HSE Experts Warn About Non‑Specialized Safety Training Courses; Emphasis on Protecting Occupational Safety Standards
1405/03/25
An occupational Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) expert has raised concerns about the organization of certain training courses titled “HSE Supervisor” by non‑specialized institutions, warning that the entry of unqualified individuals into this field could pose serious risks to workplace safety and workers’ health.
Vahid Farahbakhsh, Head of the Committee for the Prevention of Occupational Accidents and Diseases at the National Association of Occupational Safety and Health Officers, stated in an interview that recent developments in the field of occupational safety training have raised professional concerns among experts in the sector.
He noted that in recent months some provincial Construction Engineering Organizations have begun offering training programs under the title of “HSE Supervisor” for graduates of disciplines such as civil engineering, electrical engineering, and other non‑related fields. According to him, such initiatives appear to fall outside the defined professional scope and responsibilities of these organizations.
Referring to a protest poster recently circulated on social media that received significant attention among safety professionals, he explained that the initiative was intended as a symbolic action to highlight professional concerns regarding current practices in HSE training. From the perspective of safety practitioners, granting specialized professional titles based solely on a few hours of short training programs could undermine professional standards in the field.
He further stated that if specialized titles can be awarded without adherence to established educational and professional requirements, similar practices could potentially spread to other engineering disciplines. In contrast, maintaining rigorous educational frameworks and professional qualifications remains a fundamental principle across all specialized fields.
Highlighting the critical role of safety professionals in industrial and construction environments, Farahbakhsh stressed that occupational safety and health experts play a key role in preventing workplace accidents, reducing occupational diseases, strengthening safety culture, and protecting the health of the workforce. The presence of inadequately trained personnel in such positions, he warned, could increase the likelihood of workplace incidents and lead to significant human and economic costs for both workers and employers.
He also noted that national statistics on occupational accidents demonstrate the importance of implementing proper safety measures and employing qualified HSE professionals as key factors in preventing workplace incidents. Therefore, any training initiatives in this field should be conducted in coordination with responsible authorities and under recognized educational and professional standards.
In conclusion, Farahbakhsh stated that professional associations in the field of occupational safety and health have called for a review of such training programs and for stricter adherence to legal and professional frameworks governing HSE education. He emphasized that safeguarding the professional standing of safety specialists and protecting the health and lives of workers must remain a top priority in policymaking and decision‑making related to occupational health and safety.
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