Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct

The purpose of the BCRSP Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct (the Code) is to provide guidance to ensure that each certificant adheres to high standards of integrity and competence.

Competence is “the ability to perform a task, function or role up to a set of prescribed standards.¹"

Preamble: As a condition to obtaining and maintaining certification, each certificant commits to abide by the Code as adopted by the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP). Each certificant pledges to subscribe not only to the letter but also to the spirit of the Code in all their activities.

Competence

Certificants are required to:

1. Maintain competence in carrying out responsibilities and provide services in an honest and diligent manner.
2. Provide sound judgement in pursuance of their duties.
3. Recognize their limitations and perform only those services that may be handled competently based on one’s training and experience.
4. Ensure persons working under their authority or supervision are competent to carry out the tasks assigned to them.

Integrity

Certificants are required to:

1. Maintain honesty, integrity, and objectivity in all activities.
2. Protect and promote the safety and health of people, property and the environment above any consideration of self-interest.
3. Avoid circumstances where compromise of conduct or conflict of interest may arise.
4. Represent their qualifications and experience accurately and not knowingly make false or misleading statements.

Respect in the Workplace

Certificants are required to:

1. Support, promote and apply the principles of human rights, equity, dignity and respect in the workplace.
2. Recognize that discrimination on the basis of race, creed, colour, language, national origin, political or religious affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family relationship and disability is prohibited.

Ongoing Professional Development

Certificants are required to:

1. Continue development throughout their career and support and encourage fellow certificants to develop skills, knowledge, and abilities.

Confidentiality

Certificants are required to:

1. Protect the confidentiality of all acquired information and disclose such information only when properly authorized or when legally obligated to do so.

Requirements

Certificants are required to:

1. Keep apprised of all relevant laws, regulations and recognized standards of practice as it relates to their duties.

Support of the Safety Profession and Other Professionals

Certificants are required to:

1. Uphold the honour and prestige of the profession.
2. Recognize and respect the original work, integrity and ability of their peers.

Support of the BCRSP Certifications

Certificants are required to:

1. Comply with the relevant provisions of the BCRSP bylaws, policies and certification scheme.
2. Make claims regarding BCRSP certification only with respect to the scope for which certification has been granted.
3. Not use the certification in such a manner as to bring the certification body into disrepute, and not make any statement regarding the certification which the certification body may consider misleading or unauthorized.
4. Discontinue the use of all claims to certification that contains any reference to the certification body or certification upon suspension or withdrawal of certification, and to return any certificates issued by the certification body.
5. Not use the certificate in a misleading manner.
6. Abstain from behaviour that will cause harm to the reputation of the BCRSP and its certificants.
7. Maintain the security of the BCRSP examination information and materials, including the prevention of unauthorized disclosures of test information.

Accountability (Adherence)

Each certificant will rely on the BCRSP to protect the integrity of the BCRSP certifications. The Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) is tasked with ensuring that responsibility is fulfilled in a fair and impartial manner. The PCC will be solely responsible for ensuring BCRSP Policy is followed to investigate complaints or allegation of misconduct against certificants.

Complaints or allegations of misconduct against certificants found to be justified by the PCC will be referred to the Discipline Committee for review. 

The BCRSP may disclose any disciplinary or enforcement decision/action against a certificant along with associated information, to other organizations including without limitation, organizations related to health and safety, law enforcement agencies, and regulatory bodies.

#1 - Certification: The ICE Handbook (2009)