When people talk about their career paths, the story often sounds like a straight line—from education to opportunity to success. But for Sarah Frank, owner of Primera Consulting, her journey to becoming a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) was anything but linear. It was shaped by uncertainty, resilience, and a deepening belief in the power and purpose of occupational health and safety.
The Early Days: Searching for the Right Fit
Sarah’s professional life didn’t start in health and safety. She initially gained experience in fields like accounting and emergency response. While both roles provided valuable skills and insight, neither truly clicked. Something always felt slightly off, as if she was wearing shoes that didn’t quite fit.
Then, almost by accident, health and safety found her.
Sarah began working in occupational health and safety, and for the first time, things started to make sense. This wasn’t just a job—it was something that resonated with her on a deeper level. She enrolled in university to study Occupational Health and Safety, and it was during one of her first classes that a defining moment occurred.
The professor asked the class, “How many of you would go to school for one year for health and safety? Two years? Three years? Four?” As hands slowly dropped with each question, Sarah’s hand remained raised—one of the few left. That moment solidified her path. She wasn’t just passing through this field. She was in it for the long haul.
The CRSP Question: Is It Necessary?
One of the most debated topics in the safety profession is the CRSP designation. Is it required? Does it define your credibility? Should every health and safety professional pursue it?
Sarah has a grounded perspective. “There’s no right or wrong answer,” she says. “The CRSP doesn’t make someone a great safety professional. And let’s be honest—there are some terrible CRSPs out there.”
Yet, she also acknowledges what the certification represents. It’s a symbol of commitment. Those who go through the process—studying, paying the fees, writing the notoriously difficult exam—are choosing to invest in their professional development and signal their dedication to the field.
Overcoming the Fear
Sarah didn’t jump into writing the CRSP exam right away. For years, she’d heard about how hard it was. The pass rate hovered around 40%, and she saw colleagues and friends struggle to achieve it. That fear stayed with her.
But life has a funny way of nudging us when we least expect it.
After having her daughter, Sarah decided it was time. She carved out a tiny but sacred ritual—every Tuesday, she went to the library and studied for one hour. That was her time. No pressure, no expectations—just consistency. She committed to doing that for one full year.
She registered for the exam with the mindset that if she didn’t pass, that would be okay. She had already succeeded in committing to something bigger than herself.
2022 was a tough year for exam takers—delays caused by the pandemic meant that it took months to get results instead of the typical eight weeks. Sarah remembers the moment vividly. She opened her mailbox and saw the envelope. She couldn’t wait to get home. Right there, standing by the mailbox, she opened it—and the word “Congratulations” leapt off the page.
She burst into tears.
She went home, told her husband, and they celebrated a journey that had taken years—not just of studying, but of growing into her purpose.
What the CRSP Means to Sarah
For Sarah, the CRSP isn’t about proving you’re the best. It’s not a badge of superiority. But it is a declaration.
It says: I believe in this work. I believe in the importance of keeping people safe. I’m not here by accident—I’m here because I choose to be.
Within the health and safety profession, people come from all walks of life. Some arrive because of personal experiences. Some come for the job stability. But then there are those—like Sarah—who are here because they care, deeply and completely. The CRSP is one way to show that.
And Sarah’s story reminds us that you don’t need to follow a perfect path. You just need to stay committed to the one that feels right.
