March 6, 2015 Volume 1, Issue 3 News and Notes from the ASSE East Carolina University Student Section American Society of Safety Engineers Together we Team up for Safety! Editor s Column The Spring 2015 semester is in full swing after the ASSE ECU Student Section returned from Winter Break. Although the chilly weather has tried to slow down everyone, the Student Section has kept warm by keeping busy with plenty of exciting events and other opportunities! In this issue, we welcome new on-campus students, interview prestigious safetyprofessional, community involvement events, and celebrate becoming a registered student organization at ECU. We hope you enjoy reading our newsletter and hopefully it intrigues you to want to know more! Welcome back everyone! Exciting things happening in the ASSE ECU Student Section! Read and find out!! Stay Warm!! Individual Highlights New Students 2 ECU Organization 3 Fall Presenters 4 Science Olympiad 5 David Borys 6 Test your knowledge of ASSE! By: Jordan Blazer In this issue of the ASSE ECU Student Section Newsletter, we would like to challenge your knowledge about ASSE. This gives you the opportunity to show off your knowledge of ASSE as well as maybe learn something new about our professional organization. 1.) The American Society of Safety Engineers is the world s oldest professional safety society. It was first founded in what year? a) 1929 b) 1911 c) 1970 d) 1941 2.) With more than members worldwide in countries, ASSE is a global association of occupational safety, health, and environmental professionals. 3.) a) 80,000/90 b) 66,000/70 c) 32,000/40 d) 36,000/80 The current 2014-2015 ASSE President is? a) Trish Ennis b) Richard Pollock 4.) ASSE s headquarters office is located in: 5.) a) Myrtle Beach, SC b) Park Ridge, IL c) Dayton, OH d) Raleigh, NC There are sections in ASSE. a) 75 b) 69 c) 89 d) 55 student c) Darryl Hill d) Terrie Norris You can find the answers to the ASSE Quiz on page 5
2 TYPE TITLE HERE Temitope Oluwajana With the start of the new semester comes new students that are entering the MS, Occupational Safety program. We are pleased to introduce three very bright and intelligent gentleman that will be adding to our existing ASSE student section numbers. New On-Campus Students Temitope Oluwajana I am excited to be a first semester student in the ECU MS, Occupational Safety program. I completed my B.S in Biology (cum laude) from Lee University in Tennessee. I was a member of the BBB Biological honors society and graduated with 80 hours of community service at Heritage Orphanage Homes, Nigeria as part of my academic curriculum. When I am not busy, I enjoy watching soccer since I am a huge fan of the game. I am excited to be a part of the MSOS program as well as the ASSE and look forward to many opportunities ahead. Hamidreza Shaki Hamidreza Shaki Ever since my early childhood, I had a strong inclination for analyzing complex problems and offering simple but elegant solutions for math problems. Therefore, I completed high school with the highest marks in all mathematics,physics, and chemistry classes and went on to college to pursue a career in safety engineering. After completing my degree, I worked as an HS&E Engineer in two major projects on Dam &Urban Subway Construction, for a well-established construction company. Soon after I started, I was promoted to a leadership position, where I supervised 30 safety officers and experts. It was an incredible opportunity to gain valuable experience, which gave me insights into how critical this profession is to the protection of human lives and properties and to proactively avoid disasters. This is my first semester in MSOS program following my path along safety and beside a lot of new materials that I am learning. ASSE Student Section at ECU provides me with many opportunities to practice my professionalism and expand my network with other professionals, which ultimately help me to find an exciting employment. Jaime Perez Jaime Perez I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology with a concentration in Mechanical in 2014. I also hold an Associate of Science degree in Electrical/Electronic Technology. I am now pursuing a Master s of Science degree in Occupational Safety. I plan to continue education and acquire knowledge as part of my career development, whether in school or elsewhere. Upon my graduation from MSOS program in 2015-16, I will be seeking to enter the Oil & Gas industry. I am humble, willing, and able to be a part of a team to make a change in these timesof uncertainty. ASSE Student Section Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 3
