What is OSHA Certification?
OSHA certification is a recognition workers obtain for completing courses in OSHA’s Safety and Health Fundamentals Program. Some OSHA certification courses are designed to teach general workplace safety, while others may be geared towards specific hazards or specific roles. Examples include:
- Job Hazard Analysis
- Health Hazard Awareness
- Electrical Standards
- Industrial Hygiene
- Machinery and Machine Guarding Standards
- Permit-Required Confined Space Entry
- Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control
- Occupational Noise Exposure Hazards
- Training Guidelines for Safe Patient Handling
- Fall Hazard Awareness for the Construction Industry
How to Obtain OSHA Certification in the Fundamentals Program
OSHA’s Safety and Health Fundamentals Program awards certificates to participants who complete a minimum of seven courses. The courses vary in length from 4 hours up to 35 hours, and participants must complete at least 68 contact hours of training for a construction or general industry certificate, or 77 contact hours of training for a maritime certificate.
The courses are run at OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers located throughout the country – usually attached to a college or university – or remotely via Zoom or Canvas. Prospective candidates can find a searchable database of courses (by course, location, language, etc.) plus the cost of taking each course on the OSHA website.
OSHA Certificate Programs for Safety and Health Professionals
In addition to the Safety and Health Fundamentals Program, OSHA’s website contains details of certificate and degree programs for safety and health professionals. The objective of these programs is to provide students and existing safety managers with the skills and qualifications required to perform at various levels within the safety management field.
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As with the Safety and Health Fundamentals Program, OSHA certification is dependent upon participants completing a minimum number of courses over a minimum number of hours. The number of courses and contract hours required for OSHA certification depends on the level of the course (Certificate, Associate, Bachelor, Master, etc.) and the qualification achieved at the end.
What is OSHA 10-Hour and 30-Hour Certification?
OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour certifications – also known as Outreach Certifications – are two types of training programs offered by OSHA-authorized training organizations. The 10-hour certification program is intended for “entry level workers” and covers the basics of OSHA compliance such as hazard recognition, workers’ rights, employers’ responsibilities, and how to file a complaint.
The 30-hour certification program is more advanced and intended for supervisors and managers with responsibility for safety and health in the workplace. The program covers more topics than the 10-hour program; and, although not standard-specific, is recommended for anybody that will ultimately be responsible for providing OSHA training to members of the workforce.
The Benefits of Obtaining an OSHA Certification
The benefits of obtaining an OSHA certification vary according to your location and the industry you work in. In some states, it is necessary for workers in the construction industry to hold an OSHA 10-hour certification before being allowed to work on certain types of projects. In some states, the 10-hour and 30-hour certification courses have to be retaken every five years.
For workers not required to obtain OSHA certification, the benefits include having a better understanding of workplace safety, helping colleagues recognize workplace hazards, and helping an employer improve or maintain safety standards. In some cases – particularly when a high-level qualification is achieved – OSHA certification can result in a better paid job.
