MI Honors the Victims of Workplace and Roadway Accidents

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 | 0

Honoring the Michigan road workers who lost their lives, and addressing ways to prevent workplace and roadway accidents; workers, construction associations and safety professionals Tuesday hosted the "Give'em a Brake" coalition reception in front of the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, MI.

The American Society of Safety Engineers' (ASSE) Greater Detroit Chapter provided their support of this work zone safety event as part of the annual North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week.

The reception featured the traveling National Work Zone Memorial, which lists the names of the 26 Michigan road workers who died while rebuilding the state's highways and roads, and also the one motorist who died in the state's work zone.

Sponsored by the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) and the Michigan Road Builders Association (MRBA), the event also featured a presentation with Michigan Department of Transportation Director Gloria Jeff, Michigan State Police Colonel Tad Sturdivant, ATSSA President Tom McSwain and construction zone victim Bill Hattan. The speakers highlighted current safety efforts and reviewed crash data and injury statistics, to help reduce work zone accidents as road construction projects take place this summer throughout the state.

ASSE Greater Detroit Chapter President Rebecca Drzewiecki, said, "The Greater Detroit Chapter of ASSE is proud to support the safety efforts in reducing workplace and construction work zone injuries in Michigan, especially as summer road construction begins. As part of NAOSH week, safety professionals throughout North America are helping bring workplace safety awareness to the public, recognizing the importance of safety professionals and investing in occupational safety, health and environmental programs to prevent on-the-job injuries and illnesses."

During the week of May 2-8 thousands of members of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) are sponsoring educational forums, employee and community safety fairs, and, distributing free key occupational safety, health and environmental information countrywide as they celebrate the annual NAOSH Week. Some of the tools they will use include ASSE's free brochures titled 'ASSE's Workplace Safety Guide for New Workers,' 'Important Driver Safety Tips' and 'ASSE's Hazardous Materials Safety Information Guide.'

For free NAOSH week information, posters and brochures go to the http://www.asse.org/naosh04web site or contact ASSE customer service at 847-699-2929 or customerservice@asse.org.

Source: ASSE