The Safety Trained Supervisor (STS) and Safety Trained Supervisor Construction (STSC) Sponsorship Program recently expanded to over 7,000 certificants. Including those who achieved certification without a sponsor, there are now greater than 10,000 STS and STSC certificants overall.

STS and STSC sponsors and certificants are strengthening our profession. I had the pleasure of joining some of them at the recent Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) Safety and Health Conference, and look forward to meeting others at an upcoming conference hosted by the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers and Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT). The Ironworkers and IMPACT have contributed a great amount to the advancement of safety as one of our Diamond Class STS and STSC Sponsors.

Newly joining our Diamond Class STS and STSC Sponsors are Black & Veatch and Sinclair Wyoming Refining Company. Black & Veatch explain the value of certification in this enewsletter, as does new Ruby Class sponsor Eldeco.

To provide these new practitioners and our dedicated safety professionals the knowledge required for effective practice, we have renewed our collaborative agreement with NIOSH. BCSP and NIOSH will continue to provide safety practitioners with the most current information and tools, as well as recruit students who show interest in the occupational safety and health field.

Joining our international partners is the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON). ISPON joins several international organizations that offer a pathway to the Certified Safety Professional (CSP). BCSP recently returned to India to support professional safety there, and we are pursuing further involvement with the Asia-Pacific Occupational Safety and Health Organization (APOSHO).

There are many opportunities to build the safety profession. Consider how you can contribute through research, awareness campaigns, and professional development. BCSP appreciates the engagement of our partners, certification sponsors, and certificants.

 

The STS and STSC Sponsorship Program has grown thanks to its many STS and STSC Sponsors. One sponsor, Eldeco, has made it a goal to have all their supervisors certified, and recently became a Ruby Class sponsor with over 25 of their employees achieving the STSC.

"As an organization, two of our Five Core Values are that 'We are a Learning Organization' and 'We are an Intervening Organization', so when it comes to professional development and instilling confidence in today's supervisors to make the 'Right Decision, For the Right Reason', BCSP and the STSC program was a natural fit," explains Corey Arledge, CHST, STSC, Executive Director of Safety at Eldeco. "Eldeco began using BCSP for Safety certifications approximately 2 years ago. It started naturally through our Safety Department's need to maintain professional status within the construction industry. Once our credentials were seen by others in the organization, the news spread and everyone wanted to know if there was anything available for them. We began to offer the STSC program to all who were interested."

About a quarter of Eldeco's supervisors currently hold the STSC, with nearly half of them either certified or in the program. A few of the positive developments Arledge attributes to use of the STSC are a 50 percent reduction in workers' compensation claims costs, a 32 percent reduction in accident severity rating since 2015, and a 31 percent reduction in injuries throughout the company.

"The benefits are countless," Arledge says. "However, if I was to pick one, it would be the confidence a supervisor gains from being tested and found to have excellent knowledge in the field of Safety. Along with our Leadership Team's ability to rest in knowing our supervisor's decisions have been tested and we have certified their knowledge in the safe execution projects."

Arledge's commitment to safety stems from experience, in part from his own practice and from what he learned from his grandfather. "I worked as a carpenter prior to getting into safety, and quickly realized how dangerous construction can be after seeing the declining health of my grandfather, who was a pipefitter and welder his entire working life," Arledge shares. "One thing became very clear: There has to be a better way. So my passion today is simple. My 'Light Switch Moment' was with my grandfather's passing, in which I quickly realized 'Safety Matters, Because People Matter'. I can help others see the light of 'At Risk' situations and learn to avoid and/or eliminate them before an accident occurs by simply caring for them as individuals, and not as a number."

Now practicing safety, Arledge is "all in." His goal: "Professional Standing, Respect, and Continual growth in the profession God called me to. To reach my full potential and be confident I understand the science behind safety."

"I am thankful a Professional Organization opened their minds and program to how critical safety aptitude in our supervisors is by offering the STSC and STS program," he adds.

With the aim to end workplace incidents, STS and STSC sponsors understand their organizations' accomplishments are interconnected with the accomplishments of their supervisors. Are you "all in"?