Jensen receives the American Society of Safety Professionals' Highest Honor

The American Society of Safety Professionals bestowed the honor of Fellow on Montana Tech Professor Roger Jensen. He joined Bruce Lyon and Georgi Popov as the 2023 recipients of the Society's highest honor.

"ASSP Fellows are influential leaders who have played key roles in improving workplace environments and the safety and health profession itself," said ASSP President Christine Sullivan, CSP, ARM. "Roger, Bruce, and Georgi are highly respected experts who have broadly helped prevent injuries, illnesses, and fatalities on the job."

Jensen, Ph.D., J.D., CSP, CPE, FASSP, joined the Montana Technological University faculty in 1999 where he helped form an ASSP student section that he guided for many years. He designed Montana Tech's safety lab for fall protection and ladder-climbing research. His contributions to the occupational safety and health body of knowledge include work in heat stress, risk assessment, machine safeguarding, and back-stressing patient handling.

"We are elated that Dr. Jensen has been officially recognized for his substantial contribution to the occupational safety and health field through this prestigious American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) Fellowship," noted Dr. Julie Hart, Safety, Health & Industrial Hygiene department head. "Dr. Jensen is considered a world-renowned expert in research topics such as risk assessment matrices, ergonomics, stairway design and uniformity, and fall protection. He has an unparalleled ability to mentor students through the research process. Dr. Jensen's vision for applied learning was instrumental in establishing the Safety Lab in the Natural Resource Research Center at Montana Tech, which has resulted in transformational learning experiences for our students. We believe Dr. Jensen deserves this award and are honored to have him on our Montana Tech team." 

Jensen served the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), where he was a pioneer in the newly established Division of Safety Research in 1977. While serving as Chief of the Accident and Injury Epidemiology Branch, Roger and colleagues published numerous injury epidemiology studies. He continued with NIOSH doing occupational safety research until 1991. Between 1991 and 1999, Jensen held positions with the University of New South Wales and UES, Inc.

"Throughout his career, Roger has tirelessly dedicated his work to advancing workplace safety and health," said former ASSP President Mark Hansen, P.E., CSP, CPEA, CPSA, CPE, FASSP. "He has mentored countless students and professionals while broadly contributing to our profession's body of knowledge."

Lyon, P.E., CSP, ARM, SMS, CHMM, FASSP, is vice president of risk management services at Brown & Brown Inc. He has over 40 years of experience in risk assessment, safety management systems, and ergonomics.

Popov, Ph.D., CSP, SMS, QEP, ARM, CMC, FASSP, FAIHA, is the chair and professor of the Occupational Risk and Safety Science department at the University of Central Missouri. He took prevention through design (PTD) from concept to reality in developing the ANSI/ASSP Z590.3 standard, chairing the committee, and being recognized as a pioneer in the field.

The Fellows were honored at the ASSP's Safety 2023 Professional Development Conference and Exposition in San Antonio on June 5-7. The honor of Fellow recognizes an ASSP member's lifetime commitment, achievement, and leadership in occupational safety and health. Nominees must have a history of significant contributions to the profession for at least 15 years. The list of Society Fellows dates back more than 50 years.

About ASSP – Working together for a safer, stronger future

For more than 100 years, the American Society of Safety Professionals has been at the forefront of helping occupational safety and health professionals protect people and property. The nonprofit Society is based in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge. Its global membership of 35,000 professionals covers all industries, developing safety and health management systems that prevent injuries, illnesses, and deaths. ASSP advances its members and the safety profession through education, advocacy, standards, and a professional community. Its flagship publication, Professional Safety Journal, is a longtime leader in the field. Visit www.assp.org and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.