3 ECU Student Organization Approval By: Ogaga Tebehaevu One of the bold steps taken by the Student Section last fall was to become a registered student organization under the East Carolina University Student Organization Association (SAO). Becoming a registered member does not only give on-campus organizations the approval to legally operate within the scope and bounds of the university, it also presents ample opportunities for organizations to benefit from a list of resources available to the registered student organizations. (Above)- The ECU ASSE Student Section officers presenting posters at the ASSE Professional Development Conference in Myrtle Beach, SC in September 2014. Crossword Puzzle: Some common Safety Terminologies Audit, Hazard, Risk, Housekeeping, Incident, Accident, Injury, Lock out Tag Out, Quality, Unsafe Act, PPE, Loss Time, Work Permit, SDS, Fatality, First Aid By: Ogaga Tebehaevu H A Z A R Q I N J U E Y T I D U A I L A T A F T C T N E D I C C A F Y I A S E M I T S S O L T L G D T C A E F A S N U A S N P E P T Z D L A O U I H I P T I S W O T G Q R A N P N M D R A Z A H D Y J Q E R O A U Q T Q I T U S D E I N K A T U A I R T I P K S A L U A T L Y R C K I E U S O L S A F I N R A T S I K I R T U F I O G O D U C T I A R D X W L T I T O T F F I M I P K R O W L H 3
4 TYPE TITLE HERE Fall Presenters By; Jordan Blazer & Ogaga Tebehaevu During the 2014 Fall Semester, the Student Section featured two safety professionals who presented interesting topics to students. The speakers were Mr. Phil Lewis and Ms. Jennifer Banks and we THANK both presenters again! Phil Lewis, CSP Biography Phil Lewis graduated from East Carolina University in 1988 with a BS in Environmental Health. He worked in industry for one year as an Environmental Engineer with Morganite, Inc., a manufacturer of carbonbrushes and commutators for electric motors. In July of 1989 he was hired as an Industrial Hygienist andbiological Safety Officer for East Carolina University. His duties also span through Environmental Management, Workers Compensation and Emergency Management. Presentation- EH&S Considerations for Special Events According to Phil, the University hosts a widevariety of special events ranging from small scale fund-raising activities such as eggerators, haunted houses, and carsmashing to large venue sporting events, concerts and political campaigns. Each presents a unique set of Environmental Health and Safety challenges that must be managed. Mr. Lewis stressed that these events are of nonconventional applications of EH&S principles, but one of themore interesting aspects of his job. He shared with the students EH&S considerationsfor all event planning as well as his personal experiences with actual events on campus. Jennifer Banks Biography Jennifer Banks, is a 2009 MSOS graduate, and has worked in the field of safety for over 6 years. She currently works for the City of Greenville, as their Safety Specialist. In her role as a Safety Specialist, Jennifer administers the safety program and assists with workers compensation management. Jennifer is a member of the ASSE and is designated as a Certified Safety Management Practitioner, by the Institute for Safety and Health Management. It is Jennifer s short-term goal to obtain her designation as an Associate in Risk Management Public Entity. workers compensation program, to enable students to link safety s role in reducing number of injuries, in turn teaching them how to demonstrate the cost benefit of safety. Jennifer briefly covered the compensation, compensability, recordkeeping and recording (i.e. OSHA Logs, OSHA 301), North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC), NCIC forms (i.e. Form 22, Form 61), Third Party Administrators, return to work programs, medical treatment, and safety s role in reducing workers compensation direct and indirect cost. Presentation- Workers Compensation Jennifer s presentation set out to provide a broad overview of the operational process of a ASSE Student Section Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 3
5 Science Olympiad By: Ogaga Tebehaevu (Above)- Student Section members Stacy Freeman and Hamidreza Shaki help out at the 2015 Science Olympiad Tournament as event leaders. The Science Olympiad is a creative science and technology exhibition organized under the auspices of the North Carolina Science Olympiad (NCSO) with a mission to attract and retain the pool of K-12 students entering Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) degrees and careers in North Carolina. The event is hosted every year with various tournaments held in university, community college, and public school campuses across the state. The ECU-ASSE Student Section officers were proud to assist the NCSO as volunteers in the capacity of event leader and as supporters for the successful hosting of the 2015 tournament. The 2015 tournament featured interscholastic competitions in events such as Bottle Rocket, Egg-O-Nut, etc. According to its organizer, the events are designed to enhance and strengthen science content and process skills, an objective that aligns with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study as well as the National Science Education Standards.The ECU-Student Section took active role in setting up, judging, and managing two events: Wheeled Vehicle and Egg-O- Nut events. It was a day of fun and excitement for the participant and the event leaders. (Above)- Students Stacy and Hamidreza pause for a break with Dr. Hamid Fonooni at 2015 Science Olympiad Tournament. ASSE Quiz Answers 1) C.) 1911- Founded in 1911 as the United Society of Casualty Inspectors. 2) D.) 36,000/80- There are more than 36,000 members worldwide in 80 countries. 3) A.) The current ASSE President is Trish Ennis CSP, ARM. 4) B.) Park Ridge, IL- ASSE s headquarters is located in Park Ridge, Illinois. 5) B.) There are 69 student sections in ASSE. How d you do?!?!?! If you want to know more about ASSE, be sure to follow the link to the foundation s website where you can find the whole FACT SHEET!!! http://www.asse.org/about/ 5
