From reactive programs to proactive systems, Paul Belair's mission to professionalize safety aims to prevent incidents before they happen and elevate OHS to a new standard
For decades, workplace safety programs have been largely reactive. Organizations often acted only after a worker was injured, a regulatory standard was updated, or an inspection flagged an issue. But for Paul Belair, this approach was not enough. Over his career, he has worked to reimagine safety as a proactive, integrated discipline that prevents harm before it happens.
Belair, the Chair of the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP), has spent years advocating for systemic change in how occupational health and safety (OHS) is managed in Canada. His work reflects a broader shift in thinking about safety, one that prioritizes prevention, accountability, and professional standards over the status quo.
“Traditional safety models rely too much on reaction,” Belair says. “The idea of waiting for an accident or regulation to push change isn’t just outdated—it’s dangerous.”
Belair’s philosophy centers on building safety programs that identify and mitigate hazards before they result in injury or illness. His approach emphasizes starting with small, achievable goals and expanding them into a comprehensive safety culture.
This proactive model also challenges the assumption that safety is the responsibility of a single department. Belair advocates for a horizontally integrated approach, where safety considerations are embedded across business operations—from human resources to engineering and legal. “Safety isn’t just the responsibility of a safety professional,” he explains. “It’s a shared commitment across the organization.”
The push for professional standards
Belair’s focus extends beyond the workplace to the larger OHS profession. Through his role at the BCRSP, he has been a vocal advocate for formalizing safety as a regulated profession in Canada. Currently, there are no legal requirements for someone to call themselves a safety professional—a gap Belair believes undermines the credibility and consistency of the field.
“The threshold for regulating a profession in Canada is public safety,” he says. “Few things could have a greater public safety impact than the work of safety professionals overseeing programs for industries across the country.”
To address this, the BCRSP has ramped up its efforts to secure title protection, ensuring that only certified individuals can claim professional credentials. Belair and his colleagues have also focused on expanding pathways into the field, such as the Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST®) certification.
Adapting to a changing landscape
Belair’s efforts come at a time of rapid change in the workplace. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming how industries operate, but they also introduce new risks.
“You can’t use a one-size-fits-all safety program when dealing with AI,” Belair explains. “The risks are specific to each environment, whether it’s a warehouse or a lab, and they require tailored solutions.”
In response to these shifts, the BCRSP recently updated its CRSP® examination blueprint to better align with modern industry needs. The revised competencies focus on addressing technological risks, demographic changes in the workforce, and evolving regulatory requirements.
“The goal is to ensure that certified professionals are prepared for the challenges they’ll face,” Belair says. “Safety isn’t static. It has to evolve with the workplace.”
Challenges and opportunities
Despite progress, Belair acknowledges significant challenges remain. One major issue is the lack of awareness about the importance of certified safety professionals, even among regulators and industry leaders.
“When I first joined the BCRSP board, I was surprised by how little recognition we had outside the safety community,” he recalls. “Many government and employer groups didn’t know who we were or what our certifications represented.”
To address this, the BCRSP has increased its outreach efforts, working with industry associations, post-secondary institutions, and government bodies to build awareness of the value certified safety professionals bring to the workplace.
At the same time, Belair emphasizes the need for inclusivity in the profession. With Canada’s workforce becoming more diverse, he sees an opportunity to create pathways for underrepresented groups, including immigrants with advanced credentials who face barriers entering the field.
“We’ve heard from skilled newcomers—people with MDs or advanced degrees—who struggle to break into safety roles here,” he says. “We need to find ways to better integrate their expertise into our workforce.”
The future of safety in Canada
As Belair looks ahead, his focus remains on making Canadian workplaces safer by raising the standards of the OHS profession. His vision includes not only stronger certification pathways but also recognition of safety as a regulated profession.
“For safety to be taken seriously at the boardroom table, it needs to be professionalized,” he argues. “When organizations hire certified professionals, it reduces risk for everyone—from workers to employers to the public.”
Belair’s work with the BCRSP is part of a broader movement to modernize workplace safety, ensuring it meets the demands of today’s industries while preparing for tomorrow’s challenges. “The real measure of success isn’t how we respond to incidents—it’s how we prevent them from happening in the first place,” he says.
As the BCRSP approaches its 50th anniversary in 2026, the organization is poised to continue shaping the future of OHS in Canada.
