What Qualifies as OSHA-Certified Training?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ensures your workers and workplaces are safe. Besides reducing workplace accidents and subsequent injuries, by providing OSHA-certified training to your workforce, you can prevent liability. In other words, training is necessary to reduce your risk and the risk your employees face.

To be OSHA compliant, you need to ensure that your staff complies with the department’s regulations. To ensure their standards are met accurately, you need to get a certification. Failure to meet these standards can result in liabilities since it can prove dangerous for your employees and your business.

To understand what OSHA certified training is, we must understand what it is not. Most employers tend to say that they provide OSHA approved training when that is not the case. Doing so can increase your risk of liabilities and receiving hefty fines. Here are some terms that are used incorrectly:

OSHA Approved Training vs. OSHA Authorized Training vs. OSHA Compliant Training 

OSHA does NOT approve classes or trainers. OSHA Outreach Training courses or trainers do not suggest or imply that the courses and trainers are approved by the department. OSHA Authorized Training is used in the program to determine that the training is authorized by the department, so this term is allowed. In other words, you can say that a particular training is OSHA-authorized, not approved.

OSHA compliant training is a statement that only means that the training is only compliant with the training requirements for a specific OSHA standard. However, it does not mean that the department has pre-approved a course or can say that it was unsuitable for certain standards. So trainers who conduct an Outreach Course cannot say that it is OSHA compliant or that it meets certain requirements as per the department’s standards.

OSHA ‘Certified’ Training

Contrary to popular belief, OSHA does NOT certify training courses. The Outreach Training Program from the department cannot be advertised as such either and this includes trainers, curriculum, and students who take the course. In fact, you cannot use the term ‘certify’ or ‘certification’ when you advertise training courses that have been authorized by OSHA. You also cannot say that after receiving the training, your employees will be OSHA certified.

Some industries and employers are exempt from OSHA’s recordkeeping rules as well, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.

An insurance policy that can help you reduce risks can protect you in case you face liabilities or training violations. SIA Insurance Group can help. We take a hands-on approach to your insurance and work to ensure your best interests are protected. Call us for a consultation in Woodridge, Illinois today.