FAQ

The National Safety Education Center, or NSEC , is one of only 26 OSHA Authorized Training Institute Education Centers in the United States, and the only authorized provider of OSHA numbered courses in the state of Illinois. The NSEC is made up of two consortium partners -- the Construction Safety Council in Hillside, IL and Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. Our partnership serves the OSHA Region V communities of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin; and is dedicated to protecting life and promoting health through high-quality safety education and training.

The Construction Safety Council is a non-profit organization that operates with support from local trade unions and construction contractors. As Contributors, these groups provide direct financial support to the Council in order to receive affordable safety training resources. If you are a member of a trade union that is a Contributor to the Construction Safety Council or an employee of a contractor that is a Contributor to the Construction Safety Council, then you are eligible to register for classes using the discounted Contributor rate.

Yes, pre-registering for classes allows us to properly assign instructors and training rooms, gather the proper training materials, and order sufficient food. The sooner you can register the better. Registration also ensures classes don’t get cancelled.

Most classes have a minimum of 3 students and a maximum of 40. The 3-person minimum is a requirement for OSHA number courses, and helps ensure adequate instructor-participant discussions. Any exceptions to those minimums/maximums are listed on individual course description pages.

We never like to cancel class, however, if there are less than 3 people registered for any class, you will be contacted to re-schedule. OSHA regulations dictate we have a minimum of 3 participants in any OSHA number course. We apply that same minimum to all courses. Registration numbers are reviewed two weeks prior for all OSHA # classes, and approximately one week prior for all other classes. If the minimum number of registrations has not been met at that time, the class will be cancelled and you will be contacted to reschedule in the next available class. The best way to avoid class registrations is to register early 

The short version.... A Competent Person has the knowledge, training and experience to both recognize hazards on the jobsite, and also has the authority to take corrective action.  The employer and/or manager designates who the Competent Person(s) is/are. 

The long version....The term Competent Person is used in many OSHA standards and documents. An OSHA "competent person" is defined as "one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them" [29 CFR 1926.32(f)]. By way of training and/or experience, a competent person is knowledgeable of applicable standards, is capable of identifying workplace hazards relating to the specific operation, and has the authority to correct them. Some standards add additional specific requirements which must be met by the competent person. No amount of training alone makes you a 'Competent Person'. The Competent Person is designated by the employer and/or a manager. Often times there are multiple Competent Persons designated on a job site, specific to the tasks being performed and the location of the work being done. 

Absolutely! CSC training classes, even those labeled “for the Competent Person”, are open to any individual, whether designated as the Competent Person or not. 

CSC offers several ‘certification’ courses including ATSSA Flagger, IPAF Aerial Lift, CSC 145 Hr, and OSHA’s Construction Industry Public Sector Certificate. Please see the individual training course pages for additional information on any of these. If you have additional questions about certification courses, call 708-449-8604, or, complete this form and we will contact you. 

Yes. Private training classes can be held at the CSC training center or at your location. Call 708-449-8604 a private training class.  Or, complete this form and we will contact you.