REGION VI – VICE PRESIDENT CANDIDATE

Erik W. Ketelsen
Safety & Compliance Officer
Harford County Government
Bel Air, MD

BIOGRAPHY

Erik W. Ketelsen currently serves Harford County Government, M.D. as the Safety & Compliance Officer.  He manages the Occupational Safety & Health Program (OSHP) assisting in the development, implementation and maintenance of risk transfer, exposure, claims information and compliance.  He has been employed with the county government since 1997 and has over 17 years experience in Occupational Health and Safety. 

Ketelsen’s background includes a B.S. from Towson University and an M.S. in Safety Engineering Science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  Ketelsen teaches several courses including Fundamentals of OSHP as part of the Management Program given at the Higher Education and Applied Technology center in Maryland.   

A professional member of ASSE, he has held several offices.  During his term as president (2006-2007), Chesapeake chapter attendance soared.  During his tenure of direct involvement (2005-2008) the Chapter was recognized for many contributions.  An advocate for safety, Ketelsen served Region VI as ARVP for governmental affairs.  A staunch supporter of NAOSH, Ketelsen procured support/proclamations from every government demographic of the Chesapeake Region.  Ketelsen remains involved in regional and local safety issues and has been a liaison with the PDC (2006-Present).  Ketelsen remains a tireless promoter, extolling the values and benefits of ASSE.

Ketelsen has often been recognized for his service in the field of safety.  Currently on the Board of Directors for Public Risk Management Association, he has served in official capacity at many fine organizations.  Ketelsen is fortunate to have a supportive wife, Alison; the Ketelsen’s have been blessed with three wonderful children.

PLATFORM STATEMENT

The Challenges facing our organization are mundane but insidious.  People in industry are reluctant to provide a safe workplace for their employees.  This reluctance is sometimes the result of ignorance and remediation is education.  Often times the opposition is driven by economics.  In many cases, education is still a key component because we can prove that a safe workplace makes better economic sense than an unsafe one.  In any matrix, the value of ASSE, competent professionals and good decision making on regulations, laws and worker safety are an integral part to future productivity and sustainability.

I have never been a proponent of reinventing the wheel; programs that work should be fostered and, if appropriate, expanded and built upon.  We do however; need to follow the lead of technology.  We must utilize all assets at our disposal and bring the collective abilities and knowledge of the membership together in order to map out the best path for our organization.  In the intricate and complex world of today, no single individual should draw up a blue print for our success.  We arrived here through a consensus and we can only continue with the backing and support of our members.  

In many respects, the ASSE is like an older sibling in the global family of industry.  It is the mission of the ASSE to counsel and oft times cajole the stewards of our workplaces to keep the safety and security of worker in the forefront of their decision.  Work safety must never be relegated to the status of an afterthought.  It is not optional.  Worker safety must always be “standard equipment”, the only way a product is produced.