Editor’s Note: This is a recent email exchange that occurred between Advisory Board member Barry Weissman and SafetyXChange member Ralph Sampsill. They both thought it would be of interest to the rest of the SafetyXChange community. Thanks, Ralph and Barry, for sharing this.

Dear Barry:

I was reading your “When Your Client Just Doesn’t Get It” information. It was great! I have a question for you. I’ve been in the safety management role now for 9 years and need to separate myself from the average safety person. What, in your opinion, is the best way to do that? One more thing: About all your credentials after your name, what do they all stand for (other then the CSP)?

Ralph P. Sampsill
Safety Manager

Dear Ralph:

The initials mean:

• REM - Registered Environmental Manager (www.nrep.org)
• CHMM - Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (www.ihmm.org)
• CSP - Certified Safety Professional (www.bcsp.org)
• CHS-V - Certified in Homeland Security, Advanced Level 5 (top) (http://chs.acfei.com/)
• CIPS - Certified Infrastructure Preparedness Specialist (http://www.oip-usa.us/)

Now for your question: you want to “separate myself from the average safety person.” What exactly do you mean? Do you want to differentiate yourself from the plant person because you are at the corporate level or do you mean that you want to be an excellent safety person?

To be better than average, I would recommend you do some of the following:

• Get to know as much about your field as you can. This means not only reading safety magazines but also industry publications that are allied to your field.
• Get to know your company. What’s going on? Who’s got the power? What’s the next big thing that your company will be working on? How will it impact EHS and how will EHS impact it?
• Get to know your people. If you are at the plant level, get to know the employees. Who’s got problems at home? (Problems at home = problems at work because they aren’t thinking straight.) If someone is having a birthday, wish them a good day. If you are at a corporate level, get to know the plant people and their bosses, AND their bosses’ bosses.
• Get certified, licensed and educated. What certifications, licenses and education will help you in your field and/or industry. Go for it!  Many companies will pay for all or some of your fees. Take advantage of them.
• Be the “Go-To” Guy. Get known as the Go-To Guy so people will realize that you are the subject matter expert in EHS and ask for your opinion before they proceed with a project or task that may get them or the company into trouble.

Barry

Editor’s Note: What would you do? Do you have any advice to add to Barry’s list? Either log-in to reply or send a note to catherinej@bongarde.com.

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