Safety Management Specialists (SMS) are individuals with management skills required for a business’s safe operation. The SMS certification is a Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) credential. In addition, applicants must have at least 10 years of health and safety experience in order to take the SMS examination, which includes topics such as risk management, incident investigation, emergency preparedness, and identifying the business case for safety. Join us in celebrating our newest Safety Management Specialist, Lauren Garner! Learn more about Lauren below:
What did the certification process entail?
After 11 years with CTEH, I was finally eligible to apply for the exam with the BCSP. Once accepted, I took online assessments on different areas of safety (e.g., risk management, incident investigation, and emergency preparedness). Next came the 4.5-hour exam with 200 questions. I can’t explain the emotions I felt when I received the notice that I had passed -what a feeling of relief and accomplishment that was a decade in the making!
How important is this certification and what does it mean to you and your career?
This certification was a significant milestone. It not only signifies my commitment to personal and professional growth, but also my dedication to an industry that I have poured myself into for more than a decade.
What do you enjoy most about working for CTEH?
My coworkers have become family to me. No matter what, they are there during the crazy chaos of emergency response and are always supportive. Not to mention the fact that I work with some amazingly brilliant people. It is an empowering experience to work with some of the best in the industry!
Lauren, congratulations on achieving you SMS certification, and thank you for all you have done and continue to do for CTEH!