ASSE - About us
The occupational safety, health and environmental (SH&E)
professional 'devotes most or all of their work time to the application of
scientific principles and methods for the control and modification of the
workplace and other environments to achieve optimum protection of people,
property and the environment....
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To achieve optimum effectiveness, safety must be
integrated into planning, new product development, materials acquisition,
equipment design and modification, facility layouts, process design, etc.
Safety, health and environmental considerations must be a key component of every
business function and strategy.
Millions of people suffer labor-related injuries and illnesses
each year. Many are exposed to the job-related safety risks of traffic
accidents, falls, workplace violence, electrocution, fire, explosion, heat,
being struck by objects, cold, animal attacks and airplane crashes, as well as
health risks from asbestos, radiation, tuberculosis, silica, benzene, coal dust,
carbon monoxide, pesticides, arsenic, lead, and chromium.
According to the book 'Safety and the Bottom Line' the average
direct and indirect cost of risk to American companies is a minimum of 25
percent of their net profit. The benefits of occupational safety and health
programs, according to hundreds of top executives from around the world noted in
the book 'Safety and the Bottom Line' include: reduced absenteeism, fewer
liability cases, fewer grievances, reduced court awards, reduced insurance
costs, compliance with safety and health legislation, control of injuries and
illnesses, compliance with environmental legislation, ability to handle
contingency situations, fire and explosion prevention, property damage control,
waste control, fewer human errors, increased quality control, continuous
management improvement, a positive public image, the existence of a 'caring'
culture, improved pride in the job, increased productivity, major cost reduction
potential, and, profit and budget improvement.
According to the study, ASSE members acquire their body of
knowledge through formal SH&E education, certification preparation, work
experience, reading and research, and by taking professional development courses
on an ongoing basis, especially as new and innovative solutions are identified.
According to the white paper, belonging to a professional society such as ASSE
was also identified as a significant provider of information needed to further
one's professional success. The BOK white paper can be viewed on the ASSE web
site at the link below
. All SH&E professionals and the general public are encouraged to review the
paper and forward any insights, concerns, and ideas to the Society's Practices
and Standards Department.
Relevant Training Material from our profession