Welcome to this Third Quarter 2017 BCSP
eNewsletter.
No matter which certification or designation you hold with BCSP, or if you are in the process of attaining one, we have included news and information that will help you in your professional safety career.
See the
In This Issue section to the right to navigate to the stories of most interest to you.
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Message from the President of the Board
Chris Patton, CSP, SMS, ASP
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The desire to protect people, property, and the environment from harm is shared by individuals everywhere. Our challenge is to transform that desire into actions proven to improve safety. BCSP is proactive in advancing the safety practice, and we are busy creating a safer world.
To improve the effectiveness of safety programs around the world, BCSP joined with members of the International Network of Safety and Health Practitioner Organizations (INSHPO) in signing the
Singapore Accord in September. The Accord defines standards for safety, health, and environmental (SH&E) practice, as determined with the participation of the international set of INSHPO member organizations. These standards
define the various levels of safety practice.
As international cooperation in the interest of safety grows, BCSP has recognized the Master in Occupational Safety and Health, established by the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITC-ILO), and the Certified Safety Engineer (CSE) of the State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS), as meeting the credential requirements for the Certified Safety Professional® (CSP®). These
new credential recognition agreements create practical paths to achieving internationally recognized certification in professional safety practice.
Beyond credential recognition, BCSP established a cooperative agreement with the National Center for International Cooperation in Work Safety, State Administration of Work Safety (NCICS-SAWS) and
a partnership with the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants Association (VPPPA). These agreements demonstrate not only our shared desire to build safety, but our commitment to sharing knowledge, setting competency standards, and encouraging SH&E practitioners to pursue education and certification. These are the building blocks of a strong safety profession.
BCSP's offering of certifications provides the means to
validate the competency of safety practitioners at every level of safety responsibility in an organization. To meet this need,
the Safety Management Specialist (SMS) was released this summer, completing the continuum of certifications for those impacting the safety culture of their organizations. The response to the SMS Beta Exam was extraordinary, and we are thankful to all the pioneers who have supported us in the construction of this new certification.
To illustrate that safety is a professional occupation,
BCSP continues expanding outreach to youth and others to garner interest in SH&E careers. New #ChooseSafety outreach material introduces young people to the safety profession. BCSP continues to break down barriers that prevent individuals from seeking quality SH&E education by providing numerous scholarships, and we continue to contribute financially to our Graduate Safety Practitioner® (GSP®) Qualified Academic Programs (QAP)
to seek and maintain ABET accreditation, raising the bar for the quality of SH&E educational programs.
These initiatives are part of a successful strategy. Looking at the
2016 Annual Report, it is clear that more people are challenging themselves to become certified. You can join us in setting the standard and enhancing the careers of safety practitioners by encouraging certification.
I hope you find this
eNewsletter informative and enjoyable, and I invite you to join us in building a safer future.
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 Growing International Advancement of Safety
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BCSP has added two more credentials to those recognized as meeting the credential requirement for the
Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and established new relationships with several important international organizations.
The Master in Occupational Safety and Health, established by the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITC-ILO) in partnership with the University of Turin, Italy; the International Labour Office; and the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH), was recognized with the recent signing of a
Memorandum of Understanding by BCSP and the ITC-ILO.
Upon meeting all CSP eligibility requirements, applicants holding the Master in Occupational Safety and Health or the CSE will not be required to sit for the
Associate Safety Professional (ASP) examination, but may sit directly for the CSP.
As part of the BCSP-NCICS-SAWS Cooperative Agreement, each organization will "use their collaborative efforts and expertise to improve the protection of workers." To realize this goal, BCSP and NCICS-SAWS will develop and disseminate information on safety management systems and best practices in SH&E practice; participate in SH&E conferences and other events; and promote and facilitate the transfer of SH&E research findings to best practices and to the body of knowledge of safety and health professionals.
Additionally, BCSP and NCICS-SAWS will support SH&E competency, including competency certifications, in all levels of workplace organizations, as well as collaborate with employers and regulatory agencies regarding the benefits of mandating certification in project safety requirements.
