Michael Neason

J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. recently named Michael Neason, of Louisville, Kentucky, as the 2004 KellerOnline^® (KOL) Safety Professional of the Year (SPOTY). The SPOTY award is sponsored by KOL, the interactive online safety tool that helps safety professionals better manage their safety process.

Neason, safety director for Hanson Aggregates, was chosen out of over 150 finalists to receive the award. He was selected for his ability to communicate his company’s safety culture to 36 company facilities engaged in mining — historically one of the most dangerous industries in America.

All contest entrants were required to describe how they decreased incidents and positively affected safety in their workplace. Neason specifically integrated safety and productivity, emphasizing that people are important, safety is a value, and working safely is everyone’s responsibility. Using this approach, Neason improved and maintained the safety records at facilities he manages, with one facility exceeding 35 years without any lost-time accidents, and another facility exceeding 17 years without any recordable injuries.

Michael Neason, 2004 KellerOnline^® Safety Professional of the Year Award WinnerNeason will receive a $2,500 cash award during a special ceremony planned in Neenah, Wisconsin, February 25th, along with a plaque and one year’s use of KellerOnline® for himself and his staff.

Tom Mullaney, of American Management Corporation, Conway, Arkansas, was awarded second place. He will receive a $500 cash award, a plaque and a one-year subscription to KOL. Chris Gordon of Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., Tomah, Wisconsin, was awarded third place. He will also receive a plaque and one-year subscription to KOL, along with a $50 cash award.

Applications for the 2005 KOL Safety Professional of the Year are currently being accepted. To participate, entrants must be registered users of KellerOnline^®. No purchase is necessary to become a registered user. Non-subscribers can become registered users by signing up for a “no obligation” free trial of the service. Once registered, users can submit their entry at the site (www.kelleronline.com) by answering the five questions posted, which relate to safety objectives and initiatives for 2005 and how KellerOnline® will help in the endeavor.

About Hanson Aggregates

Hanson Aggregates employs 871 employees at 36 locations in North America. It is a sub-group of Hanson, the largest producer of aggregates — crushed rock, sand and gravel — and concrete pipe products in the world. Hanson also operates facilities in the United Kingdom, Australia, Continental Europe and Asia Pacific.

About J. J. Keller

J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., of Neenah, WI, is a leading specialized publisher and services provider. Founded in 1953, the company offers a wide spectrum of ready-made and custom safety and regulatory compliance products to customers throughout North America. Keller helps customers in industries such as transportation, construction, utilities, manufacturing and food processing comply with DOT, OSHA, EPA, DOL, FDA and USDA requirements. The company’s diverse product line includes technical publications; computer software; video-based, online and CD-ROM training programs; specialized forms; and supplies.

Keller also provides safety consulting, on-site training and a variety of transportation services, including licensing, permitting, fuel tax reporting, driver log auditing and driver qualification file management.