Construction Safety Training

Our Top Construction Safety Certifications

Here at Hard Hat Training, we offer a large variety of quality construction safety courses.

• Certification is not always necessary or required, but is always recommended. 
• Construction safety can be best assured by proper training and preparation.
• Your employer is responsible for your safety and what training you receive.

Understanding Construction Safety

The construction industry is perhaps one of the most dangerous work environments in the world. Approximately one-third of all workplace injuries happen to construction workers. That is why safety is the number one priority for construction workers. 

There is a lot that you will need to know to stay safe, and this means a lot of different certifications achieved through training. Without all the right training, you are sure to make a mistake that will lead to injury. Take the story of Perry for example:

Perry was employed by an electrical contractor to help remodel a restaurant. He was working from the elevated work platform of a scissor lift to install electrical conduits above the ceiling. While working, Perry lost his footing and fell into the scissor lift’s chain gate in the bucket. The chain gave way, and he fell to the ground. A coworker called emergency services, and Perry was transported to the hospital. He lived, but he sustained multiple injuries that prevented him from working for a few months.

Perry made more than just one mistake in this incident. No single training would have been sufficient to prevent this. In fact, there are a few trainings that would have benefitted Perry and helped him prevent the incident. 

For one, Perry was working with a scissor lift. Had he been properly trained on using and inspecting scissor lifts, he would have learned that OSHA no longer views chain gates as safe enough, so they are no longer permitted. The chain gates should have been replaced with an approved gate before starting work that day. He would also have benefitted from training on fall protection, which he wasn’t wearing when he fell. 

As you can see, construction safety certification is crucial to doing your job right and making it home unharmed at the end of the day. 

Do All Employees Need To Be OSHA Certified?

OSHA requires employees to be certified for certain operations, such as operating heavy machinery and performing certain operations. For example, OSHA Requirements dictate that anyone working in confined spaces must be certified to do so. However, they do not require certification for fire safety. 

Even if OSHA does not require employees to be trained, the employer can still dictate whether or not training is required for their employees.

Whether required or not, being OSHA certified is beneficial because it makes you aware of what hazards you may face and how to prevent accidents. It also prepares you for the many tasks you may need to perform and helps you understand the risks associated with the equipment used around you. 

Do All Construction Sites/Companies Need A Safety Program?

A safety program is a document that includes all the safety requirements, practices, and policies regarding workplace safety. Safety programs are the best way for employers to ensure that they stay aligned with OSHA Requirements.

Employers over construction sites and companies are required to have a safety program in order to identify and safeguard against hazards. OSHA provides recommended practices and sections that would be good to include in an effective safety program, but it does not require employers to include all parts in their own safety program. 

Sometimes employers include in the safety program a list of all the training their employees have received. The employer may include a policy in the safety program that requires their employees to be safety trained and certified before beginning any kind of work. However, this is not an OSHA requirement.

Is It Worth My Time To Get OSHA Certified?

Because the construction industry has some of the highest number of safety hazards of all work environments, it will always be worth your time to become certified. Whether certification is required of you or not, safety certification that is aligned with OSHA can benefit you. 

With our courses here at Hard Hat Training, you can be assured that you have aligned certification for preparing to work in the construction industry. Not only is it accurate and reliable, but we have cost-effective course options for individuals and groups. 

What Safety Courses Should I Take?

The safety courses you want to take will depend on the kind of work your employer expects of you at your workplace. Generally, your employer should provide the training you need to do your job. There are certain trainings they may not require you to take, though, that could still benefit you. For more job application details check out our article What Should Be on a Construction Resume.

If you are starting a new job, or preparing to start a career as a construction worker, you should start by taking an OSHA 10 construction course. This is the best way to be introduced to the construction work environment and learn about the hazards and safety procedures associated with it. 

OSHA 10 and 30 Construction Courses

OSHA 10 Construction is a course intended for entry-level construction workers. It covers basic safety training and hazard awareness. Most employers of construction companies will require you to receive OSHA 10 training before working. 

OSHA 30 Construction is a course intended for supervisors or employees that have been given specific responsibilities to oversee safety in the workplace. It covers the same basic safety information but is more in depth and specific to their leadership roles. 

These courses can be obtained through a variety of sources, including the OSHA Outreach Training Program. However, we offer these courses here at Hard Hat Training in a variety of options, including online and onsite training. 

Certification Topics

As mentioned above, there are many different trainings available to construction workers that will help them be safe. Within that range of training, there are certifications to use certain machinery like vehicles and tools, and there are safety topics that teach hazard awareness and accident prevention.

Here at Hard Hat Training, we can provide you with the training you need. We will list and discuss our most popular construction safety certifications, but there is much more we have to offer as well. 

