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How to Pick a Suitable OSHA Training Program

Safety training is an indispensable part of several workplaces as it helps to save lives as well as control job-related injuries.Safety training is an essential part of varied workplaces and helps in saving lives and minimizing work-related injuries. A lot of workers contact OSHA trainers or training companies, inquiring which course would be the best for their needs. Truth is, this question is best answered by employers. They are legally responsible for providing a workplace that is free from hazards, so they need to work with their employees in determining the type of training that will be necessary.

Below are valuable tips that can help them make a wise OSHA program choice:

Who Benefits from OSHA Training?
Understanding Businesses

Workers can mostly benefit from OSHA safety training, and OSHA standards impose on employers a variety of important training requirements. However, certain training courses and requirements are generally determined by the employer or the job site. Such requirements are different for each workplace, because every employee will face different hazards (hence, different OSHA training standards apply), depending on the tasks they perform. In many cases, employers go for a 10 or 30-hour Hazard Recognition training course as a baseline, to which they can add job-specific safety training as needed.
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Even if OSHA does not require any specific training course, certain jurisdictions or employers can have stricter requirements as to the programs they will accept. As an employee, you can consult your employer or local government to ensure the course you select will meet training requirements.

Construction vs.General Industry OSHA Training

There are two common types of OSHA training — Construction Industry and General Industry, which includes specialized topics related to the chosen industry. In general, employers will tell their employees which version of the training will be required, so if you are in doubt, talk to your boss and let him decide for you.

The definition of “construction work” as per OSHA is any kind of work for construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating. General Industry would be any industry outside construction, maritime or agriculture, including but not restricted to healthcare, retail and distribution, warehousing, manufacturing, etc. Because these are taken straight from OSHA standards, such descriptions are the best guides to knowing which course would be the most suitable for your job; but another choice you have is to know the types of topics each course includes, and decide which are the most useful for the kind of work and workplace you have.

Short or Extended Course?

The 10-Hour OSHA training program is enough for several entry-level workers, but the actual requirements will be based on what your company wants. The 30-Hour OSHA training is mainly recommended for supervisors, managers and the like who have some type of safety responsibility. Not only does the longer course go deeper into each topic, but it also touches on a wider variety of subjects.