American Society of Safety Engineers
Southern Arizona Chapter
Tucson, Arizona
http://southaz.asse.org/
Vol. 3, Issue 1 August, 2008
President: Thomas Wilson, Soutthern Ariizona Saffetty Proffessiionall off tthe Year
Sou hern Ar zona Sa e y Pro ess ona o he Year
Safety Manager, KE&G
Construction, Inc. Ed Colette, Environmental Manager, Pima
twilson@kegtus.com County Regional Wastewater Reclamation
Department, and former Secretary for the
Vice President: Janet ASSE Southern Arizona Chapter, was
Brown, Safety Manager, recognized as the Chapter’s Safety
Metro Water Company Professional of the Year at the Awards
jjbrown@metrowater.com Banquet on May 23, 2008 at the historic
Fox Theatre in downtown Tucson.
Secretary: Shari DiPeso,
Safety and Health Ed Collette receiving the Safety Professional of the
Year award from SA-ASSE President, Chuck
Administrator, Sierra Gessner.
Southwest Cooperative (part
of Arizona’s G&T Ed’s leadership was a key factor in PCRWRD obtaining TRIPLE (yes,
Cooperatives) triple) ISO and OHSAS certifications. John Warner, Deputy Director of
sdipeso@ssw.coop the Conveyance Division, had this to say about Ed in the nomination
letter:
Treasurer: Gerry Coley,
Loss Control Consultant, “Mr. Edward Collette has been the driving force behind our
SCF Arizona recent accomplishment of obtaining triple ISO/OHSAS
gcoley@scfaz.com certifications. As our leadership representative, Ed worked
tirelessly with staff and auditors to assure that we maintained a
high level of excellence in the areas of quality, environmental
Delegate to the House of
and safety; it was this accountability that propelled this Division
Delegates: Mark Grushka,
to the current high standards we now work within.”
Manager, Biosafety and
Biosecruity, University of
Mr. Warner’s nomination was the first step in the selection criteria. Other
Arizona
criteria SA-ASSE’s Board considered in Ed’s selection included his:
mgrushka@u.arizona.edu
Demonstrated technical expertise in the broad field of safety and a
Community
thorough knowledge of the operational aspects of his safety
Training/Liaison Officer
employment.
Dave Baker, Safety
Supervisor, Tucson Electric
Being an active member of ASSE in various capacities and
Power dbaker@tep.com
providing his leadership in Community endeavors.
Immediate Past President:
Fostering and providing leadership in public and community
Chuck Gessner, Risk
services by having the vision of the Southern Arizona Safety
Manager with the National
Council and working with and maintaining relationships with allied
Optical Astronomy
groups.
Observatory
gessner@noao.edu
It is rewarding to all who know Ed to see this award presented to him.
1
Chapter Earns STARS Award
KE&G Construction
Under President KE&G’s success and history sets them apart from
Chuck Gessner’s their competitors due to a company culture defined by
leadership, The SA “Promises Made – Commitments Kept.” They are
ASSE Chapter earned known to safely complete projects on or ahead of
a Chapter STARS schedule, on budget, at quality levels that meet their
Award for the 2006-
client’s expectations.
2007 Program Year.
Gerry Coley, Chapter At KE&G, the “safety comes first” way of conducting
Treasurer and Mark business is embedded in their culture. In 2003, they
Grushka, Chapter were the first contractor to enter into a Voluntary
Delegate to the House Compliance Partnership (VPP) with the Arizona
of Delegates, Department of Occupational Safety and Health
accepted the award at Administration (ADOSH).
the annual ASSE
Professional KE&G incorporates safety into all of their operations,
Development Conference in Las Vegas June 9-11, using the DuPont-developed Safety Training and
2008. (Above is a photo of the STARS Award Observation Program. Supervisors are trained to be
received by our Chapter.)
observers of the workplace, focusing on employees
The ASSE describes the STARS Award as an award and their actions. They feel that they have a moral
that …”is intended to recognize Chapters that give obligation to the workforce, their clients, their design
their members superior service by providing quality partners, their subcontractors, and the public to
programs designed to advance the professional provide safe projects. Safety is equal to quality and
growth of their members, support the mission and productivity. Upfront analysis and planning allows
vision of ASSE and make a positive impact on the KE&G and the owner to have confidence in knowing
people, property and Environment in their the project will be delivered safely and efficiently.
community.”
KE&G has again received the SCF Arizona Safety
The SA-ASSE Chapter is proud to have earned this Award in recognition of their outstanding contribution
Award and will strive to continue to provide effective
to safety achievement.
and timely opportunities to our members in the future.
Because of their proven safety leadership and their
Community Safety Awards commitment of actively caring for their employees we
We’re fortunate in Tucson to have companies who: honor KE&G with the ASSE Community Award for
2008.
Demonstrate leadership in furthering the safety
and health of their employees; K. R. Yarbrough Construction Co.
Cheryl Crawford and her husband, Vice President
Provide leadership in the improvement of Mike Crawford, run the day-to-day operations of K.
safety and health programs in their business; R. Yarbrough Construction Company, a small
business which has been recognized with awards from
Establish new safety procedures or systems. local economic development organizations since its
founding in 1988.
This year, the SA-ASSE selected two businesses to
receive the Community Safety Leadership Award The industry has changed since then, and they realized
based on the criteria described above. The two more attention was needed to ensure that their
companies honored were: employees were working safely.
