What is the Certified Occupational Safety Specialist?

The Certified Occupational Safety Specialist is a globally recognised professional certification by the Global Leadership Institute (GLI), designed to equip professionals with advanced competencies in Security Management.

How long does this certification take?

The programme is 11 Weeks and can be completed at your own pace through our self-paced online option, or alongside live virtual sessions.

Is this certification globally recognised?

Yes. GLI certifications are internationally recognised and carry CPD credits, making them valuable for career advancement worldwide.

What level is this certification?

This is a Advanced Level certification, suitable for professionals with relevant experience or background in the field.

You can enrol by emailing info@certifications.ac, contacting us via WhatsApp at +254 722 223 084, or filling the enrolment form below.

Certified Occupational Safety Specialist in Burkina Faso

Executive Summary

Certified Occupational Safety Specialist

Designed for today’s high-impact professionals, the Certified Occupational Safety Specialist (COSS) delivers a rigorous Advanced-level curriculum that equips participants with the knowledge, tools and frameworks needed to excel in occupational safety, health and workplace wellbeing.

This 11 Weeks programme is structured around ISO 45001, OSHA and recognised occupational health and safety standards, ensuring every graduate applies internationally validated methods to real-world challenges.

GLI’s COSS holders are recognised by leading organisations across Africa, the Gulf, Europe and the Americas as qualified, results-driven professionals. Whether you are advancing your current career or transitioning into new responsibilities, this certification provides the competitive edge you need in 2026 and beyond.

Programme Overview

Certification at a Glance

Certification

Certified Occupational Safety Specialist

Acronym

COSS

Who Should Enrol?

Safety and Health Officers
HSE Managers and Supervisors
Site and Operations Safety Leads
Risk and Compliance Practitioners

Programme Inclusions

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

All study materials and study guide
Access to GLI online learning portal
Online examination and assessment
Digital certificate and digital badge
Physical certificate (shipped to you)
CPD credits for professional bodies
GLI alumni network membership
Facilitator and tutor support
Resource downloads and reference library
Automatic enrolment confirmation

Certification Benefits

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Career Advancement

Accelerate your career towards senior HSE and safety-leadership roles

Professional Recognition

Credential aligned with ISO 45001, OSHA and recognised occupational health and safety standards

Leadership Capability

Develop the strategic and operational skills to lead complex occupational safety functions

Organisational Impact

Design and implement occupational safety systems that drive performance and measurable results

Compliance Readiness

Master the standards, compliance and ethical governance central to occupational safety

Global Employability

Qualify for occupational safety roles across construction, energy, manufacturing, marine and industrial operations worldwide

Competency Framework

Core Competencies You Will Develop

✦Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

✦Occupational Health, Hygiene and Wellbeing

✦Safety Management Systems and Compliance

✦Incident Investigation and Emergency Preparedness

✦Safety Culture, Training and Behaviour

✦Professional Ethics and Governance

Course Curriculum

Programme Modules

Click any module to explore the detailed curriculum topics included in this certification.

Foundations and Strategic Context of Certified Occupational Safety Specialist

Certified Occupational Safety Specialist: industry context, trends and professional standards
Occupational safety and health principles
The business and moral case for HSE
HSE roles, responsibilities and competence
Legal framework and regulatory duties
Safety management systems overview (ISO 45001)
The hierarchy of controls
Safety culture and leadership
Ethics and duty of care
HSE as a strategic enabler
Career pathways and professional development

High-Risk Task Control

Permit to work and high-risk task control
Contractor safety and shared workplaces
The hierarchy of control
Contractor and client engagement
Building a proactive safety culture
Continuous improvement programmes
Integrity in reporting and investigation
Anti-corruption and honest compliance
Capstone scoping: a real HSE challenge
Hazard identification techniques
Physical hazards: noise, vibration, radiation
Exposure assessment and monitoring
Occupational diseases and prevention
Ventilation and exposure control
First aid and medical emergency response

Contractors and Shared Workplaces

Contractor safety and shared workplaces
Permit to work and high-risk task control
HSE legal duties and enforcement
Just culture and reporting
Risk assessment that changes what happens
Occupational health, exposure and health surveillance
Incident investigation and root cause
Emergency preparedness and evacuation
Safety culture, leadership and behaviour
Environmental management and pollution control
Measuring HSE performance
Wellbeing, fatigue and psychosocial risk
Fire behaviour and spread
Fire load and compartmentation
Fire risk assessment methodology

