What is OSHA training?
OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that was created in 1970 due to unsafe working conditions. OSHA requires that all employers provide a workplace free from serious recognized hazards and comply with standards, rules, and regulations issued under the OSHA act. OSHA’s mission is to save lives, prevent injuries and protect the health of America’s workers. When an employee completes OSHA trainings, they should be documented and stored on file.
- Develops and implements safety and health standards
- Maintains a recordkeeping system to track job-related injuries and illnesses
- Provides training programs to increase knowledge about occupational safety and health.
Under certain conditions, employees have the right to refuse work in hazardous situations while keeping good faith. This does not give the employee the right to walk off the jobsite or leave the premises but to say no to dangerous work duties.
What safety training is required by OSHA and is it industry-specific?
OSHA is a federal agency that sets and enforces protective workplace safety and health standards. OSHA’s requirements ARE industry-specific, and those industries may include but are not limited to, Agriculture, Construction, General Industry, and Maritime.
Employers must meet the required training standards below:
- IIPP training
- An IIPP is a basic written workplace safety program with 8 required elements.
- The 8 elements are responsibility, compliance, communication, hazard assessment, accident/exposure investigation, hazard correction, training and instruction, and recordkeeping.
- All employees, supervisors, and members of management should be aware and trained on their company’s IIPP based on OSHA training requirements.
- An IIPP can not be outdated or generic, employers must update their IIPP and implement an IIPP that is specific to their industry.
- Hazardous substances
- All employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must have labels and safety data sheets for their exposed workers
- Employees must also be trained on how to properly use these chemicals for their own safety
- Use color codes, safety signs, labels, and posters, to alert workers of potential hazards.
- Bloodborne Pathogens
- Employers must implement an exposure control plan for the worksite
- Employees must be trained on how bloodborne pathogens are spread, how to avoid exposure, and what to do if exposed.
- PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
- PPE is equipment worn to minimize exposure to a variety of hazards.
- OSHA training requires that employers conduct a “hazard assessment” of the workplace to identify and provide appropriate PPE for employees.
- PPE may include hearing protection, gloves, hard hats, bodysuits, and safety glasses.
- PPE should be provided to employees at no cost
- Emergency exit strategies
- An Emergency Action Plan is intended to prepare and organize employers and employees actions during workplace emergencies and is recommended for all employers.
- An emergency action plan must be in writing and kept in the workplace with access for all employees to review.
Additional requirements for employers:
- Have tools and equipment in the facility that are safe and properly maintained.
- Under whistleblower protections, employers cannot retaliate, punish, or discriminate against employees who file complaints
- Safety training must be provided in a language and vocabulary that employees can understand.
- Provide medical examinations when required
- Report within 8 hours any accident that results in a fatality or the hospitalization of three or more employees
- Provide employees, former employees, and their representatives access to the OSHA 200 form at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner
Along with these trainings’, OSHA requires all employers to post an OSHA compliant poster in a conspicuous space in the workplace.
Does OSHA or Cal/OSHA require fire or ladder safety training?
Yes, OSHA on the federal level and Cal/OSHA both require fire prevention safety for all affected employees during their new hire orientation and with any new hazards. Fire extinguisher training must be provided if fire extinguishers are at the workplace and an employee may be required to use them. Fire extinguisher training is also in an employee’s new hire orientation and required annually. Ladder safety training is required for an employee who is expected to use a ladder before they actually use it. Maintain documentation of these pieces of training in your employee’s records in case of an audit.
Although fire and ladder safety is extremely important, we have listed more safety training below that employers should comply with. Completing a hazard assessment for your workplace and determining which safety trainings are required or would benefit your company is essential for compliance.
Is safety training required under OSHA for construction projects?
Construction workers engage in many activities that may expose them to serious hazards, such as falling from rooftops, unguarded machinery, being struck by heavy construction equipment, electrocutions, silica dust, and asbestos. The construction industry has many federal and state regulations that must be followed to keep employees safe on the job. These safety trainings include but are not limited to:
- Fall Hazard training
- Mobile elevated work platforms (MEWP)
- Emergency action plans
- Electrical safety
- Confined spaces
- Hazard communication
- Electrical Safety
- OSHA 10
No matter the industry, OSHA training is not required if your employees are not exposed to a particular hazard. For example, if your workers have no risk or exposure to confined spaces, then you are not required to provide confined spaces training. Employers need to ensure employees have properly maintained tools and equipment including proper PPE.
Since we know the construction industry can get hectic, Bizhaven’s Safety Business Partner’s can come to the company’s construction site to perform these trainings to provide convenience for the employer.
Who can be Inspected by OSHA?
Just about every employer in the United States can be audited by OSHA without notice. Although, OSHA will target companies that have a higher risk of injuries while on the job.
OSHA will put a priority on inspections by the following:
- Situations of Imminent Danger
- Situations Involving Fatalities or Catastrophes
- Workplace Complaints
- Planned Inspections
- Follow-up Inspections
During an OSHA inspection, they may request proof that the company has provided OSHA training. OSHA officials may request training certificates from programs you have conducted, records of safety training, or even interview employees to gain insight on the company’s safety policies. During inspections, OSHA compliance officers will interview staff privately and confidentially in order to discover if companies are recording injuries as required. OSHA compliance officers may also request to see that you have the official OSHA poster hung up in a conspicuous spot in the workplace.
Having all staff caught up on training that is required and having proof of certificates can save employers from large fines. Employers should also work with their Bizhaven Safety Business Partner to update and review their safety policies and programs.
How can Bizhaven assist with Safety training?
OSHA violation fines can be steep, what can Bizhaven do to ensure compliance in the workplace? Bizhaven’s Safety Business Partner can come onsite to conduct a workplace hazard assessment and uncover gaps in the workplace.
Bizhaven provides OSHA training programs onsite or may conduct training virtually depending on our client’s needs/preference. Once this training has been completed, Bizhaven’s Safety Business Partner will create a certificate for each employee who attended the training. This certificate will be stored on file to keep track of trainings and expiration dates. Bizhaven works with all industries and can help train employees so they are safe on the job.