Heavy Machinery

Our heavy machinery courses provide construction workers with a general knowledge of the anatomy of the machinery, inspection practices, maintenance, stability, and proper use. All our information is aligned with OSHA and ANSI standards. Among our heavy machinery courses, the most popular are:

• Aerial Lift (MEWP): Mobile Elevated Work Platforms are used in almost all construction projects for reaching and working at heights. This training covers OSHA and ANSI standards regarding these aerial lifts, how to inspect them for wear, and how to use them safely. 
• Concrete Truck: Concrete trucks are used for carrying, mixing, and pouring concrete. They can be dangerous if not handled with proper care. This training will help you understand the limits, stability, and uses of a concrete truck (mixer) in accordance with OSHA Requirements.
• Excavator: These versatile machines are especially present in outdoor construction operations and can be extremely dangerous if misused. This training will teach you safe operation practices, common hazards, stability concerns, and more regarding excavators in accordance with OSHA Requirements. 

Safety Topics

Our safety topic courses provide you with information regarding common hazards and how to work with or around them. They teach you general information about the hazards, proper use and inspection of equipment, and safe practices. 

• Fall Protection: This course will prepare you for working at heights by teaching how to use proper fall protection equipment and systems. This training covers standards regarding use and the types of equipment that are accepted by OSHA. 
• HAZCOM: Hazard communication is especially important for workplaces with hazardous chemicals. This training will help you understand what hazardous substances and products are in your workplace and how to identify, classify, label, and handle them properly. 
• Fire Safety: Fire is a possibility at any workplace, whether hot work is involved or not. This course will teach you how to avoid and fight fires in case of a workplace emergency. Understanding fire, how it starts, how it spreads, and more will prepare you to combat it and save lives.

Our Popular Courses

Some of our popular courses for the construction industry are applicable to many different workplaces (check out our article How Do I Become a Construction Worker for more details on how to become a part of the industry). This makes them especially popular and worthwhile for all construction workers. You may consider being trained in these different areas even before you begin working in the construction industry. 

• First Aid/CPR: This course covers basic first aid and CPR training. You will learn standards regarding first aid equipment at the workplace, where to find it, how to use it, and what to do in case of a medical emergency. 
• Concrete and Masonry Construction: In this course you will learn the basics of chemistry behind concrete and the equipment used to make and handle it. It also covers the safe operations, formwork, and personal protective equipment involved with concrete and masonry construction. 
• Bloodborne Pathogens: Every workplace runs the risk of spreading disease and illness. Some workplaces, however, run a higher risk than others. This course covers what bloodborne pathogens are, how to avoid spreading them, and what to do if you are exposed to bloodborne pathogens. 
• Confined Spaces: Some workplaces require workers to enter confined spaces that aren’t necessarily made for human dwelling. These can be hazardous, and this course teaches you how to safely enter them and perform rescue operations if necessary. 

Who Is Responsible For Workplace Safety?

Your employer (the contractor in most cases) is responsible for workplace safety in the construction industry. However, there are certain employees that may have the responsibility of overseeing workplace safety. 

These employees usually require some sort of safety credential that is obtained outside of the workplace. This can be a class they have taken in safety training or a college degree in some relevant area. 

Some of the individuals or roles responsible for safety in the workplace include:

• Safety Training Supervisor: A Safety Training Supervisor (STS) is an individual who has been certified with the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). They have been qualified to monitor safety hazards, regulate alignment, and train employees in safety practices. 
• Certified Safety Manager: A certified safety manager is someone with the knowledge and skills needed to handle the safety programs, policies, and procedures of the worksite. 
• Competent Person: A competent person is someone that has been recognized for their experience and dedication to safety in the workplace. They have no formal certification but may be given safety responsibilities in the workplace by the employer.
• Qualified Person: A qualified person is similar to a competent person, but they actually have some kind of certification in their area of expertise or a safety training. 

Every employee is responsible for their own safety and for the safety of others. Make sure that you listen to whoever is tasked with ensuring your safety and be as safe as possible so everyone gets home safely at the end of the day. 

Trust in Your Certified Construction Manager

Your employer, a certified construction manager, has many responsibilities that are focused on maintaining safety in the workplace. Many of these responsibilities are mandated by OSHA’s General Duty Clause, which basically states that an employer must provide you with a safe work environment.

In a construction worksite, your employer will likely have many responsibilities, such as: 

• Train their employees
• Provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) for their employees
• Direct the work being done at the worksite
• Create schedules and deadlines
• Understand and communicate contracts and technical information
• Collaborate with other specialists at the worksite

Despite your safety certification, your certified construction manager knows best. Trust their direction, knowledge, and guidance. Check out our website for more safety training information and always, stay safe.