When It Goes Wrong

Incident investigation and root cause
Emergency preparedness and evacuation
Safety culture, leadership and behaviour
Roles, responsibilities and consultation
Safety culture and climate
Human factors and error reduction
Safety leadership and visible commitment
Motivation, recognition and consequences
Ignition sources and control
Human behaviour in fire
Fire safety in building design
Documentation and review
Fire detection and alarm systems
Portable fire extinguishers
Sprinkler and suppression systems

Measuring Safety Performance

Measuring HSE performance
Safety culture, leadership and behaviour
HSE legal duties and enforcement
Transport, driving and fleet safety
Investigation methodology and evidence
Regulatory notification and RIDDOR-style reporting
Near-miss and hazard reporting culture
Monitoring, sensors and wearables
Smoke control and ventilation
Passive fire protection
Emergency lighting and signage
Inspection, testing and maintenance
Standards and codes
System design principles
Commissioning and reliability

The Hierarchy of Control

The hierarchy of control
Risk assessment that changes what happens
Permit to work and high-risk task control
Worker and union engagement
Regulator and auditor relationships
Machinery and equipment safety
Working at height and fall protection
Construction and site safety
Emergency response planning
Evacuation procedures and drills
Fire wardens and roles
Incident command basics
Coordination with fire services
Post-incident review
Fire safety management systems

Risk Assessment That Works

Risk assessment that changes what happens
The hierarchy of control
Measuring HSE performance
Stakeholder mapping and consultation
Training and awareness
Regulatory compliance and audits
Continuous fire-safety improvement

Operations and Supervision

The vehicle sales process from enquiry to delivery
In-process quality control and inspection
Industrial utilities, energy and process safety interfaces
Analytical techniques and bias
Mineral processing and beneficiation
Outcome and process measures
Behavioural and process addictions
Preparing financial statements
Financial reporting frameworks (IFRS/GAAP)
Value addition and processing decisions
The business case for productivity, quality and sustainability
Productivity, collaboration and workflow tools
Process improvement and lean thinking
Productivity and efficiency improvement
The procurement cycle and operating models

Security Technology

Data-driven decision-making
Interpreting financial statements
Monitoring and evaluation with data
Integrated and sustainability reporting
Reporting quality and governance
Management accounts and dashboards
Scaling technologies and business models
Budget vs actual and variance
Digital and market transformation
Cost and profitability analysis
Baseline surveys and data collection tools
Data-driven growth
Customer data platforms and segmentation
Data quality, analysis and reporting
Digital advisory, e-extension and mobile services

Emergency and Incident

Crisis communications
Forecasting and planning
Data visualisation for finance
Emergency preparedness and response planning
Incident reporting and record-keeping
Risk response and contingency
Business continuity and crisis management
Emergency preparedness and planning
Crisis management and command
Emergency evacuation planning
Security risk assessment and proportionate response
Incident management and response
Data breach and incident governance
Crisis management and recovery
Emergency, humanitarian and constrained procurement

Personnel and Capability

Workforce management and scheduling
Leading service teams
Workforce planning and scheduling
Training and capability building
Team leadership in customer service
Team leadership in banking operations
Training needs analysis
Career and talent development
Capability and skills frameworks
Training needs analysis and learning strategy
Strategic workforce planning and demand forecasting
Knowledge management and capability building
Decision support and insight
Communicating risk to the workforce
Aligning teams around strategy

Ethics and Conduct

Anti-corruption and financial-crime ethics
Data ethics and customer privacy
Regulatory duty and accountability
Bribery, corruption and conduct risk
Ethics and independence
Ethics in communications
Ethics and professional standards in finance
Stakeholders, agency and accountability
Digital ethics and responsible AI
Ethics, confidentiality and professional conduct in HR
Data ethics, privacy and responsible analytics
Ethics and responsible leadership
Professional standards and ethics (CIPS)
Ethical and reputational risk
Ethics and professional conduct in security

