In August, I had the opportunity to take part in the kickoff of ASSP’s Standards-­­Based User Groups (SBUGs). The session brought together SBUG leaders and participants to share the vision and chart the path forward. What I enjoyed most was the excitement around what we can accomplish together. So, let me rewind and tell you what SBUGs are and why I believe they can be so impactful for our profession. 

SBUGs are practitioner-driven working groups that bring EHS professionals, employers, industry and standards experts, consultants, and others together to tackle challenging issues. They create a place to share expertise, identify barriers and explore practical ways to put standards to work.

If SBUGs had been around more than 20 years ago when I started my career—oh, the time, money, energy and effort they would have saved me! Early in my career, I would read a standard or regulation, look at my operations and try to figure out how to implement it based on my limited skills and knowledge. Then I would hope I got it right because if I didn’t, the consequences could be an injury, an incident or regulatory noncompliance. None of those were acceptable outcomes.

Fast-forward to today. SBUGs have the potential to take much of the guesswork out of putting standards into practice. More importantly, they provide a forum to share successful implementation approaches and benefit from one another’s experiences. This approach can help us move beyond a compliance mindset. Instead of asking whether requirements are being met, we can ask how work can be done better. By sharing leading practices and real-world experiences, we can turn standards into practical solutions that help prevent serious injuries and fatalities and improve safety performance. I call that a progressive approach, and that is where I believe SBUGs can have an incredible impact.

ASSP has launched three SBUGs focused on fall protection, hazardous energy and lockout/tagout, and artificial intelligence in EHS. But the real power of an SBUG is not just the subject-­matter expertise of its leader. It is the collective knowledge of the people participating. Each of us brings different experiences, challenges and ways of solving problems. What if we could bring that knowledge together to benefit the entire profession?

That is the opportunity SBUGs provide. They allow us to move from learning from a single person’s experience to learning from the experiences of many different professionals. We can explore practical solutions and share what works and, just as importantly, what does not. Those insights can improve how standards are implemented and help inform the evolution of standards and safety practices.

I also see SBUGs as another example of what makes ASSP special. We do not have to figure everything out on our own. Our greatest resource is each other. Whether you are a seasoned professional, relatively new to the profession, an employer, consultant, academic or standards expert, I encourage you to explore SBUGs. Bring your questions. Bring your experiences. Bring the lessons you have learned. Most importantly, bring your willingness to share.

I am excited that we are making it easier for more people to participate—SBUG participation is now complimentary! Join one or more SBUGs at no cost to share solutions, gain practical guidance and learn from your peers. Visit www.assp.org/standards-based-user-groups to learn more and find an SBUG that is right for you. When we share what we know, we don’t just make ourselves better, we level up together.

I am excited to see where these SBUGs take us. If the energy and engagement we have seen are any indication, we are just getting started. As we continue this journey together, I encourage you to be curious, be engaged and be progressive. Let’s stop reinventing the wheel. Let’s learn from each other. Let’s turn standards into safer, smarter and more effective practices. That is the power of SBUGs and the power of ASSP.