Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation

WOSH Specialist Requirements

Workers interested in becoming WOSH Specialists attend a free 24-hour course where they learn key occupational safety and health concepts. They also learn how to take a leadership role in the workplace. The curriculum includes core modules addressing topics relevant to workers in a variety of California workplaces, as well as a series of supplemental modules covering specific topics and hazards.

The training program is offered in English, Spanish and Chinese and is provided free of charge. It is taught through a statewide network of trainers coordinated by the Northern California Resource Center at the University of California, Berkeley, and by the Southern California Resource Center at the University of California, Los Angeles.

The program provides training to workers who can take on health and safety responsibilities, such as serving on a health and safety committee or as a designated safety representative, and/or training other workers.

A participant in the WOSH Specialist Program will need to take 24 hours of training: six core modules (16 hours) and a minimum of three supplemental modules (8 hours). Descriptions of the core modules plus a list of possible supplemental topics are listed below.

Core Modules

• Module 1: Promoting Effective Safety Programs
• Module 2: Identifying Hazards in the Workplace
• Module 3: Controlling Hazards in the Workplace
• Module 4: Health and Safety Rights and Responsibilities
• Module 5: Workers' Compensation and Return-to-Work Programs
• Module 6: Resources and Strategies for Taking Action

Supplemental Modules

• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Chemical Hazards and Hazard Communication
• Communicating Effectively about Workplace Health and Safety
• Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders: Introduction to Ergonomics
• Joint Labor-Management Health and Safety Committees
• How Adults Learn Best: Sharing Health and Safety Information in the Workplace
• Workplace Violence Prevention
• Workplace Emergency Preparedness

A training program participant who successfully completes this training will receive a certificate of completion.

WOSH Specialists will be able to:

• Understand the importance and key elements of a successful injury and illness prevention program (IIPP) in the workplace.
• Identify a full range of potential hazards on the job and uncover root causes of injury and illness.
• Evaluate possible control measures for common hazards.
• Explain the legal requirements for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and support an employer's compliance efforts.
• Participate actively in injury and illness prevention efforts and problem-solving in the workplace.
• Serve as a health and safety resource for others, including co-workers, joint labor-management committees, unions and employers.
• Contribute to reduction of workers' compensation costs through promotion of prevention and early return to work.

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Materials for the Construction Industry

WOSHTEP NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT: Opportunities to Integrate Worker Health and Safety Education into Building Trades Apprenticeship Programs, March 2010 version

Construction Study Training Guide, 2012 version

Materials for Organizations Serving Individuals with Disabilities

NISH Occupational Health and Safety course flier version
A three-day course, adapted from the WOSH Specialist Course, offered to NISH-affiliated Community Rehabilitation Programs that serve and employ individuals with disabilities.

Awareness Materials

• Preventing Workplace Injuries and Illnesses – Awareness Session – English version and Spanish version
• Training Cards – English version and Spanish version

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Free safety training materials to use with your employees. Free tips on how to comply with Cal/OSHA's IPPP regulation. These materials help small business managers and owners to: Identify ways to prevent injuries in your workplace. Engage workers in your safety program. Meet Cal/OSHA training requirements. Provide short interactive safety training activities tailored to your business. By using these materials, your employees will be able to: Identify safety hazards in the workplace. Learn about and find solutions to hazards in the workplace. Contribute to a safe working environment.

General

• California Small Business Materials - Small Business General Health and Safety Materials (in English and Spanish)
• National Small Business Materials - English version

Industry-Specific

• Restaurant Industry - Small Business Model/Restaurant Materials
• Janitorial Industry - Small Business/Janitorial Materials
• Dairy Industry – Small Business/Dairy Industry

Small Business Flyers:

• Small Business Flyer - General
• Small Business Flyer - Restaurant
• Small Business Flyer - Janitorial

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Young Worker Health and Safety Programs

DIR is committed to providing necessary education and resources about health and safety requirements including employment rights so teens can be safe in the workplace.

• Young Worker Programs
• The Young Worker Leadership Academy Flyer version
  February 9, 10 and 11, 2012 at University of California, Berkeley
• Summary of Young Worker Leadership Academies, by year
  (Typically held in January in Berkeley, CA and February in Los Angeles)
• "Teens Speak Out About Safety on the Job: Lessons Learned from the Young Worker Leadership Academy," A Guide to Create Young Worker Leadership Programs in other States and Localities version

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Safety, Health, and Wellness Resources and Publications

• The Whole Worker: Guidelines for Integrating Occupational Health and Safety with Workplace Wellness Programs, 2010 version
• Letter To All Interested Parties from Christine Baker, Executive Officer, introducing The Whole Worker booklet version
• Heat Hazards in Agriculture
• Heat Hazards in Agriculture, A Guide For Employers To Carry Out Tailgate Training for Workers English version - Spanish version
• TEENS WORKING IN AGRICULTURE: Activities for High School ESL Classes, 2009 version
• Motor Vehicle Safety Programs Fact Sheet version
• Summary of July 16, 2008 Workplace Wellness Roundtable version
• Workplace Health and Safety Worker Training Materials: An Electronic Multilingual Resource List
• State, national and international safety and health training programs and resources

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Multilingual Health and Resource Guide

This Guide is a collection of links to worker training materials such as fact sheets, checklists, and other educational resources that are available online and can be printed to distribute to workers participating in workplace injury and illness prevention programs.

• About the Guide
• Multilingual Health and Safety Resources: Worker Training Materials on the Web English version
• Multilingual Health and Safety Resource Guide Flyer version

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Annual Reports

• WOSHTEP - 2011 Advisory Board annual report version
• WOSHTEP - 2010 Advisory Board annual report version
• WOSHTEP - 2009 Advisory Board annual report version
• WOSHTEP - 2008 Advisory Board annual report version
• WOSHTEP - 2007 Advisory Board annual report version
• WOSHTEP - 2006 Advisory Board annual report version
• WOSHTEP - 2005 Advisory Board annual report version
• WOSHTEP - 2004 Advisory Board annual report version

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News Articles and Related Publications

• California's Worker Occupational Safety and Health Training and Education Program: A model for other states. IAIABC Journal, 2005 version
• California group trains workplace health, safety leaders." SafetyNet, Bureau of National Affairs, Inc., No. 23, Washington, D.C. 2005. version
• Youth discuss policy and plan action at leadership academy." Bridges, Center for Occupational & Environmental Health (COEH), University of California, Berkeley, Fall 2005 version

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January 2012