Due to growth and interest in agriculture and utilities workplace safety, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) announced in a recent press release the formation of two new practice specialty branches, the Agricultural Branch, part of ASSE’s Environmental Practice Specialty (PS) and the Utilities Branch, part of ASSE’s Construction PS.

To help address hazards posed by agricultural work, the new ASSE Agricultural Branch will provide a forum for safety, health and environmental (SH&E) professionals in the agricultural industry to network and gain knowledge regarding best practices in safety and health issues affecting agricultural production operations of all sizes; including seed production, agricultural chemicals, transportation, equipment safety, compliance and enforcement.

ASSE’s Utilities Branch will address SH&E issues within electrical, solar and wind generation, natural gas production and distribution, water/wastewater, telecommunications, public works and other utility areas.

Until new branch officers are selected, ASSE Environmental PS Administrator Judy Freeman will serve as the Agricultural Branch chair and Construction PS Administrator Michael Hayslip, P.E., CSP, will serve as the Utilities Branch chair. Freeman is the special project manager for Gabriel Environmental Services and Hayslip is an executive director at VPPAC.org.