ACTE, NIOSH Recognize Klein For Promoting School Lab Safety

Contact: Christy Spring, (202)245-0633

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) earlier this month announced Andrew Klein, machine shop technology teacher from Reading, Pennsylvania as the 2012 NIOSH School Lab Safety Award recipient. The ACTE and NIOSH School Lab Safety Award is given to a teacher or professor who promotes occupational safety and health in school laboratories.

The ACTE and NIOSH School Lab Safety Award was created to encourage a safe and healthy environment in school laboratories. Entries were sought from ACTE members on the subject of "Promoting Safety and Health in Career and Technical Education."

Mr. Klein was awarded on his manual entitled, "Reading Muhlenberg Career and Technology Center, Machine Shop Technology Safety Manual." The manual provides graphics and incorporation of tests and quizzes; making the document an excellent training tool. Mr. Klein concisely covers many of the pressing safety concerns in a way that his students can comprehend.

"Promoting occupational safety and health in the classroom is one way of increasing health protection and health promotion," said NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D. "This year’s winner exemplifies a standard of training that is accessible, relevant and practical to students working in school laboratories."

Dr. Leslie Nickels , from the Office of Health Communications at NIOSH, presented the award to Klein during ACTE’s National Policy Seminar Closing General Session on March 7, 2012. The ACTE and NIOSH School Lab Safety Award is evaluated based on relevance, technical accuracy, and practical application of the content. A panel of judges selected by NIOSH reviewed the entries and selected the winner.

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit education association dedicated to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers.

NIOSH is the federal agency that conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injuries and illnesses. It was established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. For further information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/niosh.