Massachusetts Safety Leader Awarded National Occupational Safety and Health Recognition

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – Columbia Southern University (CSU), a leading occupational safety and health educator, recently awarded its annual Outstanding Safety Professional of the Year Award to Shawna Fraser Nagle CHST, CUSP, GSP, CSHO of Scituate, Massachusetts.

CSU's occupational safety and health faculty members selected winner Nagle, who holds a master's degree in occupational safety and health from the CSU.

She is the vice president of safety and a co-owner at Fraser Engineering Co., where she has served in her family's business since 2003. Nagle also serves on the Board of Certified Safety Professionals Foundation and is in a leadership position with the Greater Boston chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP). She is also a member of the Burn Survivors of New England.

“There are so many things that I enjoy about my job in safety,” said Nagle. “For one, each day is different, and each day I am challenged to do better to ensure the safety and health of our employees, our customers, and our communities. I love being out in front of the workers and working with them to make the job sites a safe place to work. I learn each day from the ones who make the work happen. It is a team effort of communication to make safety the value it is.”

The 2021 Outstanding Safety Professional runner-up is Steven Mercer of Montgomery, Texas. Mercer works for MPLX-Marathon Petroleum Logistics and is a member of the ASSP Gulf Coast Chapter. He has won several awards including the Board of Certified Safety Professionals 2020 OHST Award of Excellence, BHGE Permian Geo-Market Safety Leadership Award and the Helix Electric Safe Site of the Year Award in Nevada (Tesla Gigafactory). He recently completed his bachelor's degree in occupational safety and health.

Mercer began working in occupational safety and health while serving in the military.

“I've always enjoyed working as a safety professional and maintaining a workplace free from workplace hazards. I feel we all know someone who has received an injury on the job and made it my life's goal to become as knowledgeable in the field of occupational safety and health as possible,” he said.

The Outstanding Safety Professional Award was established by CSU to recognize National Safety Month, observed annually in June, and to celebrate its occupational safety and health students and graduates for their commitments to safety, professionalism and their accomplishments.

CSU salutes Nagle and Mercer and others who participated in this effort to honor all those who are committed to protecting the lives of workers.

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About Columbia Southern University

For more than 25 years, Columbia Southern University has been a leader in occupational safety and health education. Taught by experienced safety experts, CSU's bachelor's and master's degree programs in occupational safety and health are recognized by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals as Graduate Safety Practitioner® Qualified Academic Programs. CSU’s occupational safety and health degree programs meet the educational requirements mandated by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals for the Associate Safety Professional designation (ASP®) and the Certified Safety Professional designation (CSP®).