About the Institute for Safety and Health Management

The Institute for Safety and Health Management is the credentialing organization founded by the National Safety Management Society (NSMS), to promote the establishment of professional standards. The ISHM Board of Directors ensures the organization exists to promote the establishment of standards for the profession and recognizes safety and risk management professionals who, through demonstrated professional experience and the passing of a comprehensive exam, have met ISHM's requirements for mastering the safety management body of knowledge. See our bylaws.

The National Safety Management Society and the Institute for Safety and Health Management are two separate organizations, although initially, the idea of establishing a credentialing organization grew from NSMS members and until 2002, NSMS financially supported ISHM.

Mission

Through its certification program, the Institute promotes the advancement of safety management through the application of management principles and the integration of safety into all levels and activities of management.

Safety is an integral part of the responsibilities of every function of line and staff management. The Institute for Safety and Health Management (ISHM) identifies professionals who understand the role of the safety function in providing valuable support to organizations by preventing performance errors and controlling hazards that may result in loss-producing incidents customarily called "accidents."

The Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM) program and Associate Safety and Health Manager (ASHM) program recognize safety and health professionals who demonstrate knowledge of health and safety management skills and techniques through examination and experience. In addition to technical knowledge of safety and industrial hygiene a successful safety and health manager must possess working knowledge of a broad range of business and financial principles and an understanding of related issues such as hazard analyses, accident/incident investigations, safety audits/surveys, workers’ compensation, product safety, environmental laws, quality, and labor relations. The Certified Safety and Health Manager program is designed to provide recognition of those who can apply a broad range of health and safety management tools.

ISHM Philosophy

The Institute promotes the advancement of safety and health management through the application of management principles and the integration of safety and health into all levels and activities of management.

The safety manager needs to be a true member of the management team. As an adviser to management, the safety manager must be qualified to assist managers in better discharging their safety leadership responsibilities, to design safety operational systems, and to assist employees in recognizing their responsibilities to work safely. This is accomplished two ways:

  • Through either the prediction of management systems deficiencies before errors occur, or
  • The identification and correction of management systems deficiencies by professional analysis of accidental incidents (performance errors).

Effective safety managers posses a clear understanding of key functions and activities of management - at all levels in an organization. Safety manager must work knowledgeably and effectively with all managers toward improvement of the total management system.

Code of Professional Conduct

The following represents the standards of professional conduct for individuals practicing safety and health management. Safety and Health Managers shall:

  • Maintain competency in the practice of their profession
  • Be truthful and impartial when addressing safety and health issues
  • Practice their profession following recognized scientific and management principles
  • Guide affected parties regarding recognized safety and health practices
    • Maintain confidentiality when involved in the exercise of safety and health management activities
  • Avoid circumstances where a compromise of professional judgment or conflict of interest may arise
  • Perform services only in their areas of competence
  • Act responsibly to uphold the integrity of the profession

Taking Personal Responsibility

In order to be a valuable member of the management team, the safety professional must be ready to contribute in many ways. As a professional there must be the drive and desire to concentrate on career development through constant study and attainment of credentials that management will find credible.

While organizations today seem to look upon the “safety person” as the one to handle the OSHA regulations and requirements, conduct the various inspections, and oversee the health of all employees, progressive safety professionals must employ a broader range of management and safety tools to affect the organization’s bottom line.

Following the criteria and developmental studies offered by the Institute for Safety and Health Management, together with obtaining that important certification, will offer a concerned management an important mark of a candidate’s technical management capabilities.

Take the first step right now by downloading the CSHM or ASHM Application Form. If you have any questions feel free to contact ISHM.