In recognition of his continued efforts to enhance workplace safety and health, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) recently named society past-president Michael W. Thompson, of Houston, Texas, as the recipient of the Edgar Monsanto Queeny Safety Professional of the Year (SPY) award. Thompson received the award during ASSE’s annual Professional Development Conference (PDC) and Exposition, “Safety 2010,” in Baltimore, Md. Thompson was sponsored by society past president and Fellow Frank Perry.

The annual Safety Professional of the Year award is given to an outstanding ASSE member for accomplishments and contributions in the occupational safety, health and environmental field (SH&E). Sponsored by the Monsanto Corporation, the award was created in honor of its third president and son of the founder, Edgar Monsanto Queeny for his personal commitment to protect workers from industrial accidents and health hazards.

With more than 25 years of experience in the SH&E profession, Thompson began his career in 1980 with Chevron Corporation, where he served as a safety engineer at the company’s San Francisco, Richmond and Denver locations. Later he served as operations manager for an electronics manufacturing firm before joining Amoco Corporation in its Rocky Mountain operations and later in its world-wide exploration activities.

Thompson has continued to work in the oil and gas industry and has been involved in providing safety and health services to engineering and construction employees, agricultural chemical and fertilizer plants, research laboratories, pilot plants and refinery and marketing terminals.

Thompson currently serves as the Global Heath, Safety and Environment Advisor for BP E&P Information Technology and Services in Houston, Texas.

A member of ASSE for nearly 20 years, Thompson has served the society at the chapter, region, national and international levels. He was ASSE society president from 2007 to 2008 and served four years as ASSE Region III vice president. He also is an ASSE Gulf Coast Chapter past president and has served or is presently serving on many society committees and task forces, including: public relations committee, finance committee, council on member and region affairs, governmental affairs committee, standards development committee, strategic planning committee, student member activity task force, international membership task force and diversity and inclusion task force. Thompson also served as chair of the information systems sub-committee. He currently is ASSE’s representative to the International Network of Safety and Health Practitioner Organizations (INSHPO).

When asked about Thompson’s many accomplishments, ASSE Foundation Chair Eddie Greer stated, “Thompson is a dedicated family man and consummate safety professional with high morals and exceptional character. There is no doubt that he has made a lasting impression on the safety profession with his many years of dedicated service on the local, regional, domestic and international levels. He has proven himself many times over to be a progressive initiator that has helped make a difference in the lives of workers and safety professionals and is very deserving of this award.”

For more information, visit www.asse.org.

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