Two leading American safety organisations have announced a formal partnership aimed at improving occupational health and safety across the United States.
The Scaffold and Access Industry Association (SAIA) and the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on initiatives aimed at reducing workplace accidents and promoting best practices, particularly in sectors involving work at heights.
The agreement was signed at the Safety 2025 Professional Development Conference and Exposition, held at the Orange County Convention Centre in Florida.
Under the terms of the alliance, SAIA and ASSP will collaborate on a range of initiatives, including advancing national safety standards, advocating for regulatory changes, and promoting volunteerism and knowledge sharing among their combined memberships.
ASSP President Linda Tapp said the agreement marked a shared commitment to advancing the safety profession.“We recognise the benefits of collaboration to improve occupational safety and health practices while elevating the voice of our profession,” she said.
“Together we strive to strengthen advocacy efforts that reduce worker illnesses, injuries and fatalities across the board.”
SAIA President Michael Bredl echoed the sentiment, highlighting the need for collective action across safety-focused organisations. “It’s important for organisations to share best practices in workplace safety and health for the benefit of the greater community,” he said.
“Our mutual interests in increasing engagement and advancing worker safety will create many opportunities to work together in areas of professional practice.”
The partnership will also include joint promotion of content and case studies, as well as efforts to expand the visibility of community-based safety successes. Both bodies aim to establish a larger, more engaged safety network that can drive measurable improvements in health outcomes.
ASSP, which represents more than 35,000 safety professionals worldwide, maintains several collaborative agreements with other organisations. This new partnership with SAIA adds a strong focus on scaffolding and access equipment – sectors that remain high-risk for serious injuries and fatalities if not properly managed.
SAIA, which serves scaffold and access professionals across the US, has a track record of providing safety resources and training to support the proper use of equipment and hazard awareness on job sites.
The alliance arrives at a time of heightened awareness regarding fall protection and safety regulations in the construction and industrial sectors. According to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls from height remain one of the leading causes of death in the workplace.
Both organisations state that they are committed to ensuring their joint efforts deliver tangible outcomes throughout the duration of the agreement.