Innovating Canada
Larry Masotti
Governing Board Chair, Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP)
As workplace health and safety risks become more complex in an ever-changing world, BCRSP helps safety professionals keep pace with the challenges.
A dynamic geopolitical environment and increased global opportunities are changing how organizations manage and measure workplace health and safety.
“Historically, safety was measured in terms of risks and hazards like slips, falls, and pinch points on machines, as well as basic regulatory compliance,” says Larry Masotti, Governing Board Chair of the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP). “While these historic compliance fundamentals remain critical, today’s landscape is much broader and is driven by both technological and human-centric aspects.”
The need to move beyond compliance
Today’s occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals are expected to go beyond compliance and to participate in leadership discussions related to organizational culture, workforce sustainability, business continuity, and emerging risks. With OHS evolving into more of a strategic discipline rather than a compliance function, OHS professionals require a tremendous knowledge base.
While these historic compliance fundamentals remain critical, today’s landscape is much broader and is driven by both technological and human-centric aspects.
“In addition to understanding the complexities of technologies like artificial intelligence, drones, and robotics, they need a good grasp of the effects of shifting demographics on the workplace, mental health, diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, and environmental sustainability,” says Masotti. “Unless someone is trained in a systematic approach to managing all these risks and challenges, it can be overwhelming.”
To help them deal with increasingly complex workplace safety risks, employers are seeking greater confidence in the competence of their OHS professionals. Increasingly, they’re turning to BCRSP’s nationally recognized certification standards, ethical requirements, and ongoing professional development expectations for their safety practitioners.
Continued professionalization of the field
“Our Canadian Registered Safety Professional and Canadian Registered Safety Technician certifications provide a strong foundation and baseline for understanding modern-day risks and challenges,” says Masotti. “A person who holds either of these certifications has the skills to go beyond compliance and to contribute to change management, employee engagement, operational efficiencies, and ultimately profitability.”
“In addition, both certifications align with the two ISO international standards, 17024 and 9001, which ensures relevance on a global skill level,” adds Masotti. To maintain their BCRSP certification, individuals are required to earn continuous professional development points through various BCRSP-approved activities.
Having recently celebrated 50 years of advancing professional excellence, BCRSP recognizes that workplace complexity is likely to continue. Canadian employers will need to ensure that their OHS professionals have the necessary skills to help guide their organizations through this more complex workplace safety landscape.
“Canadian legislation puts the onus on the employer to demonstrate due diligence in keeping workers safe, and having BCRSP-certified health and safety professionals on board is a good way to show your commitment to managing OHS risks,” says Masotti.
Learn more about BCRSP’s safety professional certifications to ensure that your workplace or career is future-ready by visiting bcrsp.ca.
