The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently renewed their alliance, signing a five-year agreement that will focus on construction safety, temporary workers and hazards within general industry.

Through the alliance, ASSE and OSHA will work to provide members and others with guidance and training resources on protecting worker safety and health, and understanding workers’ rights and employers’ responsibilities under the OSH Act.

“ASSE is dedicated to working with OSHA to promote workplace safety and health across all industries,” said ASSE President Trish Ennis. “We are looking forward to continuing to collaborate with OSHA on finding effective ways to help employers and employees better understand how to remain safe while on the job.”

The alliance’s concentration on construction safety and temporary workers is timely. In 2013, there were 817 fatal on-the-job injuries on construction sites – more than any other industry. While construction is inherently a high-risk industry, it is even more so for Hispanic immigrants who account for 82 percent of the 2 million foreign-born immigrants working construction in the U.S., many as temporary workers.

ASSE will partner with OSHA and its other alliance partners to share information, to participate in OSHA and ASSE events and meetings that promote education and training and other ways to advance workplace safety and health among ASSE members, OSHA staff and others.

In recent years, ASSE and OSHA have been working closely to support national initiatives like the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction and events promoting North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week during the first week of May, whichis intended to raise awareness about occupational safety, health and the environment.  Among a variety of activities that have risen from the alliance, ASSE members are leading participants in OSHA’s Alliance Program Construction Roundtable, and OSHA staff regularly present at ASSE’s annual professional development conference. 

ASSE and OSHA signed their first alliance in 2002.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

Founded in 1911, the Park Ridge, Illinois-based ASSE is the oldest professional safety organization and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. Its more than 37,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members lead, manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in all industries, government, labor, health care and education. For more information please go to www.asse.org.