Essentials of Occupational Safety and Health

The Essentials of Occupational Safety and Health course from the American Institute of Safety Professionals builds on the Introduction to OSH by developing the core competencies that every safety professional needs to function effectively: systematic hazard recognition, basic risk assessment, OSHA standards navigation, workplace inspection methodology, incident investigation skills, and safety programme fundamentals. While the Introduction provides awareness, Essentials provides competency — the ability to actually perform safety functions rather than just understand what they are.

The curriculum covers systematic hazard recognition techniques (inspections, observations, JHA, process review), basic risk assessment (hazard identification, likelihood and consequence, risk ranking, control selection), OSHA standards navigation (finding applicable standards in 29 CFR 1910 and 1926, reading regulatory language, applying standards to workplace situations), workplace inspection methodology (planning, conducting, documenting, following up), incident investigation skills (evidence collection, witness interviews, root cause analysis basics, recommendation development), safety programme fundamentals (programme elements, documentation, training management, performance measurement), and professional development planning. All training is delivered 100 percent online through Microsoft Teams and the American Institute of Safety Professionals LMS. Upon completion, graduates receive a certificate, wallet card, and transcript, employer-verifiable at amiosp.com/student-verifications.

Upon completing this program, participants will be able to:

• Apply systematic hazard recognition: using multiple techniques (inspections, observations, JHA, incident review, process review, worker consultation) to identify hazards comprehensively rather than relying on any single method.
• Conduct basic risk assessments: identifying hazards, evaluating likelihood and consequence, ranking risks, and selecting controls using the hierarchy — the methodology that prioritises safety resources where risk is greatest.
• Navigate OSHA standards: finding applicable standards in 29 CFR 1910 (general industry) and 1926 (construction), reading regulatory language, applying requirements to specific workplace situations, and accessing OSHA interpretive guidance.
• Conduct workplace inspections: planning the inspection scope and route, conducting the walkthrough systematically, documenting findings with sufficient detail, and tracking corrective actions to completion.
• Investigate incidents: collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, applying basic root cause analysis (5-Why), developing recommendations, and writing investigation reports.
• Manage safety programme fundamentals: maintaining required documentation, managing training records, measuring performance (TRIR, DART, leading indicators), and the programme governance that demonstrates compliance and drives improvement.

Core Curriculum Topics

• Systematic Hazard Recognition: inspections, observations, JHA, incident review, process review
• Basic Risk Assessment: hazard ID, likelihood/consequence, ranking, control selection
• OSHA Standards Navigation: finding standards, reading regulatory language, applying requirements
• Workplace Inspections: planning, conducting, documenting, corrective action tracking
• Incident Investigation Skills: evidence, witnesses, 5-Why, recommendations, reporting
• Safety Programme Fundamentals: documentation, training records, performance metrics
• Professional Communication: report writing, presenting findings, recommending actions
• Professional Development: certification pathways, continuing education, career planning

• No prior training required
• No academic degree required
• All instruction in English; working proficiency required

Upon completion, graduates receive an American Institute of Safety Professionals certificate, wallet card, and transcript. Employer-verifiable at amiosp.com/student-verifications.

• New safety professionals developing core competencies
• Safety officers who need to strengthen fundamental skills
• Workers transitioning into safety roles
• Safety committee members who want professional-level skills
• Anyone who completed Introduction to Occupational Safety and Health recommended but not required

• Introduction to Occupational Safety and Health (awareness foundation)
• Essentials of Occupational Safety and Health — YOU ARE HERE (core competency)
• CHSO: Certified Health and Safety Officer (professional certification)
• International Diploma in Industrial Safety Management (academic diploma)