'Insights gained here will undoubtedly contribute to our ongoing efforts,' says safety leader
Dozens of Canadian safety professionals travelled to San Antonio, Texas, for the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) annual conference and used the opportunity to push a Canadian agenda to an international audience.
Christl Aggus is the president of the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE), soon to be known as Health and Safety Professionals of Canada, and she used the conference to promote a major event coming up for her organization. She was recognized as one of top female safety leaders in Canada. See the list of winners here.
“We're looking at a 75th anniversary where I'm really hoping that the organising committee is able to bring the world to Canada… so I'm really stoked about that 75th Diamond Anniversary.” That conference will be next year in Edmonton.
The CSSE and the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) hosted a Canadian reception while in San Antonio, and based on the attendance at that event, it seems Aggus won’t have much trouble attracting the world to Canada.
About 60 safety leaders showed up at Margaritaville, along the city’s historic Riverwalk, and about half of them weren’t Canadian at all. They were from New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom, as well as the Americans who also came out to show some love.
While the conference is based in the United States, Canadian safety professionals have been attending for years, benefiting from the abundance of knowledge and networking opportunities it offers. Many Canadian companies have operations in both countries, making the conference a valuable platform for exchanging information and discussing certifications.
One of the highlights was the presence of Doug Parker, the head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Robin Angel, BCRSP chair, was interested in learning about upcoming regulatory changes, particularly those relevant to Canada, and you can read more about the Canadian takeaways from Parker’s speech here.
The issue of title protection for safety professionals is a movement Angel was hoping to advance during the conference, but when Parker was asked about the topic, he didn’t have much to say. Aggus says that’s because safety professionals often speak different languages when discussing the topic, “everybody calls it something different, we're all calling it something different, and we're all trying to find a way to elevate what we do into a profession.”
Despite the lack of meaningful discussion around title protection, at least with government officials, Angel was still excited about all of the other conversations taking place, exclaiming, "this is a record-breaking conference, and the range of talks and sessions is exceptional. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, there is something for everyone."
It proved to be a highly rewarding event for those who attended. The conference, known for its high-quality talks and sessions, provided Canadian professionals with a wealth of opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills, while promoting their own interests. Human and organizational performance and using storytelling as a tool to build trust among workers were common threads throughout the many conversations during the 3-day event.
"The ASSP conference is an invaluable platform for Canadian safety professionals to exchange ideas, learn from experts, and strengthen our professional network. The insights gained here will undoubtedly contribute to our ongoing efforts to enhance workplace safety in Canada," says Angel.
The ASSP annual conference not only provided Canadian safety professionals with valuable knowledge and networking opportunities but also allowed them to showcase their initiatives and connect with international counterparts. As Canadian safety professionals return to their respective workplaces, they bring with them a renewed sense of energy and motivation to create safer environments for all.
