On Oct. 11, 1911, a group of 35 safety inspectors formed the United Society of Casualty Inspectors in New York City. The group came together following the devastating Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire on March 25, 1911, a tragedy which took the lives of 146 workers and forever changed workplace safety. In 1914, the organization changed its name to the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). The Society relocated to Chicago in 1924, moved to Park Ridge, IL, in 1967 and has been headquartered in Des Plaines, IL, since 1985.
Today, ASSE represents more than 34,000 safety, health and environmental (SH&E) professionals who work across all industries around the world protecting people, improving business and safeguarding the environment. Through their efforts, ASSE members help employees stay safe, healthy and productive, which delivers positive bottom-line results to employers and helps enhance corporate image.
Throughout the organization's history, ASSE and its members have made many contributions to the SH&E profession through continuing education, publications and research. As a global advocate for SH&E professionals and the SH&E profession, ASSE brings a meaningful voice to the international discourse on occupational safety. Through outreach, advocacy, standards development and education, ASSE takes the lead in providing expertise and insight on occupational safety, health and environmental issues and practices. And, by growing and sharing the profession's body of knowledge, ASSE fosters a global community among SH&E professionals.
ASSE is guided by a 16-member Board of Directors, which consists of 8 regional vice presidents; three council vice presidents; Society president, president-elect, senior vice president, vice president of finance and executive director. ASSE has 17 practice specialties, 151 chapters, 28 sections and 58 student sections.