Background
The SIA National Board of Management created the College of Fellows within the Institute following consistent feedback through the late 1990's from Government and industry leaders that the SIA needed to change its image, improve its approaches to lobbying for change and raise the calibre of input to peak safety decision-making forums. Those people who had responsibility for health and safety policy in Government and industry perceived the need for a credible pool of expertise, at the peak of the OHS profession, that could be called upon to provide input to regulatory development and industry policy setting activities. It was also apparent that most jurisdictions were no longer treating safety as a science but as a tool for bureaucratic manipulation in which mistakes of the past were being repeated and lessons not being learned.
In October 2002, The SIA Patron, His Excellency The Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, The Right Reverend Dr Peter Hollingworth, inducted Geoff Dell CFSIA as the inaugural Dean of the College of Fellows and the task of developing the College activities began in earnest.
Patron: Her Excellency, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia
Criteria
Membership of the College is automatic for all SIA members who attain Fellowship Grades: Chartered Fellows, Fellows and Honorary Fellows. It is yet another reason for people to advance their membership in the Institute as their qualifications, experience and careers in health and safety develop.
As a Fellow or Chartered Fellow, you are automatically a Collegial Fellow, however, you must maintain your CPD points to remain in the College. You are considered at the peak of your professional standing when you are a Fellow or CFSIA.