Leadership and Command

Communication planning and management
Negotiation and conflict management
Escalation and decision-making
Team leadership and motivation
Project management software and tools
Portfolio and resource management systems
Document and configuration management
Programme management principles
Portfolio management and prioritisation
Value management and business value
Communicating financial results
Sales performance and pipeline management
Liquidity and funding management
Investment portfolio management
Thought leadership

Communication and Reporting

Integrated marketing communications
Dashboards and performance reporting
Professional presentation and pitching
Reporting to leadership
Media and public communication
Facilitation, training and public presentation skills
Communicating technical information to diverse audiences
Professional report writing and presentation
Communication and interpersonal skills
Influencing and presenting insights
Integrated marketing communications (IMC)
Transaction monitoring and suspicious reporting
Regulatory reporting and audits
Control monitoring and reporting
Stakeholder communications

Stakeholders and Liaison

Legal and regulatory responsibility
Categories of spend and stakeholders
Corporate responsibility and community
Working with police, regulators and the justice system
Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic approaches
Client feedback and satisfaction
The project environment and stakeholders
Stakeholder and sponsor management
Compliance and regulatory projects
Stakeholder rights and fair treatment
Delivery, quality and stakeholder plan
Stakeholders and users of financial information
The regulatory and legal environment
Trends: ESG, transparency and stakeholder capitalism
Shareholder and stakeholder rights

Cost, Assets and Loss

Options appraisal and cost-benefit
The employee lifecycle and HR value chain
HR's role in culture, values and employer brand
Cost of accidents and prevention value
Legal, cost and feasibility analysis
Values, purpose and authentic leadership
Procurement and supply chain: scope and value
Make-versus-buy and total cost of ownership
Cost and price analysis
Supplier financial and operational risk
Total cost of ownership versus purchase price
Customer lifetime value and profitability
Carbon markets and climate finance
Farm profitability, costing and gross margins
Agricultural finance and credit for farmers

Data and Intelligence

Evidence-based improvement
Evidence-based practice
Evidence-based practice and research literacy
Psychometric and screening tools
Attachment and developmental theory
Professional roles, boundaries and settings
Ethical principles and codes of practice
Project KPIs and performance metrics
Quality and delivery metrics
Agile metrics and velocity
Project data, reporting and analytics
Web, campaign and funnel analytics
Sales analytics and forecasting tools
Competitive and market intelligence
Managing boundaries and dual relationships

Planning and Design

Voice of the customer programmes
Design thinking for service
Loyalty programmes and rewards
Leading service projects and change
Leading banking projects and change
Designing a banking solution or process
Customer journey and experience design
Development banking and project finance
Risk-based audit planning
Tender planning and documentation
Instructional design models (ADDIE, SAM)
Projects, programmes and portfolios
Project management standards (PMI, PRINCE2)
Project roles and the project manager
Project governance and assurance

People Risk

The customer experience (CX) discipline
Employee experience and engagement
Customer and employee satisfaction
Employee engagement models and drivers
NGO financial management and budget-versus-actual discipline
Employee engagement and what actually drives it
Employee relations, discipline and fair process
Communications and coordination
Travel risk management
Coordination with teams and agencies
Programme governance

Audit and Standards

Sustainability certification and standards
Roles, standards and professional conduct
Governance of service standards
Quality monitoring and coaching
Continuous improvement in service
Driving measurable service improvement
Designing a service or experience improvement
Coaching and quality monitoring
Service quality and turnaround metrics
Continuous improvement and lean banking
Driving measurable banking improvement
Quality assurance of audit
Assurance engagements and standards
Audit risk and materiality
Continuous improvement of delivery

Health and Safety

Public health programmes: prevention and outreach
Peer support and consultation
Healthcare quality, safety and accreditation
Health financing: budgets, insurance and out-of-pocket realities
Procurement and stock management for health commodities
Working with organisations on wellbeing
Risk assessment and safety planning
Wellbeing and resilience coaching
Health, safety and compliance in delivery
Brand safety and responsible marketing
Customer and brand health metrics
Sustaining ethical, effective practice
Ethical frameworks and codes of practice
Complaints, accountability and fitness to practise
Health records, data and confidentiality

