About the NC ASSE

From The National ASSE

Founded in 1911, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) is the oldest and largest professional safety organization. Based in Des Plaines, Illinois, ASSE has 30,000 members who manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in all industries, government, labor and education. ASSE is a global organization that works to advance the technical, scientific, managerial and ethical knowledge and skills of occupational safety, health and environmental professionals, and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment.

ASSE is a 501 (c) (6) non-profit organization. It provides such services as education, public affairs, government affairs, and involvement in national and international safety standards development, technical publications, and timely communications on safety advancements worldwide. Occupational safety, health and environmental professionals work to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses, create safer work and leisure environments, and develop safer products. For more information visit ASSE.s website at www.asse.org.

A Global Society

ASSE has 150 chapters, 30 sections and 60 student sections in the U.S. ASSE members are in 73 countries, including chapters in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Western Australia, and sections in Egypt and Ecuador. Chapters offer localized membership services, issue advocacy, networking and professional development opportunities through seminars, conferences, meetings, websites and newsletters.

ASSE is a founding member of the International Network of Safety and Health Practitioner Organizations (INSHPO). INSHPO provides a venue for practitioner organizations from around the world to promote, develop and access international information pertinent to the profession of occupational safety, health and the environment at www.inshpo.org.

Membership Services

ASSE provides its members with a host of products and services, including:

  • Professional Safety, the Society.s monthly peer-reviewed journal, features in-depth articles that cover a wide range of cutting edge topics, and focuses on innovative research and analysis of successful, real-world applications;
  • Members Only section of the Society.s website offers ASSE members online access to the membership directory, bulletin boards and listserves that enhance membership networking as well as safety, health and environmental information;
  • Society Update, ASSE.s e-newsletter shares the latest news, activities, upcoming events and notable member achievements;
  • GA Update, a regular email digest with the latest in regulatory and legislative news sent to Chapter Government Affairs Chairs, Society leaders, and, by request, other interested members;
  • www.nexsteps.org online career center where employers can post safety, health and environmental jobs /internships, and where members can post resumes, as well as locate career counseling information.
  • National and localized networking and professional recognition for free;
  • Self-study courses for certification examinations as well as continuing education credit via approved college credit by the American Council on Education;
  • Active, ongoing public relations supporting international, national and chapter/state-specific efforts;
  • Sponsorship of the annual North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH), held April 30 - May 6, 2006, with the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE), visit www.asse.org/naosh for the latest updates; the 2006 national kickoff event will take place May 1 at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C.; Annual .Safety-on-the-Job Kids. poster contest for ASSE members. children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews ages 5-14 in support of NAOSH week. The contest runs from September 19 through February 14 (Valentine.s Day);
  • Proactive government affairs programs and activities at both the federal and state levels, including member-led alliances and partnerships with key federal safety agencies;
  • Development of key national and international safety standards; and
  • Future Safety Leaders Conference for student members.

What NC ASSE Does


Providing Quality Education and Career Development

ASSE provides a comprehensive education program through the Society's Professional Safety Academy (PSA). The PSA is the career partner of the participants, providing high quality educational experiences based on the needs of the profession. The Society is a significant publisher of technical and management treatises and offers a variety of print and electronic resources supporting the profession. Approved by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), ASSE is an authorized provider of continuing education and provides continuing education units for its education programs.

Education programs include the:

  • Annual Professional Development Conference and Exposition (PDC) .Safety 2006. (June 11-14 in Seattle, Washington);
  • Annual Management Symposia (winter/spring);
  • Hot Topic Symposium on emerging issues (fall);
  • SeminarFest: An annual collection of safety seminars (winter);
  • Management Seminars to support the ASSE .Certificate in Safety Management. and the Certificate from the .Executive Program in Safety Management.;
  • Examination Preparation Workshops to support professional certification;
  • Self-Study Programs; and
  • On-site seminars exportable to clients and corporations.

Setting the Standard for Safety

ASSE is secretariat for several American National Standards Institute (ANSI) committees and projects which include: A10 Safety Requirements for Construction and Demolition Operations, A1264 Protection of Floor and Wall Openings, Z15 Motor Vehicle Fleet Safety, Z117 Confined Spaces, Z244 Lockout/Tagout, Z359 Fall Protection, Z390 Hydrogen Sulfide Safety Training, Z490 Safety, Health and Environmental Training, Z590 Competence and Certification in the Safety Profession, and the Z690 canvas project on protecting workers dealing with mold remediation. ASSE is the Administrator for the U.S. Technical Advisory Group to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) on fall protection standards. ASSE members also serve on over 40 other safety and health standards committees.

Through its 13 Practice Specialties, ASSE offers professional development opportunities and technical assistance to members and non-members. Practice Specialties are in the areas of: Academics, Construction, Consultants, Engineering, Environmental, Healthcare, Industrial Hygiene, International, Management, Mining, Public Sector, Risk Management/Insurance and Transportation, as well as Practice Specialty branches for Hospitality, Fire Protection, Oil/Gas, Training/Communications and Manufacturing. The Practice Specialties serve as a forum for discussion of best practice strategies and research; influence relevant programs for professional certification, ASSE chapter-based programs and ASSE technical standards development; and support advocacy efforts for occupational safety, health and environmental leadership. Online technical information, contacts and referrals along with global involvement opportunities are also available. The Practice Specialties support student activity by working with the ASSE Foundation.s student assistance program, sponsoring students to attend ASSE.s annual Professional Development Conference.

ASSE also offers Common Interest Groups, which include Women in Safety Engineering (WISE) and Safety Professionals and the Latino Workforce (SPALW);

Advancing the Safety, Health, and Environmental Profession

Through its professional affairs activities, ASSE advances opportunities in safety education by helping set appropriate educational standards and by working to increase the number of safety programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. As a member of the Applied Science Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), ASSE.s Educational Standard Committee establishes safety curriculum critical for associate, baccalaureate and master.s degree programs. ASSE Program Evaluators also make site visits to schools to accredit their safety programs. Nationally, 12 degree programs in safety have been accredited by ABET, with ASSE as the sponsoring lead society.

The ASSE awards program annually honors outstanding accomplishments in the profession. The highest ASSE honor, the Society Fellow recognizes individuals with broad, significant and career-wide contributions to the profession and the Society. Other awards include the Edgar Monsanto Queeny Safety Professional of the Year (SPY) Award and the Dr. William E. Tarrants Outstanding Safety Educator of the Year Award. For a full listing visit www.asse.org/membership/awards.html.

The ASSE Foundation

Established in 1990, the ASSE Foundation is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization that supports the advancement of the occupational safety, health and environmental professions engaged in protecting people, property & the environment by providing the necessary resources. The Foundation provides funding for scholarships, fellowships, research grants, accreditation support, internships and professional development throughout the year. Funding comes from ASSE, its chapters and regions, individual members and corporations. For more information visit www.asse.org/foundat.htm.