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by Larry Jones
The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP)
held its semi-annual meeting in October of 2003.
The following report contains information about
BCSP management and actions that may be of interest
to the members of the System Safety Society.
SSS Representatives. The Board
extends its special thanks to Dick Stephans for
his service over the last six years, as his second
term as SSS representative came to a close at
the end of 2003. Dick served as Chair for the
Professional Development Committee, as a member
of the Examination Committee, Continuance of Certification
Committee, and Application Review Team, and also
managed the System Safety Specialty Examination.
Dick has made significant contributions to the
Board and served the SSS well during this time.
Steve Seiffert will be replacing Dick as one of
the two SSS representatives. Larry Jones was elected
to a second three-year term as SSS representative,
beginning in 2004.
System Safety Specialty Examination.
A representative of the U.S. Naval Ordnance Safety
and Security Activity (NOSSA) recently contacted
Dr. Roger Brauer, BCSP Executive Director, regarding
the potential use of the CSP System Safety Specialty
examination. The Navy is seeking to use this examination,
along with a weapons examination, to qualify people
for dealing with the complexities of safety for
Navy weapon systems. The general concept is that
the BCSP would continue to operate the System
Safety Specialty examination for the Navy, and
that the Navy would pay the BCSP for modifications
and maintenance of the examination in addition
to the testing fees paid by the individual candidates.
It is also possible that the U.S. Air Force and
Army will be interested in similar programs.
Increase in Examination Fees. The
Safety Fundamentals and Comprehensive examination
fees are being increased from $250 to $275, beginning
in 2004. The examination fees are evaluated periodically
to ensure that the fees being assessed continue
to cover the cost of the process involved. Several
factors were considered in this decision to increase
the fees, including the average inflation over
the last four years and increases in the cost
of doing business.
ANSI/ISO 17024 Accreditation. The
BCSP’s Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
program was officially recognized with ANSI Accreditation
to ISO/IEC 17024 on June 5, 2003. This accreditation
enhances the CSP designation around the world.
The CSP program is one of the first programs to
achieve ANSI Accreditation.
OSHA Alliance Agreement. The
BCSP and Department of Labor (OSHA) recently signed
a two-year partnership agreement, agreeing to
use their collective expertise to help enhance
safety professionals’ education and professional
expertise and promote the value of increasing
safety competency in the workplace. The agreement
covers three areas: training and education, outreach
and communications, and promoting the national
dialogue. The SSS should consider this potential
opportunity.
CSP Logo Items. CSP logo items are available
through RLK & Associates. Orders may be placed
by phone or fax, as well as on-line. The BCSP
home page www.bcsp.org
points visitors to a Products page (www.bcsp.org/products/index.html)
with item pictures, sizing (if applicable), pricing
and ordering instructions.
Continuance of Certification (COC).
COC credit was approved for CSPs providing professional
safety services as volunteers to Habitat for Humanity.
The credit was approved under Category 3 for Volunteering
Professional Safety Services to Non-Safety Organizations.
Also under Category 3, credit was approved for
service on an editorial board or advisory board
for a safety or safety-related journal or trade
magazine. The Board also approved a recommendation
to current COC policy for Category 7 that distance
education courses for which providers do not offer
CEUs or academic credit continue to be restricted
to one point per year, but that the requirement
for a final examination be rescinded.
Written Appeals. For those who are in
the process of achieving a CSP or who already
have the certification, the Directors or Staff
will respond to appeals of decisions regarding
a variety of concerns that may be related to COC
audit, drop status, score reconsideration, late
fee assessment, eligibility expiration, and other
matters. While the majority of appeals that reach
the Directors are usually rejected, each is considered,
and if there is a logical and compelling reason
and evidence is received, the appeal may be accepted.
The System Safety Society is one of the sponsors
of the BCSP and currently has two representatives
(directors) on the Board. The Board meets twice
a year to provide policy and other direction to
the BCSP. If you have questions or would like
more information, please visit the BCSP’s
Web site at www.bcsp.org
or contact Larry Jones at 256-964-4566 (larry.jones@dynetics.com).
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