Achieving Your National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO)™ Designation

The intention of the National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO)™ program is to combine entry-level safety training with an individual’s personal field experience. An NCSO is a valuable resource for a company’s management through the implementation and administration of its health and safety program.

Certification indicates that the participant has practical knowledge in various construction-related health and safety management skills and principles.

This program is recommended for health and safety practitioners who wish to complete primary professional training and receive recognition as an NCSO across Canada. You will find more detailed information in the Downloads section of this webpage.

Your Career as an NCSO™

Watch this video to learn from our community of safety practitioners what it means to earn your designation from the Alberta Construction Safety Association, and how a career as a safety leader makes an impact on the lives of construction workers everywhere.

The Steps to Success

NCSO Flowchart
Click on this thumbnail to view the flowchart

There are several steps to take to achieve your NCSO designation. First, you must pre-qualify and register for the program as soon as possible in your training program. Click on the flowchart below and determine your path to successfully achieving your NCSO.

To register in the National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO) program, submit the NCSO application form to ncso@youracsa.ca.

Acquired Skills

This program will enable participants to:

  • Assist management in the administration, implementation and maintenance of a health & safety management system.
  • Identify and review various health & safety concerns specific to the worksite.
  • Communicate effectively with government, management and workers regarding health & safety, on and off the job.

Contact Client Services in Edmonton, Calgary or Fort McMurray for course registration or click for online registrations.

An NCSO designation is considered to be an entry-level field position. Individuals with this designation may or may not have extensive safety experience in the field.

NCSO™ Program Outline

Compulsory Courses (11) Elective Courses (any 2)*
  • Alberta Legislation Awareness
  • Auditor Training Program (NCSO™ registrants must achieve Certified Auditor or Peer Auditor Certification)
  • Communication & Ethics for the Safety Leader
  • Construction Safety Administration
  • Contractor Management
  • Leadership for Safety Excellence (LSE)
  • Principles of Health & Safety Management
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) 2015 Train-the-Trainer
  • Worksite Investigation Basics
  • An industry safety orientation (any one of the following):
    • Construction Safety Training System (CSTS) 2020
    • Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
    • Electrical Safety Training System (ESTS)
  • Standard First Aid*, Mental Health First Aid**, or Mental Health & Wellness in the Workplace**
  • Alcohol & Drugs: Worksite Guidelines
  • Defensive Driving – 3 Demerits
  • First Level Supervisor Training Program
  • Ground Disturbance 201
  • Flagger Train-the-Trainer
  • Hazard Management
  • Scaffolding Awareness
  • Transportation of Dangerous Goods – Train the Trainer (TDG-TTT)
  • Working Around Powered Mobile Equipment (PME)
    • PME is now available in both vILT and on-demand format.

*Fall Protection and Confined Space Entry and Monitor will continue to be accepted as electives if accredited by ESC/OSSA.

New courses are being added and some existing courses are being revised, so please refer back to this page for updates.

To register in the NCSO program, submit the NCSO application form via e-mail: ncso@youracsa.ca.

Revised: Sept. 27, 2021