Safety Training

Safety training is important because it helps reduce workplace injuries and illnesses by ensuring employees understand hazards and how to protect themselves. Providing clear instruction equips workers with the knowledge they need to perform their jobs safely.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), approximately 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses occur annually in private industry. Many of these incidents can be prevented when workers are given:

• Complete information about the processes they perform
• Awareness of the hazards they face
• Guidance on the equipment they use
• Understanding of available protections
• Knowledge of potential effects from chemical exposure

Effective training supports safer work practices and helps prevent avoidable incidents.

Some OSHA safety training is mandatory, but the specific requirements depend on an employee’s job duties. Employers must provide training when it is required by applicable OSHA standards for the tasks employees perform.

OSHA has mandated training for certain topics, including:

• Hazard communication (HazCom)
• Lockout/tagout
• Bloodborne pathogens
• Forklift operators

In addition to required training, many employers choose to provide extra safety training to further protect employees and reduce workplace risks.

OSHA training frequency depends on the specific standard that applies, but employees must always be trained before they are exposed to a hazard. Additional training may be required on a recurring basis or when conditions change.

While requirements vary by regulation, common expectations include:

• Initial training: Must be completed before employees are exposed to a hazard
• Refresher training: May be required periodically, when workplace conditions change, or if an employee is not performing tasks safely

Employers should review each applicable OSHA rule to determine the exact training and retraining requirements.

Yes, OSHA accepts online training as part of a safety and health training program, as long as it meets certain conditions. The training must include opportunities for interaction with a qualified trainer and provide enough hands-on experience for employees.

Computer-based training programs can be used to satisfy OSHA requirements if they:

• Allow trainees to ask questions and get answers from a qualified trainer
• Include sufficient hands-on or practical experience

These elements help ensure employees fully understand the material and can apply it safely in the workplace.

There is no single OSHA requirement that sets a standard retention period for all training records. Recordkeeping requirements, including how long records must be kept, are defined within each specific OSHA regulation.

In many cases:

• OSHA requires employers to maintain training records
• The regulation may not specify a retention timeframe

Employers should review each applicable OSHA standard to determine whether training records are required and how long they must be retained.