AuditSoft and IHSA Partnership Revolutionizes Construction Safety Certification with Digital Tools

The Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA) has expanded its partnership with AuditSoft, making the company's advanced audit software the exclusive platform for conducting the National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO®) exam audits. This collaboration represents a significant advancement in construction safety certification across Canada, positioning both organizations at the forefront of preparing health and safety professionals for technological demands in modern safety auditing. Students pursuing the NCSO® designation will now exclusively use AuditSoft's audit software for their exam submissions, ensuring they gain practical experience with digital tools they'll encounter in their careers.

The integration brings multiple benefits to the NCSO® program, including hands-on experience with digital audit tools for Ontario's construction safety professionals. The streamlined submission and review process for exam audits is expected to result in more efficient and accurate evaluations, potentially leading to faster certification for candidates. Jennifer McKenzie, Director of Stakeholder & Client Engagement at IHSA, expressed enthusiasm about the integration, noting that AuditSoft was successfully implemented in IHSA's Certificate of Recognition (COR®) program in 2023, with similar benefits anticipated for the NCSO® program.

Peter Spence, VP of Partnerships at AuditSoft, emphasized the initiative's role in workforce development, stating that it will streamline the exam process and help develop the future workforce by familiarizing them with essential tools for raising safety standards in the construction industry. The NCSO® designation, which verifies an individual's competency in construction safety management, is recognized across Canada and highly valued by employers for demonstrating commitment to workplace safety and effective application of safety principles on construction sites.

This partnership represents a significant advancement in construction safety education and certification by integrating cutting-edge audit software into the NCSO® program. The initiative ensures that newly certified professionals are not only well-versed in safety principles but also proficient in using the latest technological tools to implement and manage safety protocols effectively. As the construction industry continues to evolve and embrace digital solutions, this collaboration sets a new benchmark for safety certification programs, emphasizing the importance of technological proficiency alongside traditional safety knowledge.

The initiative is likely to have far-reaching effects on safety standards and practices across the Canadian construction sector, preparing professionals to meet complex challenges in modern construction environments while elevating the overall standard of safety management through technological integration and practical skill development.