Hiring A CSP

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Why Should a Company Hire a CSP?

Companies that hire CSPs enhance their reputation by having certified individuals in safety, health, and environmental positions. The CSP certification is the most sought after safety certification in the U.S. today. Employers in business and industry, government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and consulting firms pursue CSPs. In addition, lawyers seeking safety and health professionals for expert testimony in workers’ compensation hearings, OSHA citations, injury law suits, and other court proceedings seek CSPs. A number of private and government organizations include the CSP in contract requirements to ensure safety knowledge and experience.

What are the Benefits to Employers?

  • Identifies individual as a source of expertise by lengthy examination.
  • Associates company name with globally recognized certification.
  • Enhances reputation of company by having certified individuals in safety, health, and environmental positions.
  • Improves relations of company within safety, health, and environmental community.
  • Exemplifies enhanced professional credibility because of standards of practice required to maintain certification.
  • Demonstrates to customers, competitors, and government agencies that certificate holders have been reviewed and tested by an impartial commission and deemed to have met nationally accepted criteria.
  • Provides an examination basis to assess employee competency.
  • Provides easier access to latest updates and information on consensus standards, laws, regulations, and licenses affecting areas of safety, health, and the environment.
  • Recognizes the highest level of professionalism in certified safety, health, and environmental executives.

U.S. OSHA and EPA standards recognize the CSP certification in laws, regulations, and standards.  In addition, contracts of many state and local governments and their agencies require the services of a CSP.

In summary, the CSP continues to grow in value through employer, government, and public recognition, through national accreditation, and through the high standards represented by the CSP.

How Many CSPs Are Out There?

Since 1969, about 19,000 individuals have achieved the CSP. Currently, 10,000 hold the CSP. This number fluctuates as CSPs retire or leave the safety profession. Several thousand new candidates have qualified for the CSP examinations and are preparing for them.

Where are CSPs Located?

CSPs can be found in the U.S., Canada and several other countries around the world. From data collected in 2002, the greatest number of CSPs live in Texas, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New York. 

Where do CSPs work?

CSPs work in many different industries. The insurance and manufacturing industries are major employers of CSPs. The chemical industry is also a significant employer. During the last decade, the number of CSPs engaged in consulting has doubled to 15%. The number of CSPs in various other industries, including construction, government, transportation, and aerospace, also continues to grow.

Today, there is a convergence of safety, industrial hygiene and environmental practice. BCSP data show that CSPs, on average, spend almost 60% of their professional time in safety and a significant portion of time in industrial hygiene and environmental matters.  32%  of CSPs have safety and health responsibilities and 70% have safety, health, and environmental duties. Many CSPs are safety and/or environmental, safety and health managers.

CSPs work with designers to identify system risks during use, operation, and maintenance.