Occupational Safety Consultants

Risk Management Services

Work Risk Free
Contact us today to learn more
585.703.SAFE (7233)
info@workriskfree.com

Onsite Training

Occupational Safety Consultants is one of New York State's most active training organizations. We provide a wide variety of onsite training for in general and construction industry. It is our ability and experience as trainers that set us apart from others.

We develop company-organizational-specific training programs, incorporating our client’s risk management processes. Then, we present the information in a manner that focuses on adult learners. The adult learning techniques we use are specially designed to reach the student. Our approach anticipates that the knowledge they acquire will help them understand safe behaviors and assist them in making smart choices.

Occupational Safety Consultants courses combine the following elements in the training process:

  • Lectures
  • PowerPoint presentations
  • Video with hands-on learning
  • Demonstrations
  • Role playing
  • Field trips
  • Performing experiments
  • Classroom discussions
  • Problem solving

OSC instructional methods are designed to reach both passive and active learners with the expectation that their understanding will not only mold their own behaviors, but also help them realize their role and responsibility in developing a safety culture in the workplace.

Onsite training and classes are designed for a variety of groups, including but not limited to individuals in a supervisory capacity, entry-level workers or any other relevant groups of employees.

General Industry

Onsite training and classes for General Industry cover the following topics:

* Available in Spanish.

Construction Industry

Onsite training and classes for the Construction Industry cover the following topics:

*Available in Spanish.


Aerial and Scissor Lifts
This course is designed to train employees on the specific equipment used in your workplace. A formal lecture, which identifies the hazards and controls of aerial lift use, will be followed by a hands-on session, in which students will be required to demonstrate their ability to operate the lift. Topics covered will include falls and fall protection systems for the lifts in use, working around overhead energized electrical equipment, operator inspection and testing of the equipment, and emergency descent procedures. This course is customized to the specific equipment in your workplace, which can include scissor lifts, aerial lifts, powered ladders, bucket trucks, and forklifts with personnel lifting cages.

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10-Hour Course—Construction Industry*

Our OSHA 10-Hour Construction Industry course provides entry-level construction workers general awareness to recognize and prevent hazards commonly found on construction sites. The training covers a variety of construction safety and health hazards, emphasizing hazard identification, avoidance, control and prevention. Our goal is to work with our clients to cover topics specific to the areas of construction that they are involved in and can include the following:

Mandatory topics (4 hours) include:

  • Introduction to OSHA**
  • OSHA Focus Four Hazards (Fall Protection, Electrical, Struck by, and Caught in/between)
  • Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment
  • Health Hazards in Construction

Plus, at least two of the following electives (2 hours):

  • Materials Handling
  • Tools—Hand and Power
  • Scaffolds
  • Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Elevators & Conveyors
  • Excavations
  • Stairways & Ladders

Plus, optional topics (4 hours):

The remaining 4 hours will cover other construction industry hazards or policies and/or will expand on the mandatory or elective topics listed above.

* Available in Spanish.

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30-Hour Course—Construction Industry*

Our OSHA 30-Hour course provides a variety of training to workers with some safety responsibility. In addition to emphasizing hazard identification, avoidance, control and prevention; the student will also be introduced to the OSHA standards. By introducing our students to both the common hazards found on construction site and the regulatory knowledge to remain in compliance, we reach our goal of providing students with the resources to be an effective safety and health manager on the jobsite.

Mandatory topics (12 hours) include:

  • Introduction to OSHA
  • OSHA Focus Four Hazards (Fall Protection, Electrical, Struck by, Caught in/between)
  • Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment
  • Health Hazards in Construction
  • Stairways and Ladders

Plus, at least six of the following topics (12 hours):

  • Fire Protection and Prevention
  • Materials Handling, Storage, Use and Disposal
  • Tools—Hand & Power
  • Welding and Cutting
  • Scaffolds
  • Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Elevators and Conveyors
  • Motor Vehicles, Mechanized Equipment and Marine Operations; Rollover Protective Structures and Overhead Protection; Signs, Signals and Barricades
  • Excavations
  • Concrete & Masonry Construction
  • Steel Erection
  • Safety and Health Program
  • Confined Space Entry
  • Powered Industrial Vehicles
  • Ergonomics

Plus, optional topics (6 hours):

Optional topics will cover other construction industry hazards or policies and/or will expand on the mandatory or elective topics listed above.

* Available in Spanish.