6 TYPE TITLE HERE Safety Professional in the Spot Light: Dr. David Borys By: Jordan Blazer The ASSE Student Section had the privilege to interview a prestigious safety professional, Dr. David Borys, from Australia,who currently teaches a course in the MSOS program. David has established himself as a progressive thinker in safety and continues to change the way safety is viewed. With just a short window, we asked Dr. Borys a few questions. We decided to start out with asking about his background and how he has made it to his this point in his career. David started out as a laborer on a production line in Australia, literally getting his hands dirty. Within time, he moved up into an office position and continued to rise through jobs such as Production Clerk, Accountant, and Pay Master before finally settling into as Personnel Officer. During this time in the early 80s, Occupational Health & Safety laws were changing in Australia. One of the major legislations allowed the formation of safety committees and Health &Safety representatives. The company he worked for recoiled in horror about the idea that workers were going to have a voice and have the power to issue provisional improvement notices to stop unsafe work and then call in the equivalent of what an OSHA Compliance Officer in the US. Their response to the legislative threat was to hire him as the Safety Officer.So from being on the shop floor, all the way to Safety Officer, David asked himself how he was supposed to see the workplace differently. This has been the driving force for him till this day and was the cause for him pursuing a formal education. Dr. David Borys Safety Educator, Researcher and (To the left)- Student section poses with David Borys after wrapping up interview. Consultant He started taking industry courses through the National Safety Council of Australia and other trainings to try to make sense of what his safety role was. After finishing multiple degrees, David moved to the Health Care Industry, where he became a Safety Manager in a hospital. He studied to make sense of his role now working with doctors, nurses, and people in laundry, kitchens, and radiation. He began to view the knowledge of safety and how it is applied and associated with Technical professionals such as doctors and nurses interacting with patients, visitors, machines, and hardware. Eventually, David left and went on to help the University of Ballarat Safety Department and as the Occupational Safety Person. The group he worked for was the Victorian Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (VIOSH). While there, VIOSH got a big contract with BP to deliver industry training and was able to be involved with the delivery. An academic position opened where Dr. Borys was able to secure as the Program Director all while completing a Masters and Ph. D. He focused training and engagement of workers from the shop floor but more so in the end towards top CEOs. This interest grew as he continued to ask: how you manage within an organization? We askeddr. Borysabout his experience in Australia and how he would compare Australian s safety regulations to the regulations in the U.S.? ASSE Student Section Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 3
7 Department of Technology Systems Phone (252) 328-9653 E-mail mstechsystems@ecu. edu He quickly stated that the safety profession has struggled with uniformity globally and the debate continues across the world. Another difference that he wanted to share was in the legislation area where the US lacked because it hasn t changed much since the act was enacted in the early 1970 s. With Australia, it has been a much more vigorous debate with an emphasis on fine-tuning regulation and regulatory approach to match reality of business instead a fear of prosecution. While wrapping up the interview, the Student Section asked one more question which pertained to what was his advice for us as graduate students moving into the industry tomorrow to make a change. Dr. Borys made it clear that although we may be in the position of change, that it is not going to be easy because industry has its own way of managing H&S. He offered the advice to change how you and your role can add value to the business and not just safety. We must change the way we manage and change not just safety issues but learn more about your business process to add value to safety. The Student Section was thrilled to have had this great opportunity to interview such a knowledgeable safety professional. We truly appreciated Dr. David Borys sharing his journey from a worker on the shop floor to a highly educated and knowledgeable safety professional and how to progressively think about changing upper management s way of thinking about safety and business. Upcoming Events American Industrial Hygiene Association Conference -Charlotte, NC-March 19-20, 2015 National Occupational Injury Research Symposium (NOIRS 2015) -Kingwood, WV-May 19-21, 2015 We re on the Web! See us at: http://www.ecu. edu/cstecs/techsystems /msos.cfm 7