International Context

Cross-border data and transfers
Key global frameworks: FAO, GlobalG.A.P., SDGs and national strategies
Leadership and management development
Supply analysis, gaps and scenario planning
Succession planning and talent pipelines
Reward strategy and total reward frameworks
Continuous feedback and performance conversations
Workforce planning and the capability gap
Performance management that changes behaviour
Employment compliance and the HR risk agenda
Inclusion and the fairness of people decisions

Change and Modernisation

Baseline setting and change control
Sales and marketing transformation
Measuring growth and transformation impact
Patching and change management
Soil chemistry, pH and cation exchange capacity
Behaviour change and adoption of innovations
Customer experience transformation
Measuring CX transformation impact
Digital transformation in banking
Foreign exchange and treasury operations
Technology governance and change control
Foreign exchange and hedging
The finance function and digital transformation
Lessons learned and development
Driving effective, ethical outcomes

Service and Public Interface

Customer retention in the vehicle ownership cycle
Service quality and the passenger experience in transport
Tariffs, regulation and the economics of essential services
Customer loyalty and repeat purchase in retail
Telecom products, tariffs and customer lifecycles
Psychoeducation and public communication
Customer personas and insight
The marketing concept and customer orientation
Market and customer analysis
Building strategic customer relationships
Customer success and retention
Customer service technology stack
Social media customer care
Unified customer view
Emerging service technologies

Records and Procedure

Record-keeping and data protection
Data, records and confidentiality tech
Lessons learned and knowledge management
Professional documentation and presentation
Agri-enterprise planning and farm records
Process and control documentation
Information lifecycle and records management
Vehicle documentation, compliance and consumer protection
Designing and facilitating groups
Psychoeducation and workshops
Business case and strategic alignment

Strategy and Governance

Key account management strategy
Translating insight into strategy
Policy, institutions and the enabling environment for agriculture
Organic, inorganic and biological fertiliser strategies
Advocacy and policy engagement
Designing an intervention or programme
Professional case study and presentation
Customer service and CX strategy
Governance of the CX programme
Sustaining strategic customer focus
Customer experience strategy
Dashboards, reporting and the metric that misleads
NGO governance, boards and registration
Policy administration and customer service in insurance
Manufacturing strategies: make-to-stock, make-to-order and batch versus flow

Contractors and Supply

Contractor and visitor safety
Procurement’s contribution to organisational strategy
Public versus private procurement
Supply markets and the enabling environment
Digital procurement and the future of the profession
Supply chain risk identification and mapping
Sustainable procurement principles and standards
Fair trade and responsible supply
Procurement fraud, collusion and bid rigging
Vendor selection and managing technology suppliers
Procurement and asset management under donor rules
Vendor, venue and supplier contracting for events
Water supply systems: sources, treatment and distribution
Goal setting and contracting
Subcontractor and supplier management

HSE Practice

Control environment and risk assessment
Fraud risk and controls
Environmental governance and climate risk
Safety communication and campaigns
Influencing and safety leadership
Wellbeing and holistic health strategy
Confidentiality and health data
Sustainability and environmental duty
Driving measurable safety improvement
Environmental management systems (ISO 14001)
Environmental legal compliance
Access control, screening and visitor management
Event risk, safety and contingency planning
Ground control and strata management
Mine water, tailings and environmental management

Risk and Resilience

Continuous risk monitoring
Business continuity and resilience
Threat and risk assessment for principals
How insurance works: risk pooling and the value chain
Underwriting principles and risk selection
Duty of care and risk management
Managing risk and difficult cases
Ethical, risk and feasibility considerations
Project management maturity assessment
Financial risk in projects
Risk identification and analysis
Business continuity and recovery
Resilience, wellbeing and stress management
Treatment planning and review
Contract types and risk allocation

Legal and Regulatory

Comparable sales analysis and market evidence
Grant compliance and restricted funding management
Insurance regulation and consumer protection
Regulation of transport: authorities, conventions and licensing
Regulation, ethics and misinformation in media and telecoms
Managing complexity and comorbidity
Workplace and organisational contexts
Legal responsibilities and professional bodies
Change talk and readiness
Regulatory compliance and market requirements
Regulatory and fair-treatment obligations
Compliance frameworks and programmes
Compliance monitoring and testing
Legal and other requirements
Compliance monitoring and enforcement

