PARK RIDGE, IL — The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), the world’s oldest professional safety organization, has joined the first nationwide task force geared to help protect employees who are resuming work now and in a post-pandemic environment. Led by the National Safety Council, the Safe Actions For Employee Returns (SAFER) initiative is a multifaceted plan to guide all employers through the process of bringing back their workers at minimal risk as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The task force includes leading safety organizations, Fortune 500 companies and public health experts who all bring experience and key insights to help businesses successfully navigate through unprecedented challenges.

“We’re not out of the woods yet, so it’s imperative that worker safety be prioritized as our nation’s economy slowly begins to recover,” said ASSP President Diana Stegall, CSP, CFPS, ARM, SMS, CPCU. “Collaborating with the National Safety Council and these other partners is a valuable opportunity. We must work together to ensure that best-in-class information is shared with employers across many industries.”

The task force will serve as a leading workplace safety voice, ensuring safety is at the core of all business decisions during and after the pandemic. The group will issue recommendations for employers, including small and mid-size companies, from best practices to data-driven guidance so businesses can turn complex environments into safe work zones using practical tools. Valuable information that could save lives will be disseminated quickly so employers do not lose time on trial and error.

“With SAFER, we are bringing the best minds together to ensure Americans have the safest transition back to work as possible,” said Lorraine M. Martin, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. “We are thrilled to have ASSP as a partner to help us on our mission to make workplaces safer.”

For more information about the new task force, please visit www.nsc.org/safer.

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 nearly 40,000 professionals covers all industries, 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.