CSSE Guide to OH&S Certifications & Designations A Guide for Employers and OH&S Practitioners
, This document has been prepared by Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) in
the pursuit of CSSE’s mission, vision and goals.
All rights reserved. Permission to photocopy or download for individual use is
granted. Further reproduction in any manner, including posting to a website, is
prohibited without prior written permission of the publisher. Permission may be
obtained by contacting the CSSE at .
© Canadian Society of Safety Engineering
468 Queen Street East, Suite LL-02
Toronto, Ontario M5A 1T7
Tel.: 416-646-1600 www.csse.org
Third Edition
September 2018
PURPOSE OF THE GUIDE
The Guide is intended to serve as a resource to employers when hiring a health and safety
practitioner. It also provides guidance to future OH&S practitioners on the type of education,
experience, and other qualifications being sought by employers. Information on both Canadian and
International safety certifications and designations is provided, along with suggested competencies
and qualifications for OH&S positions from entry to executive level. An interview guide is included
to provide employers with suggested questions when interviewing candidates.
CSSE Guide to OH&S Certifications & Designations 2 A Guide for Employers and OH&S Practitioners
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 5
Glossary of Terms 6
Comparision of OHS Professional and OHS Practitioner roles 7
Occupational Health and Safety Certifications and Designations 8
Accreditation 9
CSSE Guide to OH&S Certifications & Designations 3 A Guide for Employers and OH&S Practitioners
, Safety Certifications versus Safety Designations 10 Established Safety Certifications and
Designations 11
Canadian Safety Certifications 12 Canadian Safety Designations 21
International Safety Certifications 26
OH&S Practitioner Profiles 41
Entry Level 42
Intermediate Level 43
Managerial Level 44
45
46
47
59
60
Director/Executive Level
Frequently Asked Questions
Interview Guide
Acknowledgements & References
About the CSSE
CSSE Guide to OH&S Certifications & Designations 4 A Guide for Employers and OH&S Practitioners
, This document has been prepared by Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) in
the pursuit of CSSE’s mission, vision and goals.
All rights reserved. Permission to photocopy or download for individual use is
granted. Further reproduction in any manner, including posting to a website, is
prohibited without prior written permission of the publisher. Permission may be
obtained by contacting the CSSE at .
© Canadian Society of Safety Engineering
468 Queen Street East, Suite LL-02
Toronto, Ontario M5A 1T7
Tel.: 416-646-1600 www.csse.org
Third Edition
September 2018
PURPOSE OF THE GUIDE
The Guide is intended to serve as a resource to employers when hiring a health and safety
practitioner. It also provides guidance to future OH&S practitioners on the type of education,
experience, and other qualifications being sought by employers. Information on both Canadian and
International safety certifications and designations is provided, along with suggested competencies
and qualifications for OH&S positions from entry to executive level. An interview guide is included
to provide employers with suggested questions when interviewing candidates.
CSSE Guide to OH&S Certifications & Designations 2 A Guide for Employers and OH&S Practitioners
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 5
Glossary of Terms 6
Comparision of OHS Professional and OHS Practitioner roles 7
Occupational Health and Safety Certifications and Designations 8
Accreditation 9
CSSE Guide to OH&S Certifications & Designations 3 A Guide for Employers and OH&S Practitioners
, Safety Certifications versus Safety Designations 10 Established Safety Certifications and
Designations 11
Canadian Safety Certifications 12 Canadian Safety Designations 21
International Safety Certifications 26
OH&S Practitioner Profiles 41
Entry Level 42
Intermediate Level 43
Managerial Level 44
45
46
47
59
60
Director/Executive Level
Frequently Asked Questions
Interview Guide
Acknowledgements & References
About the CSSE
CSSE Guide to OH&S Certifications & Designations 4 A Guide for Employers and OH&S Practitioners
