Posted By Arran Linton - Smith For those of you who are interested in the above, details of this are now published on the IRCA website www.irca.org I am sure that the Criteria for Initial Certification will cause much debate

Posted By Ian Waldram Having had absolutely nothing to do with this new standard, and having found it thanks to Arran's note, I'm actually most encouraged. I'm sure there will be lots of interest and no doubt some ideas for improvement, but I see lots of excellent parts, and few that seem too controversial (my experience is as a first- or second-party auditor). The insistence on CPD is an excellent point, and I find the wording of that section very thoughtful. The standards required from those providing the linked training also seem good.

Posted By Jay Joshi Anything that enhances the competence and credibility of OH&S Auditors needs to be seen positively and welcomed. I wonder how many in IOSH membership overall will be comfortable, and some may even question the rationale of some aspects of the INITIAL CERTIFICATION CRITERIA--as Arran indicated. It states, for Academic Qualifications:- Applicants must possess a degree or near-degree level qualification in a subject relevant to the technical aspects of OH&S. Examples of relevant subjects would include science and engineering disciplines in addition to the more specific OH&S and related programmes. In addition, applicants shall possess a recognised OH&S qualification. To be accepted for certification, qualifications must have been awarded by an institution recognised by a national governmental body or accredited by a national professional body. IRCA maintain and are able to refer to an extensive database of recognised technical, academic and professional qualifications awarded in most countries throughout the world. The criteria:- Applicants must possess a degree or near-degree level qualification in a subject relevant to the technical aspects of OH&S. Examples of relevant subjects would include science and engineering disciplines in addition to the more specific OH&S and related programmes. This criteria will exclude many that do not have the science/engineering academic background. It is essentially similar to the criteria that is required in ISO 10011 Whereas I can see the advantage in purely OH&S competence, if one had to deal with activities that required it, I am not convinced fully of this strict requirement for Auditing of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems--which deals primarily with THE OH&S MANAGEMENT SYSTEM and not the technical/engineering aspects of OH&S.