BCSP Blog

Celebrate Safety Excellence at the 2013 Award of Excellence Ceremony

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 13:50:00 GMT

Several outstanding safety professionals will receive BCSP Awards of Excellence (AoEs) for their dedication to advancing safety, health and environmental (SH&E) practice at the fast approaching 2013 Award of Excellence ceremony.

The identities of this year's AoE recipients will be revealed for the first time at the ceremony itself, to take place at the American Society of Safety Engineers' (ASSE's) Safety 2013 PDC, on June 27, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. To attend, conference goers must register for the Thursday luncheon with ASSE.

The Award of Excellence recognizes the contributions of CHSTs, OHSTs, and CSPs in advancing the safety profession, honoring them for their exceptional commitment. "To walk out on the stage and receive the award, have my name announced to the audience of 800, see and feel the award, is beyond description," said Henry Smahlik, CSP, CIH, one of the 2012 CSP AoE recipients.

If you are attending Safety 2013, we hope you join us in celebrating safety excellence.

Thank You, Safety Professionals

Wed, 08 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

May 8 is 2013's Occupational Safety and Health Professional (OSHP) Day. The American Society of Safety Engineers added OSHP Day to its North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) week in 2006. The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) enjoys OSHP Day and is happy to participate in the effort to recognize and celebrate the lifesaving efforts of safety, health and environmental (SH&E) professionals.

The work of a safety professional isn't always noticed. Many people think of safety as simply the absence of workplace incidents, but it is much more than that: it is the result of SH&E practitioners' building a safer workplace by actively removing occupational hazards and engaging others in safe practices. The safety professional creates safety every day he or she is on the job, showing commitment to a career dedicated to the protection of people, property, and the environment.

This OSHP Day, we hope you join us in appreciating the work of our amazing safety professionals.

Certification Application Fee Waivers for Faculty, Graduates, Military and Government Personnel

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) extends application fee waivers to faculty, graduates from ABET accredited academic programs, military and government officials in an effort to promote the advancement of the safety profession among different professional domains as well as to show our appreciation for the service and sacrifice these individuals have made for their communities.

Application fee waivers were initially created for university faculty. With the increased demand for knowledgeable safety professionals and the military's encouraging those in service to achieve certification, BCSP felt expanding application fee waivers was the right thing to do.

Military personnel may be able to achieve BCSP certification at no cost, using the BCSP application fee waiver program and applying U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' reimbursements to their examination fees.

To learn more about application fee waivers and other certification-related opportunities you can refer to BCSP's Application Fee Waivers brochure.

"Don't be a Fool. Being Safe at Work is Cool!"

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:53:00 GMT

This April Fool's Day BCSP would like to remind you that being safe is working smart with a little help from North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week's “Safety on the Job” poster contest winners.

In the words of Hayden Beldon, age 6: "Don't be a fool. Being safe at work is cool!"

Veiw Beldon and other children's Safety on the Job poster contest winners' illustrations on ASSE's NAOSH Week 2013 webpage.

Chuck Soderquist, CHST, STS Shares Video on the Value of Certification

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Chuck Soderquist, CHST, STS recently shared an informative video explaining BCSP certifications' role in promoting safety and the safety professional.

Soderquist highlights how he uses certification in his work as a Safety Manager at Sturgeon Electric Company. His vision, passion for safety and leadership abilities contributed to Sturgeon’s industry-leading safety statistics as well as the company’s 2008 award of STAR status in OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Mobile Workforce Demonstration and the 2012 Associated General Contractors (AGC) 1st place Construction Safety Excellence Award (CSEA) in the specialty contractors division (over 1M man-hours). In 2012, Soderquist himself received the BCSP Award of Excellence.

The video is part of BCSP's call for testimonials on the value of BCSP certifications, an ongoing project that certificants can participate in at any time.

BCSP's Toolkit for Advancing the Safety Profession

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 06:00:00 GMT

The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) offers a variety of tools that certificants can use to become certification ambassadors, staying updated on current trends in safety while advocating the certification of qualified colleagues.

Tabletops - BCSP is designing new tabletop displays which will reflect the updates made to our family of certifications this year, so you will look better than ever as you network with colleagues. Available to BCSP certificants, the tabletops and literature of your choice are sent to you at no cost.

To request a tabletop and literature, fill out the Tabletop Request Form and email it to Anne Price, BCSP Marketing Specialist.

Presentations - The Articles and Presentations webpage offers pre-made Powerpoint presentations for download. Many of the Powerpoints available were created in the last year, offering the latest information. They cover the value of BCSP certification, what makes BCSP certification the "gold standard" of safety certification, and the benefits of specific certification programs.

Item Writing - BCSP's new Item Writing webpage provides you with the information required to submit new items which BCSP may use in updating our certification examinations.

