BCRSP is leading the charge on diversity and title protection in health and safety

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From AI to diversity and beyond – ensuring safety professionals are recognized, regulated, and ready for modern challenges

WORKPLACE SAFETY isn’t what it used to be. Gone are the days when it was just about reminding people to watch their step or not touch the machinery. In the past, workplace safety primarily addressed immediate physical dangers, such as slips, falls, and mechanical risks. The game has changed, and it’s no longer a slow shuffle but a full-on sprint into the future. Workplace safety now means tackling everything from robots and AI to diversity and mental health. Larry Masotti, vice chair of the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) and president of Minerva Canada Safety Management Education, knows exactly what it takes to keep up with this rapid shift. “It’s not just about physical safety anymore,” Masotti says, throwing out the old rulebook and embracing the complexities of today’s workplace. From cutting-edge tech to serious conversations about inclusion and psychological safety, Masotti is keen to engage in the conversation on what it means to stay safe on the job in 2024.

The Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) acts in the public interest in granting certification and upholding it as a recognized standard of excellence for capable and ethical safety practitioners. A federally incorporated not-for-profit organization, BCRSP establishes and enforces education, examination, experience, and ethics requirements for CRSP® and CRST® certified professionals using ISO/IEC 18024 accredited certification schemes.

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“We’re pushing hard to make sure the profession is regulated and that safety experts get the recognition and authority they’ve earned. This isn’t just about adding another certification – it’s about solidifying the credibility and influence of the entire field”

Larry Masotti, Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals

According to Masotti, the field has expanded to cover more complex issues. “Today, it’s not just about physical safety anymore. We’re talking about inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and even psychological safety and violence prevention,” Masotti notes.

One of the key drivers of this shift in workplace safety is the changing demographics of Canada. On April 1, 2024, the country reached a population milestone of 41 million – thanks largely to immigration, which has diversified the workforce more than ever. According to Masotti, this is both a challenge and an opportunity for the safety profession. “Our population growth, primarily due to immigration, has introduced a much more culturally diverse workforce, and that means we have to adapt,” Masotti explains. “The BCRSP is fully aware of these changes, not just because we serve these professionals but because we’re making efforts to regulate the profession across all provinces and territories.” Recognizing that safety goes beyond physical hazards, the

BCRSP has developed initiatives to tackle this growing diversity head-on. One significant step is the creation of a task force focused on inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA). As Masotti points out, “Part of our responsibility is defining what these terms really mean in today’s context.”

Take accessibility, for example. While it traditionally referred to addressing physical limitations, today’s understanding is far broader. “We’re now recognizing neurodiversity and neurodivergence, and that’s a game-changer because we have workers from every walk of life, and their needs are different,” Masotti notes. The goal is to create a workplace where everyone – from those with physical challenges to individuals who are neurodivergent – can thrive. This is not just about accommodating different needs; it’s about ensuring everyone feels included and safe in their working environment. This push for inclusivity is not just a theoretical exercise. BCRSP is actively working to ensure these principles are embedded into certification programs and the overall culture of safety professionals across the country. Through collaborations with international safety organizations, and a growing focus on cultural competency, the BCRSP is laying the groundwork for a future where workplace safety professionals are prepared to address the needs of an increasingly diverse workforce. “We’re pushing hard to make sure the profession is regulated and that safety experts get the recognition and authority they’ve earned,” he explains. This isn’t just about adding another certification – it’s about solidifying the credibility and influence of the entire field. Title protection will ensure that those committed to keeping workplaces safe are backed by the weight of the law, reinforcing the value of their expertise and safeguarding the future of the profession.

“We’re now recognizing neurodiversity and neurodivergence, and that’s a game-changer because we have workers from every walk of life, and their needs are different”

Larry Masotti, Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals

new challenges in the workplace,” Masotti emphasizes. BCRSP’s approach to accountability extends beyond development – it also covers professional conduct. Safety professionals are held to high ethical standards, and disciplinary actions can be taken in cases of unprofessional behavior. Masotti also raised an interesting point about the future of ethics and accountability in the age of artificial intelligence: “One of the challenges we’re now facing is whether someone wrote their application themselves or if AI helped them. That’s a reality we’re beginning to navigate.” Between the protocols for continuous development, ISO standards, and financial transparency, BCRSP has built a framework that ensures the credibility of its safety certifications. “This level of integrity is unique in the safety designation space,” Masotti says, underscoring BCRSP’s commitment to holding safety professionals to the highest standards. BCRSP’s commitment to inclusivity is also evident in the pathways it has created for skilled tradespeople to become certified safety professionals. The Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST) designation, for instance, offers not only academic pathways but also a route for journeypersons, such as welders and electricians, to achieve certification. “If you’re a journeyperson, you have a pathway, and that speaks to our understanding of the diversity of applicants and the growing need for skilled tradespeople in Canada,” Masotti explains.

