Safety Knights

Have you taken OSHA 30 Hour yet?

I recommend joining if you can or even just attending the national safety council conferences and chapters. The state chapter conferences are pretty reasonable and generally, depending on where you live may only require a registration fee and gas and lodging costs if you are close enough. Check also with your work comp provider. They may have various webinars and seminars. They also many times have loss control folks who are great to lean on.

I'd recommend taking any of the OSHA courses (e.g., OSHA #7115) from any of the OSHA Training Institute Education Centers ( www.osha.gov/otiec ). If you're wanting something in-depth, I wouldn't recommend wasting time on OSHA 10- or 30-hour courses, as those are simply hazard awareness courses and don't meet any OSHA/regulatory training requirements - not something that's intended to provide in-depth knowledge of OSHA standards.

I will say the OSHA courses at OTIs are pricey, but they're "usually" very beneficial. I've had some hit or miss experiences, with some being really good, and some being a complete waste of time and money, so try to evaluate the OTI before signing up for a $600+ course.

I'd also recommend checking out your local trade and business associations, as some of them will offer safety courses. We offer courses through our local Chamber of Commerce (I think Tom Fitzgerald does, as well), as well as with our local SHRM chapter. Not sure what industry you're in, but AGC, ABC, and other local trade associations often have some helpful resources, too.

I have been an approved OSHA Outreach Instructor since 2012. Have taught over 500 students and about 50 classes. I would suggest for senior managers (your site EHS, HR, and Ops) 30-hour courses. For your Supervisors and Safety Team at least a 10-Hour course. What works very well for my customers is I come in and start a 10-Hour Course for all Staff, Sr Managers, Supervisors, and Safety Team. Usually about 20-25 people. After the 10-Hour Requirements are complete I do a "Boost" class with typically the Staff and Sr Managers. They do 20 more hours and get a 30-Hour class. There is a lot of flexibility as you can design the course for your business and have 6 months to complete it! I just finished at a small wood shop. I agree with Drew this is for "Safety Awareness".

For in-depth course you have several outlets. The OSHA ATOs are good! Some allow students from outside their geographic areas but some do not. They also all have their "special areas", things they seem to excel at. I live in WI. My ATO is at Northern Illinois University, the National Safety Education Center.

https://www.niu.edu/nsec/index.shtml

My ATO has most OSHA subjects but I rank them high in Machine Guarding (they work with Rockford Systems) and I hear they are good in Construction (1926), but I do not work in that one. The 7000 classes are the "in-depth courses". A few are web-based or online. Check out your ATO first at the link Drew gave you unless you are in WI, IL, or MN, then use mine You can check others. I have taken the Machine Guarding course with NSEC and found it useful.

Other sources are NCS as mentioned below. I am not certified but have heard ASP and CSP has courses. I know NFPA does for electric and fire and I have heard they are EXCELLENT but expensive. ACGIH can also be good. Some PPE manufactures are great too! Honeywell has excellent training in Fall Protection and PPE. One of the best seminars I was ever at was a "freebee" in Chicago offered by 3M on Hearing Protection!!! Also some of the electronic guarding companies like Allen-Bradley and Schmersal offer great stuff on Machine Guarding and Functional Risk Analysis (but sometimes you need to be an Electrical Engineer to understand it!)

Good Luck!!!

EHS trade magazines have some good topics for those newer to the industry. EHS organizations with local chapters are sometimes great for finding out things & networking.