Changing Landscape for WHS Professionals/Practitioners in Australia

Transcription

1 Changing Landscape for WHS Professionals/Practitioners in Australia Presented by Colin Chua CPMSIA Safety Health and Wellbeing Safety Institute of Australia The University of Sydney Page 1

2 THE BODY OF KNOWLEDGE (BoK) PROJECT The University of Sydney Page 2

3 OHS Body of Knowledge (BoK) Project A journey of a thousand mile begins with a single step Occupational Health and Safety Act (Victoria) Review March 2004 In its submission to the Review, the Authority said: Many duty holders engage consultants to assist them to resolve OHS issues. While many consultants provide competent expert service to their clients, a number of duty holders have raised concerns about poor service that they have received. Examples of poor advice include duty holders paying several thousands of dollars for a range of material that appears to have been downloaded from websites with minimal tailored information for the business; information provided that is unusable by the client. The VWA is aware that some OHS consultants have been sued for poor performance by those who have contracted them. This industry may benefit from some form of industry based accreditation scheme, similar to those operating in the accounting field, so that consumers can gain a level of confidence about the consultants that they may engage. (Chris Maxwell, 2004). The University of Sydney Page 3

4 OHS Body of Knowledge (BoK) Project Why the project is necessary? No regulatory framework or education/experience requirements for employment Substantial variation in OHS courses provided by universities No benchmark for assessing competency of those giving OHS professional advice Funded ($390,000) by WorkSafe Victoria in 2009; The University of Sydney Page 4

5 OHS Body of Knowledge (BoK) So what is the BoK? - Not a text book - Not a program of study or a curriculum - Not competency statements Definition Collective knowledge required by Australian OHS Professionals to provide a sound basis of understanding the causation and control of work-related fatality, injury, disease and ill-health (FIDI). It also provides a basis for professional certification and for accreditation of programs giving entry to the profession. The University of Sydney Page 5

6 OHS Body of Knowledge (BoK) Outputs Development Phase 1 1. Define and describes the core knowledge expected of Generalist OHS Professionals Implementation Phase 2 2. Develop and implement accreditation criteria and process for OHS professional education programs 3. Develop a certification process for OHS professionals The University of Sydney Page 6

7 Development Phase 1 (core knowledge) What knowledge does a Generalist OHS Professional Need? Global Concepts Work Health Safety Technical Concepts a) Science b) Law (OHS, industrial, contract) c) Socio-political context d) Organisational behaviour and design e) Psychology and behaviour f) System design and management g) Causation h) Hazards i) Controls j) Risk Practice The University of Sydney Page 7

8 Implementation Phase 1 (accreditation program) Establishment of Australian OHS Education Accreditation Board in Accredit OHS professional education programs 2. Accreditation provides guidance for students, employers and recruiters in assessing education, staff, and industry qualifications; OHS Program Register List The University of Sydney Page 8

9 Implementation Phase 2 ( professional certification) The University of Sydney Page 9

10 Implementation Phase 2 ( professional certification) The University of Sydney Page 10

11 Issues Driving Certification 1. Varied competence in the profession 2. Lack of clarity of knowledge required for generalist role 3. Inconsistent education (level, content, delivery) 4. Unqualified/ inexperienced working without supervision 5. Lack of selection criteria for consumers 6. Poor role clarity of generalist role 7. Poor professional boundaries across the safety profession The University of Sydney Page 11

12 Legal Obligations AUSTRALIAN LAW A clear obligation for employers to demonstrate due diligence when obtaining advice about health and safety and its management. A key element of meeting the reasonably practicable test is demonstrating what information has been obtained to determine what measures can be implemented to eliminate or reduce risks. SAFE WORK AUSTRALIA While certification is not mandated under the model legislation, the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy has this strategic outcome: business having access to suitable advice and that those providing work health and safety education, training and advice have the appropriate capabilities. Action Areas Health and safety capabilities Strategic Outcomes Those providing WHS education, training and advice have the appropriate capabilities. WHS skills development is integrated effectively into relevant education and training programs The University of Sydney Page 12

