What can I expect to experience when taking the COSS course?

• COSS is a highly intensive, highly interactive course that focuses on providing individuals who are responsible for safety, the tools and techniques they need to make safety work for them. 
• The COSS program consists of 40 hours of hands on, face-to-face learning, which is delivered by an OSHA 500 and 501 qualified safety instructor. Case studies and workshops are used extensively to bring learning objectives into focus.
• Guest speakers from areas such as OSHA and other governmental agencies are used to enhance the learning experience.
• Students are scored on their daily quizzes, practical reviews, their 10 minute safety presentation that they develop and present to the class, and a comprehensive final exam. All of these things allow the students to demonstrate their competency in the class.
  
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What can I expect to learn in the COSS class, and are there any prerequisites?


The Course Outline shows what is covered daily in the COSS class.

The COSS Program has no prerequisites for entering, therefore, in each class, we tend to have a mix of non-experienced safety persons, as well as safety professionals who have been in the safety field for 20+ years.

But, we have learned that regardless of the number of years of experience our students have in safety, everyone leaves the COSS class with a wealth of knowledge! The Monday Morning Checklist is a tool our students use to reinforce and carry the learning back to work with them.  It gives a good insight as to what you should be able to do as a result of this training.

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Why should I become a COSS?

In today's fast paced and diverse workplace, the need for qualified people in the field that are trained in the basic essentials of safety and health, leadership, communication, and regulatory requirements is great. The COSS program is a solution to the increasing need for qualified safety professionals.

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Who should attend the COSS course?

• newly appointed safety professionals
• safety professionals who wish to learn how CFR's 1910 and 1926 relate
• first line supervisors who oversee multi-employer worksites
• safety professionals who want a current refresher
  
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What is the length of the course?

The course consists of 5-eight hour days, for a total of 40 hours. The class runs Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Students receive multiple breaks throughout the day, as well as a one hour lunch break each day.

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What meals, if any, are provided?

We encourage our training providers to make arrangements to provide daily breakfasts, light snacks, drinks, and other refreshments to students during the course of each day. We also encourage the training providers to provide at least one on-site lunch to the students to allow for student networking. At the Safety Council in Baton Rouge, we provide breakfast each morning, supply soft drinks, water and coffee, and host an on-site lunch on Friday. For your convenience, snack and vending machines are available on site.

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What is the format of the course?

• The COSS course consists of 40 hours packed with learning.
• Case studies are used extensively to bring learning objectives into focus.
• Speakers are brought in from OSHA and other government agencies to enhance the learning experience.
• There are two hours of testing and certification at the end of the program.
• For more course information, you may view the Course Syllabus.

Graduating students also receive OSHA 10-hour Outreach cards in Construction and General Industry.

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When and how do I receive my OSHA 10-Hour Outreach Cards of Completion?

Because the cards have to be requested from the authorizing agency, please allow 5-6 weeks to receive them. It may take up to 4 weeks for the authorizing agency to mail the OSHA cards to the instructor. Then, once the instructor receives the cards, he or she will process them and mail them to your home address.

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How do I maintain my COSS certification?

The COSS certification lasts for three years. In order for the certification to be maintained, certain requirements must be met. Read the requirements [pdf].

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What are the Fundamentals that COSS Addresses?

• Two of the fundamentals that COSS addresses are identification and mitigation of hazards and how to use the CFR's to address them.  Students are shown various scenarios during the course of the week and are trained to identify the hazards and potential injuries that could result from them.  Then they find what the CFR says about those hazards. From there, they determine what must be done to mitigate the hazards and how to communicate that information to affected personnel. 
  
  
• The COSS course addresses both the General and Construction Industry. Furthermore, it addresses the interface that General Industry and Construction have.
  
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What Standard is COSS Benchmarked Against?

In developing COSS, the highest of standards were sought to benchmark against. According to the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), the scope and function of the professional safety person fall into four broad areas.

• The document COSS vs ASSE Safety Functions describes how COSS addresses that standard.
  
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Who Recognizes COSS on a National Level?

COSS was audited by two independent agencies, and has received national recognition for its rigorous safety standards in both.

• COSS is currently 1 of only 18 programs in the world that is recognized and accredited by the American Petroleum Institute (API). COSS goes through a rigorous audit every three years in order to maintain API's stamp of approval.
• The American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) also recognizes COSS. ACCE is the certifying body for construction education for colleges, universities and technical/trade schools. COSS is the only non-degreed program to receive this national endorsement.


• Lastly, COSS has been established as a mandatory course for students in the Construction Management Program at Louisiana State University. We are in the process of bringing other universities on board to offer COSS as an academic course.


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Where can I take the COSS course?

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How do I register for the COSS course?

Each of the 13 locations nationwide complete the registration process in their own way. To find out how the location closest to you registers their students, please contact them directly. You may find thier Contact Information in the locations section on this website.

To register for a COSS class at the Safety Council of the Louisiana Capital Area only, you may either Register Online at the Safety Council Website, or download the Fax Registration Form. The Fax Registration Form must be completely filled out, signed, and faxed to 225-766-1099, Attention: Beth Gordon. When using either of these methods to register, a confirmation of your registration will be emailed to you.

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What is required for a student to receive the COSS Certification (i.e. pass the class)?

This course is designed to build core competencies in the field of safety for adult learners. In order to "pass" the course, an overall minimum score of 70% must be obtained in the course. Also, a minimum score of 70% must be obtained on the final exam. The following criteria will be used to asess your overall score.

• Homework is an integral and important part of the course. Readings and exercises are assigned after each class session.
• Daily quizzes that apply to assignments from the night before will be given each morning.
• Class discussions and exercises.
• A 10 minute safety presentation must be developed and presented for a grade.
• An analysis of a hazardous condition (Compliance Moment) will be performed for a grade.
• A final exam (with a minimum 70% passing score)
  
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What materials am I required to bring with me to class?

You do not need to bring any materials with you to class. Everything you will need will be provided to you on the first day of class in the student kit (see the question below). However, the use of a personal laptop for note taking and/or preparation for your 10 minute safety presentation is optional.

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The student kit, which contains the following items*, will be handed out on the first day of class:

• COSS Links Disc CD
• COSS Padfolio
• COSS Pen & Calculator Set
• COSS Copyrighted Student Workbook
• 29CFR1910 (General Industry)
• 29CRF1926 (Construction)
• COSS Student Textbook, Fundamentals of Occupational Safety and Health
• Each graduating student receives a COSS certificate mounted on a wooden plaque.

*Items may vary by region

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Who are the COSS Instructors?

There are 8 COSS Instructors Nationwide.

• Rightor Cobb, Certified Occupational Safety Specialist
  Safety Council of the Louisiana Capital Area, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Barry Bourgeois, Certified Occupational Safety Specialist
  Safety Council of the Louisiana Capital Area, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Jack Jones, Certified Occupational Safety Specialist
  Safety Council of the Louisiana Capital Area, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Ronnie Meyers, Certified Safety Professional, Certified Occupational Safety Specialist
  Safety Council of the Louisiana Capital Area, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Cathi Marx, Certified Occupational Safety Specialist
  Pacific Safety Council, San Diego, California

• Cait Casey, Certified Occupational Safety Specialist
  Pacific Safety Council, San Diego, California

• Jan Bellemore, Certified Occupational Safety Specialist
  United Safety Council, Orlando, Florida

• Robert (Bob) Momany, Certified Occupational Safety Specialist
  Safety Council of Northwest Ohio, Toledo Bend, Ohio
  
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Read more COSS Testimonials