"By sharing our knowledge, and increasing our understanding of the practice of safety, we advance the safety profession and create a safer world." said BCSP's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Treasa Turnbeaugh, CSP, ASP, CET, CAE. "The development of safety professionals and successful efforts to strengthen workplace safety are interconnected."
The BCSP-NCICS-SAWS agreement was signed in China as the result of dedicated international outreach by BCSP and SH&E stakeholders. The BCSP-ITC-ILO agreement was signed in Singapore at the World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, which the ILO co-sponsored. Also in Singapore, BCSP was accepted into the Asia-Pacific Occupational Safety and Health Organization (APOSHO) as an Affiliate Member and BCSP representatives convened with other members of the International Network of Safety & Health Practitioner Organisations (INSHPO) to sign the
Singapore Accord.
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BCSP is inducted into APOSHO as an Affiliate Member
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Singapore Accord, Promoting SH&E Competency Standards, Signed
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BCSP joined more than 40 organizations from around the world in signing the Singapore Accord, a significant step toward safer and healthier workplaces, on September 3, 2017.
The Accord, spearheaded by the International Network of Safety and Health Practitioner Organizations (INSHPO), presents a global capability framework for the occupational health and safety (OHS) professional that will increase the effectiveness and impact of this role in every industry.
The
OHS Professional Capability Framework defines the roles, skills, knowledge, and qualifications recommended for OHS professionals and practitioners. It is a consensus-based document developed from an international analysis of data from national professional associations and certification bodies. Many of those organizations were joined by others for the signing in advance of the 21st World Congress on Safety and Health at Work.
The ILO reports there are 2.3 million deaths globally each year attributed to work, with the biggest component linked to work-related diseases. More than 300 million incidents occur on the job annually around the world, resulting in significant human suffering and economic burdens. In the United States, businesses pay $1.2 billion per week in workers' compensation costs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
"We need the ability to self-improve if we're going to elevate the status of the OHS professional and get all employers to recognize the incredible value of these roles," said ASSE President Jim Smith, M.S., CSP, who was on hand in Singapore to sign the Accord. "A cornerstone of stimulating preventive actions and improving workplace safety is a network of highly capable professionals whose focus is just that. Far too many people are still getting injured and sick on the job. We can do better."
Created in 2001, INSHPO has grown to 14 member organizations that are based in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, European Union, Australia, New Zealand, the Russian Federation, Singapore and Korea. The nonprofit organization is the global voice for the occupational safety and health profession and acts as a forum for international collaboration to improve safety and health at work.
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Partnership Between BCSP and VPPPA to Improve Worker Safety
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BCSP and the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants' Association (VPPPA) will collaborate to improve occupational safety and health at workplaces throughout the United States. VPPPA Chairperson
Mike Guillory, and
BCSP Board President Chris Patton, CSP, SMS, ASP formalized the partnership in a new
BCSP-VPPPA Partnership Agreement, signing the document together at the 2017 VPPPA Safety+ Symposium in New Orleans, Louisiana.
"BCSP is proud to partner with VPPPA and together strengthen the safety profession," says Patton. "VPPPA serves organizations that commit to better safety performance, and safety practitioners who hold themselves to higher standards value BCSP certification. This provides a strong basis for advancement of the profession."
As part of the partnership agreement, the organizations have committed to supporting safety and health competency at all levels of workplace organization. BCSP and VPPPA will utilize technology to disseminate information on management systems, best practices, and career opportunities in safety and health. They will provide support for students to enter safety and health academic programs, encourage organizations' use of certification, participate in events where safety and health are addressed, and facilitate the transfer of relevant occupational safety and health research findings to the body of knowledge of safety and health professionals.
"This agreement is advantageous for both VPPPA and BCSP. But most importantly, it will benefit the health and safety community," said Guillory at the opening of the Safety+ Symposium. "Protecting, educating and advocating for our community is, after all, what we're all here to do."
