Paul D’Arcy – OSH Practitioners Beyond Competence to Capability in Practice – CONTEXT

• "And it ought to be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things. Because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new." Nicolo Machiavelli c.1505 (trans. W. K. Marriott)

MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITYLONDON | DUBAI | MAURITIUS

Now Where?

• Globalisation and the various economic, political and regulatory responses to it have created a work environment for the 21st century for which ‘flexibility’ is a key descriptor.

• This is not new. In discussing OSH, it is now commonplace to frame concerns in terms of the impact of change on virtually every aspect of the relationship between work, health, safety and wellbeing.

IOSH Research Workshop – ‘New Directions’2006

Equally, though, there is no indication that the rate of change is slowing; this continually changing environment presents major challenges for OSH practitioners.

“Globalisation, new technology and demographic change are changing hazards and risks”

“It is up to practitioners to make health and safety relevant to the people they advise”

IOSH Research Workshop – ‘New Directions’ 2006

Paul D’Arcy – OSH Practitioners Beyond Competence to Capability in Practice

• Corin Taylor (IIRSM, 2010), author of a think tank Policy Exchange report, said health and safety regulation has a ‘long history and a noble purpose’.

• He added that Britain has gone from a country where children climbed chimneys to sweep away coal dust to ‘virtually the safest place to work in the EU, but today it permeates every corner of our lives’.

 

Paul D’Arcy – OSH Practitioners Beyond Competence to Capability in Practice

• Chris Grayling the UK Safety Minister Department of Work and Pensions said “It is right to protect employees in the workplace but Britain’s health and safety culture is also stifling business these measures will help root out the needless burden of bureaucracy” (The Times and SHP, 2011).

• Lord Young's review conducted at UK Government request and Professor Lofstedt of Imperial College London report.

Paul D’Arcy – OSH Practitioners Beyond Competence to Capability in Practice

• Whilst agreeing that the level of qualifications to practice and often-over zealous adviser’s interpretation of legal requirements is problematic, IOSH whole-heartedly endorsed the views that competency is the cornerstone and that UK law should accredit ‘competent’ health and safety practitioners’ (SHP, 2010).

 

• Lacey and Arnold in (SHP, 2011) stated that the register of safety consultants borne out of Lord Young’s review is all well and good, but much more needs to be done if the credibility of the health and safety profession really is to improve.

• Which leads me to a –

• 2005 study – most common and frequently performed tasks (Registered Safety Practitioner survey)

• Most common and frequently encountered hazards

• Most common and frequently made contacts

Fascinating...a must read!

IOSH survey – ‘What Practitioners Do’ 2005

MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITYLONDON | DUBAI | MAURITIUS

“COMPETENCE?”COMPETENCE?”

TRAININGKNOWLEDGE

EXPERIENCE SKILLS

Professional Development, References, Qualifications etc

Paul D’Arcy – OSH Practitioners Beyond Competence to Capability in Practice

• Pomeroy and Boyle stated in an article in SHP that the intention WAS to prompt discussion and encourage practitioners to consider where best and how to enhance their professional competences.

• However, they did emphasise that the ‘evidence base’ for the article was purely anecdotal from practitioner views expressed to the authors (SHP Oct/Nov 2010).

Paul D’Arcy – OSH Practitioners Beyond Competence to Capability in Practice - Pomeroy & Boyle

• BUT the ‘hard skill’ competences noted as a weakness were in technical areas such as risk assessments, audits, training and accident investigation.

• In addition, weaknesses were also expressed in the ‘soft skills’ management arena – were acting as agents for change, advocacy – selling and building consensus, statistical and financial management.

Paul D’Arcy – OSH Practitioners Beyond Competence to Capability in Practice

• Competence is a time bound characteristic. The competent person needs to keep up to date with the latest developments in their field. This maybe too broad based and not really tackle problem solving abilities or over-coming of certain safety issues.

• This has led to the questioning of competence as the main stay of professional practice maintenance and development. Eraut (1994) states a ‘qualified person is always competent but one could imagine situations in which a competent person does not seem to be competent’.

