Dr. Kevin Slates, a clinical associate professor at the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington, has been named the 2019 William E. Tarrants Outstanding Safety Educator by the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP). He has been a member of the ASSP for 14 years.
In addition to securing external funding for safety program initiatives, Slates has been involved in curriculum revision and web-based course development, spearheading the online master’s in safety management program. He is also the founding director of IU’s industrial hygiene laboratory.
“His students have often commented on his positive teaching style, willingness to work with them, and his personal care for their benefit,” said Dr. Alfred Capuano, a lecturer at the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington. “I consider his teaching and career counseling skills to be among the very best.”
Slates has led his students to earn the ASSP Outstanding Student Section of the Year Award in two of the last three years. His commitment to students who are pursuing safety careers is demonstrated by the number of ways he assists them, even after they graduate.
“A few years ago, most of our student internships were local and unpaid,” Capuano said. “But under Dr. Slates’ leadership, the number of internships tripled, all are paid, and they are available across the United States. He routinely disseminates employment and internship opportunities to students and alumni.”
“It is wonderful that ASSP named Dr. Slates the 2019 William E. Tarrants Outstanding Safety Educator. He is very deserving of this award. It recognizes his tireless work to support ASSP and the safety profession, but more importantly his work and dedication to the development of students at all levels, from undergraduate to doctoral, at Indiana University-Bloomington,” said Dr. Todd Smith, an assistant professor at the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington.
Slates was honored during ASSP’s Safety 2019 Professional Development Conference & Exposition, held recently in New Orleans. The global event brings together more than 5,000 safety professionals from 40 countries to learn about best practices, industry trends, and the latest product innovations in the occupational safety and health field.
Each year, ASSP honors an occupational safety and health professional who demonstrates outstanding achievement in safety education. These top instructors help students reach their full potential and become results-producing safety professionals. The award is named after Dr. William E. Tarrants, a pioneer in safety education who was an ASSP Fellow and president (1977-78).
For more than 100 years, the ASSP has been at the forefront of helping occupational safety and health professionals protect people and property. The nonprofit society is based in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge. Its global membership of over 38,000 professionals covers every industry, developing safety and health management plans that prevent injuries, illnesses and deaths. ASSP advances its members and the safety profession through education, advocacy, standards, and a professional community.
Source: IU SPH-B