Welcome!

Welcome to the Three Rivers Chapter website, a non-profit organization chartered by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). The Three Rivers Chapter promotes the advancement of the safety profession and development of its members in a region southwest of Chicago. To fulfill its purpose, the chapter sponsors the Chicagoland Safety Conference, offers educational programs, publishes informative newsletters, networks with local organizations, and conducts other activities that support ASSE objectives.

ASSE was founded in 1911, seven months after the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire that killed 146 female garment workers in New York City. Safety professionals use principles from many different disciples to protect people, property, and the environment. Our members are a diverse group of professionals working to improve conditions in all walks of life, including service industries, manufacturing, transportation, chemicals, mining, utilities, construction, insurance, education, healthcare, and government.

Membership in the Three Rivers Chapter is open to individuals who are members of ASSE. We invite you to visit www.asse.org, where you can browse objective, scientific information about safety in a friendly, easy-to-read format, and learn how to become a member.

ASSE's Nexsteps: The Next Phase in Your Safety & Health Career

If you are seeking a job in the safety profession, ASSE's Nexsteps is the website for you! With just a few clicks of the mouse, ASSE members can easily post their resume at www.nexsteps.org for employers to view, and create a search agent to email you when jobs are posted that match your criteria. There is no cost to post your resume, or search available positions. Employers can post available positions, and search resumes in Nexsteps.

Grants for Professional Development

Three Rivers Chapter is working to improve services for unemployed members. The board recently approved a Grant Program to assist with professional development, and created two online groups to facilitate networking, and allow members to post jobs. The grant application is available in both the chapter Google and LinkedIn groups. If you would like to join, or need assistance navigating the online groups, send a request to threerivers.asse@gmail.com. More time has been allotted at the monthly chapter meeting to allow for networking, an important part of any career, whether employed or in transition.

US Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recent Recalls & Product Safety News

Schylling Associates to Pay a $200,000 Civil Penalty for Violation of Lead Paint Ban and for Failure to Report: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Schylling Associates Inc., of Rowley, Mass. has agreed to pay a $200,000 civil penalty.
Dollar General Recalls Toy Guns Due to Choking Hazard: The orange tips located at the end of the toy guns' barrels, which are designed to distinguish them from real guns, can easily be removed from the barrels, posing a choking hazard to children.
Children's Toy Jewelry Sets Recalled by Playmates Toys; Charms Violate the Total Lead Standard: A cylindrical metal connector on a charm can contain levels of total lead in excess of 300 ppm, which is prohibited under federal law.
Children's Jackets with Drawstrings Recalled by GTM Sportswear Due to Strangulation Hazard: The children's jackets have drawstrings through the hood which can pose a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (which were incorporated into an industry voluntary standard in 1997) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets or sweatshirts.
Children's Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings Recalled by New Mode Sportswear Due to Strangulation Hazard: The children's sweatshirts have a drawstring through the hood which can pose a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (which were incorporated into an industry voluntary standard in 1997) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets or sweatshirts.
Children's Greeting Cards with Bracelets Recalled Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard: The surface paint coating on the bracelets sold with greeting cards contain excessive levels of lead violating the federal lead paint standard.
FAF Inc. Recalls Children's Necklaces Sold Exclusively at Walmart Stores Due to High Levels of Cadmium: The recalled necklaces contain high levels of cadmium. Cadmium is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
Summit Treestands Recalls Hunting Tree Stand Brackets Due to Fall Hazard: The tree stand can unexpectedly detach from the tree when the brackets fail, posing a fall hazard to consumers.
Rechargeable Batteries Used with Touch Panels for Audio/Visual Systems Recalled by AMX Due to Fire and Burn Hazards: A defect in the battery can cause the battery pack to overheat and rupture. This poses a fire and burn hazard to consumers.
Starbucks Recalls Glass Water Bottles Due to Laceration Hazard: The glass water bottle and/or its stopper can shatter when the consumer is removing or inserting the stopper, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.
Zippo Recalls Candle Lighters Due to Burn Hazard: Lighters can produce an excessive flame when adjusted to maximum flame setting, posing a burn hazard to consumers.
Yamaha Recalls Snowmobiles Due to Loss of Steering Control: A bolt in the right front A arm can loosen in the suspension/steering system, resulting in the sudden loss of steering control. This poses a risk of injury or death to riders.
Regal Lager Announces Recall to Repair CYBEX Strollers; Risk of Fingertip Amputation and Laceration Hazards: The stroller's hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller.
Liebherr Recalls Built-In Refrigerators Due to Injury Hazard; Door Can Detach: The refrigerator's door can detach, posing an injury hazard to consumers.
RadioShack Recalls Knight Hawk Toy Helicopters Due to Fire Hazard: The battery housing under the helicopter canopy can overheat while charging, posing a fire hazard.