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Knox County Safety Council

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Knox County Safety Council
Knox County Safety Council is a program of the Ohio BWC, and is facilitated by The Knox County Chamber of Commerce.

The goal of the Knox County Safety Council is to increase safety awareness and promote greater interest in the prevention of occupational accidents and disease. Safety Council holds monthly meetings and featured speakers address issues of on-the-job safety.

Become a partner and "Reach New Levels In Safety Awareness"!

  • Business Security
  • Electrical Safety
  • First-Aid in the Workplace
  • Fire Safety
  • Hearing Conservation
  • OSHA/BWC Panel Discussion
  • Plant Tours
  • Lifting & Back Safety
  • And More!

The Knox County Safety Council steering committee meets the first Tuesday of every month at 8:00 a.m. at Knox Community Hospital Urgent Care Education Room located at 1490 Coshocton Road in Mount Vernon. These volunteers plan and organize each monthly educational module.

This meeting is open to committee members only.

Interested in joining the committee? Contact the Chamber of Commerce at 740-393-1111, or send an e-mail to Chamber@KnoxChamber.com.

Nancy Karam, Chair, Knox Community Hospital
Rob Flowers, Treasurer, Rolls-Royce Energy Systems
Tina Cockrell, Chamber of Commerce
Chris Thornton, Meade Construction
Donna Baker, Shannon Staffing
Emily Marth, Knox County Commissioners
Jason Hall, Modern Builders
Keith Hughes, PACS Industries, Inc.
Ken Belcher, Ohio BWC
Rob Powell, Ohio BWC
Ken Thomas, SBC Recycling

Each year the Safety Council holds annual awards. These awards are presented as a result of the semi-annual reports that are submitted to the Ohio BWC in January and July. The four separate awards that can be earned include: The Special Award, presented to each company that accumulates at least 500,000 hours and at least six months without a lost-time injury or illness; the Achievement Award, presented to each company that works the entire year without lost time due to injury or illness; and the Group Award, presented to the company with the lowest incident rate in each group. For this award, the groups are divided by manufacturing with less than 100 employees, manufacturing with more than 100 employees; construction, healthcare, service industries, and government.

What is Safety Council?

Each Ohio Safety Council has the same goal: To increase safety awareness. But developing and maintaining a safe workplace is no easy task. That's why it must be a combined effort of local business and the community. The Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation Division of Safety and Hygiene sponsors more than 70 Safety Councils across the state, organized through chambers of commerce, trade and manufacturing associations and other safety-minded organizations. These Safety Councils provide their local communities with quality programs addressing occupational safety and health, workers' compensation and risk management education and information. They inform participants about new techniques, products and services, and provide a thorough knowledge of these services. The Knox County Chamber of Commerce established a local program in the 1970's.

Who can Join?

The program is open to any Knox County business.

How Can Our Business Join?

Becoming a member is simple. Just complete an application form and mail or fax it to the Chamber. Applications are found on our Web site, www.KnoxSafetyCouncil.com or call the chamber at 740-393-1111 for an application.

Is there a Fee to Join?

There is no fee to join and no annual fees. The only cost to you is $10 per person per meeting to cover the cost of the breakfast provided.

Are there Incentives to Join?

Employers can earn a 2 percent discount on their annual premiums for meeting certain eligibility requirements and a two percent performance bonus for reducing either frequency or severity of on-the-job injuries. The discount and bonus are paid in the form of a rebate check. Contact the chamber office for complete details about this opportunity and learn about the requirements for the rebate.

What's Required of Safety Council Members?

In short, attendance at monthly meetings and submitting semi-annual reports. Your local Safety Council receives funds from the BWC to defray operating expenses and provide speakers. The amount received from the BWC is directly related to attendance and reporting. You'll be asked to sign in at every meeting.

When are the Meetings Held?

They are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. From time-to-time a local manufacturer will host a meeting which includes a tour of their facility. Visit our Web site for details about this month's meeting.

Scholarship Opportunity

The Knox County Safety Council is proud to provide a $1000 scholarship to at least three qualified high school seniors each spring.

Interested seniors can apply by meeting the following criteria:

  1. Be a Knox County resident, and a senior at a Knox County Public High School (Knox County Career Center is included).
  2. Secondary education must be a major in a safety related field (see below).
  3. Must post a 3.0 grade point average or higher.
  4. Submit a completed application form.
  5. Submit a 500 word typed essay reflecting their views on how they will be able to influence the environment, workplace or community in regards to their chosen field of study.
  6. Submit an official grade transcript.

Major or accepted fields of study must be at least an associate (2 year) degree and include:

  • Safety & Environmental Management
  • Environmental Studies
  • Criminal Justice
  • Nursing
  • Forensic Science
  • Industrial Hygiene
  • Fire Engineering

The Safety Council Steering Committee will select two recipients each year in March. Further information and applications are available at the Chamber of Commerce office.

Grant

Current Safety Council members may apply for the Knox County Safety Grant. The Safety Council Steering Committee will evaluate all submitted applications and the recipient will be announced at the April Awards meeting. A first place recipient will receive $1,000 and a second place recipient will receive $500. Interested companies must be a current Knox County Safety Council member in good standing. This means the company has sent a representative to at least four meetings between July through January and the company has submitted their semi-annual reports. Applications are collected mid-March. The Knox County Safety Council Steering Committee will select and announce the recipient at the April annual awards meeting. Recipient must turn in a copy of the original invoice for the equipment/material purchased to the to the Chamber office. Once verified, a check will be mailed to the business. The business will be presented a plaque at the April awards meeting that they may display acknowledging the Knox County Safety Council.