ASSE Safety 2013 Highlights
Posted by Erin Earley | 2nd Jul 2013
Once a year, safety professionals from across the country and around the world come together for the American Society of Safety Engineer's (ASSE) Professional Development Conference and Exposition. This past week, Clarion had the pleasure of being part of our 16th ASSE show, as a proud sponsor of Safety 2013, held June 24 – 27 in Las Vegas, NV.
The show kicked off in a unique style true to form for its Vegas venue ( think showgirls, a marching band, and The King himself). Yet, the event was all about what safety professionals have come to know and expect of ASSE: an action-packed four days filled with opportunities to learn about the latest safety techniques and strategies from the best minds in safety, including targeted educational sessions led by innovators in their field and an expo showcasing hundreds of cutting-edge safety tools and services.
Here's a snapshot of a few of the highlights from Safety 2013 (from our viewpoint here at Clarion, that is!):
- On the expo floor, throughout the show, we had the opportunity to speak with other EH&S leaders, learning about their work and sharing information on the power of effective facility safety sign systems. We also provided resources to better understand OSHA's proposed standards update to regulations on workplace safety signs and tags. (And remember, for all those who stopped by our booth, stay tuned here on the Clarion website later in the month when we'll announce the winner of our iPad Mini drawing!)
- Dr. Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for OSHA, led a plenary session to address key issues and concerns for safety professionals. Michaels provided listeners with brief updates on new and existing areas of focus for OSHA including: grain entrapment, heat exhaustion, falls, temporary workers and first day fatalities, healthcare, and GHS. When asked what he felt was the key takeaway message that audience members should bring back to their organizations, he spoke to the fact that compliance alone is not enough, urging safety professionals to move towards a culture of prevention in order to better protect workers and their employers.
- During the professional development conference, Clarions CEO, Geoffrey Peckham, and Ronald Smith of Kerzner International North America, Inc., presented an educational session on "Reducing Risk in Paradise – Steps the Atlantis Resort Took to Improve Guest Safety." Their presentation explored how effective visual safety communication can reduce risk and protect people, shown through the new safety sign system protecting guests at the Bahamas' Atlantis Paradise Island waterpark and resort.
- On the final day of the expo – in an exciting way to close the show – Clarion had the honor of being recognized at ASSE's Council on Practices and Standards (CoPS) Awards Luncheon. Clarion's CEO, Geoffrey Peckham, was presented with the "Safety Professional of the Year" award by the Manufacturing Practice Specialty. ASSE cited his work as chairman of the ANSI Z535 committee, his leadership in advancing safety standards for the manufacturing industry, and his frequent articles for the practice specialty newsletters, including the Manufacturing Practice Specialty's Safely Made newsletter.
To learn more about the conference, sessions and speakers, take a look at ASSE's website – which includes a comprehensive roundup of news and photos from Safety 2013.