About Us
ASSP is the world’s oldest and largest professional safety organization. ASSP fosters the development of technical, scientific, managerial and ethical knowledge and competency of safety, health and environmental professionals. We use these skills for the protection of people, property and the environment. A key mission of the Society is to advance the status and promote the advancement of the safety profession.
The Northwest Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) was founded in 1943 and has over 800 members. Our geographical boundaries are North and South Dakota, Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Our chapter activities are guided by our chapter bylaws.
Values
Our core values form the foundation on which we work and conduct our Society. These values are so primary, so important to us, that throughout the changes in the global society, government, politics, and technology they are still the core values we will abide by. These values underlie our work, how we interact with each other, and those strategies we employ to fulfill our mission. They are the practices we use every day in everything we do.
- Service to humanity:
We are dedicated to protecting people, property, and the environment. We reach out globally, providing opportunities to collaborate with and engage anyone involved in safety, health, and the environment (SH&E). - Value of The Profession:
We believe a safe and healthy place to work is a fundamental right.
We believe that sound SH&E practices are both socially responsible and good business.
We value employers’ commitment to sound SH&E practices.
We are committed to advancing the profession through innovation, thought leadership, and objective, unbiased, science-based approaches to SH&E practices. - Members:
We believe our Society is driven by our members.
We strive to meet member needs for training and development, networking, and community.
We believe in the strength of diversity and reach out to include all members.
We believe students & new professionals provide a pipeline to the future.
We believe that mentoring and growing our member base is critical for the continuity of our profession. - Professional development:
We believe growth of our body of knowledge and the professional development of SH&E practitioners advance the profession.
We believe that continuous learning is critical for the development of the safety professional. - Ethical behavior:
We aspire to the highest degree of professional conduct, ethical practice, and integrity.
We resolve to provide prudent stewardship of Society resources.
Chapter Charter
The Northwest Chapter is a local constituent of the national Society, and as such must meet certain minimum requirements of ASSP to maintain our Chapter Charter:
- Nominate and elect chapter officers and delegates annually.
- Maintain current Bylaws, conforming in principle to current ASSP model Bylaws.
- Assure all local chapter members are current members of ASSP.
- Maintain a minimum of 40 members.
- Submit annual report to ASSP by August 15 each year.
- Submit financial report to ASSP by May 31 each year.
- Sponsor at least four technical meetings each year.
- Cooperate with ASSP on national issues and educational programs.
Chapter Bylaws
Chapter Bylaws, approved by the Society, form the basis of the operation of our chapter. In accordance with these bylaws, members govern the current policies, activities, goals and objectives of the Northwest Chapter.
Team Approach
ASSP Northwest Chapter is a member of the Team Approach, a cooperative effort of representatives of Minnesota occupational safety and health professional groups that collaborates in coordinating events, speakers, and professional opportunities within the community. An annual joint Team Approach dinner meeting is held in March each year. Information on the annual meeting is provided on our web site.
Member organizations include:
- ASSP (American Society of Safety Professionals-Northwest Chapter)
- AIHA (American Industrial Hygiene Association-Upper Midwest Section)
- AHMP (Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals)
- MAOHN (Minnesota Association of Occupational Health Nurses)
- NCOEM (North Central Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association)
- MSC (Minnesota Safety Council)
- MCOHS (Midwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety