Professional certifications in Health Safety and Environment

 

Certifications are essential for professionals in the safety field, as they demonstrate expertise, enhance credibility, and improve career prospects. Below is a list of widely recognized certifications for safety jobs, categorized by their focus areas:

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General Safety Certifications:

1. Certified Safety Professional (CSP),

   • Issued by: Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP)

   • Focus: Broad safety knowledge, including risk management, hazard control and safety program management.

   • Requirements: Bachelor's degree + 4 years of safety experience or associate degree + 6 years of experience.

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2. Occupational Health and Safety Technician (OHST),

   • Issued by: BCSP

   • Focus: Entry-level certification for safety technicians.

   • Requirements: High school diploma + 3 years of safety experience.

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3. Associate Safety Professional (ASP),

   • Issued by: BCSP

   • Focus: Foundational safety knowledge, often a steppingstone to the CSP.

   • Requirements: Bachelor's degree + 1 year of safety experience or associate degree + 3 years of experience.

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4. NEBOSH Certifications,

   • Issued by: National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH)

   • Focus: International safety standards and practices.

   • Popular Certifications:

• NEBOSH International General Certificate (IGC)
• NEBOSH National Diploma

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Industry-Specific Certifications:

1. Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST),

   • Issued by: BCSP

   • Focus: Safety in the construction industry.

   • Requirements: High school diploma + 3 years of construction safety experience.

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2. Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH),

   • Issued by: American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH)

   • Focus: Workplace health hazards, such as chemicals, noise and air quality.

   • Requirements: Bachelor's degree + 4 years of experience in industrial hygiene.

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3. Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM),

   • Issued by: Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM)

   • Focus: Management of hazardous materials and waste.

   • Requirements: Bachelor's degree + 4 years of relevant experience.

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4. Oil and Gas Safety Certifications,

   • Examples:

• OSHA Oil and Gas Safety Certification
• IADC Rig Pass (for drilling operations)

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Environmental Safety Certifications:

1. Certified Environmental, Safety, and Health Trainer (CET),

   • Issued by: BCSP

   • Focus: Training others in environmental, safety, and health topics.

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2. Certified Environmental Professional (CEP),

   • Issued by: Academy of Board-Certified Environmental Professionals (ABCEP)

   • Focus: Environmental management and sustainability.

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3. ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems (EMS),

   • Issued by: Various organizations

   • Focus: Implementing and auditing environmental management systems.

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Risk Management and Auditing Certifications:

1. Certified Risk Manager (CRM),

   • Issued by: The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research

   • Focus: Risk assessment and management.

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2. Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM),

   • Issued by: Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM)

   • Focus: Safety program management and leadership.

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3. ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS),

   • Issued by: Various organizations

   • Focus: Implementing and auditing occupational health and safety systems.

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Fire and Emergency Safety Certifications

1. Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS),

   • Issued by: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

   • Focus: Fire prevention and protection.

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2. Certified Emergency Manager (CEM),

   • Issued by: International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM)

   • Focus: Emergency preparedness and response.

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Health and Wellness Certifications:

1. Certified Wellness Practitioner (CWP),

   • Issued by: National Wellness Institute (NWI)

   • Focus: Promoting health and wellness in the workplace.

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2. Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES),

   • Issued by: National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC)

   • Focus: Health education and promotion.

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OSHA Certifications:

1. OSHA 10-Hour and 30-Hour Training,

   • Focus: General industry or construction safety.

   • Popular Courses:

• OSHA 510 (Standards for Construction)
• OSHA 511 (Standards for General Industry)

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2. OSHA Authorized Outreach Trainer,

   • Focus: Training others in OSHA standards.

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International Certifications:

1. International Certificate in Safety and Health (ICertOSH),

   • Issued by: Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)

   • Focus: Global safety standards.

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2. Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety,

   • Issued by: Various international organizations (e.g. NEBOSH, IOSH)

   • Focus: Advanced safety knowledge for global applications.

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Specialized Certifications:

1. Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist (CEAS),

   • Focus: Workplace ergonomics and injury prevention.

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2. Certified Machine Guarding Specialist (CMGS),

   • Focus: Machine safety and guarding.

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3. Certified Confined Space Entry Supervisor (CCSES),

   • Focus: Safety in confined space operations.

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Choosing the Right Certification

1. Consider your industry (e.g. construction, manufacturing, oil and gas).

2. Evaluate your career goals (e.g. technician, manager, consultant).

3. Check employer requirements and regional regulations.