Introduction

Site Safety Managers (SSMs) play a key role in maintaining safety on construction sites in New York City. The New York City Department of Buildings (NYC DOB) mandates that major building projects have a certified SSM to oversee site safety. To become certified, applicants must meet specific experience requirements, complete training, and pass an examination.

Work Experience

Applicants must meet at least one (1) of the following criteria:

1. Licensed Engineer or Architect Experience

• Three (3) years of experience as a New York State Licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect within the last five (5) years.
• Experience must include supervising workers involved in construction or demolition at major buildings or overseeing site safety measures, such as hazard assessments, implementing safety controls, managing safety operations, or conducting compliance inspections.

2. Certified Safety Professional (CSP) Experience

• Holding a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP).
• Three (3) years of experience within the past five (5) years in either:
o Supervising workers on major building construction or demolition projects, or
o Overseeing site safety, performing risk assessments, implementing safety controls, or conducting inspections to verify compliance.

3. Site Safety Coordinator Experience

• Three (3) years of experience as a NYC-certified Site Safety Coordinator working on major buildings within the last five (5) years.

4. Concrete Safety Manager Experience

• Four (4) years of experience as a NYC-registered Concrete Safety Manager overseeing major building projects within the last seven (7) years.

5. Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) Experience

• Holding a CHST certification from the BCSP.
• Four (4) years of experience within the last eight (8) years in either:
o Supervising workers on construction or demolition projects requiring a site safety plan, or
o Conducting site safety assessments, implementing hazard controls, managing safety operations, or verifying compliance.

6. Construction Supervision Experience

• Five (5) years of full-time experience supervising workers in construction or demolition at major buildings within the last eight (8) years.

7. NYC DOB Enforcement Official Experience

• Eight (8) years as an NYC Department of Buildings enforcement official within the last ten (10) years.
• At least four (4) of those years must include inspecting construction or demolition at major buildings in NYC.

8. On-the-Job Training Under a Certified Site Safety Manager (SSM)

• Completion of an 18-month training program supervised by a certified Site Safety Manager.
• The supervising SSM must register the trainee with the NYC DOB before training begins and confirm completion at the end.

9. Site Safety Manager Apprenticeship

• Completion of a New York State Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship program for Site Safety Managers.

Training and Certification Process

Once applicants meet one of the required experience pathways, they must:

• Complete the 40-hour Site Safety Manager Training from a DOB-approved provider. OSHA Training School offers this training in partnership with Compu21 Institute Corp. (Provider No. 2Q17).
• Pass the NYC Site Safety Manager Examination administered by the DOB.
• Submit an application along with required documents to the NYC DOB.
• Upon approval, obtain the Site Safety Manager Certification, which must be renewed according to DOB regulations.

Why Work Experience Matters

The NYC DOB requires applicants to have strong experience in construction safety to qualify for SSM certification. This background prepares Site Safety Managers to oversee large-scale projects, follow regulations, and manage site risks effectively.

Conclusion

Obtaining a Site Safety Manager Certification in NYC requires a combination of experience, training, and examination. Those who meet the qualifications can complete the process and contribute to maintaining construction site safety in New York City.