DES PLAINES, IL (November 1, 2002) ---A Central Washington University alumnus and American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) official awarded a $2500 ASSE Foundation scholarship today to CWU safety and health student Sarah West. ASSE Regional Vice President and CWU alum Brian Clarke also discussed with the ASSE student section how identifying and avoiding workplace risks - whether in the fields, the office, on the road, in the home, or at the worksite - can save billions in dollars in tangible costs and even more in intangible costs.

      "We applaud Sarah for her commitment to safety and urge all students to consider a career in the growing field of occupational safety and health," Clarke, of Portland, OR, said in presenting the scholarship. "This scholarship is another way our members have shown their commitment to protecting people, property and the environment and nurturing those that seek a career in the occupational safety profession. As many of you know, every day millions of people go to and return home from work safely due, in part, to occupational safety health and environmental professionals. But more needs to be done."

      Excluding the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, there were 5,900 workplace fatalities in the U.S. Transportation incidents are the leading cause of on-the-job fatalities followed by work-related homicides and then falls. The terrorist attacks took the lives of 2,886 workers in NY City, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and on the planes that crashed in NY City, VA and PA.

      "ASSE is urging all employers to focus on developing and implementing effective occupational safety and health programs at the planning stages in an effort to reduce these fatalities and injuries," Clarke said. "Many do and they tap into the expertise of ASSE, ASSE members and their expertise because the smart employers know that an investment in safety reaps positive rewards not only on the bottom line, but with reputation and brand management, customer and vendor relations and with their employees."

      As for farming and ranching, Clarke, born and raised on an Ellensburg farm and seeing first hand many agriculture farming accidents, noted that there are about 2.5 million people who work on America's 1.5 million farms and ranches. Farm accidents and other work-related health problems claim as many as 1400 lives and cause 140,000 injuries a year, many of which are preventable.

      Throughout their work, farmers handle a variety of agricultural chemicals and other toxic substances. Many materials are hazardous and can be fatal if not used and stored properly. Farmers are also exposed to dust, sun, noise, and other farming health hazards. Transportation incidents such as tractor rollovers do occur, accounting for a high rate of farm fatalities. In an effort to assist the local farming and ranch community, ASSE offers these following safety tips:

• Develop an awareness of hazards on the farm and prepare for emergency situations including fires, vehicle accidents, electrical shocks from equipment and wires, and adverse health effects from chemical exposures.
• Reduce the risk of injury and illness with preventive measures. Read and follow instructions in equipment operator's manuals. Follow instructions on product labels for safe use, handling, and storage.
• Conduct routine inspections of your equipment to determine problems and potential failures that may contribute to or cause an accident.
• Conduct meetings with employees and family members to assess safety hazards, discuss potential accident situations, and outline emergency procedures.
• Be especially alert to hazards that may affect children and the elderly.
• Properly maintain tools, buildings, and equipment.
• Provide rollover protective structures, protective enclosures, or protective frames as appropriate for farm tractors.
• Use seat belts while the tractor is in operation.
• Make sure guards for farm equipment are put back on after maintenance to protect workers from moving machinery parts.
• Review material safety data sheets and labels that come with all chemical products.
• Communicate information concerning hazards to all workers. Prevent pesticide poisonings and dermatitis caused by chemicals by ensuring that protective measures recommended on the labels are taken.
• Take the necessary precautions to prevent entrapment and suffocation caused by unstable surfaces of grain storage bins, silos or hoppers.
• Be aware that methane gas, carbon dioxide, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide can be present in unventilated grain silos and manure pits in quantities sufficient to cause asphyxiation or explosion.

      The benefits of accident prevention include reduced work injury and illness costs such as worker compensation insurance premiums, lost production and medical costs. A safer more healthful workplace also improves worker production and morale and prevents human suffering. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 1-800-356-NIOSH or www.cdc.gov/niosh, has additional information on farm and ranch safety.

      Founded in 1911, the non-profit ASSE is the largest and oldest professional safety organization and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. Its more than 30,000 members manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in all industries, government and education. Chartered in 1990, the ASSE Foundation is committed to ensuring the future of the occupational safety and health profession by providing financial resources to individuals and organizations for applied research, scholarships, fellowships, internships and professional development. Contact ASSE at www.asse.org for more information.

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