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News release

26 November 2010 - NR 56/10

Single market, single health and safety qualification

New plans to develop a universal qualification and training framework, for health and safety professionals across Europe, were revealed at a conference in Brussels today.

The new EU-funded EUSAFE project was unveiled at an event held by the European Network of Safety and Health Professional Organisations (ENSHPO) as part of the European Commission’s week for health and safety in the workplace.

The EUSAFE project has been set up to identify a universal European framework of qualifications to cover occupational health and safety (OSH) professionals across the European Union.

Richard Jones, IOSH’s Policy and Technical Director and Vice Chair of ENSHPO, said: “Having a single set of European qualifications, which can be equated to each member states existing standards is fantastic.

“By opting into the European qualifications, health and safety professionals who work across the EU are able to prove their credibility to employers, and employers are also ensured that they are employing a professional of a high calibre.”

Back in September 2008, ENSHPO launched the EurOSHM (European Occupational Health Safety and Health Manager) standard, which will be incorporated with qualifications that are created as a result of the EUSAFE project.

Peter Andrew works for The Scotts Company (UK) Ltd, the producers of gardening products such as Miracle-Gro, as their International (European) Environment, Health and Safety Manager. As a chartered member of the UK-based Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), Peter applied for EurOSHM status, after he saw an article about the qualification standard on the Institution’s website.

He said: “Applying to have the EurOSHM qualification could not have been easier, as a Chartered IOSH member, I automatically qualified for the status.

“My current job role involves me looking after the health and safety of approximately 1,000 members of staff across the European Union and therefore being EurOSHM qualified seemed the logical thing to do.

“Not only does holding the qualification make me more credible in the eyes of my employer, it also indicates, a level of competence to people I work with across the EU. The Scots Company takes health and safety extremely seriously, as good health and safety is good for business, and my EurOSHM qualification reflects well on the company as a whole.”

ENSHPO Chairman, Giancarlo Bianchi, said: “Creating a standard set of health and safety qualifications for OSH professionals across Europe will have a positive impact on businesses that operate on a multi-national and European level.

“Professionals who possess the qualification standard will demonstrate to employers that they have the professional skills, knowledge and experience to conduct their job within any country in the EU. Multi-national businesses will not be the only ones who benefit from the qualification standard, individual health and safety professionals will also gain, they will be commended and recognised for their skills at an international level.”

- Ends -

Notes for editors:

IOSH is the Chartered body for health and safety professionals. With more than 40,000 members in 85 countries, we’re the world’s biggest professional health and safety organisation.

We set standards, and support, develop and connect our members with resources, guidance, events and training. We’re the voice of the profession, and campaign on issues that affect millions of working people.

IOSH was founded in 1945 and is a registered charity with international NGO status.