Safety Certifications Without A Degree; 7 In-Demand Safety Certifications You Can Get
Safety certifications can be hugely beneficial in the workplace, not only because they qualify you to take on more specialized and higher-paid positions, but also because they help employers prove their dedication to the safety of their employees, clients, and consumers. However, there’s a lot of debate about whether or not you should have to get your certificate from an accredited college or university before you can use it to boost your resume and help you get hired. In this article, we will take a look at the top seven in-demand safety certifications that do not require a degree before you can get them (Safety certifications without a degree).
Safety Certifications Without A Degree — 7 In-Demand Safety Certifications You Can Get Without A Degree
OSHA Outreach Training
Program Purpose
The Outreach Training Program is a voluntary program. Its purpose is to promote workplace safety and health and to make workers more knowledgeable about workplace hazards and their rights. Outreach training does not fulfill the training requirements found in OSHA standards. Employers are responsible for providing additional training for their workers on specific hazards of their job as noted in many OSHA standards. A list of standards requiring training may be found in OSHA Publication 2254, Training Requirements in OSHA Standards and Training Guidelines [PDF].
Program Growth
The OSHA Outreach Training Program was initiated in 1971, and has grown significantly in recent years. The train-the-trainer format expands the reach of the program to increase training availability. Between FY 2016 and FY 2020, more than 5.21 million workers were trained in job hazard recognition and avoidance through the program.
Designed For Workers
The OSHA Outreach Training Program provides training on the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of workplace hazards. Outreach classes also provide overview information regarding OSHA, including workers’ rights, employer responsibilities, and how to file a complaint.
Program Benefits
Promotes safety culture through peer training
Training is intended to be participatory, using hands-on activities
Trainers are able to tailor the training topics based on specific needs of their audience
Outreach training content includes hazard recognition and avoidance, workers’ rights, employer responsibilities, and how to file a complaint; it emphasizes the value of safety and health to workers, including young workers
Outreach training is available in languages other than English (Spanish, Polish, etc.)
10-hour and 30-hour Programs
The 10-hour training program is primarily intended for entry level workers. The 30-hour training program is intended to provide workers with some safety responsibility a greater depth and variety of training. All outreach training is intended to cover an overview of the hazards a worker may encounter on a job site. Training emphasizes hazard identification, avoidance, control and prevention, not OSHA standards.
How to Find Outreach Trainers and Classes
Contact a local OTI Education Center
Contact an OSHA state or Consultation office
Selecting a Trainer
OSHA authorized outreach trainers are not OSHA personnel. Trainers are authorized (not certified) through this program to deliver Outreach training classes. Trainers are independent service providers and their schedules and fees may vary. OSHA recommends contacting multiple trainers to find one that best meets the student’s needs. Students may verify the status of an authorized outreach trainer. All authorized trainers must possess a trainer card which includes an expiration date along with the name of the authorizing OTI Education Center.
Outreach Training Program en Español
OSHA maintains a list of authorized Outreach Trainers who conduct 10- and 30-hour courses in Spanish at How to find Outreach Training in Spanish.
How to Get a Replacement Card
To obtain a replacement 10- or 30-hour student completion card, students must contact their trainer. The trainer will contact the authorizing OSHA training organization. Replacement cards may only be issued for training which took place within the last 5 years.
Delivered By OSHA-Authorized Trainers
Through its national network of OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers, qualified individuals can become authorized OSHA Outreach trainers. Authorized OSHA Outreach Trainers deliver 10- and 30-hour outreach classes to workers in construction, general industry, maritime, and 15-hour classes for disaster site workers. To become an Authorized Outreach Trainer, interested individuals must meet industry safety experience requirements and complete a training course in the applicable OSHA standards and a trainer course to become authorized. Trainers must attend an update course every 4 years. Courses are available through OTI Education Centers.
Prerequisite OSHA Standards Courses by Industry
#510 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry
#511 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry
#5410 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Maritime Industry
Outreach Trainer Courses by Industry
#500 Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry
#501 Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry
#5400 Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for the Maritime Industry
#5600 Disaster Site Worker Trainer Course
Outreach Trainer Update Courses by Industry
#502 Trainer Update Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry
#503 Trainer Update Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry
#5402 Trainer Update Course in OSHA Standards for the Maritime Industry
#5602 Disaster Site Worker Trainer Update Course
Outreach Training Program Trainer Resources
The OSHA website contains numerous training materials and resources, including PowerPoint presentations for construction and general industry. Trainers may also compile training materials from other sources to assist in delivery of outreach classes. Trainers are eligible to borrow audiovisual materials from OSHA’s Resource Center Loan Program.
OSHA’s Spanish Trainers & Training References website includes references and links to various resources for Spanish language training, including training materials and Spanish PowerPoint presentations.
Program Requirements
The OSHA Outreach Training Program requirements and procedures for trainers are updated regularly. All authorized OSHA Outreach Trainers are required to understand and comply with current Outreach Training Program requirements and procedures.
Trainer Compliance
Trainers who fail to comply with program guidance are subject to the program’s Investigation and Review Procedures. These procedures state that trainers may receive corrective action, up to and including revocation of their authorization to conduct Outreach classes.
A Watch List of trainers whose authorizations have been suspended or revoked is also contained at the program’s website. To report instances of program fraud or abuse, contact the outreach fraud hotline at (847) 725–7804.
Additional Information
For more information please visit the Outreach Training Program or contact OSHA via Email at Email the Outreach Training Program.
