What does the day-to-day work of occupational health and safety specialists (OHSS) with a federal certificate look like?

ASGS specialists work in companies in all sectors or for implementing bodies such as SUVA, SECO or the cantonal labor inspectorates. In companies, they use recognized methods to ensure that the legal provisions on occupational safety and health protection are implemented and consistently complied with. To this end, they take appropriate measures and monitor their implementation. For example, they inspect the various workplaces, identify the dangers in the company and draw up plans for safety and health protection systems in the event of an emergency. Naturally, they involve the relevant stakeholders.

ASGS specialists also clarify, monitor and document occupational accidents, health problems and other incidents. To do this, they access, analyze and evaluate the relevant data.

Specialists in occupational health and safety persistently advocate ASGS topics with management and staff and carry out awareness-raising work. This includes, for example, the design and implementation of prevention campaigns as well as training and instruction.

Finally, networking, i.e. establishing and maintaining professional contacts, is also part of the everyday work of ASGS specialists. Sharing experiences with ASGS specialists from similar companies can lead to better risk identification and more effective prevention measures.

Specific activities are added depending on the chosen specialization:

• Specialization "Representatives and external advisors":Here, ASGS specialists advise the management on various ASGS topics and do persuasive work. They also ensure that the legal requirements relating to ASGS are integrated into the company's processes and that these are continuously monitored and adapted.
• In-depth study "Implementing bodies"Here, ASGS specialists inspect the businesses and play an important role in prevention and persuasion work. They can also impose measures for this purpose.

Specialists in occupational health and safety are of great necessity and importance for companies and the economy. With their work, they reduce occupational accidents and illnesses and thus ensure the health of employees and at the same time lower social security costs, which in turn has a positive impact on productivity and thus the Swiss economy.

Target group and skills: Who is the occupational health and safety specialist examination suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The ASGS specialist training course and the professional examination to become a "Specialist in Occupational Safety and Health Protection" are aimed at the following target group:

• Professionals in the field of ASGS (e.g. safety officers from all sectors) who wish to acquire in-depth knowledge and skills and document these with a federal qualification.
• Professionals with professional experience in the ASGS sector (e.g. operations manager, janitor) who would like to expand their career opportunities and prospects with the federal certificate.
• ASGS professionals who wish to take on responsible management tasks and assume a management role and/or venture into self-employment.

ASGS specialists should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Sociability
• Communication skills
• Sense of responsibility
• Organizational talent
• Effective, efficient and independent way of working
• Empathy
• Ability to work in a team

Requirements for admission to the professional examination for occupational health and safety specialists:

The professional examination "Occupational Health and Safety Specialist" can be taken by persons who meet the following admission requirements by the time they register for the examination (or the first day of the examination):

• Federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or equivalent qualification and at least three years of professional experience, including at least one year in the field of occupational health and safety

Or

• High school diploma, technical diploma, technical college certificate or equivalent qualification and at least five years of professional experience, including at least one year in the field of occupational health and safety

And

• The required 5 module qualifications or certificates of equivalence*

Do you have a federal certificate as a security specialist?

You will then benefit from direct access to the federal professional examination. However, it is advisable to study intensively for the exam or to attend a passerelles course offered by a training provider.

At least three months before the start of the final examination, you will receive written notification as to whether you have been admitted to the professional examination for occupational health and safety specialists. In the event of a negative decision, you will receive a statement of reasons and instructions on how to appeal.

You do not yet meet all the admission requirements?

Some schools are prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the professional examination for occupational health and safety specialists if you do not (yet) meet the admission criteria for the federal examination. In this case, it is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the necessary requirements by the time of the examination/registration for the examination.

Would you like to complete the preparation course without taking an exam?

If you would like to complete the Occupational Health and Safety Specialist preparatory course, but are not yet sure whether you really want to take the federal examination, this is possible at some schools. In this case, the admission requirements may vary from provider to provider. Even without the federal certificate, you will not end up empty-handed. As a rule, you will receive a course confirmation or a certificate from the school after completing the course. We recommend that you contact the school of your choice directly if you have any questions about specific courses.

