What Are the OSHA Requirements for Safety Training?

Written by Michael Purser

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) creates and enforces many standards. Standard is the word used to describe the regulations contained in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). More than just guidelines, each one is a legal requirement employers must obey.

Employers must ensure that workers are formally trained for their jobs. This article explains different requirements and where you can find OSHA-compliant online training.

What Are OSHA Training Requirements?

Formal workplace safety training requirements help employers protect workers by establishing a unified set of OSHA training topics for almost any hazard, equipment or process.

By sticking to the topics outlined in 29 CFR, everyone shares a single safety language. This prevents confusion, eliminates hazards and minimizes workplace accidents.

What’s the Difference Between Training and Certification?

There is an important distinction between OSHA regulations for training and OSHA training certification. The administration is very specific about the language trainers and employers use to talk about safety education.

If you are educated in safety training guidelines by OSHA, you may receive a certificate of completion. That does not mean you are certified. For instance, an Aerial and Scissor Lifts course certificate course will prepare you to safely operate mobile scaffolding as required by Standard 1926.454. But it doesn’t make you a certified aerial or scissor lift operator.

There is no such thing as OSHA-approved training. The administration does not certify individuals or approve specific teaching programs.

Similarly, the administration does not approve or endorse any specific product. That would be a conflict of interest. Education and certificate courses comply with OSHA training guidelines to teach essential lessons about federal rules.

What About Authorized Courses?

There is a special case for safety training compliance courses offered through the Outreach Training Program. Established in 1971, this partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) helps workers identify, prevent and correct common workplace hazards.

Workers in construction and general industry can earn official DOL OSHA 30 or OSHA 10 cards. These cards demonstrate a thorough understanding of workplace health hazards and how to prevent them. Many employers require their workers to complete either the 10-hour or 30-hour program. Only authorized outreach providers can offer an official DOL card.

Each program offers a broad explanation of major safety topics. By completing either version, you demonstrate that you understand general principles of worksite protocols, common hazards, workers’ rights, employer responsibilities and more.

Your card will never expire, but you should periodically repeat the class to refresh your understanding. This can help you stay up to date with new laws and changes in your industry.

What is Compliance Training?

Any course that satisfies the specific education needs addressed in each standard is considered compliant. This protects both employees and employers from danger.

Educated workers experience fewer workplace injuries than their untrained peers. A complete education can protect individuals from serious injury and death. Companies that fail to meet educational minimums may face costly fines, lost productivity, property damage and legal liability.

Legislated training standards also set a minimum competency requirement for dangerous tasks. Doctors must earn a medical doctorate degree, serve for an extended period as a resident and pass rigorous tests to practice medicine in the United States because of the enormous trust we place in medical professionals. Similarly, an unqualified welder or a careless forklift driver could cause enormous property damage, workplace injuries or even fatalities.

What Are the Requirements for My Job?

That depends on your line of work. Every job is different. The needs of a person working at a hazardous waste operations site are much different than the inspection procedures for crane operators. The language within the CFR spells out the type, format and content needs for each standard.

All OSHA training requirements and compliance guidelines are based on the legal language found in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The legislation usually specifies topics that compliant training shall include.

Look at forklift certification, for example. Found in 29 CFR 1910.178, this regulation names more than 20 subjects that trainers must teach. It also specifies a mix of formal instruction (including online lessons), practical experience and workplace evaluation.

You will find similar language throughout 29 CFR on topics ranging from lockout/tagout protocol to designating competent persons. These stipulations ensure that students become qualified, effective employees with a shared understanding of safe operation procedures.

You only need to satisfy the requirements that apply to your job. A road flagger usually doesn’t need to know how to operate welding and cutting equipment, for example.

The complexity of your required education may depend on the level of risk you are exposed to in the workplace. Greater exposure to danger demands greater educational resources.

Most office jobs might require little or no instruction. But a worker who is assigned to respond to a HAZMAT emergency scene must at least complete a HAZWOPER course prior to handling hazardous substances.

If you’re not sure what is required for your role, speak with your supervisor. They can help you understand which topics apply to your unique situation.

How Often Do I Need Training?

Once again, that depends on your specific job. Some standards only call for initial training, which never expires (like the OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 cards mentioned above). Other roles require periodic retraining, sometimes annually, sometimes every other year.

When federal law doesn’t require annual refreshers, local legislation or employer policy may call for additional trainings. Again, contact your employer if you have questions related to your job.

Even outside of those situations, it is worth repeating your training every few years to keep up with best practices. Or you might want to update your education when you change job tasks or work responsibilities.

How Can I Comply with Standards?

Rules exist to protect employees. Employers must ensure that their employees are properly trained for all the hazards, equipment and responsibilities they encounter on the job.

Online Compliance Education

Online courses are the easiest way to satisfy OSHA training standards. We are a leading provider of online workplace safety instruction and an authorized provider of outreach courses.

We also offer more than 150 online courses that comply with the standards found in 29 CFR 1910 and 29 CFR 1926. Those parts detail the needs of general industry and construction, respectively. Whether you want a primer on combustible dust or fire prevention, we have what you need.

You can also use online safety instruction to prepare for a career move. If you are a construction worker, for instance, you might want to learn more about scaffolding safety so you can serve as your workplace’s competent person for that hazard. Many jobsites must designate a competent person for various hazards. By qualifying for that position, you may increase your pay, pick up additional shifts or even earn a promotion.

Every one of our courses can be completed 100% online. That means no trips to a classroom. You don’t have to take time out of your day to schedule lessons with an instructor.

Just log in and start learning whenever you want. Access lesson materials from any internet-connected device. We save your progress automatically. You can stop your lessons at any time and come back later to the same spot.

Train at your pace. Learn how to prevent workplace hazards. Become a better, safer and more responsible worker.

Compliance for Employers

Coordinating the educational needs of your employees is difficult — especially as your company becomes larger and more complex. We have a solution.

We offer a full online Safety Compliance Program for businesses. We make it simple to purchase and assign all the courses your employees need. It’s never been easier to keep track of your educational needs or satisfy training recordkeeping requirements.

We offer three subscription tiers designed for businesses of all sizes. We even offer bulk discounts for business customers. Whether you need to train a workforce of two or two thousand, we can help you save. And that’s just the start. We provide a full suite of business solutions designed to simplify safety.

Start Today

Whether you’re a new employee preparing for your first day on the job or a business owner looking to streamline your recordkeeping system, we are your partner for online safety and compliance education.

Check out our large course catalog or our business tools and start your online compliance journey today!