One question we hear quite often at NASP is, ‘Which certifications are actually legitimate in the arena of safety?’ There are certainly a number of certifications available for safety professionals pursuing credentials to increase their knowledge, improve their resume and provide a means for proving competency in a particular area.
Some organizations certify through testing alone; these tests are typically weighted heavily towards those who wish to become safety engineers and focus primarily on difficult math and engineering concepts. While this may be considered a legitimate test by some, it certainly does not test for knowledge on practical workplace safety. Therefore, certifications are needed which truly provide training as well as testing on practical applications of workplace safety – the knowledge, skills and abilities of those who must manage safety programs at their facilities, whether it be in industry, construction, oil & gas, maritime, or governmental agencies.
The concepts for a real-world, practical application of providing a safe workplace, regardless of type of industry, are universal. These include basic regulatory compliance, safety management systems, effective training techniques and establishing a viable safety culture. This is what sets NASP apart from many of the other available certifications available for those seeking to distinguish themselves in the field of safety.
NASP professional certifications provide the necessary training for those who are looking to establish and implement a successful safety program. The training does not teach one how to pass a test, it trains an individual on the aforementioned elements of a true safety and health program – one designed to actually reduce or eliminate workplace fatalities and injuries, create buy-in from upper level management, change the behavior of employees, lower worker comp premiums, protect the company and its representatives from undue civil and criminal liability and ultimately lead to a safer workplace. Is this not the intended goal for all safety professionals?
We’d love to hear what you think and your opinion as to what constitutes a ‘legitimate’ certification. Feel free to comment and add to the discussion…