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| Left to right: BCSP Business Development Director Clint Wolfley, CSP, CHST, STSC; President of the BSCP Board of Directors C. Christopher Patton, CSP, SMS, ASP; VPPPA Director-at-Large J. A. Rodriguez, Jr., CSP, SGE; VPPPA Chairperson Mike Guillory; VPPPA Executive Director Mike Maddox |
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SMS Joins Other BCSP Certifications' Exams Covered by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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 United States military servicemembers and veterans may now qualify for reimbursement of their
Safety Management Specialist (SMS) examination fees through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The process of having the SMS qualify for reimbursement was shortened considerably by BCSP's other certifications having maintained longstanding credibility as qualifying credentials.
The skills and dedication of those who have served are important in any profession, and BCSP is proud to support military personnel and veterans in their transition from protecting others as service members to protecting people, property and the environment as new safety practitioners.
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Choose Safety Campaign
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The video competition asked QAP students to submit short videos explaining why they choose safety as a career and how their academic program will help them succeed in the safety industry. Competition winners will be announced on November 1, 2017.
The QAP video competition continues BCSP's outreach to bring youth into safety, for which several materials have been produced. BCSP has published a new Explore a Career in Safety brochure for school counselors and those reaching out to students at the high school or early college level, a Choose Safety poster, and our own video.
With the beginning of the 2017-18 academic year, BCSP Ambassadors are visiting several QAPs, sharing information on the GSP as a path to the CSP and the importance of connecting SH&E study with practice.
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BCSP's 2016 Annual Report Released
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 BCSP has released its 2016 Annual Report. The report highlights major accomplishments from the year which will build the future of the safety profession.
The GSP program was expanded and grew significantly in 2016, which will help more young safety professionals reach their career goals with GSP QAP safety program degrees.
Overall, BCSP provided more than $1,000,000 for career-building incentives to SH&E students, ABET-accredited Qualified Academic Programs and safety professionals in 2016.
In response to industry needs, BCSP began research for a safety management certification, the Safety Management Specialist (SMS). Job task analyses, item writing, and passing score panels all contributed to the creation of this new certification.
In anticipation of continued growth as part of fulfilling its mission, BCSP relocated its Corporate Headquarters from Champaign, Illinois, to Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
"As I look forward to the future of our profession, I see great achievement because I know it will be the result of the work done by the great safety professionals with whom I have had the pleasure of working alongside today." wrote John Hodges, CSP, OHST, BCSP's 2016 Board President.
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Keep Recertification Easy by Logging Points as They are Earned
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Maintaining BCSP certification requires SH&E practice and continuing development. These activities award a range of recertification points, which can be recorded at any time in certificants' Certification Management System (CMS) profiles. Recertification is easy when points are recorded as you earn them.
The
Recertification Guide contains all the information on what activities award recertification points and how many points may be earned. These points are recorded by visiting the
BCSP website and logging into My Profile.
When logged into your profile, certificants can select the "Recertification" button to record recertification activity. If you have not yet had any recertification points recorded for your certifications, you can select "Start New Recertification Worksheet" to begin logging points. If recertification points have been recorded and you would like to add more, selecting "My Recertification Activity" will give you the option to continue recording your recertification activities.
If you hold multiple BCSP certifications, you may recertify for the certification requiring the most recertification points and Certification Services will apply those points to your other certifications. Note that the CET requires a minimum of 2.8 points in Category 7 for teaching, developing, and/or attending courses on instructional techniques, and these must be submitted with recertification activities for whichever certification you hold that requires the most points if you wish for that certification's recertification to apply to the CET as well.
A certain number of recertification worksheets are audited, so be sure to keep
supporting documentation in a physical file should you be selected for audit.
If you have any questions when recording your recertification activities, do not hesitate to contact Certification Services at +1 317-593-4800 or
[email protected] for support.
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Changes to the GSP Program to Take Effect at End of Year
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There are several changes that will be made to the GSP program which affect graduates and future graduates of GSP QAPs.
