Registered Health and Safety Officer (RHSO)

Upon completing the Registered Health and Safety Officer (RHSO) program, participants will be able to:

• Manage OSHA 29 CFR 1910 and 29 CFR 1926 compliance for a facility or project site: understanding employer obligations, employee rights, recordkeeping requirements (29 CFR 1904), and the regulatory basis for each safety requirement the officer is responsible for maintaining.
• Plan and conduct systematic workplace inspections covering all operational areas, using structured checklists aligned with applicable OSHA standards, documenting findings with photographs and descriptions, prioritising corrective actions by risk severity, and tracking completion to closure.
• Conduct incident investigations from scene preservation through witness interviews, evidence collection, root-cause analysis (5 Whys, Ishikawa), corrective action recommendations, and management reporting, ensuring investigations produce actionable improvements rather than blame.
• Develop, implement, and maintain written safety policies, standard operating procedures, and safe work instructions that ensure compliance and communicate expectations clearly to workers and supervisors.
• Manage the facility PPE programme: conducting PPE hazard assessments per 29 CFR 1910.132(d), selecting appropriate PPE, managing inventory and distribution, verifying fit and condition, and maintaining the documentation that demonstrates compliance.
• Coordinate and lead the safety committee: scheduling meetings, setting agendas, facilitating discussions, documenting minutes and action items, tracking corrective action completion, and reporting committee recommendations to management.
• Implement and manage emergency action plans per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38: evacuation procedures, alarm systems, emergency communication, drill scheduling and evaluation, and coordination with local emergency services.
• Maintain OSHA recordkeeping and compliance documentation: OSHA 300 Log, 300A annual summary, 301 incident reports, training records, inspection logs, and the document management systems that demonstrate compliance during regulatory inspections and audits.
• Apply behavioural safety observation techniques, coach workers on safe practices, lead safety culture initiatives at the site level, and model the visible safety leadership that builds trust and reporting culture among the workforce.
• Interface with OSHA compliance officers during inspections: understanding the inspection process (opening conference, walkaround, closing conference), the officer’s role during walkaround, employee interview protocols, and post-inspection documentation and abatement management.

Core Modules

• OSHA Regulatory Compliance Management: 29 CFR 1910 and 1926 from the safety officer’s operational perspective, employer obligations, employee rights, and the compliance framework the officer maintains daily
• Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment: systematic hazard recognition, JHA, risk matrices, hierarchy of controls, and the hazard assessment process that informs every inspection and corrective action
• Safety Policy and Procedure Development: writing policies, SOPs, and safe work instructions that communicate requirements clearly and meet OSHA documentation expectations
• Workplace Inspection Planning and Execution: inspection scheduling, area-specific checklists, finding documentation, corrective action prioritisation, tracking, and follow-up verification
• Incident Investigation and Root Cause Analysis: scene preservation, witness interviewing, 5 Whys, Ishikawa diagrams, investigation report writing, corrective action lifecycle, and management reporting
• Emergency Planning and Drill Management: emergency action plans, fire prevention plans, evacuation procedures, alarm systems, drill design, evaluation, and emergency services coordination
• PPE Programme Management: hazard assessment, PPE selection, fit verification, inspection, maintenance, inventory management, and compliance documentation
• Safety Committee Coordination: meeting facilitation, agenda management, minutes documentation, action item tracking, and reporting committee outputs to management
• Behavioural Safety and Culture Leadership: safety observation techniques, coaching, positive reinforcement, visible leadership, and site-level culture building
• OSHA Recordkeeping and Compliance Documentation: 300 Log, 300A, 301 forms, training records, inspection records, and the document management that demonstrates compliance

• Safety officers and HSE officers seeking the “Registered” designation to advance beyond the “Certified” (CHSO) level
• Site safety coordinators and facility safety coordinators managing daily safety operations and compliance documentation
• Safety professionals in manufacturing, construction, oil and gas, warehousing, healthcare, and general industry who serve as the on-site safety authority
• CHSO holders seeking advancement to the Registered tier to demonstrate independent professional practice competency
• Supervisors and operations managers who have been assigned safety officer responsibilities and need structured training in the complete officer function
• Safety professionals preparing for or complementing the Certified Health and Safety Manager (CHSM) credential
• International safety officers from the Gulf region, Asia, and Africa seeking an OSHA-aligned registered officer credential recognised across 42 countries

• 2 or more years of practical safety experience is recommended
• The CHSO or equivalent officer certification provides an excellent foundation
• No formal academic degree is required
• All instruction in English; professional proficiency required

• CSSP: Certified Safety Supervisor
• CSHT: Certified Safety and Health Trainer
• CSS: Certified Safety Specialist
• CHSO: Certified Health and Safety Officer

• RHSO: Registered Health and Safety Officer — YOU ARE HERE
• RHSP: Registered Health and Safety Professional
• RSM: Registered Safety Manager
• RSP: Registered Safety Professional

Participants receive online training delivered through leading delivery platforms and the institute's Learning Management System (LMS). Training is provided directly by American Institute of Safety Professionals as well as through its network of Accredited Training Providers (ATPs), all backed by expert instruction and official study materials. Assessments are conducted online, and successful participants are awarded internationally recognized certificates.

To suit individual needs and schedules, participants can access training through the student dashboard and choose from a range of flexible delivery options, including blended learning, e-learning, remote and distance learning, and face-to-face instruction.