DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS (July 31, 2001) -- The American Society of Safety Engineers Foundation (ASSEF) has awarded a $9,750 grant to Dr. Bradley Evanoff, MPH, assistant professor, division of general medical sciences at the Washington University School of Medicine and the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri - for research into health care worker's mechanical lifting devices in an effort to minimize traumatic injuries that afflict hundreds of thousands of workers daily.

The study titled "An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Mechanical Lifting Devices in Reducing Musculoskeletal Injuries Among Health Care Workers" will evaluate the devices used by all seven BJC Health System hospitals in Missouri and Illinois, in hopes of reducing musculoskeletal injuries, more commonly known as repetitive motion disorders. Additional funding for the study comes from Washington University in St. Louis and the BJC Health System.

Elizabeth Aton, a long-standing member of ASSE, will serve as co-principal investigator alongside Evanoff, principal investigator for the study.

The ASSEF is committed to ensuring the future of the occupational safety and health profession by providing financial resources to individuals and organizations. Each year the Foundation awards funds for applied safety research, scholarships, fellowships, internships and professional development. Applications for these awards are available on-line at www.asse.org/foundat.htm. Funding for the Foundation comes from corporations and ASSE members - individual and through chapters countrywide. It was reported at the annual ASSE conference in June that the total number of ASSE members supporting the Foundation has increased by 25 percent over the past four years.

Founded in 1911, ASSE is the oldest and largest professional safety organization and is committed to protecting people, property, and the environment. Its 32,000 members manage, supervise, and consult on safety, health, and environmental issues in industry, insurance, government and education. www.asse.org.