Certified Occupational Health & Safety Specialist (COHSS)
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Course Description
The Certified Occupational Health & Safety Specialist (COHSS) course is a comprehensive professional certification program designed for safety professionals, occupational health specialists, environmental health and safety (EHS) managers, supervisors, compliance officers, and industrial hygiene professionals responsible for protecting employees and ensuring regulatory compliance across diverse industries. This course provides participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to identify workplace hazards, implement effective safety management systems, reduce occupational risks, and promote a safe and healthy work environment.Occupational health and safety professionals play a vital role in preventing workplace injuries, occupational illnesses, and environmental hazards. They evaluate working conditions, conduct safety inspections, investigate incidents, assess risks, and develop programs that ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, industry standards, and organizational safety policies. This certification prepares participants to manage occupational safety challenges in manufacturing, construction, healthcare, utilities, transportation, government, oil and gas, and other high-risk industries.
Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of occupational health principles, workplace hazard recognition, industrial hygiene, risk assessment, accident prevention, emergency preparedness, environmental protection, hazard communication, ergonomics, personal protective equipment (PPE), chemical safety, biological hazards, physical hazards, radiation awareness, and occupational disease prevention. The curriculum also covers safety audits, incident investigations, regulatory compliance, environmental management systems, safety leadership, and continuous improvement strategies.
Through practical case studies and real-world workplace scenarios, students will learn how to conduct comprehensive workplace inspections, evaluate safety performance, implement corrective actions, develop occupational health and safety programs, and advise management on cost-effective risk reduction strategies. The course emphasizes proactive hazard prevention, employee engagement, regulatory compliance, and organizational safety culture.
Upon successful completion of the Certified Occupational Health & Safety Specialist (COHSS) course, participants will have the expertise to lead occupational health and safety initiatives, improve regulatory compliance, reduce workplace injuries and illnesses, and strengthen organizational safety performance. This certification is ideal for professionals seeking career advancement in occupational safety, industrial hygiene, environmental health and safety (EHS), risk management, and regulatory compliance.
What You'll Learn
- Upon successful completion of the Certified Occupational Health & Safety Specialist (COHSS) course, participants will be able to:
- Design and implement comprehensive occupational health, safety, and environmental (HSE) management programs.
- Identify, evaluate, and control workplace hazards, including chemical, biological, physical, ergonomic, and radiological risks.
- Conduct workplace inspections, safety audits, and risk assessments to improve regulatory compliance and employee safety.
- Apply OSHA regulations, occupational health standards, and industry best practices to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses.
- Develop effective hazard control strategies using engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Investigate workplace incidents, determine root causes, and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
- Evaluate industrial hygiene risks and implement exposure control measures to protect worker health.
- Advise management on the effectiveness, cost, and continuous improvement of occupational health and safety programs.
- Develop emergency response plans, safety training programs, and employee awareness initiatives.
- Promote a proactive workplace safety culture focused on compliance, injury prevention, occupational health, and continuous improvement.
Who Should Attend
Supervisors & Managers Safety, Health, and Environmental Professionals Site Safety, Health, and Environmental Committee Members Training Managers Industrial Hygienists Individuals associated with the federal agency's collateral duty safety and health personnel
Certified Occupational Health & Safety Specialist (COHSS) Blueprint
1. Overview
The Certified Safety Health Specialist - General Industry (COHSS) blueprint summarizes the examination structure and core knowledge areas aligned to the IASHEP General Industry course. The source course emphasizes 29 CFR 1910 safety regulations and standards, OSHA policies and procedures, hazard recognition, workplace inspections, risk assessments, incident investigations, corrective actions, and safety program implementation.
2. Examination Parameters
| Duration | 4 Day course alignment |
| Total Questions | Standardized assessment |
| Question Format | Multiple-choice and scenario-based |
| Passing Score | Standard passing requirement |
3. Prerequisites & Qualifications
Candidates for this certification generally have responsibilities in workplace safety, compliance, supervision, industrial hygiene, facility operations, risk management, or program administration. Preparation should include:
- Familiarity with OSHA general industry requirements and 29 CFR 1910 standards.
- Ability to recognize common workplace hazards and recommend controls.
- Understanding of inspections, risk assessments, incident investigations, and corrective action planning.
- Practical experience supporting or managing safety and health programs.
4. Examination Domains
| Domain Name | Weight (%) | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1. OSHA General Industry Regulations and Compliance | 25% | 25 |
| 2. Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment | 20% | 20 |
| 3. Safety Program Implementation and Hazard Controls | 20% | 20 |
| 4. Workplace Inspections and Corrective Actions | 15% | 15 |
| 5. Incident Investigation and Prevention Planning | 10% | 10 |
| 6. Communication, Training, and Professional Application | 10% | 10 |
| TOTAL | 100% | 100 |
5. Domain Breakdown
Domain 1: OSHA General Industry Regulations and Compliance
Weight: 25%
Knowledge of:
- OSHA general industry regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
- 29 CFR 1910 safety regulation/standard structure and application.
- Regulatory compliance requirements for workplace safety and health programs.
- Use of OSHA standards as a guide for identifying high-hazard areas.
Domain 2: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
Weight: 20%
Knowledge of:
- Recognition of common workplace hazards including chemical, electrical, machinery, ergonomics, and environmental risks.
- Risk assessment methods for prioritizing hazards and exposures.
- Hazard identification, avoidance, control, and prevention concepts.
- Selection of practical control strategies based on observed workplace conditions.
Domain 3: Safety Program Implementation and Hazard Controls
Weight: 20%
Knowledge of:
- Implementation of effective safety programs and hazard control measures.
- Accident prevention strategies and corrective action planning.
- General industry safety and health principles as applied to real-world situations.
- Integration of safety procedures into routine operations.
Domain 4: Workplace Inspections and Corrective Actions
Weight: 15%
Knowledge of:
- Planning and conducting workplace inspections.
- Documenting inspection findings and identifying corrective actions.
- Evaluating facility, maintenance, production, and healthcare work environments.
- Communicating inspection results to supervisors, coordinators, and managers.
Domain 5: Incident Investigation and Prevention Planning
Weight: 10%
Knowledge of:
- Incident investigation principles and root-cause awareness.
- Corrective action planning following accidents, near misses, or identified hazards.
- Use of incident findings to improve hazard control and prevention programs.
- Follow-up activities to verify corrective actions are completed.
Domain 6: Communication, Training, and Professional Application
Weight: 10%
Knowledge of:
- Communicating OSHA requirements and safety expectations to workers and management.
- Supporting training, orientation, and safety awareness activities.
- Applying course knowledge immediately in workplace settings.
- Professional responsibilities for safety supervisors, coordinators, industrial hygienists, facility managers, line supervisors, and program administrators.
6. Additional Information
Course Alignment:
- IASHEP CSHS-GI course page identifies the course as a 4-day intermediate General Industry course.
- The course description identifies 29 CFR 1910 safety regulations/standards as the primary focus.
- The course outcomes include OSHA compliance, hazard identification, safety program implementation, workplace inspections, risk assessments, incident investigations, and corrective action planning.
Source: IASHEP course page, Certified Safety Health Specialist - General Industry (COHSS), accessed May 14, 2026.