About Occupational Safety & Health Professional Day - May 6, 2009

Occupational safety, health and environmental professionals work day in and day out to make sure millions of people worldwide continue to go to and return home from work every day.

To recognize and celebrate their ongoing commitment to protecting people, property and the environment the American Society of Safety Engineers' board approved the creation of Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day (OSHP) in March of 2006 to be held every year during North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH) on that Wednesday. This year NAOSH Week runs from May 3 – 9 and OSHP Day is on May 6, 2009.

The purpose of this day is to recognize the ongoing efforts of occupational safety, health and environmental professionals to protect people, property and the environment. “They are the ones that make sure you go to and come home from work safely and without injury every day,” ASSE 2005-06 President Jack H. Dobson Jr., CSP, said as the motion was passed unanimously in 2006.

National Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day also aims to further raise awareness and pride in the profession, a profession where one is qualified by education, training and experience and where one identifies hazards and develops appropriate controls for these hazards all aimed at preventing occupational injury, illness and property damage. The safety and health professional follows a Code of Professional Conduct and brings to bear technical knowledge, skills and expertise along with management abilities developed through years of continued education and practical experience. Currently there are about 100,000 occupational safety, health and environmental practitioners in the U.S. today in what has become one of the most challenging and rewarding career fields.

“We take time this May 6th to say thanks to these remarkable men and women, who every day work to make your workplace safer and healthier,” ASSE President Warren Brown, CSP, ARM, CSHM, notes. “Safety and health professionals recognize, create and promote safety processes to be utilized by our employers that help assure your family members come home safely each day. Let’s continue to work with occupational safety and health professionals to make sure you and your family never have to deal with the loss or injury of a loved one.”

“If you know an occupational safety and health professional, please take the time to thank them on this day,” Brown said.

What you can do to celebrate Occupational Safety and Health Professional (OSHP) Day on May 6, 2009

In the Community:

  • Include OSHP Day as part of your North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week (May 3-9, 2009) celebrations and events
  • Write to your local mayor, governor and congress person to recognize OSHP Day on May 6, 2009. For a sample letter and resolution for NAOSH Week and OSHP Day, visit www.asse.org/naosh09.
  • Host an OSHP Day event as a part of a safety and health initiative at your local community or civic center

At schools, colleges and universities:

  • Participate at Career Days at local schools to help get the word out about the SH&E profession
  • Distribute the new ASSE “Your Guide to a Career in the Occupational Safety, Health and Environmental Profession,” brochure to your local high schools and colleges. For more tools and brochures available to promote NAOSH Week and OSHP Day visit www.asse.org/naosh09.
  • Work with local school boards to coordinate special events to raise awareness about what SH&E professionals do
  • Have speakers available to speak to students about the SH&E profession using the ASSE "Safety Suitcase," more information is available at www.asse.org/newsroom/safetysuitcase.

At work:

  • Host a special event at your company to recognize the contributions of your occupational SH&E professionals
  • Include an article about SH&E professionals in your company newsletter, or include a focus piece or profile on the different SH&E professionals in your workplace
  • Honor long time safety and health professionals at your company for their commitment to the safety, health and environmental (SH&E) profession with an event or special commemoration