Q&A: Certification remains BCRSP’s backbone

Robin Angel is the governing board chair of the BCRSP.

Effective July 1, Robin Angel was appointed governing board chair of the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) in Mississauga, Ont.

Angel is the 26th chairperson since the certification body’s incorporation in 1976, and succeeds David Johnston.

An OH&S professional based out of Halifax, she has diverse experience in the disciplines of workplace health and safety, environmental management, industrial hygiene, and quality assurance systems.

Responses have been edited for length.

OHS Canada: What is the BCRSP’s mandate through 2021 and beyond?

Robin Angel: The vision “safe and healthy workplaces through certification” and mission to “set certification standards for the occupational health and safety profession” are the backbone of the BCRSP.

To support our vision and mission, the BCRSP reviews and updates the strategic plan on a three-year cycle.

In 2021, our goal is to do a deep dive into the strategic plan and make adjustments where required to our focus areas and their associated plans to ensure we remain effective and efficient through the use of metrics and key performance indicators.

OHS:What unique perspective do you bring to BCRSP board?

RA: My diverse work and educational experience in health and safety of 30 years in private, public and not-for-profit sectors has given me a deep understanding of the differences in how health and safety is approached, embraced and deployed in the workplace.

Embedding safety as a continuous thread throughout an organization’s culture, although challenging and often met with resistance, leads to everyday activities being viewed through the health and safety lens.

The practice of health and safety is a balance of science, art and curiosity that is enriched by embracing diversity of thought and perspective.

OHS: What efforts is BCRSP backing at the national level?

RA: BCRSP continues to work on title protection for the safety practice, and the advocacy work in both Alberta and Ontario in support of title protection has been an ongoing focus for the board.

In addition, BCRSP volunteers who are part of the BCRSP Accreditation Task Force have worked diligently to make progress towards the accreditation of Canadian post-secondary education programs in health and safety.

The combined impact of both the title protection and accreditation of post-secondary education programs will be a revolutionary change to the practice of health and safety in Canada.

Employers and employees will benefit from enhanced workplace safety culture and its associated programs.

OHS: What is the most pressing issue affecting workplace safety today?

RA: Understanding that the work of safety is a profession and should be recognized as such.

Through COVID-19, the skills, competencies and capabilities of health and safety practitioners were leveraged in collaboration with other professions and provided valuable expertise.

It is time for health and safety practitioners to stand at the same podium amongst other professions that are governed through professional certification and legislation.