All these activities can be documented for Recertification points, as indicated in the BCSP Recertification Guide.

Presenting a Video on BCSP Safety Certification

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 06:00:00 GMT

The Board of Certified Safety Professionals has created a YouTube video which explains the process of becoming certified as a safety professional with any of BCSP's safety certifications.

BCSP's CEO, Dr. Treasa Turnbeaugh, narrates the video, addressing the most commonly asked questions asked by individuals who are considering achieving certification.

New BCSP Presentations Make it Easy to Gain Recertification Points with Style

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 05:00:00 GMT

You can download and use the Board of Certified Safety Professionals' (BCSPs') lastest Powerpoint presentations, some of which are based on presentations BCSP Board Members have used to lead discussion on safety certification with international SH&E organizations like the Canadian Society of Safety Engineers (CSSE) and the International Network of Safety and Health Practitioner Organisations (INSHPO), from the BCSP website.

Leading presentations on safety certification not only allows you to demonstrate their expertise -- you also earn Recertification points.

Promote safety professionalism among your colleagues, network, and within your organization. Download the latest BCSP Powerpoints.

Why do You Value Safety Certification? Video Contest

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 05:00:00 GMT

One of the most rewarding parts of working for BCSP is hearing certificants' stories about their protecting people in their SH&E work. I have heard many of these stories, and reported on some which were quite inspiring. I'd like to help share them a great deal more.

BCSP would like your help in sharing your story as a CSP, OHST, CHST, STS or CET. We are looking for individuals who would like to record themselves in a short, one or two minute-long video on what they feel is the value of certification.

You are free to choose how you present yourself and your organization. You should include your name, certification(s), and why your BCSP certification(s) is/are valuable to you and/or your company within your story.

To submit videos, please email them to Colan Holmes, BCSP's Communications Specialist, along with the corresponding Name and Likeness Release.

BCSP staff will select their favorite videos, which will be shared across BCSP social media. All submissions will also be saved for use in future BCSP projects, such as enewsletters, presentations, or DVDs.

A Global Certification with Global Certificants

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Meeting internationally recognized standards, the merits of the accredited Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification are recognized across the globe. The CSP highlights exemplary safety practice, connects safety professionals, and provides those who hold it the opportunity to become global certificants.

Rixio Medina, CSP, BCSP Vice-President, had the pleasure of meeting some of our global certificants and credential holders in a recent trip to Australia.

Dennis Bagnoche, CSP has worked in the construction safety field since 1983. He has previously worked in the US, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar. For the last 4 years, Dennis has worked in Australia as HSE Manager for Glough an Australia integrated Engineering, Procurement and Construction service company primarily to oil and gas projects.

Matthew Knopp, GSP graduated from Murray State University in 2009 with a Masters of Science in Occupational Safety and Health. Matt has worked internationally for Chicago, Bridge and Iron (CBI) for nearly two years in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and, since October 2011, in Australia working on the Barrow Island Gorgon LNG Project.

In addition to the two individuals Medina met in Australia, BCSP Board Members, officials, and staff have also met global certificants active in China, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and many other countries this year.

As the world develops, so does the need for it to develop safely. Global certificants make that happen.

Conferences a Joy to Attend

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 05:00:00 GMT

BCSP exhibited at the International System Safety Society's 2012 ISSC in Atlanta last week. The conference gave us the opportunity to meet and learn from experienced system safety professionals from across the globe. It was just the right size to have some really great conversations with certificants as well.

After one of the conference luncheons the CSP's in attendance gathered on the Loew's Hotel balcony for a photo.

If you would like to exhibit to network or earn recertification points, feel free to contact Colan Holmes, BCSP Communications Specialist, about how BCSP can help you with your effort.

There are many more conferences where you can find us this year. We look forward to meeting you!

Superintendents Praise STS Certification

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The latest company to formally join BCSP's STS Sponsorship Program, Gilbane Inc., asked a few of their superintendents for their thoughts on the Safety Trained Supervisor (STS) certification.

"Obtaining the STS certification has helped me out professionally, as well as my projects in a few ways." said Joseph Martin, STS. "It is an excellent refresher course for the OSHA 30. It focuses on correcting and reinforcing good behavior on job sites, very similar to our Gilbane Cares philosophy. I would recommend that more of our superintendents and PMs obtain the Board of Certified Safety Professionals' accredited and reputable STS certification. The training is used all day every day on the jobsite and can ultimately make our jobsites a safer, more desirable place to work."

Mike Chowaniec, STS contributed his thoughts in an interview.

How has having the STS improved safety on your project?

"It’s another level of safety training, which enhances the quality of safety Inspections and items inspected on our project. It gives our team in the field another set of eyes and ears to work with our subcontractors reviewing JHA’s and safety plans. The STS Certification helps strengthen what is already a strong commitment to safety onsite."

