Certification imparts key skills such as project management and how to build training programs
The role of safety consultant is an attractive one – helping businesses and organizations improve their health and safety while having more flexibility is certainly a great prospect. Being a great safety consultant takes a lot of work, not just anyone can do it (nor should they).
Nevertheless, there are certain things you can do to prep for the role. The Certified Health and Safety Consultant (CHSC) certification is a great way to demonstrate to potential clients your commitment to health and safety.
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The designation was actually instituted by the Canadian Society of Safety Engineers (CSSE) in 1994 and has thus been around for over two decades. The CSSE says that it “recognizes and promotes excellence in professional consulting within and to business and industry and government agencies at all levels. CHSCs provide consultative leadership in workplaces and communities across the nation and around the world.”
READ MORE: What is a CRST? And why it could be for you
But not everyone can apply. Applicants need a certain amount of years as an internal or external health and safety advisor or consultant, and have a one-year college or university certificate or diploma program in OHS (or two years in a non-OHS program).
Those wishing to get the certification must also be CSSE members. Once that hurdle is passed, applicants must successfully complete six total CHSC courses (three mandatory, three elective). And once obtained the certification needs to be maintained every five years.
CHSC Wes Mazur says that it focuses on “different competencies” from that of a Certified Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) but the application process is similar. Mazur is the owner of Mazur Safety Inc. He also teaches one of the professional development courses needed for the certification. He says that the designation “applies to everybody in health and safety.”
READ MORE: Why an NCSO adds value to the worksite
Mazur says that whether you’re employed in-house or are an external advisor, you still have to make presentations and proposals, and “sell” health and safety.
During the certification training, Mazur says that you’re taught key skills such as consulting skills, project management skills, how to put training programs together, any legal liabilities and obligations that safety pros have. “It’s a really good one,” he says.
He got his designation around 12 years ago when he was a year into his consulting business. “I really felt that I needed to have a broader understanding of consulting. Yes, I knew about health and safety, but did I really know how to package it up nicely in a way that customers are going to accept it?”
Ultimately, like with any certifications it offers an added value to OHS people – in this case consultants who really learn how to tailor their expertise to prospective clients.