2
Yarbrough, a framing subcontractor for new homes
and commercial construction
projects, achieved two
benchmarks recently by
celebrating 500 days without
a fall or nail gun injury. Until
recently, these two hazards
tormented this company with
above industry average injury
rates. Framers have the highest share of accidents in
the construction industry, and the Crawfords
achievement underscores their accomplishments as Congratulations to Alexis Westin, Loss Control
noteworthy. Consultant, SCF Arizona, for earning the OHST
(Occupational Health and Safety Technologist)
Cheryl and Mike consider their employees their certification conferred by the Council on Certification
greatest asset. Cheryl, daughter of the company’s of Health, Environmental and Safety Technologists
founder Kenneth R. Yarbrough has stated: “Employee (CCHEST). In addition to passing an exam, Alexis
safety is high priority.” had to show skills in worksite assessments to
determine risks, potential hazards and controls,
With all the other challenges to keep a small business evaluating risks and hazard control measures,
going, Cheryl and Mike saw the value in investing in investigating incidents, maintaining and evaluating
safety for their people. They hired a full-time, incident and loss records, and preparing emergency
bilingual safety coordinator, they retain experienced response plans. Way to go Alexis!!
workers, upgraded their safety practices, training, and
policies (written and delivered in English and
Spanish), and implemented a safety incentive plan.
In 2005, they suffered 20 accidents. As their plan
progressed, their safety efforts paid off - the next
year’s accidents dropped to 8, and then dramatically
Do You Know How to Use a Fire Extinguisher?
dropped to 2 in 2007, none of which were falls or
Even if you haven't been "trained" in how to use a fire
power tool accidents! Their commitment led the
extinguisher, everyone should have a basic knowledge of
company to set a new safety record. how to use one.
Of notable mention, they completely revised their fall A fire may break out in your work area, or at home when
protection plan. Because of cooking on a grill or on the stove. If you are called upon to
use one, would you know what to do? When using a typical
their success, Cheryl decided to
extinguisher, follow the "PASS" method. This method
unselfishly share their plan with includes holding the extinguisher upright, and:
other framing businesses (mind 1. Pulling the pin and standing back 8 or 10 feet from
you, their competitors) because the fire.
she saw it make a difference in 2. Aiming at the base of the fire.
worker safety. 3. Squeezing the handle to release the extinguishing
agent.
K. R. Yarbrough Construction Company earned a 4. Sweeping at the base of the fire with the extinguishing
Community Safety Award from the SA-ASSE agent.
because of Cheryl’s and Mike’s commitment for the Do not aim high at the flames because the fire probably
well being of their employees and for others in their won't be extinguished. Instead, quickly spray at the
industry. base of the fire. Be sure not to aim at the smoke or
flames because most extinguishers have a very limited
operation time of only 8 to 10 seconds.
o Apply direct pressure with a clean
cloth to any bleeding wound to stop
Beware of DOG! bleeding.
o After bleeding has stopped, gently
According to the Centers for Disease Control and
flood the wound with bottled water or
Prevention and the American Veterinary
clean running water. (If available,
Medical Association:
sterile saline solution is preferred).
Every 40 seconds someone in the United o Gently clean around the wound with
States seeks medical attention for a dog bite- soap and water. Pat dry and apply an
related injury. adhesive bandage or dry clean cloth.
Dog attacks cause 4.5 million injuries o Leave unclean bites open. Bite wounds
annually, 800,000 of which require medical that are not cleaned correctly can trap
attention. bacteria and result in infection
At least 25 different breeds of dogs have been Contact you doctor or hospital emergency
involved in the 238 dog bite-related fatalities department for additional care and advice.
in the United States. Pit Bulls and Rottweilers Report the bite to your local animal control
account for over half of these deaths. agency. Tell the animal control official
everything you know about the dog and where
Prevention and Care of Dog Bites: it went.
Any dog that is loose may be lost, frightened, or hurt Information obtained from:
– and are more likely to bite. Even dogs that are American Humane Society
usually friendly may bite if they
are scared or hurt. Southern Arizona Safety Council meeting
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Do not approach or feed 8:30 to noon
strange dogs. Granite Construction
Do not disturb a dog that
4115 E. Illinois
is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
If a strange dog approaches you, stay calm. Please don’t park in covered or marked parking spots.
Do not run from a dog and scream– be “Still Emergency Evacuation and Fire Response
like a tree”. Rural Metro Fire Department
Avoid direct eye contact with a dog. Emergency & Evacuation Plans-Tucson
If you fall or get knocked to the ground by a International Airport
dog, Dee Brunner-Operations Coordinator Tucson
o Curl into a ball with your hands over Airport Authority
your head and neck. Emergency Action Plan Regulations (EAP)
o Protect your face. & Update
o Try to stay still and don’t scream. Mark Norton-ADOSH Southern Arizona
Director
If you are bitten by a dog: Personal Disaster Preparedness
Call 911 if emergency help is needed Harry Rhulen, CEO.-Firestorm Solutions, LLC
Treat the bite wound: Next SA-ASSE meeting -Tuesday, September 9,
o Before treating the bite wound, wash 2008. Jim Gallup “Re-examining Life Safety and
your hands thoroughly with soap and Security Systems” & Harold Gibrow “Division
clean water. Perspective of being an ASSE Member”
o Remove jewelry or clothing that is in
If you would like to be removed from the mailing list used to
the way of treating the bite wound. send this newsletter, please contact Shari DiPeso at
sdipeso@ssw.coop.