Paul D’Arcy – OSH Practitioners Beyond Competence to Capability in Practice

• SO I am sure we all agree competence is clearly a requirement for safety and health practitioners as is the case for most professions. As competence is a very complex and contentious issue the provision of CPD ‘training’ needs to be flexible to adjust to the professional needs as legislation, guidance and evidence based knowledge progresses (Schon, 1983; Eraut, 1994).

Paul D’Arcy – OSH Practitioners Beyond Competence to Capability in Practice

• IOSH mandatory CPD stated “needs arise from a reinforced demand from the public for accountability, shifting career paths and demographic changes, overall a desire for improved professionalism”. (IOSH brochure CPD ‘what’ s it all about’, 2005)

• See earlier context – IOSH ‘Mind the Gap’, ‘New Directions’.

• Media Reports & HSE ‘myth busters’

Paul D’Arcy – OSH Practitioners Beyond Competence to Capability in Practice

• The three areas of CPD competence prescribed by IOSH to date are core professional knowledge and skills (keeping up to speed), developing professional skills (new skills and knowledge to increase effectiveness) and development of transferable skills (maintain broader management skills from communication to change management) (IOSH 2005).

Paul D’Arcy – OSH Practitioners Beyond Competence to Capability in Practice – RESEARCH DESIGN

IOSH 2010IOSH 2010

IOSH CPD Reflective Practice

‘template’

IOSH CPD Reflective Practice

‘template’

Paul D’Arcy – OSH Practitioners Beyond Competence to Capability in Practice

• Fraser and Greenhalgh (2001) believe capability is more than competence.

• “Competence is what individuals know or are able to do in terms of knowledge, skills and attitude but capability is the extent to which individuals can adapt to change, generate new knowledge and continue to improve their performance”.

Paul D’Arcy – OSH Practitioners Beyond Competence to Capability in Practice

• Stephenson (2003) is adamant capability cannot be taught or passively assimilated. This is especially true in changing contexts, and where uncertainty arises.

• The individuals ability to solve problems – appraise the situation as a whole and prioritise issues to arrive at solutions in a complex environment and reflect upon it and learn from the experience marks out the capable over the competent. A capable person can achieve a high standard of work in an integrated way.

• Capability is seen as a broader concept than competence, capability appears to encapsulate competence but is also forward looking, involves ethics, judgements and the self-confidence to take risks and learn from experience.

CAPABILITY Vs COMPETENCE

Paul D’Arcy – OSH Practitioners Beyond Competence to Capability in Practice LAST PIECE OF THE JIGSAW?

• ‘The effective practitioner is a reflective practitioner this claim could apply to any profession’ (Belton et al 2006). That is a very bold statement of intent but is it substantiated by the literature and OSH practice?

• Volante (2010) asserts that reflection has underpinned models of continuing professional development within the professions for many years and is used for error detection, professional effectiveness and practical wisdom.

Paul D’Arcy – OSH Practitioners Beyond Competence to Capability in Practice - SUMMARY

• Lester notes it is... “far easier to recognise capability than define it there is a sense in which it can only be seen in it’s reflection”, (1999).

• Cairns and Hase (2000) note ‘capable organisations need capable people’..

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Last piece of the jigsaw?

MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITYLONDON | DUBAI | MAURITIUS

“CAPABILITY?”CAPABILITY?”

TRAININGKNOWLEDGE

EXPERIENCE SKILLS

Continuing Professional Development, Reflective Practice, Appraisalsetc

• In comparison to competency, which involves the acquisition of knowledge and skills is capability a desired holistic attribute?

• While competencies are useful in developing a multi-skilled OSH practitioner, is there is a need to go further by developing capable people who can cope with the constantly changing needs of the modern workplace?

CONCLUSION

Paul D’Arcy – OSH Practitioners Beyond Competence to Capability in Practice - SUMMARY

• As you can see from my ‘snapshot’ there are many definitions and views of professional competence and capability but all include the need for enhancing knowledge, expertise and maintaining competence as part of a lifelong process.

Thank you for Listening – Any Questions?