Safety Proficiency Assignment
Safety Proficiency Assignment
The Safety Proficiency Assignment (SPA) is a mandatory component for NCSO® / NHSA™ designation applicants. It is a tool used to evaluate the participants’ ability to apply what they have learned in the classroom.
The Safety Proficiency Assignment consists of 4 parts:
- Hazard Assessment Report
- Incident / Near-miss Investigation
- Safety Meeting / Toolbox Talk
- Site Inspection
The SPA guideline, which includes templates, as well as the assignment marking criteria, can be downloaded below. Please review the SPA requirements carefully before uploading documents to your application portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the most common reasons for assignments are not approved?
Some of the most common deficiencies include:
- failing to submit all four documents
- failing to include your name on all documents
- hazard assessment does not include a risk ranking section
- inspection does not include the inspectors name or the date of inspection
- investigation does not include corrective actions for each cause
- safety meeting does not include who led the meeting
2. Can I use my company’s forms?
Yes! We strongly encourage using your company forms. Please ensure your forms include all the submission requirements.
The intent of the assignment is to apply what you know. You can black out the names of other workers, but it must be clear that you completed the forms.
3. We have not had any incidents in years; how can we do an Investigation?
Keep in mind what is required by your company policy and legislation to investigate. What about Near-misses? What about Work Refusals?
You may also reinvestigate an incident that has happened in the past. Can you find new causes or solutions with what you’ve learned?
4. I am obtaining my NHSA™, not my NCSO® designation. Will I still need to complete and submit a proficiency assignment?
Yes, the safety proficiency assignment is a requirement for both NCSO® and NHSA™ applicants.
5. What do I do if I am not working?
You may consider applying this assignment for your home or recreational activities. For example:
- assess hazards in and around your home
- do an inspection in or outside your house
- have a safety meeting with family (get them to sign in) and do a mock evacuation/fire drill
- do an incident investigation with kids