The world’s oldest safety profession took a historic step yesterday by moving toward the adoption of a new name – one that its supporters say better reflects its diverse membership.

The American Society of Safety Engineers’ (ASSE) House of Delegates voted in favor of the ASSE becoming the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP). That proposal now heads to a membership vote that spans 45 days. ASSE members worldwide will cast their votes through electronic ballots that will be tallied in early August.

Sticking with the green shield, gold letters

The delegates voted to not adopt a new logo, preferring to stay with the well known green shield with the gold ASSE letters within the four angles of a gold cross.

“Our members decide who we are and what we’re all about, and it’s always been that way,” said ASSE President Tom Cecich, CSP, CIH. “It seems that our delegates like the new name and feel a connection to our current logo. It’s an objective process that has made us a strong organization for many years now.”

The historic vote on the new name by the House of Delegates took place at its annual meeting at ASSE’s Safety 2017 Professional Development Conference & Exposition at the Colorado Convention Center. If the new name is approved in the wider vote, implementation would occur in 2018, including a new website. The “E” in the Society’s logo would simply be changed to “P.”

Reflecting change, eliminating confusion

“Engineers made up our entire membership when we were formed in 1911, but today the occupational safety and health profession encompasses many disciplines,” Cecich said.

Research conducted over the past year with ASSE members, customers and stakeholders across the globe indicated that an updated brand with a clearer vision would better reflect the organization’s current membership and position it for growth. A new name also would help eliminate confusion about who could join the Society.

ASSE advances its members and the safety profession through education, advocacy, standards development and a professional community. The Society’s members work in every industry, developing and implementing occupational safety and health programs that protect people and property while improving business outcomes.

More information on ASSE’s branding initiative is available on the organization’s microsite at www.assp.org.