April 7, 2009 - The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) and the three Michigan Chapters of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), the Greater Detroit Chapter, the West Michigan Chapter, and the Lansing Chapter, signed a formal alliance today to promote the importance of worker safety and health in Michigan. The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG).
"The American Society of Safety Engineers has a proud history of protecting people, property and the environment and we are pleased to join with the ASSE Michigan Chapters to protect our working men and women," said MIOSHA Director Doug Kalinowski. "This alliance offers great opportunities to share best practices and help create safer and healthier workplaces throughout Michigan."
The Alliance formalizes a working relationship between MIOSHA and the three ASSE Michigan Chapters to develop and disseminate information that helps protect the safety and health of Michigan employees through outreach and communication, as well as influence employers and management to ensure that safety is viewed as a priority in the workplace.
Signing the alliance were: Joseph M. Forgue, President, ASSE Greater Detroit Chapter; Brian Becker, President, ASSE West Michigan Chapter; Craig Galecka, President, ASSE Lansing Chapter; Doug Kalinowski, Director, MIOSHA Program; Martha Yoder, Deputy Director, MIOSHA Program; and Connie O'Neill, Director, MIOSHA Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division.
"The Greater Detroit Chapter, as with all chapters, strives to provide value added services to our membership. Through this alliance we will be able to improve communication between our member companies and MIOSHA," said Forgue. "We view this as a substantial step toward providing our membership with the tools they need to keep their workforces safe."
Alliances enable organizations committed to workplace safety and health to collaborate with MIOSHA to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. The key goals of this alliance include:
- Improve communication and cooperation between Chapter members and MIOSHA resulting in improved program delivery.
- Increase awareness of MIOSHA and the outreach services the CET Division offers.
- Have 15 Chapter member firms directly involved in consultation/hazard surveys offered by MIOSHA CET consultants.
- Increase MIOSHA coverage in Chapter publications and information about the alliance in MIOSHA publications.
- Produce safer, better-trained Chapter members, and the employees of their respective companies.
"The MIOSHA program is dedicated to working with employers, both public and private sector - to find innovative ways to enhance workplace safety and health," said Kalinowski. "Through alliances, MIOSHA can offer employers a voluntary, cooperative relationship to eliminate serious hazards and achieve a high level of safety and health."
The three ASSE Michigan Chapters have more than 700 occupational safety, health and environmental members who work day in and day out identifying hazards and implementing safety advances in all industries and at all workplaces, thereby reducing workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses across the state.
Founded in 1911, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) is the largest and oldest professional safety organization and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. Based in Des Plaines, Illinois, ASSE has more than 32,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members who, manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in all industries, government, labor, health care and education.
ASSE has 151 chapters, 56 sections and 65 student sections. There are also members in 64 countries including Mexico, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Australia, Kuwait and Egypt. ASSE members serve on over 40 safety and health standards committees including the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). For more information please go to www.asse.org.
There are many benefits to participating in an alliance with MIOSHA. Through this program, organizations will:
- Build trusting, cooperative relationships;
- Network with others committed to workplace safety and health;
- Exchange information about best practices;
- Leverage resources to maximize worker safety and health protection.
For more information about forming an alliance or partnership with MIOSHA, please check our website at www.michigan.gov/mioshaor contact the Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division at 517.322.1809.
Read more releases from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth
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