Workplace Health and Safety Associations and Organizations

Just like any other profession, workplace health and safety has numerous relevant associations and organizations, most of which are typically only referred to by their acronyms or abbreviations. While this makes communication, note taking, and reporting easier, it can also be confusing and frustrating, especially if you are new to the industry or don’t come across these references in your daily work.

Here, we will introduce you to the terminology for some of the most common safety organizations and associations and give you a little information about each one so you can be better informed, whether you're new to workplace health and safety or are a long-time professional. For a quick reference, the terms are listed in alphabetical order.

ACGIH – American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists

ACGIH, a 501(c)(3) charitable scientific organization founded in 1938, serves the industrial hygiene and occupational and environmental health and safety communities. The organization studies and advances occupational and environmental health. Their goal is to collect and disseminate information and data to help industrial hygiene workers fulfill their duties.

ACOEM – American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Founded in 1916, ACOEM is a professional association representing physicians and health care professionals specializing in occupational and environmental medicine. The association promotes worker health and safety through education, scientific research, research-based guidance, and professional development. They develop industry guidance on workplace health issues such as injury prevention, fitness for duty, exposure management, mental health, and return-to-work programs.

AIHA – American Industrial Hygiene Association

AIHA is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization founded in 1939 by a group of professionals and government agencies concerned with worker health. Since then, AIHA has become a prominent EHS industry group for scientists and professionals committed to preserving and ensuring occupational and environmental health and safety in the workplace and community.

ANSI – American National Standards Institute

Founded in 1918, ANSI is a private, nonprofit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, systems, and workplace practices in the United States. The organization coordinates with industry groups, government agencies, consumer organizations, and international bodies to help ensure standards remain consistent and effective. While ANSI itself does not develop standards, it accredits organizations that do, and many ANSI-approved standards are widely referenced throughout occupational safety and health programs.

API – American Petroleum Institute

The API is the only national trade association that represents all aspects of America’s oil and natural gas industry. It represents hundreds of companies involved in the oil and natural gas industry, including producers, refiners, suppliers, marketers, pipeline operators, and marine transporters. Their mission is to promote safety across the industry globally and to influence public policy in support of a strong, viable United States oil and natural gas industry.

ASSP – American Society of Safety Professionals

Founded in 1911, the ASSP is a global professional association supporting occupational safety and health professionals across various industries. They provide education, professional development, industry standards, certification support, networking opportunities, and advocacy to help organizations create safer workplaces. ASSP also develops consensus standards used throughout the safety industry and collaborates with regulatory agencies and industry groups on workplace safety initiatives. Although the organization changed its name in 2018, many long-time safety professionals still refer to it as the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE).

BLS – Bureau of Labor Statistics

The BLS is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Labor responsible for collecting and analyzing data related to employment, wages, inflation, productivity, and workplace injuries and illnesses. OSHA frequently references BLS injury and illness statistics when evaluating workplace safety trends and establishing enforcement priorities. BLS data is also commonly used to compare industry safety performance and benchmark injury rates.

CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The CDC is the national public health agency of the United States. It conducts research, monitors public health trends, responds to health emergencies, and develops guidance intended to protect public health and workplace safety.

DHS – Department of Homeland Security

Formed as the result of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, enacted in response to the September 11 attacks, DHS is the federal executive department responsible for public security. Regarding occupational health and safety, you may hear of a DHS Chemicals of Interest reporting need if a facility meets or exceeds the specified concentrations and quantities for any Chemical of Interest.

DOT – Department of Transportation

Established in 1966, DOT is the federal agency responsible for overseeing national transportation systems and infrastructure, including highways, railroads, aviation, pipelines, and commercial motor vehicles. In workplace safety, DOT regulations commonly apply to the transportation of hazardous materials, commercial driver licensing and legal requirements, vehicle safety, and drug and alcohol testing programs. Several agencies operate under DOT, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

EPA – Environmental Protection Agency

Founded in 1970, the EPA is an independent federal agency responsible for environmental protection, including developing and enforcing environmental regulations. It is responsible for maintaining and enforcing national standards under a variety of environmental laws, in consultation with state, tribal, and local governments. EPA enforcement includes fines, sanctions, and other measures. The agency also works with various industries and all levels of government in voluntary pollution prevention programs and energy conservation efforts.

FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA is a federal agency within the Department of Homeland Security. It coordinates the government’s response to natural disasters, emergencies, and major incidents. FEMA supports preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation by providing guidance, training, funding, and disaster assistance programs for potential hazards. In the workplace health and safety field, FEMA is associated with emergency planning, incident management, business continuity, disaster preparedness, and workplace safety and health programs.

