The Safety Manager certification is required for workplaces where occupational accidents are likely to occur and where there are 50 or more workers on a regular basis. Safety managers are responsible for ensuring that workers can perform their duties safely, but what other roles do they play? In this article, we’ll explain the difficulty level of the Safety Manager certification exam and the pass rate.

What is the role of a safety manager?

Safety managers are assigned to workplaces with 50 or more employees at any given time, and their role is to implement safety measures—including not only overseeing employees’ work methods but also checking buildings and equipment for potential hazards. However, the role of a safety manager extends far beyond that. First, let’s take a look at what the role of a safety manager entails and what its key characteristics are.

Qualifications prescribed by the Occupational Safety and Health Act

Under the Industrial Safety and Health Act, safety managers are required to be appointed on a full-time basis to carry out safety management duties, depending on the designated industry and the number of employees regularly working at the facility.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act is a law established to ensure that we, as workers, can work in safe and healthy conditions. Originally part of the Labor Standards Act, it was spun off as a separate law in Showa 47. In line with its goals of ensuring workers’ safety and health and creating a comfortable workplace environment, the Act regulates all matters related to worker safety, including work facilities and equipment.

Qualifications stipulated under the Occupational Safety and Health Act include those for health and safety managers and occupational physicians, among others, and the safety manager qualification is one of them. There is no exam required to become a safety manager. You can become a safety manager by completing a training course.

The Duties of a Safety Manager

As mentioned above, the role of a safety manager is to ensure that workers have a safe working environment. The specific measures that safety managers are required to take are outlined on the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s official website as follows:

1. Emergency measures or appropriate preventive measures to be taken when structures, equipment, work sites, or work methods pose a hazard
2. Periodic inspection and maintenance of safety devices, protective equipment, and other facilities and equipment designed to prevent hazards
3. Education and Training on Workplace Safety
4. Investigation of the Causes of Disasters and Consideration of Countermeasures
5. Fire Safety and Evacuation Drills
6. Supervision of Safety Supervisors and Other Safety Support Personnel
7. Preparation and collection of safety-related materials, and recording of important matters
8. Necessary measures regarding safety in cases where work performed by workers of one business is carried out at the same location as work performed by workers of another business

Looking at it this way, it becomes clear that safety managers are working across a wide range of areas to ensure safety.

What Are the Requirements for Appointing a Safety Manager?

The industries and company sizes that require the appointment of a safety manager are as follows.

（Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare(Source)

The range of industries required to appoint safety managers is diverse, extending beyond construction and transportation to include various wholesale sectors and the telecommunications industry. Even those who work outside of construction sites and factories need to understand the role of a safety manager.

In addition, depending on the industry and the size of the workforce, there are cases where a full-time safety manager must be appointed. In the following industries, at least one full-time safety manager must be appointed.

（Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare(Source)

As you can see, the approximate number of employees varies depending on the industry. If you are appointed as a safety manager, you must understand the industry category and the number of employees at your workplace. If you are unsure which industry category applies, you can check with the Labor Standards Inspection Office, so be sure to contact them.

How do I become a safety manager?

There are two ways to become a safety manager: either by completing the training program established by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, or by passing the Occupational Safety Consultant Examination. Each path has its own requirements, which include specific educational qualifications and the corresponding practical experience; therefore, you should carefully verify whether you meet these criteria. In the following sections, we will explain the requirements and general overview of becoming a safety manager.

When participating in training programs designated by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare

The first option for becoming a safety manager is to complete the “Training for Appointed Safety Managers” program established by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. In addition to completing this training, individuals who meet any one of the following conditions will be appointed as safety managers.

• A person who has completed and graduated from a regular science-related program at a university or college of technology under the School Education Act, and who has subsequently gained at least two years of practical experience in industrial safety
• Individuals who have graduated from a high school or secondary school under the School Education Act after completing a regular science-related course of study, and who have subsequently gained at least four years of practical experience in industrial safety
• A person who has graduated from a university or a college of technology under the School Education Act after completing a regular program of study other than a science-related program, and who has subsequently gained at least four years of practical experience in industrial safety
• A person who has graduated from a high school or secondary school established under the School Education Act after completing a regular course of study other than a science-related program, and who has subsequently gained at least six years of practical experience in industrial safety.
• Individuals with at least 7 years of practical experience in industrial safety
• Other (Regarding Graduates of Vocational Training Programs)

As you can see, the number of years of work experience required varies depending on your educational background, so be sure to check which category applies to your specific educational background and work experience.

If You Plan to Take the Occupational Safety Consultant Exam

Another way to become a safety manager is to pass the Occupational Safety Consultant Examination administered by the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Safety and Health Technology Examination Association. To take this exam, you must meet the eligibility requirements.

Eligibility requirements for the Occupational Safety Consultant Examination vary and include, in addition to practical experience in safety-related fields, completion of designated courses or passing designated certification exams. To find out if you meet the requirements, please check with the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation, Occupational Safety and Health Technology Examination Association.Official WebsiteLet's make sure to check that.

In addition, in some cases, holding a designated qualification may exempt you from certain subjects on the Occupational Safety Consultant Examination. If you plan to take the Occupational Safety Consultant Examination to become a safety manager, be sure to check the eligibility requirements as well.

