Safety training is a priority for construction contractors and oil sands companies in the Fort McMurray region. To work on an oil sands site, whether you’re a contractor or a direct employee, you’ll be required to have your Construction Safety Training System (CSTS) and Oil Sands Safety Association (OSSA) certificates.
If you’re looking for work, getting some safety tickets looks good on your resumé and can help improve your chances of getting hired. 
Construction Safety Training System (CSTS) – All workers on oil sands sites and all construction sites in Alberta require this safety training. It is a CD-ROM based course developed by the Alberta Construction Safety Association (acsa-safety.org) that takes no longer than five hours to complete. Contact ACSA, or the following local organizations, to arrange training:
Oil Sands Safety Association (OSSA) – Initiated by local oil sands companies, OSSA training is the agreed local industry standard. All workers on the major sites must have this training. It is available through the following organizations:
- Oil Sands Safety Association (ossa-wb.ca) – Start with their website. Others may provide the training, but it is through OSSA.
- Fort McMurray Construction Association (fmca.net)
- Alberta BC Safety Inc. (albertabcsafety.com)
- Canadian and Industrial Construction Training (cict.ca)
Other safety training, from Fall Protection to First Aid and more, is available locally. For a detailed list of safety training options, go online to:
The information in this issue of Labour Market News was current as of the date shown. Employment outlook, salaries and educational programs may change. Please verify the information with additional sources before making career or business investment decisions. Contact us for more information.
