OSHA training is an important part of many industries, but that doesn't mean it's immediately obvious what you should do or how you can get the necessary qualifications. To make things more complex, OSHA offers two training types, generally called some variation of "10" and "30." What are the differences, why does it matter, and which course is right for your needs? Let's find out.
OSHA Training: Understanding Your Options
When it comes to workplace training courses, it's important to remember that most industries have specific guidelines and requirements. These align with OSHA regulations, of course--but OSHA offers different courses depending on your role and workplace needs.
Let's take a look at the two main types of OSHA training courses:
10-Hour Training
10-hour OSHA training is a sort of introduction to safety training and industry regulations overall. It often includes topic such as top workplace hazards, personal protective equipment (PPE), materials handling, power tools, and more. This training will also help learners understand OSHA's role in their industry and the requirements for safe, compliant work.
On top of safety, awareness, and avoidance training, this 10-hour course covers the basics of employment. That includes employees' rights and employer responsibilities, the process of filing a complaint, expectations for a safe working environment, and more.
This course must be completed within 10 days. When learners pass, they receive a course completion card that, in some cases, can be used as certification to train others.
30-Hour Training
30-hour OSHA training is more in-depth and exhaustive; it's intended for leaders, supervisors, and anyone in a safety management role. It takes a closer look at workplace safety risks and how these challenges impact employees. The course covers everything from potential injuries and efficiency issues to workplace compliance and leader responsibilities.
OSHA mandates that any version of the 30-hour training must include specific topics. Other things are optional and depend on the trainer, participants, workplace, and other regulations or requirements. That means any given training might cinlude topics such as:
- Welding
- Cutting
- Confined spaces
- Lead or asbestors exposure
- Mechanized equipment
- Fire prevention
Learners receive a course completion card when they pass this training.
OSHA Training FAQs
If you're not familiar with OSHA trainings, have recently been promoted to a leading role, or just want to double-check what's required, you may have some big questions. Here are a few examples:
Do the courses cover the same things?
Yes, the 10-hour and 30-hour courses cover many of the same topics. However, it's important to remember that the former is intended to be an introduction to OSHA and workplace safety overall, while the latter is a more in-depth look often required for roles with bigger responsibilities.
Can you take these courses online?
In many cases, you can take both 10-hour and 30-hour courses online. This opens up far more flexibility for both the trainers and trainees, allowing you to choose dates and times that work best for your schedule. There may be some situations where you need to take part or all of a training course in-person, but that depends on the trainer, specific requirements, and more.
Do you need both courses?
You don't necessarily need both courses to fulfill most OSHA and workplace requirements. Some people take the 10-hour course first based on their role and responsibilities, then pursue their 30-hour qualification if and when they move into a more senior position.
Can you apply the 10-hour training to the 30-hour course?
In some cases, you can apply the 10-hour training to part of your 30-hour qualification. This depends on OSHA specifications for your industry, role, and situation, so be sure to double-check.
Conclusion
OSHA training comes in 10- and 30-hour variants, and it's important to understand the differences and requirements. However, the easy answer is that the best course will depend on your industry and role--and you can generally do the work online.
Need help choosing the best OSHA training for your needs? Contact us today to get started.