Learning Outcomes

What You Will Achieve

Establish a comprehensive understanding of Certified Occupational Safety Specialist principles aligned with ISO 45001, OSHA and recognised occupational health and safety standards
Apply evidence-based methods to improve occupational safety, health and workplace wellbeing
Master hazard identification and risk assessment and occupational health, hygiene and wellbeing
Apply safety management systems and compliance and incident investigation and emergency preparedness in real-world settings
Lead risk management, quality and compliance relevant to your field
Design stakeholder engagement and professional communication strategies
Use data-driven decision-making and performance-measurement tools effectively
Apply internationally recognised best practice to advance your career in occupational safety

Enrolment Process

How to Get Certified

🎯

Step 1: Choose Your Certification

You are viewing Certified Occupational Safety Specialist — one of GLI's 1,990+ globally recognised professional certifications.

💳

Step 2: Enrol & Pay Online — Instantly

Click Enrol & Study Online to register and pay securely via Paystack, Visa, Mastercard, M-Pesa or bank transfer. Access is granted the moment payment is confirmed.

📚

Step 3: Study in the GLI Learning Portal

Work through 30 structured modules and 150 lessons at your own pace, with downloadable resources and expert-designed content — all inside the LMS.

🎓

Step 4: Pass, Get Certified & Verified

Sit your final examination online, earn your certificate instantly, and receive a globally verifiable Certificate ID — plus GLI Alumni Network access.

🎓 Enrol & Study Online — Instant Access

Secure checkout · Instant LMS access · Globally verifiable certificate

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

What is the COSS certification?

Yes. GLI certifications are recognised across 100+ countries and are aligned with ISO 45001, OSHA and recognised occupational health and safety standards. Graduates receive a digital certificate, a physical certificate and CPD credits recognised by employers worldwide.

Who should enrol in the COSS?

This certification is ideal for Safety and Health Officers, HSE Managers and Supervisors, Site and Operations Safety Leads and Risk and Compliance Practitioners, and other professionals seeking to formalise their expertise in occupational safety, health and workplace wellbeing with a globally recognised credential.

How long does the COSS certification take to complete?

The programme is structured over 11 Weeks and offers flexible learning modes. Self-paced learners can progress at their own schedule, while live virtual participants follow a structured cohort schedule with facilitator-led sessions.

Is the COSS internationally recognised?

What is the cost of the COSS certification?

The Certified Occupational Safety Specialist is offered in two formats: Self-Paced at USD 449 and Live Virtual at USD 649. Corporate group rates are available for organisations enrolling 5 or more participants. Contact GLI for a bespoke corporate training quotation.

What does the COSS certification include?

Enrolment includes all study materials and study guides, access to GLI's online learning portal, online examination, digital certificate and badge, physical certificate (posted), CPD credits, GLI alumni network membership, and ongoing facilitator support.

What is the assessment format for the COSS?

The Certified Occupational Safety Specialist is assessed through an online examination consisting of multiple-choice questions, case study analysis, and practical application assignments. The assessment is designed to evaluate real-world competency, not just theoretical recall.

What CPD credits do I earn from the COSS?

The Certified Occupational Safety Specialist carries Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits, which can be applied towards professional body requirements including recognised international professional associations.

Can I study the COSS while working full-time?

Absolutely. The self-paced option is designed for busy working professionals and allows you to study when and where it suits you. Live virtual sessions are typically scheduled in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate professional commitments.

What career outcomes can I expect from the COSS?

Graduates progress towards senior HSE and safety-leadership roles. The COSS strengthens your expertise in occupational safety, health and workplace wellbeing and positions you for advancement across construction, energy, manufacturing, marine and industrial operations.

Certified Occupational Safety Specialist

Certified Occupational Safety Specialist

Certification at a Glance

Who Should Enrol?

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Core Competencies You Will Develop

Programme Modules

What You Will Achieve

How to Get Certified

Common Questions

What Our Alumni Say

You May Also Like

Certified Maritime and Port Security Expert

Certified Security Risk Management Expert

Certified Data Privacy and GDPR Compliance Expert

Certified Disaster Recovery Engineer

Certified Enterprise Security Architect

Certified Counter-Terrorism and Crisis Expert