Construction workers, especially trainers and managers, must be aware of Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) guidelines as well as those of other state and federal agencies. Students may learn about creating a safe work environment, preventing accidents, investigating injuries, promoting a healthy work environment, establishing high safety standards, training workers regarding safety and maintaining regulatory compliance. Programs include instruction in hazardous materials handling, building material assessment and general engineering standards and construction materials.
Colleges and technical schools offer degrees that incorporate coursework in construction safety in both associate's and bachelor's degrees. One-year certificates allow students to major in construction safety, but for the two- and four-year degrees, students more commonly must choose majors such as occupational health and safety and construction management. The certificates and degrees give students the information necessary to work in the risk management arena of the construction industry by creating a healthy work site.
Master's and doctoral programs in engineering and construction management often focus on construction safety within the coursework. Graduate courses that apply to safety issues include construction contract law, construction materials, construction engineering, project management, safety management, quality management and environmental impact. For example, the Master of Engineering and Ph.D. programs from Stevens Institute of Technology allow students to specialize in construction management. Courses require research on progressively complex issues to learn the material and develop real-world applications.
A construction management degree readies a student for a job as a project manager or owner/operator for a construction company of any size. This and other degrees such as occupational safety degrees also prepare students to work for OSHA or other agencies as site inspectors or consultants. Graduates may work as private consultants with engineers, government entities and large construction firms. They may inspect premises, advise builders how to comply with safety regulations and train others about occupational health and safety issues.