New ASSE President Promises to Expand Safety Research Efforts

James D. Smith, M.S., CSP became the 103rd president of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) on July 1st, the beginning of a one-year term. On June 22nd­, Smith greeted attendees at ASSE’s Safety 2017 conference, where he discussed some of the priorities he aims to address during his presidency.

Continuing the agenda of the last ASSE president, Tom Cecich, standards development will remain a big focus of the Society. Smith also promised to expand ASSE’s commitment to safety research efforts to fill crucial gaps in the profession’s body of knowledge.

In a departure from previous presidents' agendas, Smith said, "We will encourage a shift from compliance-based approaches to risk-based strategies; we have to get these workplace fatalities down.” Read more here.