OSHA Training Requirements: What You Need to Know

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration sets health and safety standards for workers. It expects them to adhere to these health and safety regulations. Workers have to go through a rigorous OSHA safety training program to satisfy these standards.

For some of these OSHA standards, workers need to take an annual training program. OSHA trainers or institutions are tasked with offering the relevant OSHA training. However, you need to know what course is essential to your profession.

In this piece, we will cover the OSHA training requirements extensively. The requirements are categorized into 4 groups. These include the General Industry, Maritime, Construction, and Agriculture regulations.

What are the OSHA Training Standards?

OSHA is a regulatory body that ensures employees are not exposed to dangerous working conditions. For this reason, OSHA has set training standards to safeguard the health and welfare of the employees.

OSHA programs outline the learning areas on which employees need to be trained on. It also stipulates whether annual retraining is necessary for specific professionals. Meeting the OSHA training requirements minimizes job site fatalities.

OSHA safety training standards spell out the tasks that an employee should train for. This may cover training on tools handling, hazardous job situations, and so on.

OSHA stipulates that trainers should be qualified to teach safety standards. The trainers should use an easy-to-understand language. Besides that, the training institutions must document the process.

How Often Should Employers Conduct OSHA Training?

According to OSHA, you should conduct employee training at least once every year. In some occupations, you may need to do it more than once a year. In most cases, new employees will require initial training then move forward with the recurrent annual training.

General Industry Training Standards

General Industry Standards revolve around the worker's safety essentials. The training requirements for this category cover;

• Handling of chemicals
• Use of advanced tools
• Working and walking surfaces on job sites

However, you should know which standards are suitable for your occupation. Although not all, a significant number of general industry tasks require annual training. And new employees will need initial training.

In the general industry, there is the 29 CFR 1910.95 OSHA training requirement. It covers occupational noise exposure. Within a year, a lot can change in the general industry. As a result, annual retraining for this standard is necessary.

The other requirement is hazardous waste operations and emergency response. There are many OSHA training requirements for this section. They include the 29 CFR 1910.120, which is for managers and supervisors. New employees, current employees, and specialist employees also receive their respective training under these standards.

The 29 CFR 1910.134 standard for all employees who use respirators. They all must go through rigorous training to prepare them for potential respiratory hazards.

The 29 CFR 1910.147 standard is for employees who are in control of hazardous energy. There is no retraining requirement for this safety standard. Nonetheless, a periodic inspection is necessary.

Construction OSHA Training Requirements

Workers in the construction industry have to contend with various risks and health hazards. The injury rates are high. For this reason, OSHA is strict in enforcing safety standards.

Construction training requirements only apply if the employee will be exposed to specific hazardous situations. For instance, a worker who doesn't work with asbestos will not need Asbestos Awareness training to work.

OSHA requires new employees to take initial construction safety training before embarking on the annual OSHA programs.

Maritime Requirements

Maritime training requirements share a lot with the general industry standards. You will need initial training for these when getting started. After that, you are ready for the following annual retraining requirements.

• 154- Respiratory Protection
• 1001- Asbestos (OSHA Class I-IV)
• 103- Bloodborne Pathogens
• 12- Confined Space Rescue
• 117, 118- Crane, Derrick, and Hoist Safety
• 1- Hearing Protection

Most of these OSHA safety requirements fall within the ergonomic and biological hazards. And although they seem broad and complex, the course modules well-organized.

Agriculture Training Requirements

Most of the OSHA training requirements governing agriculture fall within the general industry. However, the rest are unique, and their training requirements are specific.

For instance, only an employee that has met particular standards can access restricted areas. A restricted area could mean an under closure, which an employee needs to spray with a herbicide.

The 29 CFR 1928.57 standard covers the operating instruction of agricultural equipment. It ensures employees keep the guards intact for as long as a farm machine is running. A farm machine operator has to Stop the machine and disconnect it from power before any repair work.

The 29 CFR 1928.51 standard covers the operation of tractors. These farm machines are extremely dangerous and the OSHA regulations are strict on their operation.

Must OSHA Training be Documented

OSHA stipulates that employers should keep a record and document the OSHA training process. An accident may occur at work and attract an investigation. When this happens, the investigating body will ask for these records.

General Training Documentation Requirements

The general training documentation requirements for OSHA are broad. They include;

• Laser safety
• Hearing protection
• Control of hazardous energy
• Bloodborne pathogens
• Employee medical records
• Hazardous waste operations
• Emergency action plans
• Operation powered platforms
• Medical services and first aid
• Personal protective equipment
• PSM of hazardous chemicals

The documentation requirements are sensitive. They are the first thing an OSHA investigator will ask for when an accident occurs at a job site.

Best OSHA Training Practices

When it comes to OSHA safety training, it is important to look for the best programs. Workplace safety is crucial, and you need to ensure your employees know how to protect themselves. Seeking the services of a leading trainer is a good place to start.

Train with Us Today

We have been providing effective OSHA safety online training for over a decade. Our clients include Government Agencies, Businesses, and Educational Institutions across the globe.

Having served over 30,000 businesses for the past decade, our training programs are unrivaled. This has led us to receive an A+ rating from Better Business Bureau, since our inception. We believe that our wealth of experience in OSHA training requirements could benefit your employees tremendously.

If you need OSHA training for your employees, call us today!