* The following module qualifications are required for admission to the professional examination for occupational health and safety specialists:

Main modules (HM; all must be completed):

• HM 1: Applying the basics of ASGS
• HM 2: Creating and implementing health and safety systems
• HM 3: Conducting training and prevention

Specialization module (VM, one of the modules must be selected)

• VM 1: Acting as an occupational health and safety representative / external consultant
• VM 2: Acting as a representative of the implementing bodies

Elective module (WM, one of the modules must be chosen):

• WM 1: Implementing ASGS in a specific context: construction
• WM 2: Implementing ASGS in a specific context: industry / commerce
• WM 3: Implementing ASGS in a specific context: service

Subject matter and content of the training

The learning material in preparatory courses for the professional examination for occupational health and safety specialists (ASGS) is divided into modules, which in turn are divided into main modules, in-depth modules and elective modules. Here, candidates are taught the knowledge and skills that are then tested in the professional examination.

The following topics are covered in the individual specialist ASGS modules:

Main modules (HM):

• HM 1: Applying the basics of ASGSNetworking, communicating with stakeholders, developing your own skills, applying work techniques, managing projects, acting in difficult situations, applying legal principles.
• HM 2: Creating and implementing health and safety systemsExamination of applications in terms of ASGS compatibility, creation and updating of safety and health protection systems, carrying out risk assessments, creating an emergency concept, keeping statistics, planning and implementing measures, carrying out damage and incident investigations.
• HM 3: Conducting training and preventionDesign of prevention campaigns, implementation of training courses and instructions, processing of inquiries, development of information materials, provision of work instructions and checklists, sensitization of employees.

Specialization module (VM)

• VM 1: Acting as an occupational health and safety representative / external consultantAmong other things, anchoring ASGS topics in the corporate mission statement, providing strategic advice to the management, helping to shape the process organization, establishing contact with various authorities, participating in official inspections, inspecting machinery and equipment, monitoring third-party companies, ensuring infrastructure management, supporting the development of quality management.
• VM 2: Acting as a representative of the implementing bodiesPlanning, preparing and carrying out inspections, post-processing inspections, ensuring case management, drafting reports and rulings, processing objections, carrying out claims investigations.

Elective modules for specialist ASGS (WM):

• WM 1: Implementing ASGS in a specific contextConstruction: including risk assessment in the area of construction and mobile workplaces (occupational accidents, health problems, occupational illnesses in the construction sector), selection, implementation and monitoring of suitable measures to reduce hazards, organizing and monitoring construction sites and mobile workplaces in accordance with legal requirements to ensure operational safety, ensuring implementation of the Construction Work Ordinance (BauAV).
• WM 2: Implementing ASGS in a specific context: industry / commerce:including hazard identification in the industrial/commercial sector, selection, implementation and monitoring of suitable state-of-the-art measures to eliminate or reduce hazards, supporting the procurement process for machines, systems and installations from start to finish, organizing and monitoring workplaces for operational safety.
• WM 3: Implementing ASGS in a specific context: serviceAmongst other things, conducting risk assessments in the service sector, recognizing hazards and stresses with regard to the activities carried out, the work equipment used and the working materials used and/or produced, selecting, implementing and monitoring measures to eliminate or reduce hazards, recognizing the consequences of accidents and health problems along business management lines.

Did you know...

That the schools follow the guidelines of the BP sponsors when compiling the learning content for the preparatory course for the BP for occupational health and safety specialists?

The sponsoring body is responsible for periodically reviewing the professional examination and the requirements for occupational health and safety specialists. This ensures that the knowledge and skills imparted continue to be up to date, i.e. that they meet the requirements of the job market. This is one of several success factors for the good establishment and recognition of the professional examination and higher professional examination qualifications on the Swiss job market and among employers.

Costs and financing of further training, salary during further training

The costs of the preparatory courses for the professional examination for occupational health and safety specialists are determined independently by the educational institutions. There may therefore be differences.

The examination fee for the professional examination is set by the competent body for the federal examination.

