Greetings to all CRSP and CRST certificants across Canada and around the world! This is my final message as Chair and I am pleased to report that in spite of the pandemic we have made excellent progress advancing the safety profession in Canada through adherence to the BCRSP strategic plan. Furthermore, government and industry have increasingly demonstrated, through their actions, the importance they place on the safety profession. This and more are discussed below.
Thank You
I want to thank the many people who have contributed to this success starting with the volunteers who work so professionally and diligently in achieving the goals and objectives in support of the strategic plan. Over the past two years I have had the pleasure and honour to meet volunteers working on a variety of committees and I am always very impressed with the high caliber and knowledge possessed by BCRSP’s volunteers. The value volunteers bring to BCRSP is immeasurable.
Given the challenges during the last year further heightens the appreciation and thanks to volunteers many times over. We all missed the face-to-face meetings and networking that volunteering offers but it will return soon.
Also, I wish to thank the current and past members of the board who have contributed their wise counsel and knowledge ensuring we continue to progress. Past Chairs and boards set the course for success which the current board has faithfully followed and enhanced while effectively identifying and managing risks.
Finally, special thanks to Fletcher Wright Associates for the day to day management and administration of BCRSP. Nikki and her staff do an amazing job keeping all of us organized and productive.
Legal Recognition of the Safety Profession (AKA Regulation of the Safety Profession)
We continue to make steady progress in Ontario and Alberta which are the two jurisdictions previously identified as offering the highest likelihood of success. The two provinces regulate professionals differently and, in both cases, we are making good progress. We have received letters of support from business organizations, the legal profession, and other influencers in pursuit of this goal. COVID-19 is slowing progress in this area of advocacy as COVID-19 understandably distracts legislators from focusing attention on our file while they deal with the emergency. I am cautiously optimistic we will see a significant development before the end of the year.
Accreditation of Educational Institutions
After considerable and detailed discussion at the board, approval to move forward using the support of an external consultant on this project was provided to the volunteer committee being led by Vice-Chair, Robin Angel. The intent is to emulate other professions that require certificants to graduate from an accredited educational institution. This is a long-term project and requires considerable consultation and stakeholder input.
CRST Progress
The number of successful CRST candidates is meeting the plan indicating this designation is satisfying a long-felt need of recent graduates, safety practitioners, and employers. Let’s keep telling others about this certification when and where possible and maintain the success.
Stakeholder Engagement
The National Education Symposium was held in May 2021 with over 36 academics attending representing 23 different institutions and was the 7th session in 14 years. BCRSP continues to collaborate with educational institutions across Canada in sharing information and knowledge to ensure graduates from OHS diploma and degree programs receive the academic knowledge to facilitate their pursuit of the CRSP and CRST certificates. Increasingly the BCRSP examination blueprints for the CRST and CRSP are used by academic institutions for benchmarking purposes. Many thanks to all of the volunteers who made the NES a success.
Ontario Bill 152
BCRSP was invited by Jane McKenna, (Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development), to make a presentation to the Ontario Standing Committee on Social Policy regarding Bill 152 “An Act to proclaim Occupational Safety and Health Day”. I made a presentation to the committee on March 22 2021 in support of the bill (which was subsequently passed). The fact that the BCRSP was invited to make a presentation to the standing committee indicates how far the BCRSP has come in being recognized and valued by government. As you may recall in my previous report, similar recognition was extended by the Alberta government to the BCRSP.
Progress on the “national framework”
Consistent with the aims of the national framework established in 2019 to unify the safety profession in Canada to enhance health and safety in the workplace and advance the profession through collaboration and mutual support of each other good progress is being made as outlined below:
The Canadian Registration Board of Occupational Hygienists (CRBOH) and BCRSP have signed an “Agreement Establishing Collaboration between CRBOH and BCRSP”. A copy of this is posted on the BCRSP website.
The Alberta Society of Occupational Health and Safety Professionals (ASOHSP) and BCRSP have met several times in the last few months and are discussing collaborative efforts to achieve regulation of the safety profession in the province of Alberta.
The Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) and BCRSP have reached an agreement whereby CSSE will take over the writing and publication of the CRSP/CRST study guides. BCRSP will provide support and assistance during the transition however CSSE will take on full authority of the study guides once the study guides have been updated and the transition is complete. New versions of the study guides should be available later this year. We continue to work with CSSE to identify mutually beneficial opportunities that will further advance the opportunities for certificants and members.
Closing Comments
As mentioned earlier, the BCRSP has made very good progress over the 12 months in spite of the pandemic. Much of this is the result of staying true to the strategic plan, diligently managing risks, and balancing work with available resources (i.e. volunteers). I know that Robin Angel, the incoming chair, will continue on this path to achieve BCRSP’s vision of “safe and healthy workplaces through certification.”
I encourage all certificants to consider applying to be a board member at some point in their career to further BCRSP’s success. It is a fantastic experience that will contribute greatly to your personal leadership development.
Looking forward to seeing you in person someday soon.