School of Construction and the Environment

Construction Safety Officer Training

Construction Safety Officer, Knowledge That Will Save Lives

The area of safety in construction as well as other work environments has grown to be a viable career choice for many people.

BCIT's Construction Safety Officer Training can result in employment as a Construction Safety Officer and with additional training options offer advancement in the challenging and rewarding career of a safety professional.

Further training as well as work experience can lead the graduates to their Gold Seal certification.

The credits for CNST 1100 and CNST 1104 can be applied to the Occupational Health and Safety certificate program which is delivered through distance education.

Following the successful completion of the CNST 1100 course, students can join the Applied Science Technicians and Technologists of BC (ASTTBC) and apply for their Construction Safety Officer Certificate. The ASTTBC is the only professional association in the province registering CSOs. Only as a registered safety professional with ASTTBC will you have the sole legal right to use the “Protected Title” of Construction Safety Officer and/or CSO You have taken the training, why not earn the right to use the title and have every reason to be proud of it.

CNST 1100 - Construction Safety Officer Training

CNST 1104 - Fast Track to Safety

Course Outline
Lesson Plan (50 KB)

CNST 0101 - Construction Safety Officer Re-certification

For further information on safety training at BCIT please contact Paula Rossetti, Program Assistant, at 604-412-7564.

Construction Safety Specialist Training

In partnership with the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA), students of the CNST 1100 course have the opportunity to complete optional weekend courses leading to the Construction Safety Specialist (CSS) designation. Recipients of the CSS designation (with 5 years of construction safety experience) are eligible to challenge the CCA’s Gold Seal Construction Safety Coordinator exam.

To fulfill the CSS requirements, applicants must complete the CSS compulsory training and have a minimum of three years practical construction safety related experience (within the last ten years). Students without the required work experience should still consider taking the classroom training as they can apply to the BCCSA for the CSS designation after obtaining the required work experience.

The weekend CSS courses for CNST 1100 students are optional. They are scheduled by the BCCSA on the weekends, running Saturdays and Sundays 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

If you are interested in obtaining your CSS certificate from the BCCSA please visit the BCCSA website for information on the application requirements at www.bccsa.ca/CSS.

HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR A CSS CERTIFICATE?
CSS Certificate holders must show successful completion of the following 11 items listed. Note, successful completion of CNST 1100 qualifies individuals for 3 equivalencies – see items in blue.

WORK EXPERIENCE
1.	3 years of work experience in construction safety The BCCSA requires a reference letter from your employer(s) outlining 3 years of work experience in construction safety for a template reference letter.
BCCSA COURSES
2.	BCCSA Online Principles of Health and Safety Management FREE Online course – Register with the BCCSA for this course.
3.	BCCSA Foundations for Health and Safety Excellence Successful CNST 1100 students will be granted equivalency for this course by providing a copy (to the BCCSA) of their BCIT CNST 1100 certificate.
4.	BCCSA Principles of Injury Management This course can be added to your CSO training at BCIT as an optional choice. Otherwise students seeking CSS certification will contact the BCCSA to determine where in the province the course is available.
5.	BCCSA Train the Safety Trainer Successful CNST 1100 students will be granted equivalency for this course by providing a copy (to the BCCSA) of their BCIT CNST 1100 certificate.
6.	BCCSA COR Auditor Training This course can be added to your CSO training at BCIT as an optional choice. Otherwise students seeking CSS certification will contact the BCCSA to determine where in the province the course is available. Students taking this course will be required to identify a construction company to host their student audit.
OTHER REQUIRED CERTIFICATES
7.	Construction Safety Training System (CSTS) Contact the BCCSA for information on how to register for CSTS.
8.	Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Successful CNST 1100 students will be granted equivalency for this course by providing a copy (to the BCCSA) of their BCIT CNST 1100 certificate.
9.	First Aid (Level 1) or Higher First Aid is not offered by BCIT or the BCCSA. To complete this training contact a provider of your choice.
ASSIGNMENT
10.	A COR Audit Report This COR Audit Report is an assignment required of students who successfully complete the 2 day COR Auditor Training course.
11.	A Job Hazard Analysis using the BCCSA Assignment Document Copy of the Job Hazard Analysis Assignment.

BCCSA COURSE COSTS

If you work for a BC construction employer (that pays a construction rate to WorkSafeBC) you are eligible to obtain 100% of your money back for the BCCSA course fees, as per the following reimbursement policy:

All Sector 72 Construction, aggregates and ready-mixed course participants will be fully reimbursed by the BCCSA once they have successfully completed the course. Course participants who do not qualify under the Sector 72 Construction, aggregates and ready-mixed categories will pay the full price for the course and will not be reimbursed. For more information on eligibility contact the BCCSA.

Fee paying students will pay tuition of $50 per day (per course):

COR Auditor Training Course
$100.00

Principles of Injury Management
$50.00

Online Principles of Health and Safety Management
Free (Contact BCCSA to register)

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR THE BCCSA COURSES?

Advance registration is encouraged as this opportunity is only available at these reduced costs to the CNST 1100 students and a minimum of ten students is required in each class to proceed with this optional training opportunity. Registration can also be completed on the first day of the CNST 1100 course but earlier registration, if possible, is appreciated.

CNST 1100 students unable to take the BCCSA training during the time of their CNST 1100 course are permitted to take the weekend training with future CNST 1100 classes. Please note, this is not an option for students who have taken the CNST 1100 course prior to 2009.

For additional information regarding the CSS designation or to register for the optional BCCSA training please visit www.bccsa.ca or contact Isabel Angel at 604-636-3690.