A Department of Safety Sciences national forum on fatality prevention in the workplace has received $100,000 in support from the Alcoa Foundation through a grant to the Foundation for Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

The Fatality Prevention Forum is scheduled for October 29–30 at the Embassy Suites in Pittsburgh. Reservations may be made online.

This forum will be the second of its kind presented by IUP in collaboration with the Alcoa Foundation and other sponsors.

At the first event, in November 2007, participants identified three areas for future research and discussion: a better understanding of the risk assessment process, causal factors associated with increased risk, and the role of training in fatality prevention.

Building on findings and recommendations from the 2007 event, this year's program will include:

  • sharing of best practices and innovative technological concepts or solutions;
  • developing a common risk profile for specific industries or exposure groups;
  • expanding understanding of the role of human performance concepts in preventing fatalities;
  • exploring the most effective leadership styles and organizational attributes necessary for effective fatality prevention, including enhanced employee engagement; and
  • identifying future safety research and public policy that could drive significant improvement in the ability to predict and prevent fatalities.

“We learned a great deal during discussions at the 2007 Fatality Prevention Forum, and we look forward to adding to our recommendations and findings during this year's forum, which again brings together experts from industry, labor, academia and government agencies,” said Lon Ferguson, chair of the Department of Safety Sciences.

The Alcoa Foundation is a longstanding supporter of the IUP Safety Sciences program and a flagship supporter of the Fatality Prevention Forum.

“The Alcoa Foundation is committed to educational activities around safety and workforce redevelopment, and we see this conference as a great opportunity to raise the awareness of safety issues across the manufacturing industry,” said Paula Davis, foundation president.

“Alcoa's global priority is the well-being of our employees, and we take great care to provide the training and tools required to create a safe work environment for our employees,” said Jeff Shockey, Alcoa corporate safety director. “This conference is a tremendous opportunity for leading safety professionals to share best practices and to learn from each other for the betterment of all of our organizations.”

Alcoa is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum, and alumina facilities, serving the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation, and industrial markets.

More about Safety Sciences at IUP

The Department of Safety Sciences offers a bachelor of science degree in safety, health and environmental applied sciences and an master's degree and doctorate in safety sciences, both of which are offered online. To date, more than 3,000 safety and health professionals have graduated from these programs, and placement rates have consistently been above 90 percent. These graduates are employed in a variety of industries, such as oil, chemicals, construction, steel, insurance and manufacturing. The bachelor's degree program is currently one of 12 safety programs accredited by the Applied Science Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology in Safety.

BS admissions

MS admissions

PhD admissions