A global model for defining competency in occupational safety and health (OSH) is set for roll-out in 2017.
 Presented at the Safety and Health Expo in London, and developed by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) in association with a cross-sector group of industry experts, IOSH Blueprint represents a competency framework, designed for both the OSH professional and organisations, and will allow individuals and businesses online access to a shared framework for safety and health skills and capability.
Currently available to IOSH members, the first phase of Blueprint is a self-assessment tool which will allow OSH professionals to assess their competencies before producing professional profiles and subsequent development plans. Schedule for roll out next year, 2017, it will see the profession able to use a fully-functional Blueprint to access new knowledge and skills training via a ‘knowledge bank’ of resources.
 IOSH Blueprint will enable organisations internationally to deliver their vision for health and safety by assessing their current skills-base and capability and will help them to determine their future needs.
IOSH executive director of policy Shelley Frost said:
“There’s a clear and growing wave of change that we’ve been seeing for several years, where safety and health is becoming more recognised as a material issue for organisations. Increasingly, organisations are taking a more positive approach, ensuring health and safety has increasing influence on their values and culture. With the framework more focused on engagement, influence and strategic planning, Blueprint will ensure the safety and health professional is better equipped to deliver their role with a greater understanding of this business context… feedback has been really positive…”
Andrew Froude, Consultant at Astutis, has tested the initial phase of Blueprint and reports back:
“It is high time organisations globally had access to an international benchmark of best practice. Commonality in practice in the field of health and safety will hopefully see standards rise across the board and this will be felt in parts of the world that most need it. Having had a chance to take a look inside Blueprint so far, it is seemingly a system that is both easy to access and straightforward to use. Categories in the self-assessment section cover; Strategy and Planning, Sustainable Business Practice, Engagement and Influence and Technical Capability. Each category has further sub-categories that require a rating between 1 and 8 by the user. Each cell requiring a rating contains a competency statement so that it easy for the user to determine the level they are currently at. I am looking forward to seeing the rest of the system in action.”
The phased roll-out of Blueprint is set for 2017 and consultant Andrew Froude will be taking a look at each stage for us. Watch this space for further updates. | 
