J. J. Keller & Associates Inc., Neenah, Wisc., recently honored Michael Neason, of Louisville, Ky., as the 2004 KellerOnline -- or KOL -- Safety Professional of the Year.

The so-called SPOTY award is sponsored by KOL, the interactive online safety tool that helps safety professionals bettertheir safety process.
Neason, safety director for Hanson Aggregates, was chosen out of over 150 finalists to receive the award. He was selected for his ability to communicate his company’s safety culture to 36 facilities engaged in mining — historically one of the most dangerous industries in America. Neason specifically integrated safety and productivity, emphasizing that people are important, safety is a value, and working safely is everyone’s responsibility. Using this approach, Neason improved and maintained the safety records at facilities he manages, with one facility exceeding 35 years without any lost-time accidents, and another facility exceeding 17 years without any recordable injuries. The company has also achieved over 190 clean federal inspections. His winning program netted him $2,500, a commemorative plaque and a free one-year subscription to KellerOnline.
Tom Mullaney, of American Management Corporation, Conway, Arkansas, was awarded second place. He received a $500 cash award, a plaque and a one-year subscription to KOL. Chris Gordon of Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., Tomah, Wisconsin, was awarded third place. He received a plaque and a one-year subscription to KOL, along with a $50 cash award.
Applications for the 2005 KOL Safety Professional of the Year are currently being accepted. To participate, entrants must be registered users of KellerOnline. No purchase is necessary to become a registered user. Non-subscribers can become registered users by signing up for a 30-day “no obligation” free trial of the service. Once
Rregistered, users can submit their entry at www.kelleronline.com by answering the five questions posted, which relate to safety objectives and initiatives for 2004 and how KellerOnline will help in the endeavor.