis Chapter, represented The American Society of Safety Engineers.
OSHA's safety and health alliances are part of the U.S. Department of Labor's ongoing efforts to improve the safety and health of employees through cooperative partnerships. OSHA currently administers more than 480 alliances throughout the nation with organizations committed to fostering safety and health in the workplace.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure the safety and health of America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

St. Louis Chapter Receives ASSE Chapter Stars Award for 2007-08 Chapter Year

The St. Louis Chapter was honored at the Safety 2009 Professional Development Conference as a recipient of the ASSE Chapter Stars Award for the 2007-08 chapter year. The award goes to chapters in the top third percentile amongst the 151 ASSE chapters with regard to the professional development, chapter communication, and superior service to its members.

ASSE Society President Elect Darryl Hill (front row, far right) with the Region V Chapter Stars Award recipients at the Safety 2009 Professional Development Conference in San Antonio. Chris Merli (third from left) represented the St. Louis Chapter at the event.

INDOX Services Presents a Special Offer for ASSE Members

Get a 4’x8’ Coreplast board printed on our NEW Arizona 250 GT Board printer for only $127! This is a 25% discount off our standard pricing just for being an ASSE Member.

Our amazing new board printer produces stunning high resolution full color output. It can print on almost any rigid material up to 1.75” thick. We can print to a variety of materials including plastic, foam core, aluminum, plywood, and acrylic. Have an application you would like to try? Ask us, we would love to help. Please contact Ken Joyce at 314.633.4826 or ken.joyce@indoxservices.com for more information and to get your special pricing today.

Now Available! ASSE St. Louis Chapter Men's and Ladies Polo Shirts

Fill out the attached registration form and mail with payment or bring it to a chapter meeting.