ASSE NEWS

American Society of Safety Engineers

Protecting people, property and the environment since 1911

Contact: Diane Hurns

847-768-3413, dhurns@asse.org

Michael J. Nowak

847-699-2929 ext 3510 mnowak@asse.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ST. LOUIS RESIDENT RECEIVES TOP PROFESSIONAL SAFETY AWARD

DES PLAINES, IL (July 31, 2000) – Keith Vidal of St. Louis, MO, received the Safety Professional of the Year (SPY) Award from the St. Louis chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). This award recognizes Vidal’s determination and hard work in advancing the safety profession by educating government officials and fellow workers on workplace safety.

The SPY Award acknowledges members who have demonstrated superior work and dedication to the advancement of the safety profession. Chosen members are nominated by either their peers, region or chapter members.

Vidal received BS and MS degrees from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE. He founded his own company, Vidal Engineering Inc., which provides safety consulting services to corporate, attorney and insurance clients. Prior to Vidal Engineering Inc., he served as vice president of engineering for Senne, Kelsey and Associates Inc. and as a consulting assistant at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

“Keith exemplifies true professionalism in the safety area and through his contributions he has made a significant difference,” Christine Bierman, president and CEO of St. Louis-based Colt Safety Inc. and president of the ASSE St. Louis Chapter, said today. “Not only is he an expert in his field, but consistently works to raise safety standards in all fields through his volunteer work with ASSE in St. Louis and throughout the U.S. He has also contributed greatly to the strides ASSE has made with Congress and federal regulators on key safety issues, such as slip resistance on structural steel.”

Vidal has developed standards for slip resistance and pedestrian safety while serving as chair of a subcommittee of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and as a member of four standards writing committees for the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM). Due to his expertise, Vidal is also a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) and the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE).

Vidal has demonstrated his dedication to ASSE and to safety with his work as chair of the Standards Development Committee and as a member of the National Government Affairs Committee. He has written technical papers on slip resistance and pedestrian safety for such publications as the Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers and the St. Louis Bar Journal. In addition, he has spoken at several ASSE conferences regarding slip resistance and falls. Slips and falls are the top cause of major injury to the public, whether at home, at work or doing day to day errands.

Founded in 1911, ASSE is the oldest and largest professional safety and health organization. Its 32,000 members manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health and environmental issues in industry, insurance, government and education. For more information on ASSE and safety issues visit its website at www.asse.org.