June 13, 2005

UA Safe State Director Receives First National Award


Dr. William H.Weems

Dr. William H. Weems, director of the Safe State Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Program in the College of Continuing Studies at UA, has been awarded the William J. Higgins award, the first national OSHA award for safety excellence in the small business community. This first William J. Higgins award marks the 30th anniversary of OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program.

“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.”

Weems has been with UA’s Consultation Program since 1978. 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.

For more information visit the Web site of UA’s Safe State Program at http://alabamasafestate.ua.edu/safe_state_osha.htm or call 348-7136.

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