Seven years ago Milton Jacobs took a risk to open his own consulting business in the world of public health and occupational health and safety. Jacobs says, "I felt I could impact people's health and safety rather significantly if I went out on my own." His previous 15 years of work in the private sector for companies such as Liberty Mutual Insurance and Heinz Foods/ Ore-Ida, lent him the impetus and enthusiasm required to begin to problem solve some of the pressing needs in the field of occupational and public health and safety. He founded Safety Solution Consultants, Inc. in West Springfield and now has seven employees.

As a visionary entrepreneur, Jacobs is passionate about the importance of blending the worlds of industrial hygiene and public health. Through his work as an occupational safety consultant, Jacobs can look at the big picture of an occupational situation instead of one area such as OSHA compliance. Jacobs strives to be a proactive strategist in an area in which he says the "inspection mentality" can be the prime motivator. He is determined to bring a public health perspective into the occupational setting to address workplace issues. He serves an array of clients including Greenfield Industries, Dielectrics, Central Massachusetts Employers Association, Ferrari North America and American International Group (AIG Insurance).

As a strategist, Jacobs examines events like the World Trade Center attack with much consideration. Several of Jacobs's clients were affected by the September tragedy, and Jacobs notes that the loss will cause many changes in the way we view and handle safety.

He is also assisting several other clients in hazardous waste remedial activities as a result of the tragedy. He said that businesses will begin to look at new building designs to avoid skyscraper structures. He also anticipates significant increases to the cost of business and personal insurance policies.         
The events of September 11th have given Jacobs even greater momentum for his concept of an organization dedicated to a safer society by educating the public at the consumer grassroots level. He calls this future organization, the International Safety Institute. This institute would serve to advance the idea that safety issues are not just of concern to businesses, but also to individuals on a day-to-day basis in their homes and throughout their lives. His vision includes safety classes for consumers to learn more about issues such as home and child safety. Many business associations, some international emergency management entities and some business colleagues are on board with the concept.

Jacobs's early childhood experiences, along with his experience as a safety and health professional, prompted him to write a personal reflection of living a safe life. In one segment of his book, entitled Safe?, Jacobs tells the story of a man who was at home cutting the grass and just before he completed his job, he rolled the mower over a lump in the lawn when he heard a loud noise. The next thing he knew he was in an ambulance. The man later realized that he was struck in the eye by a large pebble. He was not wearing safety glasses. He later lost sight in that eye. The man was Jacobs's brother.

Reflections and stories like the above teach us about safety by using other peoples' experiences, says Jacobs. Jacobs claims that many people never think about safety eyeglass use at home, but stories such as these are reminders of a need for a new attitude toward safety. He says the book is geared for all members of the population because it affects everyone. Safety is universal and applies to all of us whether we are typing in the workplace, driving with your children or firing up our grill at home. The book is cheduled for release in late spring 2002. Log onto Amazon.com or call 1-888-240-7724 to order the book. If you would like to read excerpts from the book, log onto safety-solution.com or mjsafety.com.   
     
Besides his commitment to authoring books about safety and health, Jacobs also gives motivational safety talks internationally. He has given over 30 talks and some clients include Gatorade, Arkansas National Guard, Springfield Duggan Middle School, Watkinson School, Ciba Specialty Chemical and the National Institutes of Health. His talks are fun and energetic and serve many different audiences. To add to all of the above Jacobs is also an adjunct professor at Springfield College in the Biology and Chemistry Department. Jacobs earned his bachelor's degree in environmental health and biology at Springfield College.

Jacobs describes his UMass graduate work and experience as "excellent and second to none." Jacobs obtained a master of public health from the UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences. He concentrated in industrial hygiene and describes the entire program and Department as a "small, but big program." With 10 fellow students in his program, his introduction to public health and his experience of working with a broad cross section of professionals, including doctors, nurses, safety professionals, etc. added to the strength of the program. In addition, Jacobs describes the curriculum as "extremely rigorous."

When Jacobs met recently to discuss his UMass experience, Dr. Salvatore DiNardi '71G, Environmental Health Sciences Department Chair and Professor joined him. Jacobs smiled as he reminisced about a weeklong exam in Dr. Dinardi's class. "It was the toughest exam I have ever taken and it was all open book," states Jacobs. "The curriculum developed my critical thinking skills that I now use in my everyday professional practice," added Jacobs.