Safety Management Specialists must undergo thorough training in the principles of occupational safety and health. Usually, they receive a certificate of completion from a course or diploma program at an approved institution. Safety Management specialists can obtain certification in various areas through the International Health, Safety Management and Construction Accreditation Council (IHSC AC.) This global organization is authorized by the US Department of Labor to grant safety course certificates.
Becoming a Safety Management Specialist requires you to pass the IHMC AC certification exam. Although the exam can be taken online, most IHMC AC exams are administered in classroom sessions. After successfully completing the safety courses and passing the certification exam, your career as a safety management specialist can begin.
Obtaining your certificate as a Safety Management Specialist doesn’t stop at IHMC AC certification. You must successfully complete a specified number of hours of continuing education every two years. The hours must be related to the specific course of study you are completing. The number of hours is generally based on the number of years you have completed a course of study related to safety. Generally, it takes four years or more to complete a specialized safety course of study. Once you have completed the IHMC AC safety training program, you will be ready to take the licensing examination.
The next step in becoming a Specialist is to take the final certification test administered by the International Health, Safety Management and Construction Accreditation Council (IHMSAC.) This test is administered twice a year. To become a Specialist, you must achieve a score of at least 720 out of a possible 1000. There are a few different ways to achieve this score. The most common is by achieving an average rating of 7.5 out of ten. Once you have achieved this certification, you will need to take the appropriate continuing education classes in order to maintain your certification.
A further option is to enroll in a Specialist Safety Management course through the Institute of Chartered Surveyors of India or ISO. This is a specialized course that lasts only for one year. This option is a good choice for those who are working in an industry related to safety management or construction. It is a faster paced course but the subjects are generally easier than those in IHMSAC. The course will not grant a certificate but will allow you to fulfill the eligibility requirements to become a Specialist.
Becoming a Safety Management Specialist can be a challenging and rewarding career. There is a high demand for these specialists and the job outlook for this field is excellent. Since safety is required in all industries including construction, health care, manufacturing, transportation, communication, utilities, and government, it is important for companies to comply with these regulations. A safety specialist is responsible for maintaining or implementing safety programs that are related to their company. They are also responsible for evaluating safety programs and providing reports that detail how they have been effective and where improvements could be made.
Safety Management certification can be gained through several methods. Some employers are willing to accept on-the-job training, while others prefer to administer the course. For those who are employed in the safety management field but would like to pursue other career options, obtaining certification is the best way to fulfill the requirements for gaining a job related to safety management. Not only will your knowledge be sought after by employers, your certification will also show potential employers that you are committed to safety and will do what it takes to maintain it.