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Crane Hazards Management
Cranes represent some of the most unique hazards in the construction industry. Injuries occur due to a variety of factors including load placement and movement, overhead power line contact, caught in hazards, falls, crane collapse and structural failures. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 90% of fatalities working with cranes was a results of struck-by hazards, caught in hazards, electrical contact and falls.

This course is designed to assist supervisory level paticipatns in recognizing the hazards involved with crane use, control measures that can be adopted to prevent such exposures and promote an understanding of an employer’s responsibilities under OSHA’s new Cranes and Derricks Standard 29CRF 1926 subpart CC. This course will assist companies in complying with training requirements specified in 1926.1408(g), 1926.1410(m) and section 12926.1430. Topics covered will include requirements for ground support and site conditions, the establishment of electrical encroachment work zones, procedures to follow in the event of power line contact, requirements for protecting the swing radius of the crane, requirements for crane assembly and disassembly, crane operations and training requirements for operators, ground crews, riggers and signal persons.

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Electrical Safe Work Practices & NFPA 70
One of the four major exposures to injury, on construction sites, is contact with live electrical current. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, contact with electrical current accounts for four percent of all fatal injuries that occur in the workplace. NFPA 70E is recognized as the industry standard for best management practices to prevent these events. This class is designed for those individuals working with and around electrical systems. Discussion focuses on electrical safe work practices and includes a: (1) review and discussion of the effects of electricity on humans and electrical safety work practices including lockout/tagout; (2) review and discussion of NFPA 70E requirements, tables and requirements for voltage meters and test equipment; (3) review and discussion of required Personal Protective Equipment, Voltage Rated tools, their care and use; and (4) hands-on and table top exercises to demonstrate lessons learned.

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Excavation and Trenching Safety
Excavation and trenching are among the most hazardous construction operations. The fatality rate for excavation work is 112% higher than the rate for general construction. The OSHA Excavation and Trenching standard 29 CFR Sunpart P covers requirements for this type of work. This course will review key elements of the standard, discuss ways to protect employees against cave-ins and describe safe work practices. Participants will be able to:

  • Explain the different types of soil.
  • Understand the different types of excavations and techniques.
  • Describe the hazards associated with trenching and excavation and how to avoid them.

Excavation Competent Person Level
This course is designed to provide a thorough understanding of the OSHA standards concerning the safety aspects of excavation and trenching. Students are introduced to practical soil mechanics and soil testing methods through hands-on exercises. Soil types are defined and discussed in relationship to the stability of soil and the requirements for protective systems. The course will cover numerous protective systems, including sloping, benching, trench boxes and both timber and aluminum hydraulic shoring. 

Excavation Safety Awareness Level
This course is designed for students whose job requires them to work in or around excavations and trenches. The student is given a basic understanding of OSHA requirements relating to trench access systems, underground utility-location mark-out system, utility location, working around overhead power lines, protective systems, water accumulation and other common hazards that are encountered during excavation operations.

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Fall Prevention and Protection
Falls are the second leading cause of death each year. More than 10,000 people are killed each year and 200,000-300,000 people are disabled in someway. Upon completion, participants will be able to:

  • Understand OSHA’s Fall Protection requirements.
  • Determine the environments where falls can occur.
  • Select appropriate fall protection systems to be used.
  • Understand the uses of protective equipment to protect the worker and prevent falls.

Personal Fall Arrest Systems
This course provides an overview of state-of-the-art technology for fall protection and current OSHA requirements. Topics covered include the duties to provide fall protection, the principles of fall protection, the components of fall arrest systems, the limitations of fall arrest equipment, and OSHA policies regarding fall protection. The course features hands-on exercises demonstrating fall protection equipment. Upon completion of the course, students will understand the requirements for personal fall arrest, work positioning and fall restraint systems and be able to calculate free fall and clearance distances.

Fall Protection—Maintenance Personnel
This section will focus on the recognition of fall hazards that are common in the industrial workplace, how to control the hazards and an overview of the different types of equipment available for worker protection. This course is designed primarily for maintenance personnel who often find themselves working at heights. Special emphasis will be placed on ladder use, scaffolds, aerial and scissor lifts, and maintenance work performed on roofs. Upon completion of the class students will be able to identify fall hazards in the workplace and the appropriate fall protection methods to use including guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, fall restraint and work positioning.

