A newly-formed task force will aim to address diversity, inclusion and equity in the occupational health and safety industry.
The American Society of Safety Professionals created the group following the announcement of its renewed commitment to "the principles of fairness, respect and equal opportunity for all."
ASSP President Deborah Roy commented on the effort, saying, "Achieving widespread safety and equity requires a deep-seated commitment, and we have embarked on a journey to transform our culture by bringing together people with a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. We must do more to challenge long-held assumptions and better understand how unconscious bias can influence decisions. By prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion, ASSP will grow stronger and help our members create safer and healthier work environments around the world."
The new task force will be a critical part of ASSP’s ongoing journey toward a welcoming and transparent environment based on the highest ideals, the organization stated. Members will include professionals from the organization's common interest groups as well as other safety and health professionals who want to help advance the Society through inclusivity. Once formed, the group is expected to present a recommended strategy and action plan to the ASSP Board of Directors by January 2021 that helps define the Society’s goals for diversity, equity and inclusion. A separate staff team will address these issues internally.
“We can do more to honor our members’ deep insights and experiences by establishing trust, compassion and hope at every level of our organization,” said Roy, who will serve on the task force with CEO Jennifer McNelly. “It’s not about replacing the voices of ASSP, but elevating the voices that are not being heard.”
ASSP issued a statement in June calling for social change to stop violence against black people and clarifying its support of the Black Lives Matter movement. ASSP has also created learning opportunities – such as a diversity and inclusion panel discussion at its virtual annual conference – to help safety professionals better understand how societal issues such as racism and systemic inequities impede career advancement, undermine workplace safety and disenfranchise workers.
“All ASSP members should be treated with respect and know their voices are being heard, particularly those who are frequently marginalized or silenced in other areas of their lives,” Roy said. “We must nurture a culture in which all stakeholders embrace our differences and have opportunities to learn and excel.”
She concluded, "While these are all positive developments, we know this is only the beginning. I look forward to experiencing the energy of our safety and health community as we work together on meaningful change.”