- Graduates who obtained their degree during the time-period prior to January 1, 2018 and fall within a QAP's "Applicable Dates", as noted on the BCSP QAP List, may apply for the GSP through January 1, 2020.
- Those graduating on or after January 1, 2018, will have one year from their graduation date to apply for the GSP.
- Those attaining the GSP on or after January 1, 2018 may hold the designation for a maximum of six (6) years.
 These changes strengthen the connection of safety students to professional practice, as many QAP graduates recently surveyed reported finding work in the safety field within two years of graduation and their GSP designation gave them an employment advantage.
Changes such as these, and other important updates to BCSP certification processes, can be viewed in the
2017 Current Changes Index
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BCSP
Board of Directors
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C. Christopher Patton, CSP, SMS, ASP
(President)
Linda F. Martin, CSP, SMS, ASP, OHST, CHST, STSC, CET
(Vice President)
Cheryl L. Marcham, PhD, CSP
(Treasurer)
Treasa M. Turnbeaugh, PhD, CSP, ASP, CET, CAE, IOM
(Secretary and CEO)
John E. Hodges, CSP, OHST
(Past President)
V. Raymond Ferrara, CFP
Joshua J. Franklin, CSP, SMS, STS, CET
Jim S. Kreinbrink, CSP
Richard A. Pollock, CSP
Mario A. Varela, CSP
Cece M. Weldon, CSP, CHST, STSC
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Subscribe to Unique BCSP eNewsletters
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BCSP offers unique eNewsletters: The Partners eNewsletter, designed for sponsors, business persons using our certifications, collaborating agencies; and the Collegiate eNewsletter, for university faculty and students.
Click to subscribe to unique BCSP eNewsletters.
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Current Changes Index
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Over the course of the year, a range of policy changes, procedure updates and other modifications occur. We want to make everyone aware of these changes on a regular basis, as well as keep an archive of the announcements.
Visit the Current Changes Index page on our website to find the most up-to-date policy and procedure information.
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CMS Tutorials
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If you will be using the BCSP Certification Management System (CMS) for the first time, you may want to view our CMS video tutorials.
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Earn Recertification Points with myBCSP
Take quizzes and earn recertification points with the myBCSP app! Available for iPhone and Android.
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Your Source for
Safety Expertise
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A Who's Who listing over 1,000 safety professionals, eSafetySource helps individuals and companies find certificants that can assist them with their particular safety needs.
Enroll in or search eSafetySource.
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Mentor Program
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The BCSP Mentor Program recognizes certificates who assist the career development of other safety practitioners.
Credential holders who are interested in mentoring an applicant, should visit the BCSP Mentoring webpage.
Those currently mentoring are honored in the Mentoring Honor Roll.
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BCSP's Toolkit for Advancing the Safety Profession
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Banner displays are a great way to promote BCSP certifications and earn Recertification credit. A display is available to any certificate holder for use at chapter meetings, regional or local conferences, career fairs, and other safety-related seminars, meetings, and presentations. BCSP ships to and from any U.S. venue and provides literature at no cost.
If you would like to reserve a display, fill out a Banner Display Request. Displays are first come, first serve, and must be returned.
Presentations on safety certification can also be done for Recertification points, and BCSP has many resources that can be used for presentations, including pre-made PowerPoints, on our Articles and Presentations webpage.
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Unauthorized Use of Our Credentials
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BCSP pursues cases of individuals claiming to hold our credentials without permission. We pursue those cases in which there is clear evidence of the unauthorized use and the individual has a clear responsibility, control, or knowledge of the use. Evidence may be a business card, resume, letter, website, or other publication. If there is no clear evidence, BCSP cannot act on the case.
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BCSP 2016 Certificants
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Congratulations to everyone who achieved certification last year!
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Career Center
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The BCSP Career Center connects job seekers with prospective employers in the safety, health and environmental industry. Results are just a click away!
The Career Center allows job seekers who hold any of our credentials to post an anonymous resume in our resume bank for free.
For companies looking to hire individuals who hold our credentials this is your direct route to qualified individuals.
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