ASSE Fact Sheet
About The American Society of Safety Engineers
Founded in 1911, the American
Society of Safety Engineers
(ASSE) is the oldest professional safety society and is
committed to protecting people,
property and the environment.
Based in Des Plaines, Illinois,
ASSE has more than 32,000
occupational safety, health and
environmental (SH&E) professional members who manage,
supervise, research and consult
on safety, health, transportation
and the environment in all
industries, government, labor and
education. ASSE is a 501 (c) (6)
nonprofit organization.
ASSE was founded in October in
New York City after the March 25,
1911, Triangle Shirtwaist Factory
Fire in New York City. This fire
resulted in the deaths of 146
garment workers – some caught in
the factory and others who
jumped from the ninth floor to
their deaths. The factory fire exit
doors were locked and reportedly,
the only safety measures
available for the workers were 25
buckets of water. This workplace
tragedy led to legislation requiring
improved factory safety standards
and the development of several
workplace safety initiatives.
Today, ASSE is a full-service
organization for its members and
the public, providing key information and action on occupational
safety, health and environmental
issues and practices. ASSE
members work to prevent
workplace injuries and illnesses,
to create safer work and leisure
environments and to develop
safer products, enhancing the
quality of life.
These efforts lead to positive
bottom line results for businesses
as they realize a reduced rate of
injuries and illnesses leading to a
reduction in lost work time, absen-
teeism, workers compensation costs, health care costs, and lower
employee turnover rates. They
also experience increased
production rates, increased
employee morale and a positive
corporate reputation.
Membership
ASSE has over 32,000 members
located in 151 Chapters, 31
Sections and 38 Student Sections
across the globe. Chapters and
sections provide local professional
development and networking.
ASSE members are in 75
countries, including chapters in the
Middle East, Kuwait, Nigeria,
Papua and Western Australia, with
sections in Egypt and Ecuador.
ASSE members can join in multiple
categories of membership
including professional, member,
international member, associate
and student. The Society currently
recognizes members with a BS
degree and one of the following
certifications or designations to be
a Professional Member: P.E., CSP,
CIH, CHMM, CHP, CPEA, CFPS,
CRSP, CMIOSH, and CFIOSH.
NAOSH
ASSE, along with the Canadian
Society of Safety Engineering
(CSSE) and U.S. federal agencies,
sponsors North American
Occupational Safety and Health
Week (NAOSH) each year in May.
ASSE members and nonmembers,
industry, trade organizations and
corporations throughout the
continent are host to community
workplace safety and health
activities during NAOSH Week.
The ASSE board recently
approved the creation of
Occupational Safety and Health
Professional Day that falls on the Wednesday of NAOSH Week each
year (NAOSH, www.asse.org/NAOSH).
Setting the Standard for Safety
ASSE is responsible for several
American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) committees and projects. ASSE organizes the
committees that develop and
maintain the standard(s), ensures
that the revision process is timely
and in accordance with ANSI
procedures and publishes the final
product of the consensus process.
ASSE serves as Secretariat for the
following committees:
- Safety Requirements for
Construction and Demolition
Operations, A10 – 48 standards
and projects that relate to the
protection of employees and the
public from hazards arising out
of, or associated with,
construction and demolition
operations
- Protection of Floor and Wall
Openings, A1264
- Motor Vehicle Safety
Operations, Z15
- Confined Spaces, Z117
- Lockout/Tagout and Alternative
Methods, Z244
- Fall Protection, Z359
- Criteria for Accepted Practices
in Safety, Health and Environmental Training, Z490
- Accepted Practices for
Hydrogen Sulfide Training
Programs, Z390
- Competence and Certification in
the Safety Profession, Z590
- Guidelines for Mold and Fungi
Control and Remediation for
Worker Protection in Indoor
Work Environments, Z690
ASSE is the Administrator for the
U.S. Technical Advisory Group
(TAG) to the International
Organization for Standardization
(ISO) on fall protection, risk
management and road safety.
ASSE members serve on 40+
safety and health standards
committees.