FMCSA – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

FMCSA is a United States Department of Transportation agency responsible for regulating and overseeing the safety of commercial motor vehicles, including trucks and buses. FMCSA develops and enforces safety regulations to help reduce crashes, injuries, and deaths on the nation’s roadways.

MSHA – Mine Safety and Health Administration

Just as OSHA regulates safety and health in general industry and the construction industry, MSHA serves a similar regulatory role in the mining industry. Created in 1977 under the United States Department of Labor, MSHA helps to reduce deaths, injuries, and illnesses in the nation’s mines with a variety of activities and programs. MSHA develops and enforces safety and health regulations for all U.S. mines and provides technical, educational, and other types of assistance to mine operators. MSHA works with industry, labor, and other federal and state agencies to improve safety and health conditions for all miners in the United States.

NAEM – National Association for Environmental Management

As the leading professional association for corporate leaders and decision-makers, NAEM provides engaging forums, a curated outreach network, peer benchmarking, and research insights. NAEM’s goal is to empower these corporate leaders to advance environmental stewardship, create safe and healthy workplaces, and promote global sustainability.

NCFLL – National Council of Field Labor Locals

NCFLL represents certain bargaining unit employees within the U.S. Department of Labor. The organization negotiates labor agreements and represents employee interests related to workplace conditions, benefits, safety, and employment policies.

NFPA – National Fire Protection Association

NFPA is a global nonprofit organization, established in 1896, devoted to eliminating death, injury, property destruction, and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards. It is widely known as a codes and standards organization, with more than 300 codes designed to minimize the risk and effects of fire by establishing criteria for building, processing, design, service, and installation around the world. The NFPA provides free online access to its codes and standards, which are widely recognized and frequently referenced by OSHA and other regulatory bodies.

NIOSH – National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

NIOSH is a federal agency established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency conducts research and makes recommendations to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. NIOSH is also responsible for developing Recommended Exposure Limits (RELs) and certifying certain respiratory protective equipment. NIOSH has more than 1,300 employees from a diverse set of fields including epidemiology, medicine, nursing, industrial hygiene, safety, psychology, chemistry, statistics, economics, and many branches of engineering.

NSC – National Safety Council

Founded in 1913, the NSC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, public service organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health in the United States. Its focus is on areas where the greatest number of preventable injuries and deaths occur, including workplace safety. NSC works closely with OSHA and the Department of Labor to strengthen workplace safety and help reduce the number of unintentional injuries and fatalities.

OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration

With the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) of 1970, Congress created OSHA, under the Department of Labor, to ensure safe and healthful working conditions by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. OSHA conducts tens of thousands of workplace inspections annually, both planned and complaint- or referral-based. These inspections have been proven to reduce injury rates and injury costs to employers.

OSHRC – Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission

Another creation under the OSH Act, OSHRC serves as an administrative court that reviews contested OSHA citations, penalties, and abatement requirements through administrative hearings and appellate review. The OSHRC is an independent federal agency, separate from OSHA or the Department of Labor, to ensure parties to agency cases receive impartial hearings. The Commission plays a vital role in encouraging safe and healthy workplaces for American workers.

PHMSA – Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

PHMSA is a United States Department of Transportation agency responsible for regulating the safe transportation of hazardous materials by air, rail, highway, and pipeline. The agency establishes national policy, sets and enforces standards, educates, and conducts research to prevent incidents. PHMSA also prepares the public and first responders to reduce consequences if an incident does occur.

VPPPA – Voluntary Protection Programs Participants' Association

VPPPA is a nonprofit organization that helps worksites achieve continuous improvement toward their occupational safety and health goals. The organization provides occupational safety and health leaders with networking, education, current legislative information, industry advancements, preferred VPP-focused vendors and consultants, mentoring resources, and volunteer opportunities.

WSO – World Safety Organization

Founded in 1975, WSO is an international organization dedicated to improving occupational safety, environmental protection, and public health through education, training, and professional certification programs.

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Additional Resources

Accidental Safety Pro Podcasts: Celebrating the journey and stories of EHS professionals.

MSHA Training: Learn more about Part 46 and 48 training solutions for mining.

OSHA 10 & 30 Hour Training: HSI is one of the few OSHA-authorized online providers of OSHA 10- and 30-hour Outreach Training for General Industry and Construction in both English and Spanish.