13 What Certification Achieves Certainty to consumers; Demonstration of due diligence by clients; Recognition of role, education, knowledge and experience; Recognition of the Practitioner and Professional roles; International comparability. The University of Sydney Page 13

14 Generalist OHS Professional Certification 1. Establishment of Australian OHS Professional Certification Board 2. Reflecting ISO Certification of People 3. Certification considers and assesses * Experience * Qualifications * Capability 4. 4 categories, not levels The University of Sydney Page 14

15 Certified Roles Certified OHS Graduate Certified OHS Practitioner Certified OHS Professional Chartered OHS Professional - Tertiary qualified - No experience - Must work under supervision - Implementer, drive compliance - Effectively use a range of OHS tools and processes - Work under supervision - Problem solvers - Systems development - Planning - Reporting - Analysis of trends - May manage others - Designer of strategy and influential with senior managers - High level strategic skills -Consider broader organisational and social context The University of Sydney Page 15

16 Certification Criteria Membership Qualifications Certified OHS Practitioner VET Diploma/Adv Diploma in OHS Certified OHS Professional Of SIA (Safety Institute of Australia) Bachelor, Grad Dip or Masters in OHS Chartered OHS Professional Masters in OHS or PhD in OHS related area Minimum Experience 2 years 3 years (including 1 year post education) 10 years (including 5 years OHS) Demonstrated capability assessment Portfolio report Referees Practice report Referees Reflective journal Referees The University of Sydney Page 16

17 Other Professions Working in OHS & Overseas Related Qualifications 1. Each profession is responsible for certifying those working within that professional discipline e.g. a. Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists certify hygienists b. Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia certify ergonomists c. Safety Institute of Australia certify Generalist OHS Professionals/ Practitioners 2. Related qualifications will be assessed against the BoK to ensure they have the necessary content to enable certification as an OHS Generalist 3. Overseas qualifications will be assessed against the BoK plus a law exam. The University of Sydney Page 17

18 International context 1. USA Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) 2. UK Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) 3. Canada Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals) (BCRSP) The University of Sydney Page 18

19 Who Will Assess Applications 1. Pool of qualified assessors a. Equivalent of level being assessed (min certified OHS professional category) b. Trained in process 2. Appeals processes 3. Assessors will be required to agree to an ethics process 4. Quality control The University of Sydney Page 19

20 Transition Administrative Transition - (available for 12 months) 1. Open to graded members of Safety Institute of Australia 2. Requires a. Evidence of experience, qualifications and grading b. Complete ethics declaration c. Pay required fees d. Certification category awarded based on the above Alternative Knowledge Assessment Exam (available for 24 months) 1. To enable those with significant experience (>7yrs) with a diploma in OHS to change their certification category from certified practitioner to certified professional The University of Sydney Page 20

21 Timeline 1. Graded SIA Ltd member transition commencing January 2015 (available for 12 months) 2. Standard applications commencing April 2015 (ungraded and non/ new members) 1. Alternative knowledge assessment commencing June 2015 The University of Sydney Page 21

22 Certification Fees One off fee 1. Initial administrative transition = (~A$130) 2. Initial standard application = (~A$450) 3. Alternative Knowledge Assessment = (~$1200) Ongoing fees 1. Renewal & CPD confirmation = included in SIA membership renewal fee or equivalent fee for non SIA members. The University of Sydney Page 22

23 Positives Employers 1. Improved ability to demonstrate due diligence when obtaining safety advice 2. Improved client confidence and standards of advice Employees (OHS Professionals) 1. Accountability of safety professionals 2. Provides a path for professional development 3. Forces upskilling of safety professionals 4. Peer Recognition Other Workplace Parties 1. Certification demonstrates credibility 2. Mapped to international standards The University of Sydney Page 23

24 Resources and Acknowledgement Safety Institute of Australia Safety Institute of Australia OHS Professional Certification SafeWork Australia I would like to acknowledge SIA for the opportunity to share the presentation at the Australian Universities Safety Association Conference The University of Sydney Page 24

25 Any Questions? The University of Sydney Page 25