Chris Patton, CSP is a Principal Safety, Health and Environmental Engineer for Tyco Healthcare - Mallinckrodt in St. Louis, Missouri. He provides corporate SH&E oversight and support for their Respiratory and Imaging divisions. Patton has been in the EH&S field for over thirteen years.
A member of ASSE since 1996, he is currently serving on the ASSE Board of Directors as Regional Vice President for Region V. He also serves as Chair for the 2006 National Future Safety Leaders Conference Task Force and as a member of the 2006 Leadership Conference Task Force, the Virtual Chapter Task Force, and the Professional Member Task Force. He has served on the Finance Committee and several national task forces. Patton served his local chapter in many capacities including chapter president, an office he held for two terms. He was honored with the Safety Professional of the Year award by his local chapter in 2004.
Patton has worked closely with the chapters in his region to improve compliance with ASSE requirements and the services those chapters offer to their members. He has achieved this through effective communication, close ties to the chapter leaders, and developmental opportunities at regional meetings.
Patton holds the Certified Safety Professional designation. He has delivered many presentations, both nationally and abroad. Patton co-chaired a committee to improve safety among Missouri wastewater workers and was twice awarded the Water Environment Federation Safety Award.
Patton is a true leader with a proven record of success. He balances work, family and personal development.
As an active member of my local chapter and current ASSE Vice-President, Region V, I am running for election as Senior Vice-President. As our Society approaches its 100th anniversary, we can look back with pride on the accomplishments and successes we have enjoyed. Our membership is growing globally, our profession is becoming more recognized in the business world, and our professional development events are setting record numbers. We are realizing our vision of being a global champion of the safety, health, and environmental professional, a global leader of the profession, and a premier resource for those engaged in protecting people, property, and the environment.
We must keep in mind that our position as a leader cannot be guaranteed into the future if we do not remain steadfast in our pursuit of excellence. Despite our success, there are many challenges facing the society, our members, and our profession. We must focus on each of these key aspects: Our profession, our professionals, and our society.
There is no question our profession has grown in many areas. The business world is just beginning to understand our purpose. In order to advance our profession, we must significantly improve both recognition for our profession, as well as integration into the core values of business. If you’ve ever answered the question, “What do you do?” only to receive a blank look of confusion in return, then you should understand where we stand today. The response, “doctor” or “lawyer” elicits an immediate understanding. “EHS Professional” is not typically recognized, unless you mention OSHA. We must improve the name recognition outside the context of regulations, so that we can help the business world better understand who we are, what we do, and what benefits we can provide.
With the efforts to improve name recognition, we must also encourage our professionals to meet certain professional standards. There are many arguments for and against promoting education, certification, and other criteria. Regardless of the stance the society takes with respect to those issues, it is unquestionable that we must provide our members with opportunities to better themselves professionally. The profession is changing. Experience is incredibly valuable, but to remain competitive, it may not be enough. Many new EH&S professionals are starting their careers with degrees in EH&S. Employers are setting more stringent criteria for applicants. ASSE has a responsibility to help its members remain competitive. Accredited online programs, better access to advanced degrees, and certification preparation classes will make it easier for our members to advance themselves professionally.
Our profession, and our Society along with it, are expanding globally. This is perhaps the greatest opportunity facing us in the next five years. With that opportunity comes enormous challenges. As we expand globally, we must walk, talk, think, and speak globally. We must think and plan in a more diverse fashion, taking into consideration the varying needs and challenges of our global members and partners. The diversity challenges don’t stop with geography. The dynamics of generational diversity will have a profound impact on our entire paradigm. How we recruit, train, support and retain members will change. Virtual resources will have to become a staple of our services. The Council on Practices and Standards is moving forward in leaps and bounds with teleconferences and special interest groups. The Society needs to continue expanding on this front, reaching more of our members and providing them the services they need in a media that is convenient and comfortable.
I was a chapter president for two terms and RVP for four years. I have served on the Regional Operating Committee, the Council on Member and Regional Affairs, and the Society Board of Directors. In addition, I have served on the Finance Committee, the Virtual Chapter Task Force, the AIHA/ASSE MOU Task Force, and the Model Chapter Bylaws task force. I am currently chairing the National Future Safety Leaders Conference task force and am serving on the Leadership Conference task force. I am familiar with the issues in our society and my experience makes me the ideal candidate for Senior Vice-President.