Texas OSHA Training Online

When OSHA was established, there were very few government rules that protected workers in every state, including Texas. Now, there are many OSHA standards set in place that keep all U.S. workers safe from jobsite hazards.

But OSHA rules and regulations can be confusing, especially when each state has different guidelines. To help you get a better understanding of OSHA standards in Texas, we are going to review OSHA training recommendations, how you can get your OSHA Texas training, and why training is so important for Texans in every industry—and in particular construction.

OSHA Texas Training Requirements

Unlike some states, Texas doesn’t have its own occupational health and safety regulatory program, also known as a “state plan.” Instead, Texas falls under federal OSHA jurisdiction, which covers most private-sector workers.

Additionally, state law in Texas doesn’t mandate OSHA Outreach training, and neither does OSHA. They do require workers to be trained on specific topics, and Outreach courses usually cover commonly required training modules as part of their curriculum. Because of this, OSHA recommends workers receive Outreach training as an orientation to occupational safety and health.

And even though there is no government requirement for OSHA Outreach Training in Texas, many employers still require workers to complete OSHA 10-Hour courses and supervisors to complete OSHA 30-Hour courses.

Texas Hazardous Communication Act (THCA)

While OSHA has standards relating to hazardous communication that you need to be aware of, Texas also has its law: The Texas Hazard Communication Act (THCA). The THCA ensures that employees receive information and training on the specific chemical hazards they may be exposed to in the workplace.

Benefits of OSHA Texas Training for Workers

The goal of OSHA safety training is to help increase employees' awareness and understanding of workplace and Jobsite hazards so that they're better equipped to prevent fatalities and accidents. Additionally, when employers in Texas invest in OSHA training programs, they can:

• Avoid penalties from OSHA inspections
• Lower workers' compensation costs
• Increase productivity and financial performance

While we can say awareness helps keep workers safe, it's another thing to look at the statistics from OSHA, the Department of Labor, and other Texas agencies. These workplace injury statistics tell an important story about the role of safety training in preventing fatalities, accidents, and fines.

Fatal Occupational Injuries in Texas

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 578 fatal occupational injuries in Texas in 2022, while nationally, there were 5,486 fatal injuries.

Of the 578 fatalities:

• 280 were the result of transportation incidents
• 87 were the result of falls, slips, and trips
• 72 were the result of contact with objects and equipment
• 68 were the result of violence and other injuries by persons or animals
• 61 were the result of exposure to harmful substances or environments
• 9 were the result of fires and explosions

The industry with the highest number of fatal work injuries was trade, transportation, and utilities, while the sector with the second highest was construction.

The industries with the greatest number of fatalities were:

• 179 in trade, transportation, and utilities
• 140 in construction 
• 128 in transportation and warehousing
• 49 in government (9 in federal, 6 in state, and 34 in local) 
• 34 in manufacturing 
• 39 administrative and waste services

2023 Top OSHA Enforcement Cases in Texas

As you can see, workers in Texas, especially in construction, are at risk for injury and accidents. But they are not alone. Texas businesses can also use OSHA training to help reduce their risk of enforcement penalties from an OSHA inspection.

OSHA lists the top enforcement cases by the state on its website. Here are the top cases in Texas for 2023.

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