Professional Ethics (BCSP Code of Ethics) questions for the CSP
CSP Domain 2: Program Management (2.12 Management leadership techniques (authority, responsibility, accountability) under the BCSP Code of Ethics). 3 free questions below. Every answer quotes and links the source document it comes from.
Sources covered
- BCSP Code of Ethics (rev. Nov 4, 2022; effective Jan 1, 2023) BCSP Code of Ethics
Guidance documents are quoted from the published edition linked above; they are recommendations, not regulations.
Question 1
A CSP applying for a corporate safety director job led a plant safety committee at her last employer, but she had no authority over budgets or staff. Her draft résumé says she "directed the plant's entire safety program and managed a $2 million safety budget." What does the Code of Ethics require?
Show answer and source: BCSP Code of Ethics (rev. Nov 4, 2022; effective Jan 1, 2023), PDF p. 1
Answer: C. Rewrite the résumé to state accurately her degree of responsibility in the prior assignment
The Code of Ethics requires accurate representation of the degree of responsibility held in prior assignments, including when seeking employment. Promotional wording, good results, or clarifying only if asked do not fix a résumé that overstates her role and budget authority.
On the job
An EHS manager at a food processing plant is putting together a self-assessment for a promotion packet. Her real role was chairing the monthly hazard review team, with no authority over budgets or staff, but a colleague suggests describing it as running the whole safety department. She instead writes that she chaired the team and influenced corrective action priorities, because the Code requires accurately representing the degree of responsibility held in prior assignments.
Study aid, not site-specific safety advice. The official rule controls.
Answer C comes from
BCSP Code of Ethics (rev. Nov 4, 2022; effective Jan 1, 2023), PDF p. 1(opens bcsp.org in a new tab)“Represent degree of responsibility in or for the subject matter in prior assignments accurately.”
Question 2
A CSP has ten years of experience in automotive assembly plants. A grain elevator owner asks her to lead a combustible dust hazard assessment at his facility. She has never worked in grain handling and has no education in dust explosion control. Which action fits the Code of Ethics?
Show answer and source: BCSP Code of Ethics (rev. Nov 4, 2022; effective Jan 1, 2023), PDF p. 1
Answer: B. Decline to lead the assessment because she lacks education or experience in that specific field
The Code of Ethics says to take assignments only when qualified by education or experience in the specific field involved. Holding the credential does not cover every industry. Learning on the job or adding a disclaimer still means accepting work she is not qualified for.
On the job
An EHS consultant with years of experience in food packaging plants is asked by a recycling facility to lead a lithium battery fire hazard assessment. She has never worked in battery handling and has no education in that area. Because assignments should be taken only when qualified by education or experience in the specific field involved, she declines to lead it and suggests the client find someone with that background.
Study aid, not site-specific safety advice. The official rule controls.
Answer B comes from
BCSP Code of Ethics (rev. Nov 4, 2022; effective Jan 1, 2023), PDF p. 1(opens bcsp.org in a new tab)“UNDERTAKE assignments only when qualified by education or experience in the specific field(s) involved.”
Question 3
A CSP consultant is hired to compare three suppliers of fall protection equipment for a client. She privately owns a large share of one supplier. She believes that supplier's products are good and expects the evaluation to favor it. Which action best fits the Code of Ethics?
Show answer and source: BCSP Code of Ethics (rev. Nov 4, 2022; effective Jan 1, 2023), PDF p. 1
Answer: C. Withdraw from ranking the suppliers because her ownership stake could compromise her professional judgment
The Code of Ethics requires professionals to avoid letting conflicts of interest compromise their professional judgment. Her ownership stake is such a conflict, so she should step out of the ranking. Scoring honestly, staying silent, or silently omitting the supplier does not remove the conflict.
On the job
A CSP serving as an independent consultant is asked by a plant manager to recommend a gas detection vendor. While preparing the comparison, she remembers that she holds a significant financial stake in one of the candidate vendors. Although she believes she could score fairly, she tells the manager about the stake and declines to do the evaluation, so that conflicts of interest do not compromise her professional judgment. The client then selects another evaluator.
Study aid, not site-specific safety advice. The official rule controls.
Answer C comes from
BCSP Code of Ethics (rev. Nov 4, 2022; effective Jan 1, 2023), PDF p. 1(opens bcsp.org in a new tab)“CONDUCT their professional relations by the highest standards of integrity and avoid compromise of their professional judgment by conflicts of interest.”
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