In our latest installment of Ask the Expert, brought to you by the team of industry experts at EHS Hero®, we look at a recent question from a subscriber asking about the OSHA requirement for yearly training. See what the experts had to say.
Q: What is the OSHA requirement for yearly training?
There are very few prescribed number of training hours in OSHA rules for worker safety except minimum training hours for exposure to asbestos, lead, hazardous wastes, certain emergency response personnel exposed to hazardous substances, and some other special situations.
Employers have to evaluate the hazards to which their employees are exposed, identify the OSHA standards that apply, and administer any training required under the applicable regulations. It is up to you the employer to determine the amount of time needed to adequately train workers to recognize the specific hazards they will encounter and how to avoid injury and illness. Proper recordkeeping of the training you administer will serve to demonstrate you have satisfied the applicable training requirements.
See the training chart under the Topics-Analysis for the topic “Training” on Safety.BLR that lists topics where worker training is required. Also, keep in mind that California has stricter training requirements than federal OSHA in a number of areas. California-based establishments must ensure that they comply with the state’s stricter training standards.
As mentioned, training duration is not specified in most rules, but you may have to follow course duration requirements specified by certain professional service providers. For example, if you want employees to have certificates offered by third-party vendors, such as certified first-aid training from the Red Cross or forklift operator certificates from your forklift manufacturer or association, then you will have to meet their course requirements.
Also see the Step-By-Step Guide to Safety Training Resources for guidelines and resources to assess your training needs and create your training program here.