OSHA North Dakota Online Training

Prior to Congress passing the OSH Act, there were very few federal laws that protected employees’ safety at work. However, with the creation of OSHA, that changed for workers in every state, including North Dakota. Today, there are numerous safety regulations that protect workers from job site hazards.

Unfortunately, OSHA’s rules and regulations can be somewhat confusing, and it’s even more confusing when each state also has its own safety laws. So, to help you gain a better understanding of OSHA standards and how they impact you in North Dakota, we are going to review why training is essential for workplace safety and how you can get your OSHA North Dakota training.

OSHA North Dakota Training Requirements

Currently, North Dakota doesn’t have its own occupational health and safety regulatory program (often called a "state plan"). Instead, federal OSHA laws apply for North Dakota workers, including most private-sector workers.

OSHA mandates training on certain topics. In North Dakota, 10-Hour and 30-Hour "Outreach" courses are not required by federal OR state regulation, but OSHA does recommend Outreach training as a general orientation to safety. Outreach courses also typically cover common required topics for their industry.

And although North Dakota state law may not mandate OSHA Outreach training, your employer might require you to take it to ensure you understand how to prevent jobsite accidents and injuries. If you do need to complete training, the course you take typically depends on your level of responsibility. For instance, OSHA 10-Hour courses are for entry-level workers while 30-Hour courses are for supervisors.

Benefits of OSHA North Dakota Training for Workers

The point of OSHA safety training is to equip workers with the knowledge they need to identify and reduce hazards so that they can prevent deadly accidents.

Additionally, when employers in North Dakota invest in OSHA training programs, they can:

• Prevent fines from OSHA inspections
• Reduce workers’ compensation costs
• Improve productivity and financial performance

Reviewing fatal injury statistics from OSHA, the Department of Labor, and other North Dakota agencies helps to put this in perspective and reveals an important story about the role safety training plays in preventing fatalities, accidents, and fines.

Fatal Occupational Injuries in North Dakota

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were a total of 38 fatal occupational injuries in North Dakota in 2017, while nationally there were 5,147 fatal occupational injuries.

Of the 38 fatalities:

• 26 were the result of transportation incidents
• 5 were the result of contact with objects and equipment
• 3 were the result of exposure to harmful substances or environments
• 1 were the result of fires and explosions

Of the transportation-related fatalities:

• 11 were due to collisions with other vehicles (10 on roadways, 1 not)
• 4 were due jack-knifing or overturning on a roadway
• 3 were due to a vehicle striking an object or animal on the side of the road
• 3 were due to pedestrians struck by vehicles in non-roadway areas
• 2 were due to collision between rail and roadway vehicles
• 1 was due to an aircraft crashing in-flight

Of 38 total fatalities:

• 7 in mining, quarrying, and oil & gas extraction
• 5 in construction (including 1 in heavy or civil engineering construction)
• 5 in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting
  • 1 in cattle ranching
  • 1 in wheat farming
  • 2 in the production of other crops
• 10 in trade, transportation, and utilities, including
  • 5 in long-distance freight trucking
  • 2 in the wholesale trade of farm supplies
  • 2 others in transportation and warehousing
• 1 in veterinary services
• 1 in engineering services
• 1 in the lease or rental of construction, mining, or forestry equipment
• 2 in government (1 local, 1 federal)
• 6 in various other private industries (including 1 at a car wash business)

2017 Top OSHA Enforcement Cases in North Dakota

Workers in many industries, especially construction, are at an increased risk for injury and accidents. However, it’s not just workers who benefit from OSHA training— North Dakota employers also benefit. In fact, employers who train employees on safety issues can reduce their risk of enforcement penalties from an OSHA inspection.

Currently, OSHA lists the top enforcement cases, by state on its website, but here are the top cases for 2017.

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