Global OHS Professional Capability Framework to give clarity to OHS role November 23, 2015
The International Network of Safety and Health Practitioner Organisations (INSHPO) today launched the Global Capability Framework for Occupational Health and Safety Professionals at the FLUORO Conference in Perth.
The result of 3 years development and consultation across 11 countries with input from occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals, OHS educators and OHS professional and certifying bodies, the framework brings clarity to the generalist OHS role.
The Framework describes the activities that an OHS professional can be expected to undertake and the required underpinning knowledge. It also details the personal, professional and technical skills required for effective OHS practice along with performance criteria for each skill. This emphasis on skills addresses a gap often noted in technically-oriented OHS professionals.
Patrick Murphy, Chair of the Safety Institute of Australia, commended INSHPO on the work, noting that with its international orientation it will be an important addition to the developments currently advancing the profession in Australia. Murphy went on to say that we await the completion of the OHS Practitioner Framework, which together with accreditation of OHS education and certification of OHS Professionals and OHS Practitioners will contribute to the step-change for the OHS profession in Australia.
Pam Pryor, Registrar of the Australian OHS Education Accreditation Board and a member of the INSHPO working party that developed the framework said today that the INSHPO capability framework complements Australian OHS education accreditation requirements and it provides OHS students and educators a vision for the outcomes of OHS profession education.
Vince McNeilly, President of INSHPO, noted that the Framework will be integral to promoting high standards of practice for OHS professionals, helping employers make better hiring decisions and better understand the value of the OHS profession. In the long run, greater professionalization will bring more job growth, better promotions, higher compensation levels and more senior positions.
INSHPO is the global voice for the occupational health and safety profession and acts as a forum for international collaboration among professional organisations to improve health and safety at work. Created in 2001, INSHPO now represents the interests of 14 member organisations in 11 countries.
Go to www.inshpo.org to download the OHS Professional Capability Framework.
For media enquiries:
International Network of Safety and Health Practitioner Organisations Dennis Hudson, dhudson@asse.org
Safety Institute of Australia contact
Chair: Patrick Murphy: chair@sia.org.au Mobile 0419 870 697
CEO: David Clarke: ceo@sia.org.au Mobile 0416 156 923
Australian OHS Education Accreditation Board contacts:
Registrar Pam Pryor, registrar@ohseducationaccreditation.org.au, Mobile 0411 193370