READ: Colleges/Institutes You Can Enroll For Diploma In Industrial Safety
First Aid/CPR Certification
Many employers require their employees to have CPR and first aid certification. The good news is that you do not need a degree to get certified! There are plenty of safety certification courses available online, and many of them are even free. Once you are certified, you can apply for jobs as a certified safety professional.
In addition to your first aid and CPR certification, consider adding OSHA’s Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) certification to your safety training portfolio. Once you complete an accredited HAZWOPER course, you can prove that you have been trained in working with dangerous substances on an emergency response team. Keep in mind that some states require all employees to be HAZWOPER certified.
Safety Trained Supervisor; Safety Trained Supervisor Construction; Construction Health and Safety Technician; Occupational Hygiene and Safety Technician; Safety Management Specialist (BCSP)
Here are other Safety Certifications you can acquire without a degree from BCSF (Board Of Certified Safety Professionals):
Safety Trained Supervisor: STS candidates often have safety responsibilities that are adjunct, collateral, or ancillary to their job duties. Their main job duties are in a craft or trade, a technical specialty, supervision, management, or leadership. Safety tasks often include monitoring for job hazards, helping ensure regulatory compliance, training employees in safety practices, performing safety documentation tasks, coordinating corrections for identified safety hazards within or among work groups, and communicating with safety specialists or management.
Safety Trained Supervisor Construction: STSC candidates often have safety responsibilities that are adjunct, collateral, or ancillary to their job duties. Their main job duties are in a craft or trade, a technical specialty, supervision, management, or leadership. Safety tasks often include monitoring for job hazards, helping ensure regulatory compliance, training employees in safety practices, performing safety documentation tasks, coordinating corrections for identified safety hazards within or among work groups, and communicating with safety specialists or management.
Construction Health and Safety Technician: The CHST is for construction job sites’ safety, health, and environment (SH&E) specialists. Responsibilities for SH&E may be all or part of a CHST’s job duties, which may cover one or more significant construction projects or job sites. Candidates may work for an owner, general contractor, subcontractor, or firm involved in SH&E and/or construction.
The CHST program recognizes that many employers assign responsibility for construction SH&E functions to those with very important roles in leading workers. Many construction safety practitioners use the CHST as a path to greater roles in SH&E practice.
Occupational Hygiene and Safety Technician: The Occupational Hygiene and Safety Technician (OHST) demonstrates your occupational hygiene knowledge and skills. Designed for safety practitioners responsible for industrial hygiene and occupational safety at a technician level as a primary or secondary component of their job duties, the OHST provides recognition of your expertise and an avenue for career advancement.
Safety Management Specialist: SMSs are experienced professionals with safety management skills which they apply on a full-time or part-time basis as part of their job duties. Some examples of an SMSs activities include defining and utilizing an organization’s safety management systems, risk management, incident investigation and emergency preparedness, maintaining current knowledge of safety, health, and environmental (SH&E) concepts, and identifying the business case for safety.
READ: 9 Schools Where You Can Enroll For M.Sc In Occupational Health And Safety
Forklift Certification
If you are looking for a job in the warehousing or construction industries, you will need to get certified to operate a forklift. There are many free safety certifications available that will still give you the skills you need to operate a forklift safely. These free safety certifications can help provide the knowledge and experience necessary to perform these jobs successfully.
You can get a forklift certification without necessarily having a degree.
Hazardous Material Awareness
Hazardous Material Awareness is one such certification that can be obtained for free from the National Environmental Health Association. This certification requires completion of an online course and passing a written exam.
The material covered in this course includes topics such as hazards, symptoms, identification, prevention, emergency response, monitoring and control techniques. Once you complete the class you are eligible to take the safety certifications exam to become certified.
If you are seeking hazardous material awareness certification, you can take your safety training online with NEHA. The course can be completed in as little as 2 hours and provides students with an industry recognized certificate of completion.
You do not necessarily require a degree to enroll for this awareness and training to get certified.
Hazwoper Awareness
The HAZWOPER Awareness certification is one of the most important safety certifications you can get without a degree. This certification will ensure that you are aware of the dangers of hazardous materials and how to protect yourself from them. The course is relatively short, and you can find many certified safety professional certification online. Plus, the course is often free with the purchase of safety equipment.
This certification is valid for three years, and it can be renewed. The course covers: HAZWOPER General Awareness Requirements; Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response; Toxic Chemical Information; Federal Regulations Handling of Hazardous Materials; Emergency Response Equipment.
Many employers and insurance companies will pay for HAZWOPER Awareness training. The course is also typically short, so it’s easy to fit into your busy schedule. This is an excellent choice if you are looking for free safety certifications that can boost your resume, but do not have time to attend longer courses like industrial safety certification. There are several other safety certifications that you can get without a degree, such as Chemical Hygiene or Process Safety Management.
READ: Free Online Safety Courses — Where & How To Enroll
Confined Space Entry Training
Working in confined spaces can be extremely dangerous, which is why it’s important to get the proper training before attempting it. This course will teach you everything you need to know about working safely in confined spaces, and upon completion, you’ll be certified to do so.
Confined space entry is an important job that every business has to do at some point, but it’s also one of the most dangerous tasks you can undertake as a worker. Confined spaces are hazardous by nature because they limit your ability to move around, and they can not be ventilated. Confined space entry requires special equipment and training, which is why people who work in confined spaces need to take special precautions when entering them and always ensure someone else knows where they are and how long they’ll be in there for.
You can equally acquire confined space certificate without necessarily having a degree.
Safety Certifications Without A Degree; 7 In-Demand Safety Certifications You Can Get
