What Does
OSHA Certification Mean?
OSHA certification refers to two types of safety certifications (OSHA 10 and OSHA 30) authorized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) through its Outreach Training Program.
OSHA certification is a requirement for high-risk jobs, such as those in the construction and maritime industries. Employers can also require applicants to possess either OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification to apply for certain positions.
Safeopedia Explains OSHA Certification
An OSHA certificate attests that the holder has the skills and knowledge required to do their job safely, even in high-risk work environments.
While OSHA certification is issued in accordance with the OSH Act of 1970, OSHA itself does not certify workers. Rather, certificates are issued by OSHA-authorized training programs. Individuals who successfully complete these training programs receive an official Department of Labor (DOL) OSHA 10-Hour card or OSHA 30-Hour card, depending on the amount of training hours they have received.
To remain certified, certificate holders must complete an eight-hour refresher training course every three years.
OSHA certification courses can be completed either in person or online.
OSHA 10-Hour and OSHA 30-Hour Training
The training required to obtain an OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certificate have some overlap. Both will teach workers to recognize and prevent work-related hazards, about their rights as employees, employer responsibilities, and how to file a safety complaint.
The OSHA 10-hour training program is designed for entry-level workers and covers topics such as the identification, correction, and prevention of potential workplace hazards.
The OSHA 30-hour training is more comprehensive and is designed for supervisors or other staff with safety responsibilities, as well as workers on high-hazard jobsites and those involved in the disposal of hazardous material.
Avoiding Fraudulent Trainers and Courses
To ensure that you are getting the right training and certification, be sure to consult OSHA’s list of authorized trainers before signing up for a course.