Steven M. Thygerson, PhD., MSPH, CIH

Professor – Environmental and Occupational Health at Brigham Young University

Steve has been the BYU Student Section Advisor, Mentor, and ASSP Utah Chapter board member for more than 10 years

Steve takes Safety and the welfare of people very seriously, and uses his knowledge, skills and personality to help them live, work and learn safely. He is and has been a dedicated safety professional, and has developed trainings, process and techniques to assist any and all to know and understand ‘what good safety looks like. Steve has a great and unusual skill of instructing, teaching and training others. This characteristic is used in most all aspects of Steve’s professional and personal life – working with his students, faculty members, safety peers, family and friends. I have personally seen and benefited from Steve’s knowledge, skill passion and leadership in these regards over these years. Steve is loved and admired by his students, those who he has worked around and within various parts of the world.

In addition to his excellent work as a Professor at BYU – I have been a colleague instructor with Steve at the Utah Safety Council for over 12+, working with Steven in planning, preparing, instructing and reviewing many of their courses. Steve is one of the core instructors for the Advanced Safety Certifications for the National & Utah Safety Councils, along with various other courses taught through these organizations. Without fail, these Students and staff members are always treated to the knowledges, skills and passion in which Steve brings to the courses. 

Steve has written or collaborated on over 50 books, articles & publications and has presented on over 60 conferences/presentations. All of which have benefited people World-wide, and has advanced the Safety Profession. Steve continuously seeks for safety internships, and promotion of others within the Safety Profession – seeking to continually make a difference to Utah and the World. Steve is currently leading an effort to unite the collaborative efforts for Safety unification for the major Universities within the State of Utah.

Other Info:

  Beyond the classroom, Dr. Thygerson is a dedicated mentor. He has guided hundreds of students formally and informally, and since 2010, he has served as the faculty advisor for the ASSP Student Section at BYU.

   he also advises the BYU Public Health Association (BPHA) and recently helped establish an AIHA student association—demonstrating his commitment to nurturing future leaders in OSH

  Dr. Thygerson directs seven global health internship programs, providing students with transformative international experiences where they apply their knowledge in real-world settings.

   Dr. Thygerson has since shifted his research to building OSH capacity in developing countries. He collaborates with universities across the globe, including institutions in Nepal, Thailand, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and many others. Dr. Thygerson’s groundbreaking research on workplace hazards in brick kilns has established him as a leading expert in this area.

  He is a sought-after presenter at local OSH conferences, particularly in industrial hygiene short courses. In recognition of his service and expertise, Dr. Thygerson was awarded the Utah Safety Professional of the Year, the Regional Safety Professional of the Year, and the AIHA Meritorious Achievement Award—an unprecedented combination of honors that underscores his influence and commitment to the OSH profession.  

The Safety Professional of the Year, or SPY award is an honor acknowledging the dedication and outstanding contributions of a member of the Utah ASSP Chapter.

This year’s award recipient has contributed much to our profession. Some of you may have participated in classes or presentations that he has facilitated or been mentored as a student in the safety program at BYU.

Steve Thygerson is a professor of Environmental and Occupational Health at Brigham Young University. Prior to his appointment at BYU in 2008, he worked for nine years in various occupational and environmental health settings in the public and private sectors including Federal OSHA, WCF Insurance and Eastman Kodak Company.

Congratulations Steve!

Thank you to all that contributed to the Annual Winter Clothing Drive. It was a huge success! This year we received even more donations than last year.

All donations were given to The Road Home shelter. “The Road Home provides emergency shelter, supportive services, and housing assistance that help individuals and families step out of homelessness.”

We would also like to thank the Utah Safety Council, Okland Construction, Hogan & Associates, Flyn Roofing, WCF, and Younique

Pictured:

2nd Lt. Martinez, Taylorsville JROTC

John Wojciechowski, President at the Utah Safety Council

Sarah Galvez, ASSP Utah Chapter President

Joseph Knickerbocker, ASSP Utah Chapter Fund Raising Chair