Despite many commendable efforts and individual successes with safety over time, accidents continue to increase in tree care. This reputation as an industry that can't seem to keep its workers safe is one that hurts our ability to recruit and retain employees, reduces consumer confidence in our abilities, and shrinks our profits when accidents and injuries raise our costs of doing business.
The Certified Treecare Safety Professional program was designed to address several of the challenges to safety that tree care companies face. More than a straightforward "safety trainer" credentialing program, CTSP teaches safety professionals strategies and tactics for changing the very "culture" of their organization. A Certified Treecare Safety Professional is able not only to coach his/her team in safe work practices, but also work to change attitudes about safety and motivate other employees to want to participate.
To move forward as an industry and become safer, we need more than standards and requirements. We need an industry-wide commitment to a culture of safety. Through CTSP, a culture of safety can be developed one company and one individual at a time, and as this happens, our industry will be transformed from what it is today.
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CTSP Eligibility Requirements:
Three years technical field experience in tree care with at least one year of assumed responsibility for safety (i.e., crew leader, trainer, safety committee member, emergency responder, certified CPR/first aid provider, etc.), or...
Six month’s technical field experience and one year in a professional safety position, or...
Two or four year degree in Arboriculture, Forestry, Ornamental/Environmental Horticulture, Natural Resources, Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Safety or other related field with an internship that provided technical field experience.
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Many small businesses don't have the resources to hire staff specifically for safety training. By giving one or more existing employees the tools to become their company's safety trainer(s), the CTSP program not only allows business owners to establish a safety program for a modest investment, it also provides a new career path for these key employees, increasing their job satisfaction and company loyalty.
The long- and short-term benefits to enrolling in CTSP are many. By developing and maintaining a consistent safety program at your organization, you'll experience fewer accidents and injuries overall. A safer workplace leads to improved employee retention, higher production, and increased morale. A safe environment can also save and make your company money through lower insurance premiums, less lost time due to accidents and injuries, and increased business from marketing your commitment to safety to clients. For the CTSP, the program provides a valuable credential and potential for career advancement.
The 2006-2007 Tree Care Industry Accident Survey, which compiled data gathered from both TCI Magazine readers and TCIA members, showed companies with employees enrolled in the Certified Treecare Safety Professional program to be ten times less likely to experience a lost workday incident compared with companies that did not have a CTSP on staff.
Additionally, companies with employees enrolled in the CTSP program are nearly four times less likely to experience a recordable accident (one that requires medical attention beyond treatment in the field) than companies without a CTSP on staff.
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