Strategies to Implement Effective General OSHA Compliance Training

In 2019, almost 2.5 million workers had injuries from worksite incidents that required transportation to the hospital. Construction workers make up a large portion of these numbers.

They are prone to high levels of risk at their workplace. Additionally, over 60% of emergency department visits were for males.

OSHA compliance training helps curb risks at a variety of worksites and settings. It helps ensure the safety and wellbeing of employers and employees by providing proper and thorough training.

Are you unsure of what type of training your worksite needs or the best way for implementing it? If you have an interest in OSHA regulations and compliance, then keep reading on for more information.

What Is OSHA?

OSHA stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It falls under the Department of Labor and is largely tasked with ensuring safe working environments for employees across the nation.

The department has been around for approximately 50 years and has brought new levels and standards of safety and health in workplaces. OSHA looks at hazards, toxins, mechanical safety, and overall unsanitary working conditions.

They can arrive at any business, including most private businesses, unannounced to perform a safety inspection. OSHA has been effective in reducing workplace deaths by over 60%.

However, since businesses are constantly growing throughout America, OSHA has a large job. It is virtually impossible for examining every workplace and safety risk in a reasonable timeline.

They have created a set of guidelines, standards, and rules for workplaces. This allows employers the opportunity of providing OSHA compliance training directly to their employees. In return, this creates a safer work environment and can reduce accidents or deaths.

OSHA Compliance Training

The type of OSHA training employers and employees need depends on the worksite and work conditions. In general, the most common OSHA training is the 10-hour and 30-hour courses.

The 10-hour course provides basic training for entry-level employees. It typically requires completion within two days. The 30-hour course requires completion over four days.

These courses are largely for construction workers since there are many workplace safety risks involved with the jobs. However, it is important that you bring awareness to the type of courses your employees need.

For example, healthcare workers might not need the in-depth training that construction workers require. Additionally, they have higher exposure to needles and bloodborne pathogens.

OSHA has a variety of programs for generalized training. These include things such as:

• Ammonia regulations
• Bloodborne pathogens
• Working in extreme temperatures
• Medical office
• Electrical
• Fire safety
• Hazardous waste
• Personal protective equipment

This is not an all-encompassing list but can give you a good idea of how many different courses are offered through OSHA. Make sure you are aware of the type of work your employees do and what courses are most beneficial.

Hazmat Training Online

HAZMAT is the shortened term for hazardous materials. It is another training course that is critical for employees who work in transporting these materials.

It helps employees recognize and understand different hazardous materials, and how to handle them. This can prevent serious injury, death, or illness.

It also encompasses training on chemicals or substances that do not pose a risk at a specific temperature or within a setting. However, once these substances have exposure to changes in temperature or pressure, they can become extremely dangerous.

Some of the different courses employees can take within HAZMAT training include:

• DOT HAZMAT
• IATA
• IMO
• Multimodal

DOT HAZMAT follows regulations by the Department of Transportation. It typically includes ground transport, but it can also include aviation. IATA largely includes air transportation.

It can also incorporate flammable, explosives, and gases via air transportation. IMO is maritime transportation. Any employees who work in transportation dangerous materials overseas will need this type of training.

Finally, multimodal training includes air, ground, and sea transport.

Construction Workers

There are approximately 11 million construction workers in the United States. They work in one of the most dangerous worksites and have higher risks of injury on the job.

In fact, falls remain the leading cause of death for workplace injuries for construction workers. Proper training and adherence to safety protocols can help reduce workplace injuries and deaths for these workers.

Some of the OSHA training courses for construction workers include:

• Nailgun
• Scaffolding
• Fall protection
• Electrical
• Confined spaces
• Aerial boom lifts
• Forklift
• Ladders

There are many more courses offered for construction workers. It is helpful in knowing where your employees are working so that you can cater courses related to their daily tasks. In return, OSHA compliance training for construction workers can improve productivity, reduce injuries, and create a safer work environment.

Online vs In-Person

What are the benefits of completing online OSHA training over in-person? For starters, it is one of the biggest time-savers. It can also be highly effective as these courses are in-depth, knowledgeable, and allow users full interaction.

Some of OSHA's outreach programs or employees can take as minimal as 10 hours for completion. You also have the benefit of employees taking their own time for completing the course.

This means you don't have to structure a set amount of time during each day or workweek. It also gives employees a chance to go through the course at their own learning speed; this can improve retention of safety guidelines.

Online compliance training means you don't have to schedule time away from work or a classroom for employees. It can cost the company less money overall by going this route.

Online OSHA Training

You don't have to set aside time with an instructor for the completion of OSHA compliance training. Employers and employees can complete training from their homes or computers at work.

Additionally, this means less time away from work and reduced costs. It also provides employees with the education, training, and safety requirements needed for ensuring a safer working environment.

Contact us today if you have questions regarding the type of online training your workplace needs and let us help you finish your OSHA training.