The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and Sinopec International Petroleum Service Corporation today signed a bilateral agreement for cooperation during Safety 2017, ASSE’s flagship professional development conference and exposition at the Colorado Convention Center. The signing ceremony was part of the annual Global Presidential Reception attended by ASSE’s Board of Directors and the conference’s international attendees from more than 40 countries, including leaders of many global safety organizations.

ASSE has been exploring ways to expand its reach for delivering technical training and professional development programs to safety and health professionals beyond North America. Chinese-based Sinopec is one of the world’s leading oil and gas companies. Both ASSE and Sinopec have a significant presence in the Middle East and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The two organizations identified possible areas of cooperation in 2016 when they signed a preliminary letter of intent for cooperation.

“ASSE will now bring its technical expertise and world-class safety training programs to Sinopec’s workforce in Saudi Arabia,” said ASSE Executive Director Dennis Hudson. “This is the first time ASSE will deliver in-house training to an international partner through its new Global Instructor Program. It supports our strategic focus of advancing occupational safety and health around the world.”

Ding Fuliang, vice president for Sinopec’s training institute in Saudi Arabia, emphasized the significance of such cooperation. “We are happy to partner with the American Society of Safety Engineers, one of the most prominent safety societies in the world,” Ding said. “This agreement will enable us to take our safety training programs to the next level, demonstrating to our stakeholders and the public our commitment to the highest safety standards.”

Sinopec’s executive team is in attendance this week at Safety 2017, a record-setting event for ASSE with more than 5,000 attendees and 640 exhibitors. The event runs today through Thursday (June 19-22), and for the first time, the expo features a Chinese pavilion. Professionals from across the globe are learning about best practices, industry trends and the latest product innovations in the occupational safety and health field.

About ASSE – Working together for a safer, stronger future

For more than 100 years, the American Society of Safety Engineers has been at the forefront of helping occupational safety and health professionals protect people and property. The nonprofit society is based in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge. Its global membership of over 37,000 professionals covers every industry, developing safety and health management plans that prevent deaths, injuries and illnesses. ASSE advances its members and the safety profession through education, advocacy, standards development and a professional community. Its flagship publication, Professional Safety, is a longtime leader in the field. Visit www.asse.org and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.