The American Industrial Hygiene Association® (AIHA) and the American Society of Safety Engineers® (ASSE) represent the world's foremost professionals in occupational and environmental health and safety, and have pledged to work together on all matters of mutual interest to reach their common goals. 

The two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding this week that details several areas of collaboration.

"In order for us to ensure protection for workers, it is imperative that all organizations with shared interests work together. We must pool our resources - people, power, knowledge, and skills - to present a united front against threats to worker health and safety and to promote the field of industrial hygiene," said AIHA President, Deborah Imel Nelson, PhD, CIH. "I am proud to stand with our friends at ASSE and announce our new partnership."

"When organizations with common objectives team up, the results are far more impactful than working independently," said ASSE President Jim Smith, MS, CSP. "AIHA is a natural partner for ASSE, and we're looking forward to all that we can accomplish together in creating safer and healthier workplaces in every industry." The two organizations will focus on the following topics in their new cooperative agreement:

• Working together on issues of mutual interest before both federal and relevant state legislative and regulatory entities. 
• Publishing new technical publications. 
• Collaborating on the development of new standards 
• Promoting and providing exposure for women in safety and industrial hygiene
• Participating in events with the Center for Safety and Health Sustainability
• Advocating for national occupational safety and health research
• Building upon existing collaboration between AIHA local sections and ASSE local chapters

AIHA and ASSE agree that for the organizations to succeed and make positive contributions to worker health and safety, regular communication between the two organizations and their members is necessary. The organizations plan to build on current collaborative efforts, ensuring that their members and the general public have positive views of the new partnership.

About AIHA^®

Founded in 1939, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) is the premier association of occupational and environmental health and safety professionals. AIHA's 8,500 members play a crucial role on the front line of worker health and safety every day. Members represent a cross-section of industry, private business, labor, government and academia. More information is available at www.aiha.org.

About ASSE^®

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. Visit www.asse.org.