MJSA Press Room

Providence, RI– Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America recently received a $70,000 grant from the JCK Jewelry Industry Fund to promote higher safety standards within the jewelry industry. The grant will be used to create educational programs and materials to help with the compliance of various local and state safety regulations.

This is the second consecutive year MJSA has received a grant from the JCK fund. Last year’s $75,000 grant was used to establish an outreach program and various safety educational materials in Los Angeles, including on-site consultations and a “Safe Shop” exhibit at the 2002 MJSA LA Showcase. “Two explosions caused by materials used in the jewelry manufacturing process in Chicago and New York City within the past year prompted MJSA to pursue a second grant to build on the program we started in Los Angeles,” said MJSA President/CEO James F. Marquart.

The grant will enable MJSA to provide outreach educational programs in four cities: Chicago, New York, Dallas, and Providence. Programs include informational safety seminars, education materials, and technical assistance for jewelers. In addition, each region will have their own version of Compliance Solutions, a two-part manual dealing with various health and safety issues. First published for the Los Angeles community in 2002, Compliance Solutions includes information on common building and fire code violations, injury and illness prevention programs, and pertinent contacts. The first section details information on code requirements for each city, while the second section includes general safety information such as bench and casting safety.

“ The JCK grant has significantly assisted MJSA in meeting major concerns with regard to local, state, and national safety compliance regulations,” said Marquart. “The initial grant positively impacted members in the City of Los Angeles, while this grant will provide a proactive program for members in the targeted cities.”

For more information regarding the JCK grant and related educational programs, contact MJSA Director of Education Mary Walek at 1-800-444-6572, ext. 3041, or e-mail mwalek@mjsainc.com.

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MJSA is a national jewelry trade association representing 1,500 members. MJSA’s mission is to unite and empower our members to advance the jewelry manufacturing industry. To learn more about MJSA and its trade publication, AJM Magazine, visit www.mjsainc.com and www.ajm-magazine.com.