UA Safe State Director Receives First National Safety Excellence Award for Service to Small Business

Tuscaloosa, Ala. – Dr. William H. Weems, director of the Safe State Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Program in the College of Continuing Studies at The University of Alabama, has been awarded the William J. Higgins award, the first national OSHA award for safety excellence in the small business community.

The first William J. Higgins award, marking the 30th anniversary of OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program, was presented at the Annual Consultation Conference held recently in Westminster, Colo.

“Dr. Weems has been at the forefront in advocating many innovative improvements which have had a significant impact on the quality and recognition of our consultation program,” said acting assistant secretary of labor for OSHA Jonathan L. Snare.

Weems, on-site consultation program manager for Alabama at UA, was the first recipient of what will become an annual award program named for Dr. William J. Higgins, the first national office director for the program. Higgins was one of three OSHA staff who authored the first consultation program regulations that initially included just 13 states.

“Bill Weems has been a leader in the OSHA consultation program throughout its history, said Dr. Carolyn Dahl, dean of the College of Continuing Studies. “To be the first recipient of the William J. Higgins award is a testament both to his contributions and to the high regard of his peers. I am pleased, but not surprised, that his leadership has been formally recognized through this award.”

Weems has been with UA’s Consultation Program since 1978, serving first as a supervisory health consultant before becoming program manager. He is also serving his third term as president of the National Association of Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Programs which represents all state consultation service providers.

One of Weems’ major accomplishments was his efforts before Congress to include language in the OSH Act that provided statutory recognition of the On-site Consultation Program. Ultimately, the Act was amended to include a subsection that required the establishment of a compliance assistance program by which employers can consult with state personnel regarding the application of, and compliance with, OSHA standards.

Weems also led a team in the development of the Safety and Health Program Assessment Worksheet, the Consultation Program’s measurement tool that captures essential elements of an effective safety and health management system.

“It is indeed an honor to have been selected as the first recipient of this award. I am particularly pleased that the award is named for Bill Higgins, whose creative dedication was so crucial to the success of OSHA’s Consultation Program during its formative years,” said Weems.
Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure the safety and health of America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health.

For more information please contact UA’s Safe State Program at http://alabamasafestate.ua.edu/safe_state_osha.htm or call 205/348-7136.