Paul Belair BASc, MBA, CRSP
Governing Board Chair,
BCRSP
Reducing workplace-related fatalities starts with understanding the importance of certification for the safety profession.
On the National Day of Mourning, the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) acknowledges the families who have lost loved ones due to workplace incidents and recognizes those injured or made ill because of their work.
According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada, 1,057 Canadians died in workplace-related fatalities in 2023. As that number only covers workplaces providing provincial compensation benefits, the real number is likely far higher. Paul Belair, Chair of the BCRSP Governing Board, states that “in addition to addressing the number of fatalities, it is important to examine measures to reduce them.”
Supporting public safety
Since 1976, the BCRSP has promoted workplace health and safety through the certification of the OHS profession. The Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP®) and Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST®) certifications meet the ISO/IEC 17024 standard. These certifications are designed to enable safety professionals and technicians to demonstrate their expertise through a standardized assessment process. BCRSP-certified professionals and technicians are required to fulfill academic, experiential, and examination criteria, adhere to a code of ethics, and maintain their certification by engaging in a mandatory continuous professional development program.
Individuals who hold a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) or a Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST) certification play a crucial role in maintaining high standards of workplace safety. “BCRSP certification holders are well-equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to address emerging challenges in occupational health and safety to help organizations adopt proactive safety strategies”, says Belair.
A clear vision
The vision of the BCRSP is to achieve safe and healthy workplaces through certification. The organization adheres to the highest credentialing standards for the safety profession in Canada and strives to continually advance the body of occupational health and safety (OHS) knowledge, enhance the competencies needed for OHS practice, and elevate the value that the OHS profession contributes to society.
“Organizations that employ BCRSP-certified safety professionals can trust that these individuals are qualified to identify hazards, implement effective safety measures, and foster a culture of safety within the workplace”, says Belair.
To find out more about the BCRSP and certification, visit bcrsp.ca.
