Bill Sims to Speak at September 5 Chapter Meeting

Bill Sims, Jr. will discuss the definitive recipe for effective behavior-based talent retention and recognition programs with proven behavior-recognition strategies that rapidly generate measurable employee performance improvements at the Sept. 5 Chapter meeting at the Arizona Country Club, 5668 East Orange Blossom Lane, Phoenix 85018. The meeting starts at 11:30 a.m.

Mr. Sims has developed employee recognition programs for over 1,000 companies, including Disney, Dupont, Milliken and Coca-Cola and is currently completing his first book - "Green Beans & Ice Cream - The Definitive Recipe for Behavior Recognition."

See our Chapter Meetings page for more information.

White Elected Region II Treasurer

Former Arizona Chapter President Denis White, CSP, CPCU, was voted Region II Treasurer at the Region Operating Committee (ROC) meeting held March 14-15 in Denver. White was president of the Chapter in 2005/06.

For more information on Region II activities check out the Region II Newsletter Archive.

Student Chapter Elects Officers

The Arizona Chapter Student Section has elected new officers for 2008/09 with Ryan T. Brown, from ASU's College of Technology and Innovation, named President of the section. Other officers include Mel Benash – Vice President and Eric Madsen – Secretary/Treasurer.

"I look forward to working to further develop the student organization’s visibility," said Brown, regarding his plans for the Student Section.

See our Student Section page for more info and meeting dates.

Chapter, Board Meeting Moves to Arizona Country Club

The next Arizona Chapter lunch meeting on June 6 as well as the September though December meetings will be conducted at the Arizona Country Club - 5668 East Orange Blossom Lane - Phoenix, 85018.

The Chapter Board meeting immediately preceding the Chapter lunch meeting at 9 a.m. will also be held at the Arizona Country Club starting in June.

The move is expected to be temporary until the January 2009 Chapter lunch meeting. The Chapter meeting will continue to be held on the first Friday of each month, September through June at 11:30 a.m. There are no Chapter lunch meetings in July and August.

See our Chapter Meetings page for more information.

 

Welcome to the Arizona Chapter Homepage

The Arizona Chapter of ASSE is dedicated to promoting the safety profession through increased public awareness and providing opportunities for networking and professional growth.

The Arizona Chapter presently consists of over 400 practicing Safety and Health Professionals in the greater Phoenix area.

For questions or comments, please email our Chapter President, Milli Lee at millilee@mail.maricopa.gov.

2008/09 Executive Board Receive Oath

The ASSE Chapter Executive Board members for 2008-2009 took the oath of service at the June 2 chapter meeting. They are from left: Milli Lee (President); David Bellmont (Treasurer); Carl Hamilton (President Elect); Tim Little (Vice president/PDC co-chair/COPs); Katherine Gosiger (Past-President/Delegate) and not pictured: Mary Bobbitt (Secretary).

For more information and contact information, see the 2008-2009 ASSE Arizona Chapter board members page.

Chapter Recognizes LeBlanc, Bethancourt for Residential Fall Protection Solution

Jeremy Bethancourt and Assistant Secretary of Labor Ed Foulke discuss residential fall protection methods.

Jeremy Bethancourt, Safety Director of LeBlanc Building Co., based in Scottsdale, addressed the Federal OSHA Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) on May 14 to promote the feasibility and practicality of conventional fall protection in residential construction.

Company President John LeBlanc specifically tasked Bethancourt with finding a fall protection solution to protect his workers from falls above 6 feet during residential or commercial construction activities although OSHA allows for the use of alternative fall protection plans in residential or residential-like construction.

Mr. LeBlanc also embraced Bethancourt’s suggestion to enter into official partnership with the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) to ensure compliance with all OSHA standards.

As a result, the Arizona ASSE Chapter recognized Mr. LeBlanc for his vision and commitment to safety by presenting him with the 2008 Executive of the Year safety award at the June 6, 2008 Chapter meeting.

