Publications

Important Update from the Association of Reciprocal Safety Councils (ARSC)
February 18, 2025

In Fall 2024, ARSC launched a comprehensive Request for Proposal (RFP) process to modernize the Basic Orientation Plus (BOP) and Refresher (BOPR) program. After a thorough review of vendor proposals and evaluations, ARSC selected a partner to bring the program into the future.

This morning, ARSC officially signed the partner agreement, marking a major milestone in this modernization effort.

What’s New for the BOP?

The BOP program is evolving to meet industry needs while maintaining its reciprocal standard. The enhanced program will offer:

• Online Training Delivery – Workers will now have the flexibility to complete BOP training online with technology-assisted proctoring.
• Scenario-Based Learning – Interactive modules will simulate real-world safety challenges, engaging learners and sharpening critical thinking skills.

What’s Staying the Same?

The modernized BOP program will continue to uphold its industry-leading standards, including:

• Training Requirements – Fully aligned with OSHA CFR 1910 and 1926, ensuring compliance with OSHA’s process safety management, general industry, and construction regulations.
• Instructor-Led Training – In-person training remains an option for those who prefer classroom learning.
• Legal Defensibility – A graded assessment ensures workers are thoroughly vetted.
• Third-Party Audits – Ongoing rigorous audits will continue to safeguard training integrity.
• Streaming Capabilities – Site orientations will still be streamed to and from ARSC member councils.

What’s Next?

ARSC is planning a phased rollout of the modernized BOP program. Stay tuned for updates from your local ARSC safety council on when the new BOP curriculum and delivery methods will be available to you.

This modernization effort reflects ARSC’s commitment to meeting workers where they are—making safety training more accessible, efficient, and effective.

The future of safety training is here!

Setting the Record Straight on Reciprocal PSM Training

The ARSC BOP and BOPR are NOT being discontinued.

December 12, 2024 

In 2025, ARSC will continue to provide the Basic Orientation Plus (BOP) as an instructor-led course and its Refresher as a CBT course to training locations across the country.  ARSC will also introduce new delivery options for the BOP in 2025 making it available anytime, anywhere with the support of technology-assisted proctoring at participating safety councils. 
 
If you’re being asked to sign an exclusivity deal for an alternative PSM training, ARSC encourages you to consider the following:   

• Who owns and administers the training? ARSC owns the BOP program. Its member councils utilize the program to serve industry at 56 training locations across the country. This decentralized model offers flexibility and local control.   

• Is the training properly audited? Not all reciprocal training is created equal. Reciprocal training isn’t only about the course. Gold standard reciprocal training systems, like the ARSC network, also include a third-party audit process that solidifies the integrity and legal defensibility of the training. 

• Are you properly informed? BOP remains a critical, industry-recognized safety training standard.  The program is not being replaced by an alternative PSM training.  Site orientations will continue to be streamed to and from ARSC training locations per owner business rules.  Exclusivity can force immediate non-compliance and delay the deployment of personnel.  

ARSC is planning a phased rollout of the reimagined BOP program. Starting as early as January 2025, the Refresher will be available with technology-assisted proctoring making it accessible anytime, anywhere.   

 
Ensure your industry and its contractors have options for training—an essential element in keeping training affordable, accessible, and adaptable. 

Important Update from the Association of Reciprocal Safety Councils
December 2, 2024

In response to numerous industry requests, ARSC embarked on a comprehensive Request for Proposal (RFP)
process to modernize the Basic Orientation Plus (BOP) and Refresher (BOPR) program. This initiative involved
leveraging the expertise of our member councils to align the training with critical learning objectives and modern
adult learning theories. ARSC solicited vendor proposals, conducted thorough external reviews, and ultimately
selected a partner to modernize the program. This rigorous process ensured that the updated program would
continue to meet industry needs, combining its reciprocal standard with a modernized learning experience and
flexible delivery options. In collaboration with this partner, the BOP program is gearing up for an exciting new
chapter.

New features of the modernized BOP program will include:

• Online Training Delivery: Technology-assisted proctoring allows workers to access the BOP online
• Scenario-Based Learning: Interactive modules simulate real-world safety challenges, enhancing learner
  engagement and fostering critical thinking skills.

The modernized BOP program will continue to support:

• Training Requirements: Fully aligned with OSHA CFR 1910 and 1926, ensuring compliance with OSHA’s
  process safety management, general industry, and construction standards.
• Instructor-Led Training Delivery: In-person training remains an option.
• Legal Defensibility: A graded assessment ensures the thorough vetting of workers.
• Third-Party Audits: Ongoing rigorous audits continue to ensure training integrity.
• Streaming: Site orientations will continue to be streamed to and from ARSC member councils.

ARSC is planning a phased rollout of these updates to the BOP program. Starting as early as January 2025,
the new online BOP curriculum will be available to all ARSC member councils. Following this, the updated
instructor-led curriculum will be available to member councils by Spring 2025.

These updates also position ARSC to tackle new competitive challenges in the marketplace. Remember, it’s more
important than ever to stay connected with your local members. I encourage all ARSC safety councils to share
this exciting update about the modernized BOP program with their local owners and contractors so they’re aware
it will be available soon. Remember, options for training are good, so also please continue to encourage the
facilities in your area to add an “or” in their business rules when making decisions about awareness-level PSM
training, as this streamlines the worker onboarding process and lowers industry costs.

This modernization effort shows ARSC’s dedication to meeting workers where they are, making it easier for them to
access the training they need. Together, we can keep raising the bar for awareness-level safety training to ensure
the safety of our contractor workforce while helping industry save time and money. For more information on ARSC
or the Basic Orientation Plus, visit www.arsc.net.

Updated July 2024