On Nov. 9, 2012 Georgia Tech Professional Education held an Introduction to Safety and Health Program Management (OTI 7500) course on the Georgia Tech-Savannah campus. The course provided an overview of the components to create a successful safety and health management system. Benefits include lower accident-related costs, reduced absenteeism, lower turnover, higher productivity, and improved employee morale.

“Creating a successful safety and health management system is critical in any environment," said Daniel J. Ortiz, director of Occupational Safety and Health Program for Georgia Tech Professional Education. "Key topics such as work site analysis, hazard prevention and control, safety and health training, and complete program evaluation were addressed to help students understand the benefits of implementing a safety and health management system in the workplace.”

The course was taught by Georgia Tech faculty Damon Nix and Thomas Dean, with extensive experience with health program management. Nix serves as a safety specialist with the Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program, providing safety and health consultation services to small businesses throughout Georgia. Dean has a diverse background in occupational safety as an industrial hygienist and safety consultant in various industries, including work for the Kennedy Space Center and the World Trade Center in New York, NY.

For more information or to register for upcoming courses, visit: www.gtpe.gatech.edu/safety-management

For a list of all upcoming Georgia Tech Professional Education courses in Savannah, visit: http://www.gtpe.gatech.edu/gts-fall.