Changing demographics demand new safety measures

Continuous professional development: a mandate

Changing demographics demand new safety measures

Continuous professional development: a mandate

Published September 23, 2024

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The broadening scope of workplace safety

BCRSP certification trends – gender distribution

BCRSP gender distribution is aligned with the NOC (National Occupational Classification) code for the safety profession, in which women are underrepresented

BCRSP certificants – 37% women; NOC Code – 38 % women; Canadian Society – 49.6% women

BCRSP supports continued efforts to increase the number of women in the safety profession and the number of women earning a BCRSP certification

Note: Not all certificants will fall under the NOC code, based on their job classification, such as having other primary roles, e.g. HR, upper management, etc.

Value of certification

For the individual enhances professional credibility is an indicator of professional growth and life-long learning provides evidence of professional commitment provides a benchmark and validates knowledge, skills, and practice provides a transferable credential increases earning potential For the employer is a prescreening tool for job candidates is an indicator of professionalism enhances public image aids in screening contractor qualifications offers a higher public assurance of competencies met For the profession provides a standard of practice creates a common understanding and language recognizes knowledge, skills, and practice supports growth and development

Source: Based on the work of the BCRSP IDEA Task Force 2024

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For safety professionals to stay relevant, ongoing learning is essential. BCRSP ensures this through its Continuous Professional Development (CPD) program. “Every certificate holder is required to maintain a certain level of learning, which we track through a digital platform,” Masotti says. Professionals can earn CPD points by delivering presentations, reading safety-related books, serving on volunteer boards, or engaging in other educational activities. This system of continuous learning is not just encouraged – it’s mandated as part of BCRSP’s Code of Ethics. “It’s how we ensure that our safety professionals stay sharp and adapt to new challenges in the workplace,” Masotti emphasizes. BCRSP’s approach to accountability extends beyond development – it also covers professional conduct. Safety professionals are held to high ethical standards, and disciplinary actions can be taken in cases of unprofessional behavior. Masotti also raised an interesting point about the future of ethics and accountability in the age of artificial intelligence: “One of the challenges we’re now facing is whether someone wrote their application themselves or if AI helped them. That’s a reality we’re beginning to navigate.” Between the protocols for continuous development, ISO standards, and financial transparency, BCRSP has built a framework that ensures the credibility of its safety certifications. “This level of integrity is unique in the safety designation space,” Masotti says, underscoring BCRSP’s commitment to holding safety professionals to the highest standards. BCRSP’s commitment to inclusivity is also evident in the pathways it has created for skilled tradespeople to become certified safety professionals. The Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST) designation, for instance, offers not only academic pathways but also a route for journeypersons, such as welders and electricians, to achieve certification. “If you’re a journeyperson, you have a pathway, and that speaks to our understanding of the diversity of applicants and the growing need for skilled tradespeople in Canada,” Masotti explains.

Continuous professional development: a mandate

Larry Masotti, Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals

Technology is also playing a critical role in shaping the future of workplace safety. Robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and drones are transforming how safety measures are implemented in high-risk environments. “On one side, you have the technical aspects like robotics and AI. On the other, you have human-centred skills and considerations like diversity and psychological safety,” Masotti explains. This dual focus on technology and human factors underscores the complexity of modern safety practices. It’s no longer enough to mitigate physical risks; companies must also ensure that their workplaces are inclusive, psychologically safe, and adaptable. Workplace safety isn’t just about policies, procedures, or certifications. It’s about people – those who care deeply about the well-being of others and continuously push for improvement. At BCRSP, the dedication of volunteers and professionals alike ensures that the safety profession adapts and grows, meeting the evolving demands of modern workplaces. “You pay people, they give you what they’re paid to do. Volunteers? They bring heart and care to everything they do,” Masotti says, highlighting the dedication volunteers bring to the BCRSP. This commitment drives the organization forward and keeps complacency at bay. In today’s remote work environment, maintaining engagement and a strong sense of community is more challenging than ever. Masotti notes that finding ways to keep people connected, whether through initiatives like the book clubs he’s implemented in organizations or encouraging open discussions, is key to fostering a culture where safety matters. “Sometimes, the most unexpected approaches, like reading a safety book together, bring out the best engagement,” he shares. “We’re pushing hard to make sure the profession is regulated and that safety experts get the recognition and authority they’ve earned. This isn’t just about adding another certification – it’s about solidifying the credibility and influence of the entire field” Larry Masotti, Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals Value of certification For the individual enhances professional credibility is an indicator of professional growth and life-long learning provides evidence of professional commitment provides a benchmark and validates knowledge, skills, and practice provides a transferable credential increases earning potential For the employer is a prescreening tool for job candidates is an indicator of professionalism enhances public image aids in screening contractor qualifications offers a higher public assurance of competencies met For the profession provides a standard of practice creates a common understanding and language recognizes knowledge, skills, and practice supports growth and development “We’re now recognizing neurodiversity and neurodivergence, and that’s a game-changer because we have workers from every walk of life, and their needs are different” Larry Masotti, Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals

The broadening scope of work safety

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