It is often said that what makes a person or organization great is not what they say but what they do. This statement applies so well to our work in certification. A certification's value is determined by the level of knowledge and experience required to obtain it as well as by the quality of credential holders' performance.

In the past few months BCSP's certifications have been proven great in both regards.

The Safety Trained Supervisor (STS) certification was mentioned as an important factor in a division of URS being awarded the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America's Grand Award for safety excellence. Many of the organizations which received other AGC awards for safety excellence had Construction Health and Safety Technicians (CHSTs), STSs and Certified Safety Professional (CSPs) working for them, too. All proved the value of certification through quality work.

In other news, the CSP was awarded ISO 17024 reaccreditation through 2013 by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), proving that those who become CSPs have the exceptional skill set represented by the credential.

These are just a few examples of what BCSP certifications have done to demonstrate their value.

BCSP must also be prepared for new achievements which lie ahead. We are seeing increased demand for our newer certifications and, when our credential management program is finished this year, we will be prepared to pursue  many new opportunities.

The recently completed BCSP World Headquarters building is a result of the growth in the certifications we offer and in the number of certificants who hold those designations. It allows us to be ready for future growth and expand services for our certificants.

The BCSP Board of Directors had our Spring meeting in the new building and we took part in the building's dedication. What a momentous event that was: for the Board, the staff and for our certificants. This building will serve us well for many years to come. It is beautiful and functional, incorporating many LEED environmental standards and built with some of the latest technologies to maximize efficiency.

If you have not yet seen the new building, I encourage you to look at some of the pictures in this newsletter.  It is impressive.

Finally, the Board enjoyed meeting with our staff in Champaign.  They are some of the most gifted and hard working individuals I have known.  They are our partners, dedicated and passionate about the certifications we offer and about the safety profession. 

BCSP is ready for the future. We are ready to boldly step forward.

Last month the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recognized the Board of Certified Safety Professionals' CSP credential by awarding it reaccreditation through June 2013.

The CSP is accredited under ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 for personnel certification programs.  

"As demand for qualified safety professionals increases, so does the demand for safety credentials," Dr. Swift said. "Sometimes people find out individuals they hire with credentials do not have the skills they are supposed to have. The only way to be sure a person has the skills their credentials claim they have is to have those credentials accredited by another organization."

ANSI's accreditation of the CSP indicates that individuals who are CSP's have knowledge and experience that set them above and beyond the internationally recognized norm.

This is why the CSP is known as the "gold standard" of safety credentials.

Read what BCSP staff and executives have to say about ANSI accreditation at BCSP's Latest News webpage.

Congratulate the staff who helped ensure accreditation on BCSP's Facebook page.

The CSP's ANSI identification number, 0646, can be used to confirm the certification's accreditation on ANSI's online database.  

The Heavy Division of URS Energy & Construction, of Boise Idaho, received the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America's Grand Award for safety excellence.

The Grand Award is the highest honor granted by AGC's Construction Safety Excellence Awards (CSEA) program. Sponsored by Willis, the world's leading Construction Insurance and Surety Broker, and lead by President Paul Becker and Senior Vice President, Manager, Construction Risk Control, Michael Fredebel, CSP, the CSEA program is the industry's elite safety excellence awards program for construction companies of all sizes and occupational divisions.

CSEA recognizes those construction companies that excel at safety and health performance, examining each candidate's commitment to a business which includes a safety culture that values its human, monetary and material assets.

A significant number of contractors receiving CSEA awards use Board of Certified Safety Professionals' (BCSP) Certifications to help further their company's safety and health program direction and to strengthen their organization's business and safety culture.

Thomas Adams, Executive Director of BCSP, noted that "URS has demonstrated a long term commitment to certification of its employees through BCSP certification programs, in particular STS. The award is well deserved recognition for the leadership role URS has made in improving safety worldwide."

URS has many Certified Safety Professionals (CSP) and Construction Safety and Health Technicians (CHST) and over 2,500 Safety Trained Supervisors (STS) throughout their organization.

When interviewed, Brad Giles, CSP, P.E., STS, V.P. EH&S and Security, URS, stated, "The utilization of the Safety Trained Supervisor (STS) program has provided a path for greater training and retention of safety knowledge, confidence to make safety decisions

and actively manage the safetyrelated functionsin our daily work execution for our supervision. The STS training, certification and validation process is the single best activity we have implemented for all levels of our supervision  

and management."   

Carl Heinlein, the Vice-President of BCSP's Board of Directors, received ASSE's Safety Professional of the Year - Construction Practice Specialty Division award.

Heinlein was given this well-deserved honor at ASSE's June 14, 2011, Safety 2011 conference.

