Safety Titles

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Permalink Reply by Troy Taylor on March 20, 2009 at 1:11pm

JP, I have the same issues. One of our members sent me to this website as a starting point: http://www.bcsp.org/bcsp/index.php.
"Board of Certified Safety Professionals" Now if i can only get the company to pay for certs........

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Permalink Reply by Bill Parker,CHST on March 20, 2009 at 3:27pm

JP - A lot depends on where you want to go. I am looking into two directions with my career and it will either take me to a CSP or CHMM - There are so many titles out there who knows if they do good. I hope that they do, but I have met some incredible people with no titles and on the other side............. Do your research first to what you want, and go from there. Along with the BCSP, here is one on Hazardous Material
http://www.ihmm.org/

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Permalink Reply by J. P. Somes on March 20, 2009 at 4:14pm

Thanks Bill. I am the "Safety Guy" for my entire company incharge of the safty program at six warehouses, eight departments in four western states. I would really like to be paid what I'm worth but the company is suffering and the economy as whole is shakey. I want to continue directing a safety program but when I interviewed with a major oil company they said basically: The problem is you don't have any certificates or licenses that shows us you can communicate with senior management. That was when I knew I had to get something to attach to my name just to get into the door. Once there, watch me go!! But I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. I'll take baby steps if I need to but I want to to move forward and continue to lead.

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Permalink Reply by Pam Wilkinson on March 20, 2009 at 6:25pm

If you have a college degree, and the experience time, you should work on your ASP or CSP (depending experience).

If you don't have the degree you may want to go for the OHST certification.(http://www.cchest.org/index.php?option=content&task=section&...). You'll still need a college degree (AA in safety or any BS) to sit for the ASP/CSP, but it gets you something for a certification title until then.

I'm also taking the OSHA 501 Outreach Trainer course. It isn't a title, but I notice more and more companies asking for it.

Pam

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Permalink Reply by J. P. Somes on March 20, 2009 at 6:49pm

Pam Thanks for the feedback. I have a BS in Political Science and I have been safety coordinator and eventually director here for about 14 years. How do I go about getting my ASP or CSP. Is it expensive? My boss will almost certainly not pay for it so I will have to pay for it myself but then maybe I can get out of here and make a living!

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Permalink Reply by Pam Wilkinson on March 20, 2009 at 10:14pm

Yes it does cost money. However, it is a small price to pay compared to the returns the title will give you.

You will have no problems with the education and experience requirements. Start here for the answers to some general questions: http://www.bcsp.org/bcsp/index.php?option=content&task=section&...

Then go here for the whole application guidance booklet: http://www.bcsp.org/downloads/CSPAppGuide.pdf.

I haven't met the qualifications on experience to take the tests yet. However, from everything I've heard, getting one of the study guides or attending a class is highly recommended.

If I can ever help with anything else, just ask.

Good luck!

Pam

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Permalink Reply by John Miley on March 21, 2009 at 12:35am

J.P., have you taken a look at the website below? If you look all the way down to the bottom should provide a guide as to salary. This might be a title you can live with for now.


http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/29-9011.00

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Permalink Reply by Scott Mastley on March 22, 2009 at 9:31am

If you don't have the letters after your name, focus on your accomplishments. Most resumes are laundry lists of duties, and employers don't care about reading the daily to-do list for a position. They want to see what you brought to the table, how you contributed, how you improved the company, etc. Instead of saying, "Responsible for OSHA compliance in multiple locations," say, "Managed response to OSHA inspections which resulted in good faith reductions to zero citations" or "Elevated compliance to VPP status at multiple locations" or "Decreased injury rates by 25% to ten year low and workers compensation premiums by 40% saving company $200,000 annually." If you focus on your (and your team) accomplishments, let them know what you're capable of doing, and show an understanding of business practices (letting the owner know that you will work with, not against him/her), then you will stand out in the crowd.

Also, if you are consulting, ask for what you're worth. Hypothetically: If you are asking for $30/hour, you are saying that your services are only worth $30/hr. You have to work an awful lot of hours to make it big at that rate and even more hours to sell yourself for all of those hours. When you meet with a prospective client, ask them "What's at stake if we don't do this?" They may respond that their WC injuries are costing $50,000/year. Then you say, "If I can do for you what I've done for other companies, decrease injuries and costs by a minimum of 25%, that's a $12,500 savings annually which adds up to $37,500 over the next three years. If you put my company on a fixed retainer for one year at $_____/month, I will spend ____hours each month to implement a plan....."


Sorry if I'm preaching to the choir. I hope that is helpful.
Scott

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