OSHA Training Requirements by Topic
More than 100 OSHA standards say workers must be trained. Some require training once, some every year, and some only when something changes. Here are the ones construction and industrial workers run into most.
- Construction
- General Industry
- Supervisors
The general rule
In construction, 29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2) says employers must teach each worker to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions and the rules that apply to their work. In general industry, training rules are written into each standard. Either way:
- Training must be in a language and vocabulary workers understand. See Multilingual Crews.
- Training required by OSHA standards must be provided at no cost to the worker.
- Workers must be trained before they’re exposed to the hazard, not after.
- Retraining is needed when the job, equipment or hazards change, or when a worker shows they didn’t understand.
Common training requirements
| Topic | Standard | Who | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall protection | 1926.503 | Anyone exposed to fall hazards | Before exposure; retrain when needed. Written certification required. |
| Ladders & stairways | 1926.1060 | Anyone using ladders or stairways | Before use; retrain when needed |
| Scaffolds | 1926.454 | Scaffold users, and erectors/dismantlers | Before use; retrain when needed |
| Hazard communication | 1910.1200(h) | Anyone exposed to hazardous chemicals | At first assignment and when a new hazard is introduced |
| Respiratory protection | 1910.134(k) | Respirator users | Every year, plus a yearly fit test |
| Lockout/tagout | 1910.147(c)(7) | Authorized, affected and other workers | Initially; retrain when jobs, machines or procedures change |
| Forklifts | 1910.178(l) | Forklift operators | Before operating; performance evaluation at least every 3 years |
| Hearing conservation | 1910.95(k) | Workers at or above 85 dBA averaged over 8 hours | Every year |
| Bloodborne pathogens | 1910.1030(g) | Workers who may contact blood, such as designated first aiders | Every year |
| Silica | 1926.1153(i) | Workers exposed to silica dust | Before exposure |
| Confined spaces | 1926.1207 / 1910.146(g) | Entrants, attendants, supervisors | Before first assignment and when duties change |
| Crane operators | 1926.1427 | Crane operators | Certification renewed every 5 years |
| HAZWOPER | 1910.120 | Hazardous waste site workers | 24 or 40 hours initially, 8-hour refresher every year |
| Asbestos | 1926.1101(k) | Workers doing asbestos work | Before work and every year |
| First aid | 1926.50 / 1910.151 | A trained first aider when no clinic or hospital is nearby | Kept current |
This table is a summary. Each standard has more detail, and state plan states may require more. OSHA’s publication Training Requirements in OSHA Standards lists them all.
What about OSHA 10 and OSHA 30?
The OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour Outreach cards are not required by federal OSHA. They’re a good introduction, but they don’t replace the job-specific training above. Some states, cities, unions and contractors do require them. See OSHA 10 & 30 Cards and State Training Requirements.
Signs of good training
- It covers the actual hazards and equipment on your job
- You get hands-on practice, not just a video
- It’s in a language you understand well
- You can ask questions, and the trainer checks that you understood
- You know who to ask when something isn’t clear later
- You’re given a record or certificate when the standard requires one
Standards & references
- 29 CFR 1926.21: Safety training and education (construction)
- OSHA 2254: Training Requirements in OSHA Standards
- OSHA: Training
- See also: Employer Responsibilities · OSHA for Small Contractors
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