A CHST certification is issued after a written examination and after completion of an authorized training program. To become a CHST, the individual must successfully complete a CPR course and pass a proficiency test. The CPR course is usually offered by local community colleges. Completion of the training is not completed by applying for certification. Applicants who successfully pass the initial examination then must undergo an exam given by the Commission on Construction Health and Safety. The test, which may be multiple choice or a written exam, is to evaluate the applicant’s knowledge and skill regarding safe practices while working with equipment.
Applicants can take the exam through a CHST representative, the company that employed them or through the Internet. Online training is more accessible because it allows applicants to schedule classes that are convenient to their specific needs. There are no fees involved. On the day of the exam, applicants must arrive on site before the exam can be given and complete all tasks they are asked to do, within the designated time period. Upon successful completion of the CPR course, the individual will receive a certificate.
Becoming a CHST requires ongoing education. To maintain certification, candidates must successfully complete an additional eighty hours of training every two years. Online courses are recommended over classroom classes because of the flexibility it offers. Learning can be done at home or in the workplace.
Becoming a CHST does not automatically make you qualified as an LMSIS. To be eligible, you should complete the eighty-hour training requirement, pass the written test, and obtain certification. The certificate does not indicate completion of any specific course. However, most states require completion of a course related to construction safety. Individuals who are employed in positions requiring construction experience and who are also trained as a safety technician also hold the opportunity to get full certification. However, these individuals must complete and successfully complete the necessary state-approved training for the exam to become licensed.
An individual who has successfully completed the course but is not licensed in the field can still work as a CHST. Companies with construction health and safety departments are allowed to hire them as long as they meet state guidelines. Applicants must complete the necessary training and pass the state test before being able to work as a CHST.
After obtaining certification as a CHST, you can work in several areas related to safety. Construction sites, warehouses, welding shops, power plants, and manufacturing plants are just some of the places where you can work as a safety technician. As a safety technician, you will be responsible for providing workplace safety. You may be required to perform different tasks depending on the kind of job you’re working on. Usually, the tasks you’ll be performing include inspecting products for safety, inspecting the employees and equipment in use, performing basic first aid training, and providing instruction to the workers.
For many workers, the benefits of having a CHST in their name are worth the training, qualifications and testing. Workers who have been trained as a CHST are also given promotions and higher wages. Construction companies who employ CHSTs also see improvement in productivity because they are more aware of workplace safety. They are also able to learn new techniques and skills that they can use to do their job better. As a result, construction projects and employers reap the benefits of workers who have undergone specialized training.