In general, the following costs must be expected for the ASGS specialist training:

• Course feesYou will receive up to 50% of this amount back from the federal government after the examination upon application (regardless of the result).* In addition: If you pass the examination, you will receive a success bonus from the EKAS (25% of the course fees), which must be requested by the participants. You will find the relevant link with more information in the answers.
• Fee for the professional examinationCHF 2,000 (as of July 2023). Candidates must pay the examination fee as soon as they have received notification of admission.
• With some providers you have to payadditional costscalculate. For example for
  • the enrollment
  • the teaching materials and training documents
  • the internal tests or simulation tests
    
    We recommend that you contact the provider of your choice directly and ask what extra costs you can expect.
• Wages during further trainingThe Occupational Health and Safety Specialist training itself is not remunerated. Thanks to its part-time structure, you can also pursue a (slightly reduced) professional activity during the training and thus continue to have a secure income. This means that you do not have to fear any major loss of salary.

*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations (BP) and higher professional examinations (HFP) have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses will therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500 for BP, max. CHF 10,500 for HFP) of the course costs paid upon application after taking the federal examination. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contributions will also be paid out in advance.

Duration of studies, teaching times, teaching formats and learning effort

• Duration:The modular and part-time ASGS specialist training course lasts approx. 1 year (depending on the provider).
• Times:The educational institutions draw up their own timetables. Lessons therefore take place at different times depending on the school. There are both day and evening courses. In a day course, lessons take place all day. In an evening course, the lessons take place on one or two evenings. Depending on the course, lessons may also take place on Saturdays.
  Tip: Compare the courses offered by the various schools. You're sure to find one that offers lessons that can be optimally combined with your work schedule.
• Teaching formats:You can now choose from a wide range of teaching formats: Face-to-face teaching, online teaching, hybrid teaching or blended learning. You are sure to find a specialist ASGS continuing education course with teaching formats that meet your expectations and needs. Tip: In the answers you will find a link to a page that provides an overview of the different teaching formats.
• Learning effort:Thanks to the in-service training concept, you can apply and deepen the learning material in practice straight away. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.

Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere - both important aspects on the way to a successful graduation. Contact the school of your choice directly for a taster lesson.

Degree, diploma and title

If you have successfully completed all the required modules and also meet the other admission requirements for prior education and professional experience, you can take the professional examination for occupational health and safety specialists.

The final examination is held annually if enough candidates have registered for the BP. This means

• at least 50 candidates for the BP in German
• at least 15 candidates for the BP in French
• at least 5 candidates for the BP in Italian

It is up to the candidate to decide in which language he/she wishes to be examined.

At least five weeks before the start of the final examination for the ASGS specialist training course, candidates will receive an invitation with the examination program (time and place of the examination) and the list of experts.

The professional examination for occupational health and safety specialists lasts a total of 6 2/3 hours and consists of the following examination parts:

1. create safety and health protection systems (written, case work 120 min. and mini cases 60 min.)

This part of the examination consists of two examination items. In the "Casework" section, candidates work on a specific initial situation. This involves analysis as well as conception and application tasks. In the second examination item, "Mini Cases", candidates receive a description of a short practical situation, including a question, which they have to work on.

2. acting professionally in the role (written, guided case work (in-depth) 120 min.)

In this part of the exam, candidates are presented with a case that they are introduced to with a specific initial situation that they then have to work on. Topics may include the following: training, moderation or project management.

3. deal with challenging situations (oral, critical incidents, 30 min.)

In this part of the exam, candidates show that they are able to act quickly and correctly in problematic situations. To this end, they are presented with a practical situation which they must use to describe their specific actions.

4. convincing performance (oral, presentation 40 min., technical discussion 30 min.)

This part of the examination consists of two examination items: the presentation and the technical discussion.

At the beginning, the candidates are given a specific task for which they have to prepare a 10-minute presentation suitable for the target group. They have 30 minutes to prepare for this. The candidates then give the presentation to the panel of experts.

The presentation is followed by a technical discussion with the experts. In this, the candidates show that they can justify their approach and also develop alternative scenarios.

 

Diploma and title

Successful graduates of the professional examination receive the federal certificate and are entitled to use the protected federal title "Occupational Safety and Health Protection Specialist (ASGS) with federal certificate".

In French: "Spécialiste de la sécurité au travail et de la protection de la santé (STPS) avec brevet fédéral"

In Italian: "Specialista della sicurezza sul lavoro e della protezione della salute (SLPS) con attestato professionale federale"

The English translation is recommended: "Specialist in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), Federal Diploma of Higher Education" (this is merely a recommendation, not a protected title)