Workplace safety can be quite complicated. Still, business owners and managers who are serious about success will do whatever it takes to create a safe and healthy working environment for everyone. This is where OSHA Outreach training comes in.
But with different courses, diverse industries and regulations that seem to change constantly, OSHA training can easily get confusing. So, let’s uncover everything you should know, from what OSHA training covers to why employers insist on it before hiring.
First, What Does OSHA Training Actually Mean?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, better known as OSHA, was created to enhance workplace safety standards throughout the United States. OSHA training, therefore, exists to educate both workers and employers about hazard recognition, injury prevention, employee rights, and employer responsibilities.
The most recognised part of OSHA training is the Outreach Training Program. You may also recognise it as OSHA Certification training. It’s a programme that includes the popular OSHA 10-Hour and OSHA 30-Hour courses, commonly required in industries like construction, manufacturing, warehousing, and the general industry.
One of the most important facts to keep in mind about this training is that it only improves awareness of workplace hazards, rather than acting as a formal certification programme. So, OSHA’s Outreach courses don’t replace required employer-specific safety training.
Not only that, but you won’t get a licence or certificate after completing your course. Instead, you will be given a card to show that you are trained. Nonetheless, it’s such a worthwhile investment, both for workers and employers who value workplace safety.
Is OSHA Training Mandatory?
More than 130 million Americans work in industries like manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and construction, and OSHA training goes a long way toward guaranteeing their protection and safety. The one thing you should know about OSHA, however, is that it is only mandatory for workers who are exposed to hazards on the job.
Not only that, but industries like construction, maritime, and agriculture have also made it a default requirement. In addition to industry-specific and situation-specific cases, OSHA training is also mandatory in the following states:
- Nevada
- Connecticut
- New Hampshire
- MAssachusetts
- West Virginia
- Missouri
- New York
- Rhode Island
It’s, however, not uncommon for private employers in other states to require OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 training as a workplace standard.
What’s the Difference Between OSHA 10 and OSHA 30?
The OSHA Outreach Training Program is typically offered in two main versions. An OSHA 10-Hour version that is designed for entry-level workers and an OSHA 30-Hour version designed for supervisors and managers.
Let’s look at the two versions more closely:
1. OSHA 10-Hour Training
As mentioned before, this version of the OSHA Outreach Training Program is meant for entry-level employees. As such, it introduces common workplace hazards and teaches workers to recognise unsafe conditions in an effort to avert accidents.
Topics typically covered in this course include:
- Fall hazards
- Emergency procedures
- Electrical safety
- Workers’ rights
- Personal protection equipment
- Hazard communication
It’s, therefore, a common requirement for construction labourers, machine operators, warehouse staff, and maintenance workers to take the OSHA 10 course before starting work.
2. OSHA 30-Hour Training
This is the more advanced version of the OSHA outreach training program, intended for supervisors, site leads, foremen, safety coordinators, or workers with broader responsibilities.
The additional hours allow for more detailed training involving:
- Recordkeeping
- Safety programme management
- Incident prevention
- Leadership accountability
- Multi-employer worksite responsibilities
- Advanced hazard identification
And while you might not always have to worry about having an OSHA-30 card, you will definitely need it in competitive industries. In truth, some employers are increasingly using it as a filtering tool during hiring.
Get Industry-Leading Training Today
OSHA training may look like just another workplace formality, but for someone who understands the importance of safe working environments, it goes way beyond that. And with employers increasing standards by the day, having an OSHA 10-Hour or OSHA 30-Hour card will help you increase your competitiveness.
To make sure you get the best training, invest in an OSHA course from a top-rated provider like RocketCert. Head over to rocketcert.com today to see the options they offer.
