Competencies of the Safety Professional Global and National Perspective

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Competencies of the Safety Professional
Global and National Perspective
Michael W. Thompson, CSP President American
Society of Safety Engineers www.ASSE.org
Canadian Society of Safety Engineering
Professional Development Conference Victoria,
British Columbia September 9, 2007
.and a member of CSSE
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Agenda

• Definitions
• SHE Professional
• Competency
• Competencies Model
• The US Standard
• Career Progression Descriptors
• A Call for Collaborative Global Action

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American Society of Safety Engineers

• 32,000 members- located in 70 countries
• 150 Chapters 32 Sections
• 61 Student Sections

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SHE Professional
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Competency- Part of defining a profession
Websters New Universal Unabridged Dictionary

• the state or quality of being adequately or well
  qualified having capacity
• ability a specific range of skill and knowledge
  
• the quality or condition of being legally
  qualified to perform an act.

The appearance of competence is almost as
important as competence itself Chuck
Lieppe , CEO Berol Corporation
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Competencies Model
What it takes to excel
Executive
Core
Technical Professional
.

Foundation
The basic essentials
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Foundation Competencies- Examples

• SHE
• Interpersonal
• Digital
• Financial
• Project Management
• Procurement
• .

Foundation
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National Standard Established for Safety
Professionals
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ASSEs Scope Function of the Professional
Safety Position

• It states that those practicing in the safety
  profession need
• Common Body of Knowledge
• Education
• Training
• Experience
• A fundamental knowledge of physics, chemistry,
  biology, physiology, statistics, mathematics,
  computer science, engineering mechanics,
  industrial processes, business, communication and
  psychology.

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Technical and Professional Competencies-
Examples

• Management and business administration
• Engineering
• Physical and social sciences and other fields
• Accident investigation and analysis

• Measurement of safety performance
• Human behavior
• Environmental safety and health
• Continued knowledge of she laws, regulations and
  standards

Technical Professional
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Technical and Professional Competencies-
Examples Contd

• Industrial hygiene and toxicology
• Design of engineering hazard controls
• Fire protection
• Ergonomics
• System and process safety

• Safety and health program management
• Product safety
• Construction safety
• Education and training methods

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Some Research-based Findings

• Five competencies of the highest importance
• Communicating effectively
• Accepting responsibility
• Translating solutions into practical terms
• Business Acumen
• the ability to integrate safety into business
• the ability to speak the language of business
• 5. Problem solving

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Core Competencies- Examples

• Business Insight
• Innovation
• Taking the Lead
• Partnership and Team
• Performance Bias
• Wise Decisions

Core
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Executive Competencies- Examples

• Leadership
• Time-Management
• Performance and Goal Setting
• Risk Assessment
• Negotiating and Persuasion
• Strategic Thinking

Executive
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Personal Development Process
Define Set / Review Personal Goals
Assess Identify Development Needs
Quality Conversations Learning Environment Validat
ion
Plan Prepare Development Action Plan
Review Assess Effectiveness of Actions
Do Implement Development Actions
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ASSEs Executive Program in Safety Management
ELIGIBILITY                                     
           

• This program is intended for
• experienced Safety professionals on a fast
  track in their organization
• CSPs and CIHs needing a relevant course of study
  while obtaining COC and CM points
• senior safety professionals seeking a forum with
  their peers and
• senior safety professionals exploring a new
  avenue of education.

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Career Progression Descriptors
Awareness Basic Application Skillful Application Mastery Expert

Knowledge Understands basic principles. Has general awareness. Knowledge Has broad knowledge of principles and applications. Familiar with industry standards and employer guidelines. Knowledge Has detailed knowledge of principles and applications. Stays current with technology and methods and potential business benefits. Knowledge Full understanding of principles and practices and application to solving complex problems. Detailed knowledge of industry standards and trends. Knowledge Complete and integrated knowledge of technical and business practices.
Experience Has not necessarily been a practitioner in this area. Experience Acquired through on-the-job experience. Experience Acquired experience in a wide range of areas. Experience Many years served as an active practitioner in diverse environments. Experience Many years served as an active practitioner on a global scale.
Currency May or may not be currently active in the area. Currency May or may not be currently active in the area. Currency Currently or recently active in the area. Currency Active practitioner. Credentialed/Licensed Currency Active practitioner. Credentialed/Licensed
Responsibility None. Requires guidance supervision. Responsibility Some individual responsibility or autonomy, though mostly works under supervision. Responsibility Recognized within team as subject matter authority. Significant personal autonomy, works under limited or no supervision. Responsibility develops and leads technical projects. Recognized as Business Unit or regional authority for subject area. Sought after by management for technical assurance. Responsibility Sought after by management to provide strategic direction and technical assurance across wide portfolio of business and industry projects.
Influence None Influence None Influence Participates actively in relevant company networks, sharing information, best practices, and lessons learnt. Influence Provides coaching in subject area. Develops and transfers knowledge throughout the business. Leads networks, mentors and coaches. Influence Leading authority in technology, recognized throughout business as well as by industry peers. Participates externally to set industry standards. Driving force in cutting edge RD. Leads networks, mentors and coaches.
Core Skills
Foundation Skills
Business
Technical Professional
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External Forces Impacting the SHE Profession

• Reality --- in the U.S.
• Federal/state governmental agencies set
  certification criteria as part of a regulation
  without including SHE professionals
• Some voluntary national consensus standards are
  developed that exclude safety professionals
  this has happened
• Private/public sector organizations debate
  safety and health and environment issues while
  excluding the SHE Professional
• It is Likely Happening Globally

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Be Creative, SHE Is Not Just a Product

• Seek different ways to accomplish goals and
  engage the workforce
• The perception is that no skill or
  decision-making ability is required when
  administering SHE.

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Dont Let Others Define the Profession

• Formulating a plan for shE excellence requires
  strategic planning, technical competence and
  creativity
• Too many she programs rely on quick fixes and
  shortcuts, which causes management to believe
  that anyone can oversee the she process

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A Call for Collaborative Global Action

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THANK YOU !
Service and Leadership
Mike W. Thompson, CSP President American Society
of Safety Engineers Michael.Thompson6_at_BP.com 281-3
66-4799 (O) 281-642-3293 (M)