Your Guide to OSHA-Authorized Workplace Safety Online Training Programs
Written by Michael Purser | Edited by Nate Bortz
Safety and compliance training is all about following rules. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) creates and enforces thousands of federal standards across many industries. The administration even has rules for teaching the rules. Words like authorized, approved and certified have specific meanings when discussing OSHA online training options and providers.
Make sure you get the high-quality courses you need — and deserve — as you learn to protect yourself and others at work. This article will help you untangle the language surrounding safety training so you can make an informed choice about your education.
Certification, Authorization and Approval
Phrases like OSHA-approved and OSHA-certified are common. You might see them in job descriptions, find them in product catalogs or hear them at work. Those statements are conversational but incorrect. OSHA doesn’t approve lessons or certify workers.
Instead, OSHA establishes training standards for various industries, pieces of equipment, procedures and workplace situations. Employers must comply with those standards by teaching students according to the established benchmarks.
Without a governmental “seal of approval,” the legitimacy and acceptance of online OSHA training courses depend on the quality of instruction, adherence to OSHA-mandated curriculum and the reputation of the teachers.
OSHA Outreach Training
There is one exception. The U.S. Department of Labor (of which OSHA is a part) established the OSHA Outreach Training Program shortly after the OSH Act was enacted in 1971. Outreach Training is a general workplace training program designed to promote safety and minimize hazards at jobsites across the country.
The 10-Hour course is designed for entry-level workers and individual contributors, while the 30-Hour version is intended for managers and supervisors. Workers who complete either curriculum will receive an official OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 card from the Department of Labor (DOL).
Unlike certification or approval, OSHA authorization does exist. The administration authorizes qualified instructors to teach official Outreach Training classes. Students can only earn an official DOL card if they work with an authorized OSHA training provider.
Who Is Authorized?
Federal regulations require trainers to meet strict experience and training qualifications. The administration keeps a list of all qualified trainers that students can use to find an instructor that meets their needs.
Classes are available from third-party providers both in-person and online. Additionally, students in some areas may be able to attend classes at an OSHA Training Institute Education Center. All three provide the same federal safety instruction and provide the same official DOL OSHA card.
Is OSHA Education Center Legit?
Yes. OSHA Education Center is an OSHA-authorized online outreach course provider through our partnership with the University of South Florida. Our high-quality, interactive lesson content is developed by experienced safety professionals and accredited university instructors.
We offer online training courses for the OSHA 30-Hour and 10-Hour programs in construction and general industry. Our 100% online outreach courses issue nationally recognized and accepted DOL cards. We offer classes in both English and Spanish.
OSHA Education Center is the leading source for online safety training. As part of the Certus family, we help educate millions of professionals every year. With decades of experience working alongside federal, state and other regulatory bodies, we are the ideal choice for students ranging from entry-level professionals to business owners.
Why Choose Us?
OSHA Education Center is the premier provider of online regulatory and compliance education for both workers and employers. Here are just a few of the reasons you should train with us.
100% Online Instruction
All lesson materials for all our products are available 24/7 from any internet-connected device. Students can complete all coursework without ever setting foot inside a classroom.
Audio-narration and text lessons are accompanied by interactive activities, immersive simulations, full-motion video and knowledge checks to help students learn quickly and effectively.
Instant Certificate Download
The sturdy plastic OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 wallet card takes approximately six to eight weeks to arrive. In the meantime, we provide an immediate Certificate of Completion that students can download and print as soon as they finish the program.
Until the card arrives, students can submit the certificate to their employer, union or local government as proof of course completion.
Broad Course Offerings
Our course catalog includes more than 150 crucial programs covering a variety of common hazards and government regulations.
In addition to our OSHA-authorized online Outreach programs, we also offer courses for a variety of federal and state standards, including:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) EM 385-1-1 Training
New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) Site Safety Training
California Division of Safety and Health (DOSH) Cal/OSHA Training
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) HAZMAT Transportation
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Part 46 Training
And more!
We add new courses and new regulatory approvals on a regular basis. We’re always working on new ways to empower workers and make jobsites safer.
Business Compliance Solutions
We don’t just cater to individual students. OSHA Education Center supports businesses of all sizes. We offer training solutions for local contractors, multinational corporations and everything in between.
Bulk Discounts
Learn more to save more. Our bulk discounts start at quantities of two and get better from there. Employers can save by purchasing many training licenses at once — which can be distributed to workers immediately or sent over time. For example:
Qty | Discount |
|---|---|
2 – 4 | 3% Off |
5 – 9 | 5% Off |
10 – 24 | 10% Off |
25+ | 15% Off |
Custom pricing is also available. Contact us for a unique quote.
LMS Integration
All training is delivered through FUSION, our custom Learning Management System (LMS). Our powerful LMS allows students to train seamlessly at their own pace and helps managers track deadlines, forms, completion dates and more.
Enterprise customers can access additional powerful tools. While our centralized system is an easy-to-use hub for all compliance training needs, we can also port paper documentation or integrate with other LMS tools.
More Options
That’s not all. We provide additional tools to help managers and business owners comply with safety training standards.
Our Safety Compliance Program is available as a subscription service with three tiers. The Premium Plan includes our powerful data tools, automated notifications, GPS location data, signatures and a huge library of useful templates.
Customers can join the OSHA Education Center Association (OECA) to access a 20% discount on all certificate courses, exclusive course bundles and a bimonthly workplace safety newsletter.
Start Today
Whether you’re a new hire or the owner of a major brand, OSHA Education Center offers the workplace safety training you need to succeed.
As an OSHA-authorized online Outreach provider, we can help you or your employees earn an OSHA 10 or an OSHA 30 card. View our OSHA training FAQ page to learn more.
If you need even more help, you can contact us directly for more information about regulatory approvals, product pricing, our FUSION LMS or anything else you want to know. We’re happy to help!