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Flagger Training—National Safety Council
This course is designed to discuss the hazards associated with worker exposure to vehicular traffic and temporary traffic control. Upon completion of this course students will be able to recognize the need to use specified equipment when performing flagging responsibilities, correctly execute the stop/proceed/slow directions, set up a flagger station to maximize their own safety, the safety of their crew and passing motorists as well as perform emergency flagging. Students that complete the course will receive a certification of completion from the National Safety Council.

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Hoist Training

Hoist Training—User
This course is designed for operators of overhead hoists. Hoist safety training includes visual inspection criteria, safe lifting techniques, and overview of sling and other below-the-hook lifting devices and their uses. Focus will also be placed on periodic inspection requirements, mandated by OSHA and hoist manufacturers.

Hoist Training—Inspector
The course will consist of classroom lecture as well as hands-on training with both manual and electric overhead hoists. Not only will students perform the frequent inspection required each day before operation, they will disassemble and re-assemble both a manual and electric hoist, reset limit switches and learn how to properly document a periodic inspection.

Please note: Knowledge of reading wiring diagram is helpful, but not required.

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Ladder Training
One of the most overlooked and often used pieces of equipment in the workplace is the ladder. Each year thousands of accidents occur from falls from ladders, 50% of which result in lost time averaging around 12 days.

This class is designed to instruct students on the proper selection, set up, inspection, use and maintenance of various ladders found in the work environment. These include self-supporting ladders (step ladders), supported ladders (extension ladders) and fixed ladders.

Upon completion of this course, participants will understand the fundamentals of ladder use, fall protection equipment, and the hazards commonly associated with ladders.

The course encompasses both OSHA regulations as well as the requirements set by the New York State Code Rules. Participants will take a short multiple-choice quiz at the end of the discussion to determine their comprehension of the subject matter.

*Available in Spanish.

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Powered Industrial Truck (Forklift) Training
This course is for lift truck operators and employees who work in close proximity to lift trucks. Training covers the safe operation of the many types of powered industrial trucks that are used in the workplace. The trainer uses a combination of formal instruction (classroom), practical training (demonstrations performed by the instructor), and an evaluation of the operator’s performance in the workplace. Emphasis is placed where participants need it most—on the safe operation and maintenance of powered industrial trucks. OSHA standards are highlighted to illustrate the significance and application of key training points.

The training and evaluation will be specific to the equipment your workers use and can include the following vehicles:

  • Forklifts
  • Narrow-aisle machines—stand-up forklifts
  • Order-pickers
  • Industrial tow tractors
  • Rough terrain forklifts and lulls
  • Industrial burden carriers—scooters
  • Industrial floor cleaning equipment—sweepers & scrubbers
  • Powered and non-powered pallet jacks and hand trucks

Numerous topics will be covered, including:

  • Operating instructions, warnings, and precautions for the types of trucks the operator will be authorized to operate
  • Differences between the truck and the automobile
  • Truck controls and instrumentation—where they are located, what they do, and how they work
  • Engine or motor operation
  • Steering and maneuvering
  • Visibility (including restrictions due to loading)
  • Fork and attachment adaptation, operation and use limitations
  • Vehicle capacity
  • Vehicle stability
  • Vehicle inspection and maintenance the operator will be required to perform
  • Refueling and/or charging and recharging of batteries
  • Operating limitations
  • Other operating instructions, warnings or precautions listed in the operator's manual for the types of vehicle that the employee is being trained to operate
  • Surface conditions where the vehicle will be operated
  • Composition of loads to be carried and load stability
  • Load manipulation, stacking, and un-stacking
  • Loading Semi-trailers, railcars and freight elevators
  • Pedestrian traffic in areas where the vehicle will be operated
  • Narrow aisles and other restricted places where the vehicle will be operated
  • Hazardous (classified) locations where the vehicle will be operated
  • Ramps and other sloped surfaces that could affect vehicle stability
  • Closed environments and other areas where insufficient ventilation or poor vehicle maintenance could cause a buildup of carbon monoxide or diesel exhaust
  • Other unique or potentially hazardous environmental conditions in the workplace that could affect safe operation

Upon the successful completion of the training and evaluation, the operator will receive an Operator Card listing the vehicles that he or she has been evaluated as competent to operate.

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Qualified Signal Person (3rd Party Evaluator)
The most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 25% of all crane fatalities are a result of contact with overhead electrical power lines. Of these fatalities, those at greatest risk are workers on foot, touching or guiding loads or cables. These exposed workers, which are primarily made up of riggers and signal persons, account for more than half of the fatalities that result from electrical contact.

