Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
Historical safety-industry reporting states that the American Society of Safety Engineers board approved creation of OSHP Day in 2006. The 2007 U.S. Congressional Record calls that year the second annual observance, and Princeton EHS confirms the continuing Wednesday-of-the-first-full-week-in-May recurrence.
About Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day
Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day recognizes people whose work helps prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and other occupational hazards. It is observed on the Wednesday of the first full week of May.
The observance was created in 2006 by the board of the American Society of Safety Engineers, historically known as ASSE.
Why Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day matters
The day is professional recognition and safety awareness, not a substitute for workplace law, employer responsibilities, site procedures, risk assessments or qualified safety advice.
It highlights the work of occupational safety, health and environmental professionals who help organizations identify hazards and improve controls.
History of Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day
Contemporary safety-industry reporting states that the ASSE board approved creation of Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day in 2006.
The U.S. Congressional Record for 2007 describes May 9, 2007 as the second annual Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day.
The observance has historically been connected with North American Occupational Safety and Health Week.
Princeton EHS in 2025 described OSHP Day as an annual event on the Wednesday of the first full week in May.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Board of Directors
Contemporary EHS Today coverage states that the ASSE board approved creation of OSHP Day in 2006.
American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Board of Directors
The same contemporary account identifies the board as the body that approved creation of the observance.
First documented observance
The 2007 U.S. Congressional Record calls May 9, 2007 the second annual Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day, consistent with the documented 2006 creation.
Designated May 9, 2007 as Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day and recognized that year as the second annual observance.
United States Senate · S. Res. 193
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
Also known as
OSH Professional Day
How to Observe Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day
Thank safety and health professionals whose work supports your workplace.
Use the day to reinforce established reporting, training and hazard-control systems.
Ask the appropriate safety team where current procedures, emergency information or training resources are kept.
Do not use an awareness-day activity to bypass required controls, personal protective equipment, lockout procedures or other site rules.
For technical or legal decisions, follow applicable regulations, employer requirements and qualified professional guidance.
Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day Facts
The observance was created in 2006.
A 2007 U.S. Senate resolution recognized that year as the second annual OSHP Day.
The recurring date is Wednesday of the first full week in May.
The day recognizes occupational safety, health and environmental professionals.
The observance does not replace legal, employer or site-specific safety requirements.
Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day Messages
Thank the safety and health professionals who help turn workplace risk awareness into everyday practice.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Health Information Not Medical Advice.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Princeton EHS — 2025 OSHP Day recurrence (opens in a new tab)
Institutional Safety Office
U.S. Congressional Record — 2007 recognition of second annual OSHP Day (opens in a new tab)
Federal Government Record
EHS Today — ASSE creation history and NAOSH-week recurrence (opens in a new tab)
Trade Publication
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day?
Wednesday of the first full week of May (6 May in 2026) The documented recurrence rule is: Wednesday of the first full week in May.
Does Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day fall on the same date every year?
It follows a recurring calendar rule, so the Gregorian date can change from year to year.
Is Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: North America / occupational-safety and health professional recognition. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day?
The reviewed sources identify American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Board of Directors as the proclaiming or establishing body.
Is Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day international or country-specific?
No single country is assigned to this observance. Its documented scope is: North America / occupational-safety and health professional recognition. Use that scope rather than assuming worldwide or country-specific status.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-10-06.
When is Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day?
It is observed on the Wednesday of the first full week in May.
Who created OSHP Day?
Contemporary reporting states that the American Society of Safety Engineers board approved its creation in 2006.
Was it recognized by the U.S. Senate?
Yes. The Congressional Record shows a 2007 Senate resolution designating May 9, 2007 as Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day and describing it as the second annual observance.
Who currently owns or exclusively runs the observance?
The available evidence supports the history and recurring date, but it does not establish one current exclusive facilitator.
Does the day change workplace safety requirements?
No. Recognition activities do not replace workplace law, employer procedures, site-specific controls or qualified safety advice.