Thirty-hour safety course for construction technology academic programs

Abstract

Construction safety is an important aspect of every construction project in the United States. Safety training is provided by construction industry companies for individuals involved with safety programs as professional development, non-credit courses, seminars and in-company training classes. The safety training industry is well established and active in all sectors of construction. Most construction managers have attended training to receive their 10-hour or 30-hour safety cards. Few programs exist in higher education where students receive a safety card, but the number of programs providing students with a safety card upon course completion is growing. At Mississippi State University, students in the Building Construction Science program obtain their 30-hour construction safety card in the third year program curriculum. Students learn about federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) construction safety requirements. They also write site specific safety plans to meet accreditation requirements through the American Council on Construction Education (ACCE). Attendance at 100% of classes is required to receive the safety card. Instructors teaching a 30-hour course must themselves meet OSHA training requirements and also attend update training every four years. The standard curriculum for a 30-hour course contains required and optional topics, and time durations. The course results in an awarded safety card, which assists students in gaining employment with the Mississippi State University Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) members, and can support academic program assessment. The additional costs for Mississippi State University in providing the certifying coursework for their students is nominal and the course can be used to enhance connections to industry for programs which require industrial advisory board or committees. This paper discusses the implementation of a safety course in a four year, technical, academic program. Instructor training required to teach the safety course, curriculum provided to students and other benefits of a 30-hour OSHA safety course are discussed.