The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has named Georgi Popov the recipient of the 2025 Thomas F. Bresnahan Standards Medal for his extensive work in developing and advocating voluntary national consensus standards in environmental health and safety (EHS).
Popov, Ph.D., CSP, SMP, QEP, ARM, CMC, FASSP, FAIHA, is a professor in the Occupational Risk and Safety Sciences Department at the University of Central Missouri. He took prevention through design from concept to reality in the development of the ANSI/ASSP Z590.3 standard, chairing the committee and being recognized as a pioneer in the field.
During his safety and health career that spans more than 30 years, Popov has authored three books and has seen his work published in many safety standards and peer-reviewed articles in trade journals. He is vice chair of the newly formed ANSI/ASSP Z310 Risk Management standards committee.
Popov previously was the vice chair of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group and traveled around the world to represent ASSP and the United States to write and revise international risk management standards.
“Dr. Popov is widely respected as a leading expert in risk assessment and risk-based standards,” said colleague Bruce Lyon, P.E., CSP, SMP, ARM, CHMM, FASSP, vice president of risk management services at Brown & Brown Inc. “His textbooks are used in many university safety and risk management courses.”
Popov has served as an EHS officer for a United Nations mission in Cambodia; EHS research analyst for the Defense Research Institute; and an environmental services lab and consulting director, in addition to his nearly 20 years as a university professor. He also helped create ASSP’s online and in-person Risk Management Certificate program and helps promote safety standards as a speaker at national and international conferences.
“Dr. Popov’s contributions to standards development and the workplace safety and health profession are unparalleled in helping to reduce injuries, illnesses and fatalities on the job,” Lyon said.
Popov will be honored at ASSP’s Safety 2025 Professional Development Conference and Exposition, held July 22-24 in Orlando. The global event will bring together thousands of safety professionals to learn about best practices, industry trends and the latest product innovations in workplace safety and health.
The Thomas F. Bresnahan Standards Medal recognizes ASSP members who actively participate in developing voluntary national consensus standards that advance worker safety. The award is named in honor of Thomas F. Bresnahan, a former ASSP staff member and Fellow who reinvigorated the Society’s standards development program and helped position the organization for growth in this strategic area.