Samuel J. Gualardo, BCSP Past-President, also received an award at the conference. Gualardo was made an ASSE Society Fellow.

More information on ASSE awards is available in the press release section of the ASSE website. 

Nick Naramore (left) and Richard Garrett (right) at the University of Central Missouri event.

BCSP recently purchased new, lighter containers for tabletop shipment after completing a redesign of the organization's banner.  

Richard Garrett, CSP, used the new display at the University of Central Missouri's semi-annual Department of Safety Sciences picnic in Warrensburg, Missouri. He said the display looked great and that it provided him with an excellent opportunity to discuss certification  

with others.

Demand for displays has increased and BCSP ordered three new banners to keep up with demand.  With several brochures being updated the new outreach materials are really something to be proud of.  

If you would like to emphasize the importance of certification at an event and earn some recertification credit, see the information about requesting tabletop displays in the green column directly to the right of this story.

Jennifer Massey is eagerly studying for her CSP exams. In the months of April and May, 2011, she obtained the CHST, CLCS and STS certifications, the last two within a two day period. 

Massey said she likes to stay busy.

Her career began as an apprentice Steamfitter with her local union 290. She later moved on to become a journeyman and finally a foreman. Now she works as the Assistant Corporate Safety Director for Harder Mechanical Contractors, Inc. 

In addition to her work duties Massey is an authorized 500 and 501 OSHA outreach trainer for Construction and General Industry classes. She teaches OSHA 10 hour and 30 hour Construction and General Industry specialty courses.

"It makes me more of an asset to my employer and my industry," Massey said when asked about certification.   

Rose Amacher joined BCSP as an Administrative Assistant in May, 2011.She has over 15 years experience in administrative assistant positions and is happy to represent BCSP as she works at the front desk in the new building. Rose had assisted BCSP in a temporary Finance Assistant role since January, 2011, and previously held a position at the International Society of Arboriculture.

Rose spends much of her time outside of work with her family. She has a son who plans to attend Parkland College in Champaign this Fall as well as a daughter who is in her junior at the University of Illinois.

Colan Holmes, Communications Specialist,

started work at BCSP in March, 2011. He

performs his work as part of the Marketing Department. Colan assists in the creation of BCSP publications, such as company news releases, certification brochures, and this very eNewsletter.  In addition, he manages the BCSP website and maintains BCSP's multiple social media platforms.

Prior to joining BCSP, Colan worked for an agency called Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services in Jefferson City, Missouri. He frequently travels to St. Louis, where he spends time with his 4-year-old son, Axel. 

Dr. Treasa Turnbeaugh, Ph.D., MBA, CSP, has joined the Board of Certified Safety Professionals as of January 2011 as the new Director of Certification and Program Development.Dr. Turnbeaugh will be responsible for examinations as well as the development of new initiatives for the BCSP to bring value to its certificate holders.

Dr. Turnbeaugh holds a Ph.D. in Health Services Research, with a minor in Epidemiology and a Master of Public Health from Saint Louis University; a Master of Business Administration from Lindenwood University; and both a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health from Murray State University.Dr. Turnbeaugh is a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals and the American Industrial Hygiene Association.Dr. Turnbeaugh has been in the safety and health profession for 24 years and a CSP certificant for 20 years.

Donroy Quilop, BCSP Systems Administrator/Programmer, started in March 2011. He does his dutiful work as part of the Business Systems Department. Donroy's day consists of being responsible in meeting BCSP's day-to-day needs of technical assistance that includes installation, computer support, server maintenance and hardware and software troubleshooting.

Before joining BCSP, Donroy worked on various IT projects in Chicago and parts of Southeast Asia. He frequently attends Cubs games at Wrigley Field in the summer, where he spends time finding out what the phrase "Wait till next year" really means.

Although Colorado has a lot to offer, we will miss our many friends, family members and co-workers in Illinois. I have enjoyed my nearly two years with BCSP immensely. I fear that I will not find another employer that embodies the company culture present at BCSP.

Leaving things behind is never easy, but my family and I are looking forward to the many great adventures that lie ahead. Ronald Reagan expressed it well when he said "don't be afraid to see what you see."

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Have you ever found yourself needing additional Recertification points?

Now, those who have CSP, OHST, CLCS, CHST of STS certifications can earn credits toward their Recertification by reading articles offered by Workplace HR & Safety and taking an associated quiz.

For each eLe@rn quiz passed, BCSP offers Recertification points equal to 0.01 times the number of questions on a quiz. 

eLe@rn sends two quizzes per month by email. The eLe@rn system automatically generates your score and confirmation. It's that easy.

Get started by signing up online.

Questions? Contact Amy Lehr or call +1 800-793-4209.   

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CSP 2011 Anniversaries