“Some of the most innovative advances in safety and health are the result of individual ingenuity and initiative,” said Alan McMillan, president and CEO of NSC. “The Distinguished Service to Safety Award, which symbolizes and recognizes individual innovation and service in the field of safety, is among the ways the National Safety Council honors individuals who take a lead in creating initiatives that support and promote a corporate culture of safety. Ms. Elliott understands today's issues and has made tremendous contributions. We are honored to present her with this award.”
Elliott, of Newark, said the award honors her contributions to her profession beyond UD and shows that she has earned the respect and admiration of her peers.
“Receiving this award helps bring recognition to our department within the University and within the health and safety community,” Elliott said. “It brings a lot of pride to our department, and that certainly helps us maintain high standards for our program. I am grateful that UD has supported me by allowing me to participate in NSC activities.”
Elliot is the immediate past chairperson for the National Safety Council's Campus Safety Health Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA). She has held the positions of treasurer and vice chair in CSHEMA and served in the award and recognition committee, professional liaisons committee and the benchmarking task force.
Elliott, who has provided service and leadership in the field of environmental health and safety for the past 23 years, directs UD's occupational and environmental health safety programs in areas such as biosafety, radiological health, chemical hygiene, fire prevention and accident prevention.
At Delaware's Authority for Radiation Protection, a body responsible for state regulations in radiation safety, Elliott has held committee chairperson positions and held the offices of vice chairperson and chairperson. As an officer, she lobbied Delaware's legislature for regulatory changes to positively impact the health and safety of the state. She also participates in many professional associations, including the Delaware Safety Council, the Delaware Valley Society for Radiation Safety, the Delaware Chapter of the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the Mid-Atlantic Biological Safety Association.
The National Safety Council is a nonprofit, nongovernmental, international public service organization dedicated to educating and influencing people to prevent accidental injuries and deaths. NSC members include more than 50,000 businesses, labor organizations, schools, public agencies, private groups and individuals. Founded in 1913 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1953, the primary focus of the NSC is promoting safety and health in the workplace, in transportation, and in homes and communities.
Article by Martin Mbugua