Many OSHA standards require employers to train workers on specific hazards before they’re exposed, including hazard communication, PPE, lockout/tagout, forklifts, bloodborne pathogens, respirators and fall protection where applicable. Cover site emergency plans on day one, train in a language workers understand, verify understanding and keep records.
Start with your hazards
Training should match the hazards your employees actually face. Review your job hazard analyses, injury history and the OSHA standards that apply to your industry.
OSHA training topics that commonly apply
| Topic | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Hazard communication (29 CFR 1910.1200) | Workers exposed to hazardous chemicals |
| Personal protective equipment (1910.132) | When PPE is required |
| Lockout/tagout (1910.147) | Servicing and maintaining machines |
| Powered industrial trucks (1910.178) | Forklift operators: training and evaluation required |
| Bloodborne pathogens (1910.1030) | Occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials |
| Respiratory protection (1910.134) | When respirators are required |
| Fall protection (1926.503) | Construction workers exposed to fall hazards |
| Emergency action plans (1910.38) | Most workplaces |
This list isn’t exhaustive. Check the standards for your industry and state. Some states run their own OSHA-approved plans with additional requirements.
Day-one safety essentials
- Emergency exits, assembly points and alarms
- How to report injuries, near-misses and hazards
- First aid locations and procedures
- Required PPE for the job and how to use it
Make training effective
- Train in a language and vocabulary workers understand.
- Combine explanation, demonstration and hands-on practice.
- Verify understanding with questions, observation or a quiz.
- Refresh training when jobs, equipment or hazards change.
Document everything
Record who was trained, on what, when, by whom and how competency was verified.
Where job-title training fits
Role-based courses, like our job-title trainings, reinforce general safety awareness and vocabulary, but they do not replace OSHA-required, site-specific or equipment-specific training. You can buy OSHA 10, OSHA 30, HAZWOPER and dozens of topic courses for your team on our safety and compliance courses page.
Frequently asked questions
Is OSHA 10 required for new hires?
Federal OSHA doesn’t universally require OSHA 10, but some states, cities, contracts and job sites do. Specific OSHA standards require training on particular hazards.
How often must safety training be repeated?
It depends on the standard. Some require annual refreshers (such as bloodborne pathogens), while others require retraining when conditions change or performance is deficient: forklift operators must be evaluated at least every three years.
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