CSSE reportedly mulling name change to Health and Safety Professionals Canada

The Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) is considering changing its name to Health and Safety Professionals Canada, according to social media posts.

In a LinkedIn post, the CSSE Edmonton Community encouraged members to vote for the change.

“The world around us is changing, and our organization needs to evolve along with it. The current name of our organization, the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, no longer accurately represents who we are as a professional association,” read the open letter to Edmonton chapter members. “Our members come from various backgrounds and industries, and we need a name that reflects our commitment to being a modern and inclusive organization.”

It said the word “engineering” in the title has created confusion about the organization’s purpose. The post argued the new name is “inclusive to anyone working in health and safety, regardless of their professional designations or certifications, because it emphasizes the importance of professionalism, expertise, and a shared commitment to promoting health and safety in Canada.”

But there has been some online feedback critical of the process around the name change and a lack of consultation. One safety professional said CSSE members have been invited to vote on a name change — “the choices were to agree to go with ‘Health and Safety Professionals Canada’ (vote yes). Or to vote no.”

“If you have a voice (you don’t), you should probably vote against it,” he wrote. “Unless you were consulted and offered more than a single option that had already been decided for you. Your agreement is expected after the fact.”

The post from CSSE Edmonton Community addressed that issue, stating that some CSSE members “may feel like they were not involved in the process” around changing the name.

“But please know that the new name and branding were selected through a series of feedback sessions with engaged stakeholders who stepped forward from an open call for volunteers; the sessions and direction were lead using industry research, results from the member feedback survey, and driven by a brand specialist consultant. This process ensured that we had a name that is both modern and inclusive while accurately representing our organization’s values and goals. The committee submitted the final branding update for consideration.”