Occupational safety and health professionals facing the challenges of shrinking travel budgets and widespread physical distancing can stay current on best practices through a new series of virtual education events from the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP). The immersive events – offshoots of the Society’s annual SafetyFOCUS education event – will connect safety professionals with industry experts who will share the latest knowledge and strategies on a convenient digital platform.
“Throughout the pandemic, ASSP has adapted to this new normal and is working diligently to support the safety and health profession in new ways,” said ASSP President Deborah Roy, M.P.H., RN, COHN-S, CSP, CIT, FASSP, FAAOHN. “We will continue this valuable work given the vast potential and reach of virtual events.”
Nearly 2,400 safety and health professionals recently attended ASSP’s virtual professional development conference and exposition where attendees engaged with speakers, peers and exhibitors over three days. Safety 2020: Virtual was the largest event of its kind. Strong reviews from safety professionals around the world prompted ASSP to use the same online platform to host its new SafetyFOCUS virtual events.
ASSP will launch its virtual safety education series on Aug. 26-27 with SafetyFOCUS: Construction, putting participants at the forefront of topics such as fall protection, silica standards, crisis management, contractor prequalification and job hazard analysis. Construction has one of the highest injury and fatality rates of any industry sector.
Like all ASSP professional development opportunities, the virtual education series will deliver relevant safety and health information that attendees can immediately implement in their organizations. ASSP will also provide virtual networking breaks between sessions and an interactive virtual expo with the latest product innovations. Participants will earn continuing education units (CEUs) to help maintain their professional certifications.
Over the next several months, the SafetyFOCUS virtual education series will feature events on safety management systems on Sept. 16-17; risk assessment and management on Oct. 20-21; industrial hygiene on Oct. 22; business skills and leadership on Nov. 17; human and organizational performance on Nov. 18-19; standards on Jan. 26; ergonomics on March 9; and training and education on March 10-11.