ASSE LA - Women in Safety Engineering (WISE)

Award Nominations

We are seeking award nominees for our 3rd Annual "Women in Safety Engineering" presentation scheduled for May 2008. Nominees should have made a significant impact on the safety and health of workers by demonstrating exemplary service in the field of safety or one of its associated specialties. Winner must have demonstrated the highest level of technical skill and/or innovation throughout their career. The Award winner must be present at the May Chapter meeting (Co-hosted by SCAIHA & participating Local ASSE Chapters) and will be asked to be the speaker at that meeting. The nomination petition should fully explain in detail the nominee’s qualifications as outlined in the General Criterion above.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Los Angeles Chapter of ASSE has set aside their meeting on Wednesday, April 9, 2008, for a presentation on CoPS, practice specialties and branches, and SDC.

The ASSE Council on Practices and Standards (CoPS) is a council of ASSE, which provides technical insight to ASSE leadership addressing the practice of the safety profession, its specific disciplines, and the standards of practice impacting our members.

The ASSE Standards Development Committee (SDC) is the lead entity for the Society to participate globally in all aspects of standards development to expand the body of knowledge in order to protect people, property and the environment.

For more info., contact Christopher M. Gates, ARM at cgates@rm.sbcounty.gov

Gov. Schwarzenegger signed SB 1613 by Sen. Joseph Simitian (D-Palo Alto)

which prohibits the use of a cell phone in a moving vehicle unless the driver is using

a hands free device.  “The simple fact is it’s dangerous to talk on your cell phone while driving. CHP data show that cell phones are the number one cause of distracted-driving accidents,” said Gov. Schwarzenegger. “So getting people’s hands off their phones and onto their steering wheels is going to make a big difference in road safety.

The ‘Hands-Free’ cell phone bill will save lives by making our roads safer. I want to thank Senator Simitian for authoring this bill and for his commitment to the safety of his fellow Californians.”

Specifically, SB 1613:

Distracted driving leads to tens of thousands of car accidents annually, with many of these accidents resulting in serious injuries or even death. Distractions while driving include eating, drinking, changing the radio station, reading and using a cell phone. For many of these distractions, there is no practical alternative other than banning the activity. However, there is a practical alternative to holding a cell phone – using a hands free device. Hands-free devices are very inexpensive and most new phones come with an earpiece.

Using a hands-free device while driving does not eliminate the distraction that comes with cell phones. Talking on the phone and dialing and hanging up the phone create a distraction. However, requiring drivers to use hands-free devices better ensures that drivers have two hands free to place on the wheel while driving.

P a g e 3 L o s A n g e l e s C h a p t e r —A S S E V o l u m e 6 1 , I s s u e 6

2008-9 ASSE LA Chapter Officer Candidates

Individuals nominated for ASSE LA office as of the February deadline are listed below as required by chapter bylaws. This year’s Nominating Committee was headed up by Louie Therrien.

Web Wizard,  Governmental Affairs, Awards and Honors, Transportation Safety Common Interest Group Chair, Job Placement Chair, Public Relations / Communications, Women in Safety Engineering (WISE), Joint Technical Symposium, Risk Management Common Interest Group Chair Archives, Safety Professionals and the Latino Worker (SPAWL), High Hazard Industry Common Interest Group Chair.