How to Become a Construction Safety Director

A construction safety director is responsible for ensuring that a construction site is safe and its employees are complying with Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) regulations. The director may provide safety training and visit construction sites to perform inspections. Many employers require their safety directors to obtain an OSHA certification. According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, the salaries of construction managers varied according to the nature of the project. The median annual wages in 2008 was $79, 860.

Instructions

1. Be detailed oriented and study math courses, since most to the job duties in involve cost estimating and financial management. Possess the ability influence others to create a safe working environment on the construction site.

2. Research universities and colleges that offer courses in hazardous waste management, inspection procedures, industrial hygiene and other construction methods. If possible, obtain a bachelor's degree in occupational health and safety. In addition, research college programs that offer certification training or a hands-on short course since many employers may accept this in place of a degree.

3. Apply for college internship programs that offer hands-on construction experience. Speak to an employment counselor who can advise which internship can help position you for a safety director job.

4. Prepare a well-written resume that includes your education job experience, any proficiency with software programs, such as Microsoft Excel, and any health and safety certifications that you have obtained. Include any apprenticeships on your resume as work experience.

5. Create an account with employment sites, such as Monster. Upload your resume and create a profile that includes keywords like, "safety director" or "construction manager."

Tips & Warnings

• Those who hold bachelor's degree in other fields may seek a master's degree in construction management to transition into this field.

• A safety director who has a degree in construction management can pursue a master's degree in business or finance to help advance his career.

• A safety director's job may involve traveling if the construction site is not local.

• The director may be responsible for multiple sites at one time.

• The director may be expected to be on call 24 hours a day including weekends to handle emergencies at the job site.

• The safety director's job may involve stress, since she is responsible for ensuring that the site is safe and no employees are prone to injury.

References

• Education Portal: Becoming a safety director
• BLS: Construction managers
• Salary: Safety director salary

Resources

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration