Workplace safety is a critical concern for any business. OSHA (The Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is a government agency that sets workplace safety standards and provides compliance training. OSHA compliance is required for most businesses and can help protect your employees from possible injuries and health risks. This post will tell you what you can expect when you take the OSHA compliance training.
What is OSHA Compliance Training?
OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a government agency in existence since 1971 that is responsible for overseeing safety in the workplace. OSHA’s goal is to provide safe and healthful working conditions by creating and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. OSHA compliance training is mandatory for all companies with more than 10 employees working on federal contracts or having operations that involve hazardous substances. Failure to keep OSHA compliance training up to date can lead to penalty fines from OSHA. These OSHA compliance trainers must be certified through OSHA so they know what type of information must be included in the OSHA compliance training courses.
Each state has its own branch of this government agency that works with OSHA Compliance training. OSHA’s goal is to prevent workplace injuries by enforcing OSHA rules and regulations. OSHA compliance training courses are required for all employees, including management, supervisors, workers, aquatic employees, landscapers, and anyone else who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals or dangerous equipment on the job. OSHA compliance training tells employees what their rights are concerning safety on the job. OSHA compliance training must be done at least once a year unless your business is seasonal.
The owner of the company should take this OSHA course so that they know what their rights and responsibilities are concerning workplace safety. OSHA compliance training may include topics like:
- Working around moving equipment
- How to safely use ladders
- What types of hazardous chemicals must be used in the proper manner
- Other things employers should know about to make their job sites safer
There is no limit on the number of employees that need to receive OSHA compliance training, but OSHA compliance training courses must be done at least once a year. OSHA has not provided OSHA compliance trainers for companies with less than 10 employees; therefore, the owner should take OSHA compliance training to make their workplace safer and keep OSHA off their backs.
If you have an especially high injury rate in your company, then OSHA compliance training needs to be done more often than that.
Most companies with less than 10 employees are not required to provide OSHA compliance or OSHA compliance training because they are not federal contractors or do not work with hazardous substances. OSHA compliance training can be done online or by attending classes at OSHA-certified companies that provide OSHA compliance courses and OSHA compliance training.
There are OSHA consultants who provide OSHA training online and OSHA compliance packages that include OSHA training and OSHA compliance manuals. You’ll also need to develop a safety plan that covers all the equipment your employees use, which you can do with help from an OSHA consultant. An OSHA consultant is an expert in OSHA compliance who can help you understand workplace safety regulations and ensure that you meet or exceed them.
The bottom line is OSHA compliance training courses should only be taken if OSHA rules and regulations do apply to your business. Failure to complete OSHA compliance training can result in penalty fines from OSHA.
If you’re not sure if your business is OSHA-compliant or if you need to provide OSHA training for your employees, contact an OSHA consultant. They can help you develop a safety plan that meets OSHA standards and ensure that your business is operating safely.
