Safety Acronym Soup
- National Safety Services Inc.
CRSP, NCSO, CRST, CHSC, CSP, ROH…. The list of acronyms behind a safety professional’s name never seems to end. But what do they all mean, and how do they stack up?
In Canada, safety professionals can earn various designations and certifications, depending on their education, experience and area of expertise. Safety acronyms are often issued by an organization or governing body. Unfortunately, the health and safety profession remains largely unregulated in Canada, meaning that any person can identify themselves as an “HSE Professional” or “Safety Extraordinaire” – even if they are not. For example:
Susan Smith, OHSDip.
John Kane, OHS.
The alphabet list is endless, and really, is it a wonder why people are confused?
Here are some of the more recognized (and legitimate) safety designations in Canada, and their distinct differences.
Issued by: Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP)
Requirements:
Focus and Recognition: The CRSP focuses on general occupational health and safety knowledge across various industries. It is highly respected in Canada and recognized internationally. Due to their depth of education in safety management, these credentials are generally more suited to senior safety roles in an organization.
Issued by: Provincial construction safety associations (e.g., Alberta Construction Safety Association, Infrastructure Health & Safety Association, Construction Safety Nova Scotia)
Requirements:
Focus and Recognition: The NCSO is primarily aimed on construction safety concepts. It is recognized as an entry-level certification, showcasing practical knowledge of construction safety management principles and skills.
ROH Issued by: Canadian Registration Board of Occupational Hygienists (CRBOH)
CIH Issued by: American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH)
Requirements:
Focus and Recognition: the ROH & CIH are primarily centered on workplace exposure assessment, air quality assessments and hazardous substances. ROH is Canadian-specific, while CIH is internationally recognized.
Issued by: Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP)
Requirements:
Focus and recognition: The CRST focuses on technical and hands-on safety work. It is considered an entry-level designation and is often a stepping stone to the CRSP designation.
Issued by: Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP)
Requirements:
Focus and recognition: The CSP is primarily on safety knowledge, risk assessment and management. It is based out of USA, but is recognized globally, including Canada.
Issued by: Health and Safety Professionals Canada or HSPC (formerly the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering or CSSE)
Requirements:
Focus and Recognition: The CHSC is focused on health and safety consulting, leadership, and program development.
There are many fundamental differences between these designations and certifications, and it is critical that employers understand the variances to select appropriate candidates for their organizations.
For example, it is not unusual to see job postings that include “CRSP or NCSO preferred”. These designations contain vastly different levels of safety knowledge, education and experience. In truth, such requests often reflect the employer’s lack of understanding of their own safety needs. Additionally, asking for a higher qualification than is warranted is quickly followed by sticker shock when factoring in the cost of experience and knowledge.
Consider the following:
CRSP and CSP are broad safety designations, while the NCSO focuses specifically on construction safety. ROH/CIH are specialized and specifically focus on Occupational Hygiene.
CRST and NCSO are considered an entry-level certification, while CRSP and CSP designations reflect more experience, education and training.
Just as there are good doctors and not-so-good doctors, there are good safety professionals and not-so-good safety professionals, regardless of the letters behind their name. Do your homework by determining your needs first, then look for a suitable match with the skills and knowledge that you require.
If you need assistance in finding and/or hiring the right safety professional for your organization or require a more hands-on approach to managing health and safety, we’re here to help. Contact us at info@nationalsafety.ca
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