Tips for Choosing the Best OSHA Certification Training

Approximately 2.5 million workers endure work-related injuries each year. The majority of those individuals are employed in industries that have hazardous work environments. No matter if it’s the healthcare field or construction sites, it’s imperative that all employees understand how to guard themselves and lower the risk of workplace injuries. 

That’s why OSHA training and OSHA certification are mandatory for individuals within these fields. However, there are different types of training to choose from. To learn more about them, continue reading the information below.

What Is OSHA Training?

There are two different types of OSHA training available. Employers have the choice between construction industry or general industry training. Each course provides specialized topics depending on the particular option chosen.

Here’s the difference between the two:

Osha Construction Training

OSHA construction training goes over the specific safety requirements for construction workers and it details the outline of 29 CFR 1926. This course is required whether or not the employee is a contractor or construction worker.

The primary job titles that must take this training or carpenters, operators, laborers, engineers, foremen, surveyors, safety specialists, and project managers.

For the most part, OSHA construction training covers topics such as:

• Confined spaces
• Electrical hazards
• Cranes and rigging devices
• Hit by or caught in between hazards
• Power tools, ladders, and scaffolding

This program also goes over the personal protection equipment that employees must wear while working on a construction site.

OSHA General Industry Training

Standard OSHA training is for anyone who requires the information covered in 29 CFR 1910. These are the individuals who work in manufacturing, healthcare, factory operations, and warehousing. The course covers topics such as:

• Welding and cutting
• General safety
• Emergency plans
• Bloodborne pathogens
• Hazard communication
• Electrical and machine guard safety
• An introduction to OSHA

All of these topics are general so they can be used across a variety of industries and they all ensure that employees adhere to OSHA regulations.

The Types of OSHA Training

As explained above, there are two types of OSHA courses, which are OSHA 10 hour and OSHA 30 hour.

The OSHA 10 hour training covers standard job-related topics pertaining to safety hazards and health. The objective of the 10 hour course is to give employees insight into potential hazards so that they can avoid them. OSHA mandates that workers spend the entire 10 hours going over the course.

This OSHA training is for entry-level workers. Individuals who are in supervisor roles don’t need this one. Employees who are carpenters, package handlers, general laborers, medical assistants, and material handlers best benefit from this course.

 OSHA 30 Hour Training

The 30 hour training is for those who need a more in-depth look into their job and certain areas of their role. It’s also for workers who are in higher positions like supervisors and managers.

Just like the 10 hour course, OSHA requires workers to spend the entire 30 hours going over the program. This OSHA training is for engineers, site leads, safety specialists, foremen, and supervisors.

In most cases, individuals do not have to take both courses. The 10 hour is for a certain group of people and the 30 hour is also for a  particular group of people. However, if your career or job position changes over time, you may have to take both at some point.

Is OSHA Training Mandatory?

OSHA outreach training is voluntary, so it doesn’t require workers to complete the material. However, certain states, unions, or employers might make it mandatory to take the OSHA 10 or 30 hour training. Even if it’s not mandatory, taking this course is beneficial.

In order to prevent hazards and health risks down the line, it’s important that all employees are on the same page. Many employers use the OSHA training as a basic introduction to workplace safety. In addition to the OSHA course, some employers may also require additional training specific to the job position.

Most individuals take the 10 or 30 hour training, but there is also an OSHA 40. It’s a specialty course that covers hazardous waste safety. To learn more about it, follow the highlighted link.

Choosing an OSHA Training Provider

If you need to provide your workers with OSHA training, make sure that the provider you choose is OSHA authorized. In general, OSHA itself doesn’t give a formal training guide or program. Therefore, you have to get it from private organizations that have been approved by OSHA.

So, as you’re online scouting for a training course make sure to look for certain qualifications. Training providers have to go through a strenuous process in order to become authorized. Once they have become OSHA authorized, they should be able to provide documentation showing that they have the right to provide OSHA training to the public.

Make sure that the provider has an authentic outreach training stamp along with a DOL card to further prove their validity.
It’s important to follow these steps because the last thing you’d want to do is invest in a bogus program and give your employees unauthorized training.

Avoid OSHA Violations

Following OSHA regulations is imperative. Not only will it keep workers safe, but it also protects your business from OSHA violations. When OSHA guidelines aren’t met, there are serious repercussions like hefty fines and other consequences.

But by making sure that all of your employees are trained and certified, you can feel confident knowing that your workers and your business are covered.

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