FabEnCo, Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer of self-closing safety gates, announced today that the company’s CEO, David H. LaCook, recently presented the ASSE Foundation with a donation of $110,000 to establish an endowment to fund a $4,000 annual scholarship.

Named the FabEnCo “LaCook Investment for Excellence” (LIFE) in Occupational Safety & Health Scholarship, the scholarship is for students pursuing an associates, bachelors, masters or PhD degree in the occupational safety, health, and environmental (SH&E) field. For those applying for the scholarship, priority will be given to ASSE Gulf Coast Chapter student members and/or ASSE Region III student members. Students must have a 3.0 GPA for undergraduate work and a 3.5 GPA for graduate work to be considered.

FabEnCo, The Safety Gate Company, is a longtime supporter of efforts to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. In 2007 and 2008, FabEnCo was named the Sponsor of the Year by the ASSE Gulf Coast Chapter which serves 18 Texas counties and is one of the largest ASSE chapters. 

According to David LaCook, FabEnCo’s President, CEO and Chairman of the Board, “There were several milestones that lined up this year that corresponded with our setting up the FabEnCo LIFE Scholarship. This is the 40th year of FabEnCo offering its safety gate product line, as well as my 40th year as an employee and my 20th year as President. Those cumulative years add up as a perfect complement to ASSE’s celebration of its 100th Anniversary last October.

“FabEnCo is setting up this scholarship to honor my father, Hardy LaCook, for his contribution to the safety industry,” said LaCook. “Over the past 40 years, his invention of the self-closing safety gate has certainly played a part in helping fulfill ASSE’s mission of sending workers home safely every night to their families.”

LaCook went on to note that each year the scholarship will recognize and encourage a committed young person who chooses to pursue a career in the safety industry.

“We are very pleased with FabEnCo’s support as it allows us to reach  more students and assist them with their educational expenses which ultimately benefits the safety profession, ASSE Foundation Chair, Eddie Greer said today. “FabEnCo’s large gift helps us ensure that we will have the graduates ready to step into the workplace, thereby making sure businesses are staffed with the professionals they need to continue to prevent injuries and illnesses.”

About FabEnCo

FabEnCo, Inc., a Houston-based company, is the world’s leading manufacturer of self-closing safety gates since 1972. For a free brochure or more information about how the FabEnCo self-closing safety gate can provide fall protection as required by OSHA at ladder, platform, stair or mezzanine openings, please call the FabEnCo Marketing Department toll free at 1-800-962-6111 or visit our website at www.safetygate.com.

About ASSE Foundation

The ASSE Foundation, established by and in partnership with ASSE, generates funding and provides resources for scholarships, applied research, academic accreditation, and related academic initiatives in order to advance the SH&E profession. For more information on the Foundation and its programs, visit www.asse.org/foundation.

Founded in 1911, the Des Plaines, IL-based ASSE is the oldest professional safety organization and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. Its more than 34,000 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.