ASSE Pushes for Improvement in EHS Training

Oct. 4, 2000
Without recognizing a need for improvement in safety, health and\r\nenvironmental training, safety in the workplace will be at risk, according to two ASSE ANSI Z490 committee members.

Without recognizing a need for improvement in safety, health and environmental training, safety in the workplace will be at risk, Steven Kane, CSP and Thomas Bresnahan, CSP, told the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) at its September meeting in Washington, D.C.

During the joint presentation to NACOSH on the use of the proposed voluntary American National Standard (ANSI) Z490-Criteria for Accepted Practices in Safety, Health and Environmental Training, Kane, Z490 committee chairman, and Bresnahan, ASSE deputy executive director and secretary of the Z490 committee, said that quality training is required to ensure that workers and safety, health and environmental professionals have the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to protect themselves and others in the workplace while recognizing that OSHA needs to address such concerns.

"OSHA itself has continued to wrestle with training issues on both an internal and external basis for many years," said Bresnahan. "This includes everything from training requirements for specific standards to the potential accreditation of specific training programs. The Z490 Committee has taken the position that safety, health and environmental training is an important element of an effective and efficient overall safety, health and environmental program."

ASSE has participated in the development of national consensus safety standards by serving as the secretariat for eight standards committees and by serving on 40 other safety standards committees.

Kane explained that the Z490 standard would establish the criteria for best practices for the field of EHS training, including:

  • core competencies,
  • instructor credentials,
  • organizational responsibilities/controls,
  • awarding credit,
  • model ciriculums,
  • records maintenance,
  • and facilities/learning support resources.

But it is not limited to instruction, competency methodologies, learning assessments, learning outcomes and measurement.

Portions of Kane and Bresnahan''s presentation addressed how the proposed standard could impact federal agencies such as OSHA.

"I believe NACOSH''s main question concerning this standard is how does it impact OSHA and the training of compliance officers?" said Bresnahan. "The answer is that this is a voluntary guideline, but it could eventually have significant and positive impact on the agency and its compliance officers."

Bresnahan said ASSE''s historic position has been that better training for compliance officers would go a long way in improving the reputation of OSHA to a wide range of stakeholders.

"ASSE believes that the level of professionalism needs to be increased, through such efforts as Z490, so that compliance officers are better able to appreciate, understand and address hazards in today''s high-tech environment," said Bresnahan. "The Z490 project will provide to OSHA and other agencies such as NIOSH, accepted guidelines on how training is evaluated, designed and implemented."

Bresnahan also noted that many government agencies and several unions are well represented on the Z490 committee which is setting forth these recommendations.

"Even OSHA recognized a need to enhance the training programs of its staff safety and health professionals," said Bresnahan. "In its final policy statement of July 28, it specifically noted that the training of OSHA field personnel is a priority."

Kane completed the presentation by reporting that the Z490 draft standard is in its final stages of development before it is submitted for review and adoption by ANSI.

A final timeline on its release has not yet been established.

by Virginia Sutcliffe

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

Sponsored Recommendations

Fitting in Fast: Making a Safe Workplace for New Hires

Sept. 12, 2024
Over a third of nonfatal injuries happen to workers who have been with their current employer for less than a year.

Elevating Safety: Empowering Supervisors to Become Safety Advocates

Aug. 27, 2024
Explore the skills, knowledge and techniques that supervisors need to effectively manage the safety of their crew. This guide will examine the causes and symptoms of supervisory...

Top 10 Causes of Distracted Driving—and What They All Have in Common

Aug. 27, 2024
The results reveal the top ten causes of distracted driving, and make it clear that not all distractions are created equal.

Spotting Workplace Safety Heroes: A Guide to Identifying Your Champions

Aug. 27, 2024
No two workplace safety champions are identical. But almost every single one of them has at least one standout quality that helps them excel. Here are some of those qualities ...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!