How Employers Can Streamline OSHA Training

Workplace safety is a matter of compliance and a commitment to your team’s well-being. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations play a key role in equipping employees with the knowledge to recognize hazards and follow safe practices. 

However, for many employers, delivering OSHA training can feel time-consuming and difficult to manage. Fortunately, there are smarter ways to deliver safety education without sacrificing quality or compliance.

In this guide, we’ll discuss practical ways to streamline OSHA training without cutting corners. We also share how you can keep your team informed and compliant while saving time and reducing administrative stress. 

What is OSHA Training?

OSHA training refers to occupational health and safety education designed to protect workers, prevent injuries, and promote a culture of awareness across job sites and industries. While "OSHA" stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the United States, the principles behind OSHA-aligned training are globally relevant. 

Basically, OSHA training means equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge to identify hazards and reduce risks in the workplace. If any emergencies arise, these training programs also include information for handling them effectively.

OSHA training is not limited to high-risk sectors like construction and mining. It is also important in other industries like manufacturing, hospitality, logistics, and healthcare, where both psychological and physical safety matter.

However, the way OSHA training looks in different industries varies. For example, healthcare staff may learn about infection control and workplace violence protection. Construction workers have to undergo site-specific inductions and fall protection courses. Similarly, office teams may benefit from ergonomics training.

The exact components of OSHA training that organizations need to adopt will depend on the industry. So, a decent understanding of OSHA’s principles is required to create relevant training programs. 

OSHA Training Requirements for Employers

OSHA outlines several training topics on its websites and resources. Depending on your industry and operations, some or all of these may apply.

Here are some key on-the-job training areas employers should focus on.

Emergency Action Plans (EAP)

Every workplace needs a plan for handling emergencies like fires or chemical spills. OSHA requires that you develop these action plans and then train your employees on how to follow them.

For example, employers working in a warehouse should know evacuation routes and assembly points. For businesses with fewer than 10 employees, verbal communication of these plans suffices. However, if you have more employees, you need to provide the plan in writing.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Workers must understand when and how to use PPE like gloves, helmets, or eye protection. Training should include how to properly put on and remove equipment, as well as how to maintain and dispose of it. If the equipment changes, you must refresh the training program.

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)

LOTO training is necessary for employees who repair or maintain machines. For example, maintenance staff in a factory should learn how to isolate electrical sources before servicing equipment. Training allows employees to prevent accidental startups and keep themselves safe.

Confined Spaces

In some industries, like construction, employees may work in confined spaces. For example, employees may have to enter tanks or manholes.

These workers must receive specialized training on the hazards of confined spaces and how to avoid them. They must also understand atmospheric testing, emergency responses, rescue procedures, and so on. Again, if conditions or employee duties change, you need to retrain them.

First Aid

If there's no hospital or clinic nearby, employers must train selected workers in basic first aid. These employee training materials should be in accordance with OSHA's guidelines. OSHA requires that first aid supplies should always be accessible in the workplace.

Electrical Safety and Fire Protection

Electricians and technicians need training in identifying live parts. They must also understand voltage levels and the correct protective distances to maintain them.

Likewise, employees should know how to use fire extinguishers since OSHA expects workplaces to be ready for fire emergencies. Office workers may have to go through annual fire drills, while warehouse employees need hands-on extinguisher training.

Bloodborne Pathogens and Hazardous Substances

These requirements mainly apply to employees in the healthcare and medical fields. Healthcare workers and janitorial staff exposed to bodily fluids should be trained annually on using gloves and face shields. They must also be prepared to respond to exposure incidents.

Chemical handlers must know how to read Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and store substances safely. Their training may include knowledge about handling materials like benzene and asbestos or complying with the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS).

Occupational Noise Exposure

In certain industries, like manufacturing and construction, employees also require hearing conservation training. They need to be taught how to use hearing protection effectively. Audiometric testing may also be a requirement in some instances.

Hazard Communication (HAZCOM)

Any workplace that uses chemicals or hazardous substances must comply with the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). Basically, employees should be trained on all aspects of the hazards of these materials, such as handling, disposal, emergency procedures, safe mixing, and storage.

How to Create an OSHA Training Program 

Whether you’re starting from scratch or improving an existing program, the process of creating an OSHA training program can seem overwhelming. However, the following steps will help simplify the process. 

Step 1: Identify OSHA Requirements for Your Industry

OSHA provides specific regulations for various industries. Each workplace may require different types of training based on the risks involved. The first step in creating a training program is understanding the OSHA requirements that apply to your particular industry.

OSHA regulations can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 29. The general industry standards are located in 29 CFR 1910, while construction-related regulations are in 29 CFR 1926.

Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to focus on specific training topics. For example, if you work in construction, employees might need training in fall protection, scaffolding, and equipment operation. In healthcare, it’s more likely you’ll need to focus on bloodborne pathogens, chemical exposure, and ergonomics.

Step 2: Decide Who Needs Training 

Some employees may only need basic training in general workplace safety, while others may require more specialized instruction based on their job functions. Divide your workforce into three groups: 

• General Employees: These workers need foundational training in basic workplace safety, hazard recognition, and emergency procedures.
• Supervisors and Managers: Supervisors often need additional training in OSHA regulations and reporting.
• Specializes Workers: Depending on the industry, employees may need specific training in handling hazardous materials, operating machinery, or managing high-risk activities.

When you know who requires which training, you can tailor your course accordingly. 

Step 3: Develop Training Content 

OSHA training programs should be both informative and practical. Ideally, it should cover a range of topics based on the risks employees face. 

Some key topics to include are hazard communication, personal protective equipment (PPE), fire safety, emergency response procedures, ergonomics, and machine operation. Include real-world examples and videos to make your course material relatable. Interactive elements like quizzes or role-playing exercises can help reinforce learning.

Step 4: Choose the Training Format 

The training format should match the needs of your organization. In-person training is ideal for hands-on activities like equipment training and fire drills. Meanwhile, online modules are great for foundational safety knowledge, and they can be accessed from anywhere. You can also gamify your online course or create branching scenarios to further engage your learners.

Most organizations use a blend of in-person and online training. The dual approach offers flexibility while allowing for direct interaction and practical application. 

Step 5: Add Assessments

It’s important to test your workers on the knowledge they’ve gained from the course. While you can create assessments from scratch, it’s more helpful if your course-builder has a built-in feature that speeds up this process. 

For example, Coursebox includes an AI Assessment tool that generates and grades quizzes or assignments instantly. You can customize grading criteria to fit OSHA guidelines or company policies, and learners will get immediate feedback, saving you hours of manual review.

It's up to you to create assessments from scratch or convert existing files and videos into assessments. The platform's AI will automatically generate rubrics for your assessments.

Step 6: Track and Report

You need to stay on top of learner progress to get an idea of how well your OSHA training program is going. OSHA also requires employers to maintain records of all training conducted. 

You can do this manually or through an automated learning management system (LMS) that records progress and certifications. Keep copies of all certificates you have provided to employees along with assessments taken during the training. 

While you're at it, don't forget to provide regular feedback to learners. They will be more motivated to continue their training if they know they are making progress and receiving recognition for it. Plus, feedback can help them close knowledge gaps that they did not know existed.

Conclusion

When you’re creating an effective OSHA training program, you need to understand the regulations and create relevant content. More importantly, you must evaluate your learners regularly. 

Proper training can give employees the confidence to prevent accidents while keeping themselves and others safe. A well-structured program doesn’t just meet compliance criteria but also builds a safety-first culture that benefits everyone on site.