The Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) Foundation and the Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) announced Dr. Ibukun G. Awolusi of the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and Dr. Rupkatha Bardhan of Murray State University as the 2020–2021 recipients of the $10,000 Don B. Daily Safety Grant to Promote Steel Industry Safety and Health.
The fund was created to commemorate the life and industry service of the late Don B. Daily, a compassionate man who truly cared about the safety of all employees working in the steel industry. His career as president of Gallatin Steel and chairman of the SMA left an enduring mark on the steel industry of North America and has inspired the establishment of numerous safety and health initiatives that have significantly improved the workplace.
Dr. Ibukun G. Awolusi’s proposal is titled “Wearable Sensing Devices and the Internet of Things for Worker Safety and Health Management in the Steel Manufacturing Industry.” This project will evaluate the applications of Internet of Things based wearable sensing devices for worker safety and health management in the steel manufacturing industry. Awolusi’s industry mentor is Michael J. Volkmann, mechanical engineer, CMC Steel Texas, Seguin, Texas.
Dr. Rupkatha Bardhan’s proposal is titled “Managing Heat Stress–Related Injuries and Illness in the Iron and Steel Industry.” The project will investigate heat stress and its risk factors in iron and steel industry employees and provide ways to manage heat stress through assessment, control and training. Bardhan’s industry mentor is Eric Woosley, safety and health manager, Gerdau Long Steel North America Jackson Mill, Jackson, Tennessee.
The Don B. Daily Safety Grant challenges North American university teams (students and professors) to submit proposals for grant funding in the theme area of safety and health awareness within the steel manufacturing industry. The dual objective of the fund is to promote a safe workplace for the steel manufacturing industry and to increase the number of students studying health and safety awareness relative to the manufacturing environment.
Published in the December 2020 Edition