John LeBlanc, of LeBlanc Building Co., receives the Arizona ASSE 2008 Executive of the Year Award from Chapter President Katherine Gosiger at the June 6, 2008 Chapter Luncheon Meeting.

With Mr. LeBlanc’s commitment, Bethancourt put his energy into devising a feasible and practical solution for conventional fall protection for residential “type” construction work using any of the thousands of readily available systems from distributers around the country, Bethancourt said.

An ASSE member, Bethancourt received the full support and endorsement of the Arizona Chapter executive board. He also garnered the “guarded” support of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), ADOSH, the Society, and other construction industry officials, he said.

Bethancourt has called upon Chapter members and the public to write letters in support of Assistant Secretary of Labor Ed Foulke, and the rescinding of STD 3-0.1A as a result of the ACCSH meeting.

ACCSH Actions:

• Passed -- ACCSH voted to recommend to OSHA to rescind the STD 3-0.1A and return to using Subpart M as intended, which would require employers demonstrate (not just claim) infeasibility or greater hazard. If they cannot demonstrate, then they must use conventional fall protection for employees.

• Failed -- ACCSH voted to amend the recommendation to rescind the STD 3-0.1A to exempt the roofing industry so it can continue using the interim guidelines and alternative Plans without requiring roofing companies to prove infeasibility or a greater hazard.

• Passed -- ACCSH voted to continue the sub-committee on residential fall protection to work toward review of best practices and training for conventional fall protection.

• Passed -- ACCSH voted to admit the sub-committee on residential fall protection minutes to OSHA.

Click here to read an article on Bethancourt and LeBlanc's efforts in residential fall protection.

Bellmont Named Safety Professional of the Year (SPY)

David Bellmont, Chapter Treasurer, accepts the 2008 ASSE Arizona Chapter SPY Award from Harold Gribow, Chapter Past-President.

David Bellmont has been named the 2008 ASSE, Arizona Chapter Safety Professional of the Year (SPY) and received the award before a packed house at the Chapter Meeting on May 2, 2008.

The selection was made by the Chapter Awards and Nominations Committee consisting of Harold Gribow, Larry Tinker and Wayne Ziemann, Committee chair.
Mr. Bellmont, CSP, ARM, CPCU, has been the primary driver towards the creation of the Arizona Safety Education Center (ASEC) and has been the coordinator of safety training courses presented in Phoenix by the Region IX OSHA Training Institute.

Mr. Bellmont works as a safety consultant. For more than 20 years, he provided health and safety services to SCF Arizona customers in loss control and risk management.

He proudly serves the Arizona Chapter as the Treasurer, a position of trust that he has held for more than 10 years, in which he has led the way in securing the financial stability of the chapter. The Arizona Chapter is widely known nationwide throughout the Society as one of the best managed and financially sound Chapters. It is entirely through David’s efforts that the Arizona Chapter has been able to endow two $1,000 annual student scholarships through the ASSE Foundation and to begin the endowment process for a third. The Chapter also annually awards two $500 scholarships locally.

Although not specifically defined in his duties as treasurer, David has arranged, organized, set up and monitored every OSHA Training Institute course hosted by the Arizona Chapter since he was first elected treasurer. The annual number of courses presented has increased dramatically every year. For 2008 there will be 38 presentations, each lasting three or four days. David arranges the room, distributes the materials, and makes sure that the class runs well. Before the past few years, David also managed the registration system, which has since been taken over by the OSHA Training Institute.

Recipients of the Chapter SPY must be members who have demonstrated technical expertise in the field of safety and a thorough knowledge of its operational aspects and made professional contributions to advance the safety profession and the Chapter’s position as the safety and health authority within the borders of the Chapter’s area.

The American Society of Safety Engineers

Founded in 1911, the national American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) is the world's oldest and largest professional, non-profit, safety organization. ASSE members manage, supervise and consult on safety, health and environmental issues in industry, insurance, construction, utilities, government and healthcare, among others.