U.S., China Leading Workplace Safety Organizations Join Efforts to Advance Global Occupational Health and Safety

-- The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and the China Occupational Safety and Health Association (COSHA) collaborate to improve workplace safety

CHICAGO, June 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) today announced it will work with the China Occupational Safety and Health Association (COSHA) to advance professional occupational safety and health through the exchange of technical information, providing professional training and the organizing of joint events.

"COSHA is committed to work with ASSE to help improve the resources, training and information available for safety professionals that will result in safer environments that reduce the number of injuries and deaths in the workplace," said COSHA vice-president, Liu Genyuan, who led a delegation of five COSHA representatives. "We are looking forward to collaborating on these efforts when we welcome the ASSE delegation to Beijing later this year."

COSHA and ASSE formalized the collaboration after meeting at ASSE's Chicago area headquarters where they signed a letter of intent for cooperation that authorizes both parties to collaborate on the advancement of the OSH profession and professionals in both China and the U.S.

"We are honored to welcome COSHA here, and we look forward to working together to highlight the important areas of global workplace safety, as well as the growing needs of occupational safety professionals around the world," said Kathy A. Seabrook, ASSE President-elect. "This collaboration will benefit both organizations greatly by offering a better understanding of the workplace safety and health challenges in China and the United States, while at the same time opening access to global best-practices, and an ongoing exchange of ideas."

Both organizations agree that safety professionals working in every industry worldwide, combined with the rapid economic growth in China, creates a need for a greater number of more qualified safety professionals. It is for these reasons a strong partnership between both nation's leading workplace safety organizations is an important step in advancing the profession globally. Working together, both associations believe, will also provide a better understanding of the needs of emerging markets and the opportunity to learn from their experiences.

Founded in 1911, the Chicago-based ASSE is the oldest professional safety organization and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. Its more than 35,000 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.

SOURCE American Society of Safety Engineers