American Society of Safety Engineers  (ASSE) President Thomas Cecich, CSP, CIH is in China to  participate in an executive panel discussion on protecting workers at the 8^th China International Forum on Work Safety in Beijing that runs today through Thursday. It's an event that is attracting safety experts from across the globe.

The forum, hosted by the State Administration of Work Safety, People’s Republic of China and the International Labour Organization (ILO), was established as a platform for safety and health stakeholders across the Asia-Pacific region. It’s held every two years in Beijing and has grown since debuting in 2002.

Cecich will participate in an executive panel discussion on how to improve risk management abilities, strengthen identification of hidden hazards and implementing safeguards.

“I am pleased to represent ASSE at what has become a premier safety conference in Beijing,” Cecich said. “The opportunity to better understand the challenges safety professionals in this region face gives ASSE a chance to showcase potential solutions our members have developed in similar circumstances as well as learn from other countries what might be global best practices.”

Over the past several years, ASSE and members of the State Administration for Work Safety, People’s Republic of China, have discussed ways both organizations could work together to share best practices. That commitment was solidified in June 2016 when both organizations signed a memorandum of understanding to do just that.

“ASSE and the State Administration for Work Safety want to identify training and professional development opportunities ASSE can bring to safety professionals throughout the Asia-Pacific region,” Cecich said. “It’s an important step for ASSE as it continues to expand globally.”

Part of that ASSE training during the forum will include technical seminars on the upcoming ISO 45001 standard dealing with global safety management systems and the ASSE Risk Assessment Certificate program.

Founded in 1911, the Park Ridge-based ASSE has more than 37,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members from around the globe who 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/newsroom.