What is Covered in an OSHA 10-Hour Certification?

Contrary to popular belief, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not certify workers in the sense that employees become “OSHA certified.” Instead, OSHA authorizes trainers and training providers to give 10-hour courses as part of its voluntary Outreach Training Program.

But ten hours of training can seem daunting. Have you ever wondered what kind of topics are included in OSHA’s 10-hour courses? In this article, we will cover the specifics of OSHA 10-hour training for general industry and construction as well as the benefits of the overall course.

What Is OSHA 10-Hour Outreach Safety Training?

Under OSHA’s outreach training program, entry-level workers take 10-hour courses that serve as an orientation to workplace safety and compliance in the construction and general industry.

The OSHA Outreach Program educates workers on potential workplace hazards, their rights, employer responsibilities, and how to file an OSHA-level complaint. Its goal is to enhance workplace safety and health, raise worker awareness of workplace hazards, and teach employees about their rights.

Aside from an introduction to the worker's rights and the employer's responsibilities, the 10-hour training must focus on identifying, avoiding, controlling, and preventing occupational hazards.

What Is the OSHA Outreach Program?

The OSHA Outreach Training Program includes four distinct areas. These four categories are as follows:

• General Industry
• Construction Industry
• Maritime Industry
• Disaster Site Workers

It is important to remember that the OSHA Outreach Program is voluntary and does not fulfill any OSHA standard's training obligations. Although it is not an OSHA mandate, certain states and companies may require you to take the course.

Both an OSHA 10-hour course and an OSHA 30-Hour course are offered for each job industry in the program. Depending on the business you work in, each course covers a distinct set of topics.

The OSHA 10-hour training programs provide entry-level personnel with fundamental, sector-specific safety and health knowledge. The OSHA 30-Hour training programs are designed to provide workers with some safety responsibilities as well as more comprehensive training. This indicates that this training is more geared toward management and supervisory-level employees.

We will just cover the specifics of the OSHA 10-hour training courses for general industry and construction in this article.

Benefits of OSHA 10 Safety Training Program

When it comes to the OSHA 10 program, both employees and employers can take advantage of a wide range of benefits. Some of them include:

• A better workplace safety culture
• Reduced accidents or incidents
• Compliance with OSHA standards
• Reduced accident-related expenses
• Higher employee retention

By offering procedures to ensure workplace safety is a top priority, safe work environments not only help the company's bottom line but also the employees.

What Does OSHA 10 Training Cover?

OSHA has set minimum topic requirements for entry-level employees who must complete 10 hours of construction or general industry training. Some of the industry-specific topics are required, while others are optional.

OSHA 10-Hour Safety Training for Construction Workers

Mandatory Topics (7 Hours)

• Introduction to OSHA (2 hours)
  • Rights of workers
  • Responsibilities of employers
  • How to file a complaint
• OSHA “focus four” hazards (4 hours)
  • Falls (at least 1 hour and 15 minutes)
  • Electrocution (at least 30 minutes)
  • Struck-by (at least 30 minutes)
  • Caught in/between (at least 30 minutes)
• Personal protective and lifesaving equipment (30 minutes)
• Health hazards in construction (30 minutes)

Elective Topics (2 Hours)

A minimum of two topics must be covered. Each topic must be at least 30 minutes in length:

• Cranes, derricks, hoists, elevators, and conveyors
• Excavations
• Handling, storage, usage, and disposal of materials
• Scaffolds
• Hand and power tools

Optional Topic (1 Hour)

Choose from other related hazards/policies or expound on mandatory/elective topics. The topic(s) must be at least 30 minutes in length.

OSHA 10-Hour Safety Training for General Industry Workers

Mandatory Topics (7 Hours)

• Introduction to OSHA (2 hours)
  • Rights of workers
  • Responsibilities of employers
  • How to file a complaint
• Walking and working surfaces (1 hour)—including fall protection
• Emergency action plans (1 hour)—including exit routes, fire protection, and fire prevention plans
• Electrical (1 hour)
• Personal protective equipment (1 hour)
• Hazard communication (1 hour)

Elective Topics (2 Hours)

A minimum of two topics must be covered. Each topic must be at least 30 minutes in length:

• Hazardous materials
• Materials handling
• Machine guarding
• Introduction to industrial hygiene
• Bloodborne pathogens
• Ergonomics
• Safety and health program
• Fall protection

Can I Take the OSHA 10-Hour Training Online?

Of course, OSHA training can be completed online. Entry-level workers can enroll in courses from an OSHA-accepted online training provider. At 360training.com, you’re just a few clicks away from meeting OSHA’s 10-hour Construction or General Industry training requirements! Contact us to find out how you can complete the course without the common hassles of traditional learning.

What are the Designated Training Topics for OSHA 10?

OSHA has set minimum topic requirements for entry-level employees who must complete 10-hours of construction or general industry training. Some of the industry-specific topics are required, while others are optional:

OSHA 10-Hour Safety Training for Construction Workers

Mandatory Topics (7 hours)

• Introduction to OSHA (2 hours)
  • Rights of workers
  • Responsibilities of employers
  • How to file a complaint
• OSHA “focus four” hazards (4 hours)
  • Falls (at least 1 hour and 15 minutes)
  • Electrocution (at least 30 minutes)
  • Struck-by (at least 30 minutes)
  • Caught in/between (at least 30 minutes)
• Personal protective and lifesaving equipment (30 minutes)
• Health hazards in construction (30 minutes)

Elective Topics (2 hours)

A minimum of two topics must be covered. Each topic must be at least 30 minutes in length:

• Cranes, derricks, hoists, elevators, and conveyors
• Excavations
• Handling, storage, usage, and disposal of materials
• Scaffolds
• Hand and power tools

Optional Topic (1 hour)

Choose from other related hazards/policies or expound on mandatory/elective topics. The topic(s) must be at least 30 minutes in length.

OSHA 10-Hour Safety Training for General industry Workers

Mandatory Topics (7 hours)

• Introduction to OSHA (2 hours)
  • Rights of workers
  • Responsibilities of employers
  • How to file a complaint
• Walking and working surfaces (1 hour)—including fall protection
• Emergency action plans (1 hour)—including exit routes, fire protection, and fire prevention plans
• Electrical (1 hour)
• Personal protective equipment (1 hour)
• Hazard communication (1 hour)

Elective Topics (2 hours)

A minimum of two topics must be covered. Each topic must be at least 30 minutes in length:

• Hazardous materials
• Materials handling
• Machine guarding
• Introduction to industrial hygiene
• Bloodborne pathogens
• Ergonomics
• Safety and health program
• Fall protection

Can I Take the OSHA 10-Hour Training Online?

Definitely. Entry-level workers may take OSHA 10 courses from an OSHA-accepted online training provider. At 360training.com, you’re just a few clicks away from meeting OSHA’s 10-hour construction or general industry training requirements! Contact us to find out how you can complete the course without the common hassles of traditional learning.