Exam Overview and Fees

If you are aiming to become a safety manager by completing the training for newly appointed safety managers, you do not need to meet any specific qualifications to take the training. Anyone can take the training. However, to become a safety manager, you must meet the requirements outlined above.

Training sessions for newly appointed safety managers are held in various locations throughout the country; be sure to check with your nearest Labor Bureau to find out where they are being held. The cost varies depending on the provider, but the typical range seems to be between 15,000 and 20,000 yen.

The curriculum for safety manager induction training varies by provider and typically lasts one to two days. The schedule generally includes three hours on safety management and 1.5 hours on safety education. However, if the training is a one-day session, it may run from morning until late at night, so it’s recommended that you prepare thoroughly beforehand.

The Occupational Safety Consultant Examination consists of a written exam and an oral exam.

The written exam is

• General Industrial Safety
• Industrial Safety Laws and Regulations
• Safety (Select one from mechanical, electrical, chemical, civil, or architectural engineering)

That is the case.

The oral exam is administered only to candidates who have passed the written exam, and it takes the form of answering questions based on the content of the written exam. The written exam will be held in Hokkaido, Miyagi Prefecture, Tokyo, Aichi Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture, Hiroshima Prefecture, and Fukuoka Prefecture. The oral exam will be held in Osaka Prefecture and Tokyo. Since the exam locations differ, the dates for the written and oral exams are also different, so be sure not to mix them up.

The exam fee is 24,700 yen.

How Hard Is It?

In the case of the training for newly appointed safety managers, while there are certain eligibility requirements, once you complete the course, you can become a safety manager, so the difficulty level isn’t an issue. However, if you’re planning to take the Occupational Safety Consultant exam, the difficulty level is certainly something to consider.

To pass the Occupational Safety Consultant Examination, candidates must score at least 60% on the written exam; however, they will fail if they score less than 40% on any single subject. For the oral exam, candidates must receive a rating in one of the top two of the four-tier grading scale to pass.

Given that candidates fail if they score less than 40% on even a single subject of the written exam, the requirements can certainly be described as extremely strict. Looking at the pass rates, the written exam pass rate fluctuated between 20 and 30% from 2018 to 2020, confirming that this is a highly challenging exam. However, since the pass rate for the oral exam was around 80% from 2018 to 2020, it’s safe to say that once you advance to the oral exam, you’re a significant step closer to passing.

Relationship with the Occupational Health Manager

There is a qualification called “Health and Safety Manager” that is similar to that of a “Safety Manager.” Both are positions required by the Industrial Safety and Health Act to create an environment where workers can work safely and in good health. So, what are the differences between a Safety Manager and a Health and Safety Manager? In this section, we’ll explain the differences between these two roles, as well as the possibility of holding both positions concurrently.

What is the difference between this and a health and safety manager?

While there are many similarities between safety managers and health and safety managers, safety managers are responsible for workplace safety, whereas health and safety managers are responsible for the health and hygiene of workers. There are also differences in the appointment requirements: while safety managers must be appointed based on specific industry classifications, there are no such industry-specific requirements for health and safety managers; they must be appointed in any industry with 50 or more workers.

Is it possible to hold this position concurrently with that of a sanitation manager?

It is possible to serve as both a safety manager and a health manager. This is not prohibited by law. However, there are issues to consider, such as the workload and responsibilities being too heavy.

If you were responsible for just one of these roles, it probably wouldn’t be too difficult to handle it alongside other duties. However, if you have to serve as both a safety manager and a health manager, there’s a possibility you won’t have enough time to attend to your other duties.

Furthermore, it cannot be ruled out that significant liability may arise if a workplace accident occurs at the facility where you work. If a workplace accident occurs, it is the role of the safety manager and health manager to investigate the cause and implement countermeasures. Since workplace accidents include not only injuries and incidents but also illnesses, if a workplace accident occurs due to the nature of the work, responsibility falls not only on management but also on those who serve as both safety and health managers.

While it is possible to serve as both a safety manager and a health manager, this is not recommended because the risks are too high.

Benefits of Obtaining a Safety Manager Certification

Once you obtain the Safety Manager certification, you will be able to perform the duties of a safety manager as defined by the Industrial Safety and Health Act. In addition to inspecting workplace facilities and the work environment, you will be able to check for hazards in work processes and provide safety guidance. Because you will be able to perform duties specialized in safety management, you will be a valuable asset to workplaces that require a safety manager.

In addition, if you obtain certification as an occupational safety consultant, you’ll be able to provide safety management and guidance not only at your own workplace but also at other companies, which opens up the option of starting your own business—another significant benefit.
After completing the training, be sure to submit the notification regarding the appointment!
What Qualifications Are Required for a Safety Manager? A Comprehensive Guide to Roles, Difficulty Level, Pass Rates, and More!

The Safety Manager certification is a key role that involves conducting all safety-related inspections and management to ensure worker safety, and it is a required qualification for workplaces of a certain size. If there is a possibility that you might be appointed as a Safety Manager, be sure to thoroughly check the appointment requirements, such as your educational background and work experience.

The God of Construction | A New Era in Construction Media

45145 posts

23 users

42 pockets

The God of Construction | A New Era in Construction Media

https://sekokan-navi.jp/magazine/

"The God of Construction" is a new-generation construction media outlet that addresses the real-world challenges faced by construction engineers from the perspective of "failure."