PARK RIDGE, Illinois — The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) today formalized a memorandum of understanding that outlines how the organizations will collaborate on advancing workplace safety and health over the next five years.

ASSP President Rixio Medina, CSP, CPP, and KOSHA President Dooyong Park signed the agreement at a global workplace safety and health sustainability event in Paris. Both organizations understand the importance of research and shared knowledge in developing and applying preventive measures and best practices in occupational safety and health.

“We have a common mission to prevent or reduce workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities, so we want to benefit from each other’s experience and combine resources where possible to improve occupational safety and health performance,” Medina said. “Joint efforts can go a long way in achieving great progress on important issues affecting workers’ well-being.”

According to the memorandum of understanding, the collaboration between ASSP and KOSHA may consist of the transfer and implementation of research results; development and dissemination of workplace safety information at conferences; sharing staff training techniques; exploring scientific activities of a common interest; and other cooperative ventures that aim to advance occupational safety and health outcomes worldwide.

“We will formulate an action plan that identifies specific targets and objectives in the occupational safety and health arena,” Medina said. “We’re definitely looking forward to everything we can gain from each other over the next several years to positively affect worker safety and health and business safety performance.”

ASSP and KOSHA were among 40 organizations from around the world that joined forces in 2017 for the landmark signing of the Singapore Accord. The Accord, spearheaded by the International Network of Safety and Health Professional Organizations of which ASSP and KOSHA are members, presented a global capability framework for the occupational safety and health professional that can increase the effectiveness and impact of the role in every industry.

About ASSP – Working together for a safer, stronger future
For more than 100 years, the American Society of Safety Professionals 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 38,000 professionals covers every industry, developing safety and health management plans that prevent injuries, illnesses and deaths. ASSP advances its members and the safety profession through education, advocacy, standards and a professional community. Its flagship publication, Professional Safety, is a longtime leader in the field. Visit www.assp.org and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.