Construction safety officers perform a range of duties in many environments, including factories, sites, and offices. Their work is rewarding, pays well, and is a great option for those seeking a long-term career in a meaningful field. Here’s a practical guide on how to become a construction safety officer, including what the job entails, typical pay, and tips for success.
How long does it take to become a construction safety officer?
In the United States, becoming a construction safety officer typically requires 4-7 years of hard work and obtaining relevant certifications. The most common route is to combine a four-year bachelor’s degree with three or more years of on-site construction experience. The time frame may vary depending on your previous experience and certifications that may roll over.
The path to becoming a construction safety officer isn’t a short one, but experience and knowledge are necessary. These professionals and their expertise, site analysis, and decision-making could ultimately be the difference between an incident and safety on roadways and in the field.
Steps to become a construction safety officer in the United States
1. Complete a bachelor’s degree
A construction safety officer must complete a bachelor’s degree before obtaining certification. These degrees, typically in engineering, occupational health and safety, or construction management, will introduce topics such as quality assurance, construction safety, and the fundamentals of proper equipment use.
The curriculum might also cover site-specific training, as well as laws and management for a particular jurisdiction. Some programs even offer a major in construction safety leadership. Regardless of whether you opt for a highly applicable degree or not, safety officers should also study the OSHA standards and guidelines before beginning on-site work.
2. Achieve specialty certifications
While it’s not always mandatory, many construction safety officers choose to earn specialized certifications, such as resuscitation and first aid. These are handy for the resume, but also helpful in an emergency on the job.
Universities and colleges, as well as some states, may require specific certifications to become a fully licensed safety officer. Check with your particular state requirements to ensure you’re on the right path.
3. Get some experience, and get your Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) certification
Once you have your bachelor’s degree in hand, it’s time to get some on-site experience. This experience could be general construction work experience, and could be completed before you start your schooling. From there, you can apply for certification from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP).
The BCSP requires candidates to pass two certification exams. Once complete, you’ll be fully licensed as a construction safety officer. Again, depending on the firm and jurisdiction, you may be required to complete additional certifications, such as learning another language or obtaining a master’s degree in construction safety management.
4. Get your Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certification, and start training others
If you’re a practicing construction safety officer looking to train others seeking the same experience, you first need your authorization from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Before training can begin, you need to work as a safety officer for at least five years and pass two of OSHA’s courses. These courses help officers with site, roadway, field, and vehicle safety, as well as broader safety strategies, leadership, and management.
Salary expectations for construction safety officers
Like any career in construction, the pay for a construction safety officer varies. It may differ slightly on a state-by-state basis, but according to ZipRecruiter, national salary averages are as follows:
- Entry-level safety officer: ~ $50,000/year
- Average safety officer: ~ $65,000/year
- Experienced safety officer: ~ $100,000/year
If you work in a higher-paying state with greater construction demand, it could lead to a stronger salary. These areas include California, Arkansas, Arizona, and Nevada. If you specialize or become a training officer, you could also expect higher pay.
Your employer can also affect your pay. If you work for a larger firm with more involved, high-risk, and high-demand projects, it could mean higher compensation.
Tips for success as a construction safety officer in the US
A construction safety officer will gain all the education and experience they need from their schooling and work experience. However, if you naturally have a few of these soft skills, you may find the certification process easier. Work on or bring the following skills to the table for better success:
- Tech skills: If you are familiar with computer software programs and modern technology, the learning curve with digital tooling is less steep.
- Communication: Verbal and written communication are essential while working in safety. Being able to speak and write clearly means streamlined processes and better morale among workers.
- Observation and surveying power: If you’re naturally observant and can pick up major and minor details while surveilling a site, you’re a natural fit for the job.
- Brainstorming skills: Sometimes, navigating a particular safety issue requires some creativity. Being able to brainstorm ways to identify the problems by their root cause and find solutions is crucial for the career.
- Physical strength: Being a construction safety officer requires maintaining physical fitness. Strong officers who can handle intense situations and long hours find the most success in their careers.
Is a construction safety officer a good career?
If you’re passionate about workplace safety, coaching others, and using strategies to reduce incidents on the job, you might make a great construction safety officer.
Being a construction safety officer means a stable, growing career with competitive salaries. This role is well-suited for those who are proactive, detail-oriented, and highly communicative. You need to coach, problem solve, and be comfortable working in high-stress environments.
This career is in high demand, thanks to the growth in infrastructure and labor shortages. So, on top of a rewarding day-to-day, safety officers can also take advantage of the steady job security. If all of these sound great, the four to seven years of education might just fly by.
Final thoughts
If you possess strong communication and brainstorming skills, are willing to put in the work to earn a four-year degree and other certifications, and want career advancement opportunities, being a construction safety officer might be right for you.
It’s a rewarding job in a booming industry, which means you can feel valued and fulfilled throughout a long career.
If you liked this article on how to become a construction safety officer, you might also enjoy:
- How to become an HVAC technician
- How to become a land surveyor
- How to become a heavy equipment operator
- How to become an architect
- How to become an electrician
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