Safety training is a vital part of many workplaces and helps to save lives and minimize injuries at work. But, how do you know if you need 10- or 30-hour general industry or construction training?  Employers have a legal responsibility to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards, so it is imperative both employers and employees work together to understand what sort of training is necessary.

All workers can benefit from safety training, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards set many important general training requirements for employers. Job sites can differ significantly and the types of hazards present can vary greatly. It would be impossible for OSHA to specify exactly what type of safety training would be required for every possible job site. As a result, OSHA places the responsibility of determining what type of safety training is required for a job site with the employer.

Employers are responsible for determining the type of safety training

employees must be provided to ensure a safe work environment.

OSHA Safety Training

OSHA established the voluntary Outreach Training Program to help make workers more knowledgeable about workplace hazards and their rights. Although Outreach training alone does not fulfill OSHA training requirements, it does provide a good foundation an employer can build upon. For this reason, many employers have decided to incorporate 10-hour and 30-hour OSHA safety training into their programs.

10-hour vs. 30-hour

A 10-hour Safety Training program is sufficient for most workers. The 10-hour class is intended to provide workers with awareness of common job-related safety and health hazards.

A 30-hour Safety Training program is more appropriate for supervisors or workers with some safety responsibility.

Types of 10-hour and 30-hour Training

OSHA Outreach Training provides an OSHA Department of Labor (DOL) card after completing the required training. None of the courses within the Outreach Training Program is considered a certification.

Several safety training providers offer OSHA Certificate Training. This type of training is designed to meet or exceed requirements established by OSHA, but does not result in a DOL card after completing the required training. Although some states, municipalities or others may require outreach training or equivalent for public work projects as a condition of employment, it is not an OSHA requirement.

Who Needs a DOL Card?

Most workers do not need a DOL card - they only need training that will teach them to stay safe on the worksite. For these workers, an OSHA Certificate Training program is all that is needed.

Some states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, and Rhode Island), employers, unions, organizations, or other jurisdictions may require OSHA outreach training that provides a DOL card. This requirement is usually for public works projects.

Benefits of OSHAcademy OSHA Certificate Training

One of the biggest benefits of OSHAcademy OSHA Certificate Training is the cost. Because a DOL card is not required, the cost to complete OSHAcademy OSHA Certificate Training is much less. OSHAcademy’s 10-hour and 30-hour programs save students between $30 and $40 compared to similar DOL and certificate courses.

Here are some other benefits of OSHAcademy training include:

Online OSHA Training

If you only need OSHA Certificate Training, you can take advantage of OSHAcademy’s 10-hour and 30-hour Safety and Health training programs. 

If you require a DOL card, Quality Safety Training offers 10-hour and 30-hour OSHA Outreach training.