Setting the Standard

As secretariat for eight American National Standards Institute (ANSI) committees and/or projects, ASSE continues to expand its role in the standards-making process. The Accredited Standards Committees (ASC) include: A1264ASC on Walking/Working Surfaces, Z15ASC on Motor Vehicle Fleet Safety, Z87ASC on Eye and Face Protection, Z117ASC on Confined Space, Z359ASC on Fall Protection, Z390 on Hydrogen Sulfide Safety Training and Z490 on Safety and Health Training. Additionally, ASSE is the sponsor for the Z590 project on Competence in the Safety Profession and is the Administrator for the U-S Technical Advisory Group to ISO on fall protection standards. ASSE is represented by members on 40 other safety and health standards committees.

At the university level, the ASSE Professional and Educational Standards Committee works to ensure a high standard of preparation for future safety professionals and makes sure the content of academic programs is relevant to the needs of the safety profession and those it serves.

As a member of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), ASSE encourages the inclusion of safety principles and courses into related engineering program curricula nationwide and establishes curriculum critical for associate, baccalaureate and master's degree programs. ASSE also makes site visits to schools to accredit their safety programs. Nationally, 14 baccalaureate and master's degree programs in safety have been accredited by ABET with ASSE as the sponsoring society.

The practice specialties also support student activity by working with the ASSE Foundation's student assistance program. That effort enabled 27 students to attend ASSE's PDC in 2000. Outstanding accomplishments in the safety, occupational health and environmental profession are recognized through a variety of awards programs. ASSE Fellow, the highest honor, cites 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 Mine Safety Appliances Outstanding Student Section Award.