Dr. David Fender contributes part to new comprehensive book written for safety and health professionals.

Dr. David L. Fender, CSP, Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Safety and Health at Murray State University, contributed the chapter “Hazard Communication and Right-to-Know—Benchmarking and Performance Appraisal Criteria” to the highly celebrated and new two-volume American Society of Safety Engineers’ (ASSE) “The Safety Professional Handbook.” The book, after four years of development, involved more the 250 occupational safety, health and environmental professionals and includes information from more than 900 professional member survey responses on every key job safety topic.

The Safety Professional Handbook features 79 chapters on such topics as management of safety engineering work, risk assessment, workers’ compensation, hazard control, physical hazards from an industrial hygienist perspective, fire dynamics, ergonomics, personal protection equipment (PPE) and cost analysis and budgeting.

The contributing authors – ASSE members, practitioners, researchers and academics –each average roughly 20 years of experience in the field of occupational safety, health and the environment.

A percentage of the royalties for the new book will go to the “American Society of Safety Engineers and Joel M. Haight Scholarship in Penn State University’s College of earth and Mineral Sciences” to be administered by the Penn State University.

Founded in 1911, the Des Plaines, IL-based ASSE is the largest and oldest professional safety organization and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. Its more than 32,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in all industries, government, labor and education. For more information go to www.asse.org.

Dr. Randal Keller serves on committee for the National Academy of Sciences, “Evaluation of the Safety and Environmental Metrics for Potential Application at Chemical Agent Disposal Facilities”.

Dr. Randal Keller, professor in the Department of Occupational Safety and Health at Murray State University, is serving on a committee for the National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council’s Board on Army Science and Technology, called “Evaluation of the Safety and Environmental Metrics for Potential Application at Chemical Agent Disposal Facilities.” The committee was established to help improve safety and environmental measures at chemical agent disposal facilities. The U.S. Army’s Chemical Material’s Agency (CMA) has been engaged for nearly two decades in a program to destroy the nation’s stockpile of obsolete chemical agents and munitions in a manner that feasibly maximizes safety and the protection of workers, the public and the environment. The focus of the committee’s efforts is to review and evaluate existing safety and environmental metrics employed at CMA facilities. The committee met in Washington D.C. on September 24-26 and October 28-30, 2008. The web link for the committee is http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/projectview.aspx?key=48949

The National Academies are “Advisors to the Nation on Science, Engineering and Medicine.” The National Academies’s website states that “the National Academies perform an unparalleled public services by brining together committees of experts in all areas of scientific and technological endeavor. These experts serve pro bono to address critical national issues and give advice to the federal government and the public.

Occupational Safety & Health Students Receive J.J. Keller Scholarships

J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc. has awarded six scholarships to students  participating in the Keller Online University Program.  Students at schools participating in the University Program were eligible to participate in the contest for a chance to receive a portion of the $10,000 in scholarship monies being awarded.  Three $1,000 scholarships were awarded to Murray State University students from the Department of Occupational Safety and Health – Kasey Nussmeier, Leah Sallee, and Jordan Wexler.

Rustin Keller, Corporate Internet Products Manager, said, “The winners of this year’s KellerOnline University Program Scholarships are dedicated to the safety profession, have a strong understanding of the challenges they may face, and understand the significant impact that they can have on the organizations in which they might work. J. J. Keller continues to be committed to the industries which it serves.

J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc. was established in 1953 and has become the nation’s most respected name in risk and regulatory management. The company employs over 1,200 associates and serves over 300,000 customers including more than 90% of the Fortune 1,000. Keller’s diverse product line includes publications, consulting, online services, and outsourced services.   

The KellerOnline  Program is a free program offered by J.J. Keller that provides professors and students with access to reference materials, safety specific interactive tools and applications, and valuable industry information. The program is another tool for professors to further enhance their curriculum and a resource for students in attaining their degree.

The Board of Directors of the Institute for Safety and Health Management (ISHM) has recognized the Department of Occupational Safety & Health’s Bachelor and Mater of Science degrees. Students graduating with a B.S. or M.S. in Occupational Safety & Health may immediately apply for the Associate Safety and Health Manager (ASHM) certification and with two years experience in the safety and health management field apply for and take the Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM) exam.

The Institute for Safety and Health Management is the credentialing organization founded by the National Safety Management Society (NSMS), to promote the establishment of professional standards. Through the ISHM certification program, the Institute promotes the advancement of safety management through the application of management principles and the integration of safety into all levels and activities of management. For more information go www.ishm.org.

Dr. David Kraemer named MSU’s 2008 Distinguished Professor

Dr. David Kraemer, Chair of the Occupational Safety and Health Department, has been selected as the 2008 Distinguished Professor by the MSU Alumni Association. Jim Carter, MSU vice president of institutional advancement and executive director of the alumni association, presented Kraemer with the award. Dr. Corky Broughton, dean of the MSU College of Health Sciences & Human Services, says Kraemer is well deserving of this award. "Dr. Dave Kraemer is a phenomenal teacher and mentor for faculty and students. He is well-liked all over campus. We are very proud and excited that Dr. Kraemer is receiving this prestigious award," said Broughton. "Dave continues to maintain contacts with students well after graduation which brings another professional level to the Department of Occupational Safety and Health, as well as to our college. He is a well deserving professor who continues to make Murray State University a great place to receive an education."

Implemented in 1964 by the MSU Alumni Association, the Distinguished Professor Award has been bestowed on 43 other MSU faculty members. Kraemer received a Golden Apple and framed certificate along with a $1,000 cash award. Melissa Seay, senior OSH major from Benton, Ky., will also receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Alumni Association. Kraemer was recognized on April 24th at the Faculty Recognition Dinner in the Curris Center on MSU’s campus and will also lead the faculty processionals at the spring and winter commencement ceremonies. His name will be added to the Distinguished Professor plaque located in the Easley Alumni Center.

Dr. David Fender awarded MSU’s 2008 Max Carmen Outstanding Teacher Award

Dr. David Fender, Associate Professor in the Department of
Occupational Safety and Health, was presented with MSU’s 2008 Max Carmen
Outstanding Teacher Award. The Student Government Association created this
annual award in 1974 to recognize those professors at Murray State University
who excel in the classroom and exhibit overall teaching excellence. Professors
are nominated by the student body and selected by a student committee.