The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) has named Jack Reiter, president and CEO of Machine Safety Management, the winner of the 2015 Award for Innovation in Occupational Safety Management for creating software that reduces machine guard accidents.

Reiter invented Machine Safety Management (MSM) Software, which helps businesses and schools conduct, store and manage machine safety audits, risk assessments and machine information. Sponsored by Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS), a leading provider of on-site safety services and training solutions, the award was presented along with a $3,000 cash prize and a plaque at Safety 2015, ASSE’s annual professional development conference.

“Injuries related to machinery are all too common but can be prevented,” said ASSE President Trish Ennis, CSP, ARM. “By helping streamline safety processes, this new technology can be applied within a wide variety of industries to improve the safety and lives of many workers.”

MSM Software is a comprehensive solution that changes the way organizations handle machine safety. The software documents due diligence, risk assessments and information for each machine to provide safety managers with an accurate, highly detailed view of their entire organization’s machine safety compliance. By transitioning machine data to a digital format, it also allows managers to more easily and quickly access important materials.

“Machine safety is an ongoing issue for many workplaces so we’re seeing a lot of interest in MSM Software,” Reiter said. “It’s currently helping customers from schools to Fortune 500 companies improve machine safety, limit accidents and reduce citations and fines.”

The honorable mentions for the award include:

Randy Brown, President, KemKey LLC, Edgewood, N.M. for KemKey Safety Couplings, which use different shapes, colors and markings to reduce the opportunity for chemical cross-contamination during transfers.

Grant C. Chustz, Crane Operator Supervisor, Jacobs, Torbert, La. for Barricade Buddy, which provides added protection for craftsman working in close proximity to cranes, riggers working directly with cranes and crane operators.

Cory M. Davis, CEO, Capital Construction Solutions, LLC, Chicago, Ill. for its mobile safety application, which is used by contractors, owners, construction managers, program managers and facility managers to review a list of best practice safety questions depending on the work being performed and rectify issues that are identified.

Sally L. Koch, Former EHS Manager-Leatherman Tool Group, Independent Safety Management, Portland, Ore. for 5 Star Safety at Leatherman Tool – “Letting Your Inner Superhero Out.” The safety management and improvement program sets expectations and challenges all employees, from frontline workers to senior management, to become world-class safety performers by letting their own safety superhero shine.

Anthony M. Krake, Environmental, Safety & Quality Manager, Alpine Painting & Sandblasting Contractors, Paterson, N.J. for its Digital Management System for Small Business. The affordable system uses iPads, a software application and a cloud-based storage system to store data files, allowing instantaneous collaboration between offices and field crews. It has improved document management, Alpine’s safety culture and compliance with safety standards.

“While the five honorable mentions also presented outstanding ideas that are making a difference for workplace safety, the judging panel was especially intrigued by MSM Software because of its potentialto reduce injuries,” Ennis said.

The award was presented during Safety 2015, ASSE’s annual professional development conference that runs through June 10.  More than 4,000 occupational safety and health professionals are attending the three-day conference and exposition, that each year debuts and examines the latest in workplace safety products, trends, issues and challenges within the industry.

About Cintas Corporation:

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas Corporation provides highly specialized services to businesses of all types primarily throughout North America. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom supplies, first aid, safety and fire protection products and services. Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.

About American Society of Safety Engineers:

Founded in 1911, the Park Ridge, Illinois-based ASSE is the oldest professional safety organization and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. Its more than 37,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members lead, manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in all industries, government, labor, health care and education. For more information please go to www.asse.org.