Professional regulation in occupational health and safety (OHS) is essential to protect public interest and uphold the integrity of the profession by ensuring that only qualified individuals practice in this critical field. Recognizing OHS as a fully regulated profession will provide assurance of competency and ethical standards.

A regulated profession in OHS would encompass three key elements:

• Professional Regulatory Organization (PRO): A governing body dedicated to upholding standards of competent and ethical practice.
• Title Protection: Legal restrictions so only certified members of the professional regulatory association can use designated titles.
• Scope of Practice Protection: Legal limitations ensuring that only qualified, registered members can perform specific types of OHS work.

ASHSP is advocating for a unified regulatory model, consolidating various OHS sub-disciplines under a single provincial body for cohesive and consistent regulation.  The primary purpose of the PRO is to protect the public interest and the interest of public safety. Regulatory oversight of the OHS profession is required to protect the public interest. The public interest includes:

• worker health and safety;
• future workers’ health and safety;
• workers’ families and loved ones who are also impacted by workplace injuries and illnesses;
• the societal costs of workplace injuries and illnesses (e.g., healthcare, insurance, etc.); and
• the economic costs of workplace injuries and illnesses (e.g., recognizing the fact that occupational health and safety is good for business, preserves the reputation of Alberta industries, and ensures competitive advantages both in Alberta and abroad.