Chartered status for safety professionals

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) said it would designate the first ever 'chartered safety and health practitioners' from November this year. The announcement was made at the IOSH annual conference, taking place in Cardiff.

IOSH said that chartered status would lead to "increased status and prestige" for its members, similar to that already enjoyed by other professionals such as accountants and bankers. It would also raise standards by a programme of mandatory 'continuing professional development' (CPD).

IOSH president, Lawrence Waterman, said: "This is the news we've been waiting for. It's a real milestone for IOSH and the whole of safety and health practice. Chartered status will enable members to have real impact in their workplaces.

"IOSH is determined to continue driving up standards and mandatory CPD. Making CPD mandatory and awarding chartered status for individual practitioners, will give safety and health professionals the calling card of competence."

He added: "The new status will reflect our level of professionalism and the crucial role we play in the workplace, and it will ensure we are truly competent to the core."