This course is designed for those individuals who will signal crane operators during lifting operations and ensure they are qualified. This course will assist with compliance of OSHA’s new Crane and Derricks Standard, specifically part 1926.1428. Individuals who complete this course will (1) know and understand the type of signals used including radio signals and standard methods for hand signals; (2) gain competence in the application of the type of signals used; (3) acquire a basic understanding of equipment operation and limitations, including crane dynamics involved in swinging and stopping loads and boom deflection from hoisting loads; (4) know and understand the relevant requirements of OSHA Parts 1926.1419 through 1926.1422 and Part 1926.1428. Participants will be required to demonstrate their understanding of these requirements through a written and practical examination.

Students who successfully complete the course and pass both examinations will receive a course completion card stating which types of signaling they are qualified in.

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Scaffolds

Scaffold Training—Competent Person
This class is designed for those individuals that will be considered competent people. The course focuses on the different hazards associated with both scaffold construction and use. Topics to be discussed include, scaffold construction, load considerations, proper access, fall protection and working around energized power lines. This one-day class will consist of classroom lecture as well as a hands-on lab where students will be required to participate in the construction of scaffolds.

Scaffold Training—User
This course is designed for employees required to work on scaffolds. Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to recognize hazards associated with scaffold use, including falls, scaffold collapse, overloading, improper access and working around or near overhead energized electrical power lines. Upon completion the student will be able to identify what measures must be taken to ensure their safety while working on scaffolds.

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Welding Supervision
This course is designed for individuals responsible for authorizing cutting and welding operations. Supevisory personnel will learn what is necessary to ensure a safe welding environment for workers, including the safe handling and use of equipment in the cutting or welding process, how to identify combustible materials and hazardous areas, how to protect combustibles from ignition and fire protection. Classroom activities focus on several areas, including fire hazards, fire watch requirements, hot work permit, health hazards, and welding in confined spaces. Hands-on activities, such as becoming familiar with welding equipment and their inspection, will be performed in the organization’s welding shop in conjunction with onsite welders.

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OSHA—10 Hour General Industry
Our OSHA 10-Hour General Industry course provides entry-level workers general awareness to recognize and prevent hazards commonly found in the workplace. The training covers a variety of industry safety and health hazards, emphasizing hazard identification, avoidance, control and prevention. Our goal is to work with our clients to cover topics specific to their industry and can include the following:

Mandatory topics (6 hours):

  • Introduction to OSHA
  • Walking and Working Surfaces, including Fall Protection
  • Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, Fire Prevention Plans and Fire Protection
  • Electrical
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Hazard Communication

Plus, at least two elective topics (2 hours):

  • Hazardous Materials
  • Materials Handling
  • Machine Guarding
  • Introduction to Industrial Hygiene
  • Bloodborne Pathogens
  • Safety and Health Program
  • Fall Protection

Plus, 2 hours for optional topics:

The remaining 2 hours will cover other general industry hazards or policies and/or will expand on the mandatory or elective topics listed above.

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OSHA—30-Hour General Industry
Our OSHA 30-Hour course provides a variety of training to workers with some safety responsibility. In addition to emphasizing hazard identification, avoidance, control and prevention; the student will also be introduced to the OSHA standards. By introducing our students to both the common hazards found in industry and the regulatory knowledge to remain in compliance, we reach our goal of providing students with the resources to be an effective safety and health manager at their facility.

Mandatory topics (11 hours):

  • Introduction to OSHA
  • Walking and Working Surfaces, including Fall Protection
  • Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, Fire Prevention Plans, and Fire Protection
  • Electrical
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Materials Handling
  • Hazard Communication

Plus, at least five of the following topics (10 hours):

  • Hazardous Materials
  • Permit-Required Confined Spaces
  • Lockout/Tagout
  • Machine Guarding
  • Welding, Cutting and Brazing
  • Introduction to Industrial Hygiene
  • Bloodborne Pathogens
  • Ergonomics
  • Fall Protection
  • Safety and Health Programs
  • Powered Industrial Vehicles

Plus, 9 hours for optional topics:
The remaining 9 hours will cover other general industry hazards or policies and/or will expand on the mandatory or elective topics listed above.

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OSHA 16-Hour Course—Maintenance Worker
Originally designed to be presented to college and university maintenance staff, this course has been adapted to facility maintenance and property management companies that often find that their jobs involve both maintenance and construction activities. This two-day (16 hour) course is designed to offer a wide variety of awareness training in general industry while highlighting common hazards in construction and understanding different ways to control or abate such hazards.

