A critical review of occupational safety and health professional competence frameworks

Daniel Harrison*, Kenneth Lawani, Billy Hare, Iain Cameron

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

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Abstract

The value proposition for OSH professionals as summarised by key studies prove that the employment of safety professional in the construction industry led to improved Accident Incidence Rate or reduced number of workplace fatalities. Studies of the competencies required of OSH professionals however are limited and focus mostly on professionals in USA. One recent study of Chinese safety professional found that Teamwork, ‘Personal traits’, Communication & Decision-making, Problem solving and Professional EHS knowledge are key (grouped) competencies for professionals. The requirement for UK employers to appoint a competent person or persons to assist them in undertaking the measures needed to comply with statutory health and safety requirements imposed upon them is a cornerstone of UK health and safety regulation. Competence, here is defined as sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities. The INSHPO Capability Framework outlines in more detail the requisite knowledge. However, as IOSH have recognised, this did not go far enough to describe those other qualities and so launched Blueprint 2.0 in 2022, developed through consultation with selected focus groups of OSH professionals, recruiters and senior leaders. More recently, some recruiters have developed their own competency models which sought to identify those competencies associated with best candidates. Overall, there appears to be little consideration to those competencies that lead to superior performance of professionals. This paper provides a critical review of existing literature associated with competence frameworks for OSH professionals to allow researchers and professionals to adopt current understanding of this topic.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationJoint Safety, Health, and Well-Being in Construction (W099) and People in Construction (W123) International Conference: Harmony in Global Construction Trends: People, Technology and Society
EditorsFidelis Emuze, Billy Hare, Fred Sherratt, Emmanuel Adinyira, Kofi Agyekum
PublisherCIB
Pages467-477
Number of pages11
ISBN (Electronic)9789988391386
Publication statusPublished - 31 Oct 2024
Event2024 People in Construction (W123) and Safety, Health, and Wellbeing in Construction (W099) International Conference: Harmony in Global Construction Trends: People, Technology and Society - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Duration: 8 Oct 202411 Oct 2024
https://construction.mandela.ac.za/Conferences/2024-People-in-Construction-W123-and-Safety,-Healt (Link to conference website)

Publication series

Name
ISSN (Print)None

Conference

Conference2024 People in Construction (W123) and Safety, Health, and Wellbeing in Construction (W099) International Conference: Harmony in Global Construction Trends: People, Technology and Society
Country/TerritoryGhana
CityKumasi
Period8/10/2411/10/24
Internet address

Keywords

  • OSH, Practitioner, Competence

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