The oldest safety society in the U.S. will review the horrific tragedy that inspired its founding and move on to explore contemporary fire safety issues, in a virtual symposium it will host March 1-2, 2011.

‘Best Practices in Fire Safety’ will look back at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911 that provoked public outrage, led to the passage of safety legislation and regulations and inspired the formation of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). According to the society, the symposium is “an effort to make sure another Triangle Factory tragedy never occurs again and to help people identify current hazards and solutions.”

The symposium will discuss designing fire safety management programs; identifying proper employee actions and safety precautions needed to be implemented during an emergency response operation; incorporating techniques for reducing the risk of combustible dust incidents; the different types of sprinkler systems, how they are designed and arranged in a typical facility and how best to manage additions and changes to their facilities and installation; how to avoid common electrical workplace hazards which may lead to fires; preventative maintenance programs for a safe electrical system; the hazards associated with flammable and combustible liquids and how to evaluate proper methods for safe handling of these liquids; and, learn fire safety skills pertinent to all safety professionals – with webcasts ranging from evacuation practices and sprinkler systems to understanding the Life Safety Code and Hazard Recognition. Attendees can also attend the live webcasts or view the recordings of the sessions up to 30 days after the symposium ends.

Presenters include Craig Schroll, President, FIRECON; David F. Coble, CSP, President, Coble, Taylor & Jones Safety Associates LLC; Gabriel F. Miehl, CSP, CFPS, GE Transportation, Erie, PA; Walter S. Beattie, CSP, CFPS, CSHM, AXA Matrix Risk Consultants, Pottstown, PA; Dale P. Smith, CMRP, Corporate Programs Manager, Predictive Service; Jason Safarz, Senior Account Engineer, CEC Combustion Services Group; and, Jacob Epstein, Associate Consultant, Aon Risk Solutions, Global Risk Consulting, Fire Protection Engineering.

In addition to networking and educational opportunities, visitors can attend a virtual expo and learn about the latest products and services available from fire safety suppliers.

For more information visit the asse website: ://www.asse.org