Topics include:

  • Introduction to OSHA
  • Exit Routes and Emergency Action Plans
  • Electrical Safety
  • Fall Protection/ Working Walking Surfaces
  • Hazard Communication
  • Machine Guarding
  • Hand and Portable Power Tools
  • Scaffolding
  • Welding and Hot work
  • Lockout /Tagout
  • Ladders
  • PPE*/ Respiratory Protection
  • Introduction to confined spaces
  • Excavation and Trenching Safety
  • Material Handling

Upon completion of this course each student will receive an OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Outreach Training Program card.

*Personal Protective Equipment

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Confined Space, Permit Required
Upon completion of the course students will understand how to evaluate and determine whether a space is confined space or a permit-required confined space. They will also learn to develop confined space entry and rescue procedures that identify the hazards of entering confined spaces in their workplace. Discussion will also focus on the importance of rescue procedures while working in confined spaces and help the audience evaluate the capabilities of their designated rescue team to respond to confined space emergencies.

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Machine Guarding
OSHA’s most frequently cited regulation each year is the general requirements for guarding machines. Students will be able to identify various machine hazards as well as the application of OSHA’s machine guarding requirements to specific equipment. The class will also discuss safe work practices when using various types of hand and power tools. Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to identify hazards associated with machines and proper guarding requirements to help minimize and eliminate worker exposure and injuries.

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Hazard Communication
Each and every day, workers in this country are exposed to thousands of chemicals in the workplace. Repeated exposure can have severe affects on the safety and health of employees. This class will focus on the hazards associated with the use of various types of chemicals commonly found in the workplace and controls to minimize employee exposure. By the conclusion of the course, the student will understand the need for a Hazard Communication Program, product labeling requirements and how to read a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
This course is designed to cover the different types of personal protective equipment used in the workplace, including safety glasses, hearing protectors, gloves, hard hats, respirators and safety shoes. Students will learn how to conduct a personal protective equipment assessment and will be able to properly select, inspect and use the forms of personal protective equipment needed in the workplace.

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Recordkeeping
This course is designed to assist employers in identifying and fulfilling their responsibilities for posting and maintaining OSHA’s records of illnesses and injuries. Practical exercises are designed to ensure that participants who successfully complete this course will be able to identify OSHA-recordkeeping requirements, determine if an injury or illness is work-related, and be able to complete OSHA's forms 300, 300A and 301.

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Qualified Rigging
According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 42% of the fatalities associated with crane use were a result of employees being struck by falling objects, primarily from the loads transported. This course is designed to discuss the use, care maintenance and inspection of various below-the-hook lifting devices, including alloy-chain slings, wire-rope slings, nylon and synthetic web slings, clevis, eyebolts, hooks, hoist rings and wedge sockets. The course encompasses both formal lecture and hands-on exercises to assist the students in the proper selection and use of lifting devices, as well as the various types of hitches and configurations to prevent unintentional load displacement. Students will be given practical and tabletop exercises consisting of load calculations, component selection and proper component use to demonstrate their application of the information learned.

Students who successfully complete the course will receive a course completion certificate.

Industrial Rigging
This course is designed to discuss the use, care, maintenance, and inspection of various below-the-hook lifting devices, including alloy-chain slings, wire-rope slings, nylon slings, clevis, eyebolts, hooks and plate grabs. The course encompasses both formal lecture and hands-on exercises to assist the students in the proper selection and use of lifting devices, as well as the various types of hitches and configurations. Students will be given practical examples to demonstrate their application of the information learned.

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Overhead Cranes
This course is designed specifically for overhead crane operators. Both formal lecture and hands-on training are used to discuss the hazards of overhead crane operation, operator inspection requirements, employer inspection requirements and basic rigging applications. The hands-on portion includes student operation of the cranes in your facility, including cab-operated, pendant, pulpit or remote control cranes.

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Welding/Cutting
This course is designed for individuals involved in cutting and welding operations. Students will learn what is necessary to ensure a safe welding environment, including the safe handling and use of equipment in the cutting or welding process, how to identify combustible materials and hazardous areas, and how to protect combustibles from ignition. Classroom activities focus on several areas, including fire hazards, fire watch requirements, hot work permits, health hazards, welding in confined spaces, and the safe use, handling and storage practices for various types of compressed gases.

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