DES PLAINES, IL (January 22, 2003) -- In its ongoing effort to support women in occupational safety and health, Ford Motor Company today donated $15,000 to the American Society of Safety Engineers Foundation (ASSEF) towards its scholarship program for women pursuing a degree in occupational safety and health.

According to ASSEF Manager Mary Goranson, Ford has given a total of $45,000 over the past three years to the ASSEF to help women pursue a career in occupational safety and health. The company also supports many local and national non-profit organizations in the areas of education, community development and the environment. These programs help to affect change, provide for those in need and improve the quality of life.

"As members of ASSE know, quality of life is very important to everyone. The safety of our workforce is of paramount importance to Ford," Ford's Director of Healthcare Management Dr. Vincent Kerr said. "We rely on partnerships with organizations like the ASSEF to enhance our efforts to adopt programs and processes that protect the well-being of our employees and their families. We also believe that there are great opportunities for women in the business of occupational safety and we want to provide help where we can for those that decide to enter this field."

"Each year the need grows to assist students and, at the same time, the demand for qualified occupational safety, health and environmental professionals continues to spiral upwards," ASSE Foundation Chair Karl A. Jacobson said today. "We applaud Ford for recognizing the need to support students and women entering the growing field of occupational safety, health and the environment. Their ongoing commitment to safety in the workplace is commendable."

There are many opportunities in the field of occupational safety and health. A safety professional is a person engaged in the prevention of accidents, incidents and events that harm people, property and the environment. They help to achieve better workplace safety by identifying and analyzing hazards which can potentially create injury and illness, developing and applying hazard controls, communicating safety and health information, measuring the effectiveness of controls, and performing follow-up evaluations to measure continuing improvement in programs.

Mathematics and science, biology, physics and chemistry as well as learning problem-solving skills to identify, analyze and control hazards are included in the occupational safety, health and environmental educational programs. For a list of colleges offering programs in this area and recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) check the "College and University Directory of Safety and Related Degree Programs" available on ASSE's web site at www.asse.org under Careers in Safety.

To date there are 18 ASSEF undergraduate awards one can apply for and three graduate awards in addition to the research and professional development grants available. ASSEF information, including applications, can be found at www.asse.org under ASSE Foundation. Applicants must be an ASSE member or ASSE student member.

Chartered in 1990, the ASSEF is dedicated to supporting the advancement of the safety profession and to protect the safety and health of the public through funding safety research and education; providing professional development and financial resources to individuals and non-profit organizations pursuing safety research and careers; advancing the safety profession through financial awards for scholarships, internships and fellowships; and, towards developing accredited degree programs countrywide. ASSEF information and applications can be found on the ASSE web site at www.asse.org under ASSE Foundation.

Founded in 1911, the non-profit ASSE is the oldest and largest 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, labor and education.

     

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