Health and safety links forged in Canada

23 March 2011

IOSH extended its international reach to Canada last week, signing a Memorandum of Understanding with one of the country’s key health and safety organisations.

IOSH President Steve Granger cemented the first stage of this partnership with the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals’ (BCRSP) Vice Chair, Ron Durdle, during the organisation’s IOSH 2011 conference and exhibition, at London’s ExCel.

Officially enacted at the BCRSP’s 35th anniversary in September, the Memorandum of Understanding will give members of each organisation a chance to visit each other’s workplaces, sharing best practice in occupational safety and health.

Mr Durdle said: “This actually started several years ago, so to get to this point feels like a major milestone.

“It’s great to cross these international boundaries, as it gives the Chartered Members of IOSH and the Certificate Holders of BCRSP a chance to work internationally. They’ll also be able to use their qualifications to assist in gaining registered safety professional or chartered member status with each organisation.

“We know there are already people from Canada wanting to experience health and safety in the UK and internationally, I’m sure that applies with safety professionals over here.”

In Canada, the BCRSP recognises those who have been successful in writing the CRSP examination and have reached the highest standards in their career in safety.

Mr Granger said: “It’s fantastic to sign this Memorandum of Understanding with the BCRSP, as it’ll benefit not only our organisations and members, but the workplaces they advise.

“In working with more international organisations, what always hits me is that around the world people still have the same core aims and goals in health and safety. And that’s why it’s great to give our members more opportunity to gain and share examples of best practice that make healthier and safer workplaces.”