CHICAGO, March 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), the world's oldest professional safety society, announces its Middle East Chapter will host the 2014 Professional Development Conference and Exhibition (PDC&E) from March 16-20, 2014 in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The 11th annual PDC&E titled "Innovative Approaches Toward Emerging Safety, Health and Environmental Challenges," will center on issues of concern in the region and the rest of the world. The sessions are organized into different tracks/symposia covering the following main subjects: Process Safety, Risk Management, Safety Culture & Leadership, Health in the Workplace, Environmental Protection, and Security & Transportation Safety. There are also individual sessions on Fire Protection, Contractors and Behavioral Safety.

"The program also has more than 30 scientific posters covering a wide range of topics," said ASSE Middle East Chapter President Tariq Al-Ghamdi. "Poster sessions are new addition to the conference, and will present the audience with invaluable opportunities to learn about newly developed technologies and research conducted in relevant areas of interest."

More than 1,000 participants are expected to attend the five-day event at the Gulf International Convention & Exhibition Center, which includes hundreds of exhibitors. People interested in registering or finding out more information should visit www.asse-mec.org/2014.

"ASSE wants to work with allied interests, business and government officials to ensure safety initiatives are incorporated into every project undertaken in Bahrain and throughout the Middle East," said ASSE President-Elect Patricia M. Ennis, who will be delivering a keynote address during the conference. "The Middle East Chapter is an important voice in sharing knowledge and best practices and generating discussions about health safety in the region and globally. We are proud of the work our Middle East Chapter is doing to bring best practices in occupational health and safety to the forefront and supporting the professional development of safety and health professionals in the region."

Founded in 1911, the Chicago-based ASSE has more than 36,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members from around the globe who lead, manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in all industries, government, labor, health care and education. For more information please go to www.asse.org/newsroom.

SOURCE American Society of Safety Engineers