How has having the STS helped you professionally?

"For the most part, we all know what is and isn’t safe. But we don’t always look at the reason of why it’s being done unsafely. The STS Certification gives you the tools to identify the root cause for an unsafe practice. Knowing the reason behind the unsafe act, allows you to address the problem correctly."

Recommendations to PM’s, Super’s, and others about STS?

"If you’re on a project, I believe it’s the next logical step in continuing our company commitment to safety. It emphasizes your personal dedication to safety, provides your team in the field another trained set of eyes and ears, and most importantly, reinforces our company wide commitment to an Incident and Injury Free environment."

BCSP is glad to hear that the STS certification has served these two certificants and their company well. In our commitment to advancing safety, it is always a pleasure to learn of the positive impact made through quality certifying programs.

From Adversity to Opportunity

Tue, 29 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Regina McMichael, CSP is the President of her own consulting company, The Learning Factory. She provides a diverse set of risk management services with a focus on fun, effective training. “Some days I may be teaching a two day class on leadership skills for new safety supervisors, other days I may be writing grants, policies and procedures, and at other times I could be hosting e-learning for clients and subject matter experts,” McMichael says.

McMichael’s dedication to safety is built on experience, some quite personal -- Her decision to work as a safety professional began with the loss of her first husband, “an easily preventable loss,” she says. A young woman at the time, she used the workers’ compensation settlement she received to pursue her goals through college.

“I started as a business major, assuming that was how to impact job safety, when I saw an advertisement for the Safety and Risk Administration degree at VCU,” McMichael explained. “I knew I wanted to make a difference about jobsite safety but had no idea I could actually get a degree in the discipline, working full-time at changing companies’ and workers’ behaviors. From that point, it has been a whirlwind career of opportunities. I actually became an expert in the hazard that killed my husband. It was never my intention to do that, specifically, but the path was laid out for me it seemed.”

Online discussion with other safety professionals has made it apparent that many individuals working in the SH&E field have lost family or other loved ones in work-related accidents. “Oddly, a post on the BCSP LinkedIn group introduced me to others like me for the first time,” says McMichael. “I am saddened by what they have had to experience, but overjoyed to see adversity turned to opportunity.”

Turning adversity into opportunity is not only what McMichael and these other safety professionals have done, but what they constantly challenge everyone to do as part of their work. McMichael says she loves to teach, that “when people come up to you after the class and acknowledge that they can change and that they have a responsibility to themselves and others to be safe – it feels pretty amazing!”

McMichael achieved her CSP after she graduated from college and has maintained the certification for over 20 years. For McMichael, certification represents dedication. “It requires commitment and study, so when I meet others who are certified, especially those long out of school, I am impressed by their efforts to take that next step to the profession,” McMichael explains. “If a client asks me to help find a safety professional for their company, I always check for the designation. It matters to me, and it matters to my clients.”

BCSP Certification Referenced in Institute for Credentialing Excellence Report

Wed, 09 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE) released a report this month titled A Look at the Value of Professional Certification. BCSP was happy to have its CSP certification featured in the new ICE report. BCSP has long emphasized certification's value, using the phrase "prove your value with certification" on brochures and conference material.

The report is part of a The Value of Certification Toolkit, a result of several years of work by ICE’s Research and Development Committee. It covers topics such as the increase in opportunity for certified individuals, related monetary reward, raised public opinion of companies that utilize certification, and companies' better compliance with regulations and the conditions of third-party payers.

The CSP was used primarily to illustrate the higher salaries of certified professionals compared to non-certified professionals, citing CSP's average annual salary being about $17,000 more than the salaries of those without certification.

The CSP, OHST/CLCS, CHST and STS certifications are all accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), an organization which is a component of ICE.

Why do You Work in Safety? Why did You Pursue Safety Certification?

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

People have started to recognize me from my posts to the BCSP Facebook page or the welcoming messages I send when they join the BCSP LinkedIn group. When this first occurred, at a conference, I was admittedly taken off guard. I've since started to enjoy being thought of as "the LinkedIn guy," because I've met so many friendly people and heard so many interesting stories as a result.

As the Board of Certified Safety Professionals' social media presence grows, more and more opportunities for safety professionals to share their stories have developed. We at BCSP are enthusiastically working on ways to further include you in defining the safety profession.

Beginning at ASSE's Safety 2012 Professional Development Conference, we will be recording video's of certificants' stories about how certification have helped them and their professional practice. We hope to begin doing this regularly.

I'd also like to start highlighting safety professionals who have achieved a BCSP safety certification on BCSP's blog and social media.

If you would like your share your story, reply to the LinkedIn post here with why you work in safety and why you pursued your safety certification.

I look forward to your responses.