SIA Code of Ethics and Minimum Service Standards

As the peak body for OHS professionals, the Safety Institute of Australia Ltd (SIA) is committed to ensuring our members are suitably qualified - and are able to demonstrate their academic qualifications, industry experience and ongoing professional development in line with six forward looking major policy changes. These policy changes were approved by the SIA National Board of Management (NBOM) on 12 February 2009 for national application and became effective on 1 June 2009.

These policy changes were all linked and are designed to establish a career path in safety, provide industry with the confidence they expect from those who are providing advice as Health & Safety Professionals, to provide industry access to Certified OHS Professionals and ensure our standards are high and that we have a robust complaints system to ensure credibility.     

1. A new Code of Ethics which replaced our previous Code of Conduct and is based on the SIA Code of Ethics and Minimum Service Standards that had been developed by the Health and Safety Professional Alliance (HaSPA) in Victoria, and was supported by the NBOM;
2. A Complaints Procedure, based on recommendations developed by HaSPA and adopted by the NBOM to complement the new Code of Ethics.
3. A new "Graduate" level of membership for members who have completed OHS academic qualifications and are gaining experience to apply for professional certification. Graduate members can benefit from our mentoring program. This policy change required an amendment to the SIA Constitution.

As part of that commitment and to ensure employers and industry get the expert advice they need, the SIA rolled out two further major policy changes effective from 1 June 2009 which provided clear career paths and a recognised standard for both the SIA and OHS professionals at a national level. 

1. Professionals Certification (previously referred to as Grading). A new minimum education requirement was established for new members, particularly those seeking professional grading and accreditation through the SIA.
2. Continuous Professional Development (CPD). Revisions to the Continuing Professional Development program including mandatory attainment of points and submission of log books each three years for SIA members to retain their accreditation.
3. Find an OHS Professional. To assist employers to find an OHS Professional to provide them with advice as a contractor or employee the SIA is establishing a register for SIA members who are CPM, Fellow or Chartered Fellow, are financial and are up-to-date with the requirements of the SIA CPD requirements. (Details on the planned launch of this new member-focused website initiative were distributed to all members on 13 May 2009).