Championing Workplace Safety: Advocating for the Safety Profession in Washington, DC

On Dec. 9 and Dec. 12, 2024, ASSP took its mission to advance workplace safety directly to Washington, D.C., meeting with key organizations and agencies that influence safety policies and standards. The goal was clear: Represent ASSP members and their priorities to ensure that safety professionals across industries have a voice when critical workplace safety issues are being discussed. 

During the visits, ASSP met with a wide range of stakeholders, including: 

• NIOSH 

• OSHA

• American Trucking Associations (ATA)

• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) 

• U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) 

• Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM) 

• National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) 

• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) 

These meetings reflect ASSP’s commitment to fostering collaboration across sectors to advance workplace safety and health. 

Discussions covered a wide range of safety challenges, including: 

• Heat stress 

• Mental health 

• Serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs) 

• Fall protection 

• Personal protective equipment (PPE) 

• Workforce development and training 

• Emerging technology challenges and opportunities 

ASSP’s commitment to advocacy extended beyond these stakeholder meetings. On Dec. 10, ASSP CEO Jennifer McNelly, CAE, attended The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC) State of the Union committee meetings, which included the Iron Workers/IMPACT Safety & Health Roundtable and the North America’s Building Trades Union (NABTU) and TAUC Contractor Associations Environmental Health & Safety Committee. 

TAUC participants discussed workplace safety topics specific to the construction industry including: 

• Mental health: Strategies to support construction workers facing stress and emotional challenges. 

• Heat stress: Managing risks for outdoor and labor-intensive workers. 

• PPE: Exploring innovations in equipment to ensure optimal protection. 

• Fall protection: Enhancing safeguards to prevent falls, a leading cause of injuries in construction. 

• Workplace safety and regulatory issues: Federal and state OSHA updates and other policies affecting the industry. 

ASSP is committed to representing our members and their interests in these critical conversations. By meeting with organizations that shape workplace safety policies and practices, ASSP ensures that our members’ expertise and priorities are not only heard but also acted on. 

ASSP will continue to build on these relationships, championing policies and initiatives that prioritize safety and health in the workplace. The Society will continue to keep its members informed and engaged as these collaborations progress, ensuring that member voices remain at the forefront of these important discussions.