It may be purely coincidental, but Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper has proclaimed June 3-8, 2012 "Safety Professional Week." That's the same week that thousands of safety, health and environmental professionals and vendors will gather in Denver for Safety 2012, hosted by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE).

Safety 2012 will feature more than 250 educational sessions for occupational safety, health and environmental professionals and one of the largest safety, health and environmental expositions highlighting new and innovative products.

“Safety and health professionals, both in Colorado and around the globe, work around the clock in every industry to prevent injuries and illnesses and help protect the environment,” said ASSE Colorado Chapter President Dustin Richartz. “We thank the Governor for recognizing the positive benefits the safety and health profession provides the state of Colorado with this wonderful proclamation and for celebrating the fact that ASSE’s premiere annual event will be held here in our great city of Denver this June.”

The proclamation notes, “as ASSE is the oldest safety society and represents more than 34,000 safety, health and environmental (SH&E) practitioners committed to protecting people, property and the environment and are at the forefront of safety engineering, design, standards development, management and education in every industry, governmental agency, labor and in institutions of higher education; and has 151 chapters, 35 sections and 60 student sections; and whereas, today, millions of people leave work injury and illness free every day due, in part, to the commitment of SH&E practitioners who work day in and day out identifying hazards and implementing advances in all industries and at all workplaces, thereby enhancing workplace safety and reducing the potential for injuries and environmental issues, the Governor proclaims June 3-8, 2012, ‘Safety Professionals Week’ in the state of Colorado.

Safety 2012 guest speakers include Dr. Robert Cialdini to speak about ‘Influence: The Ultimate Power Tool’; Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Dr. David Michaels will lead a discussion on occupational safety and health today; New Mexico State University Professor Dr. Lowell B. Catlett will talk on ‘The Economic Behemoth’; and, Bruce S. Wilkinson will speak on ‘Making Safety a Value – Not Just a Priority: The Key to Long-Term Safety Success’. Also, a panel of corporate executives will discuss tools and strategies that can help occupational safety and health professionals understand their role in the organization, overcome obstacles and be more effective.

For more information please go to www.safety2012.org, coloradoasse.org or www.asse.org.