OSHA Approved Training

The OSHA tells employers to provide enough training for employees to perform work duties safely.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) creates training guidelines for employers. The OSHA works to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths by telling employers how to create training programs for employees in potentially hazardous industries.

Guidelines

OSHA general training guidelines tell employers to determine if workers need training, identify training needs, identify training goals, develop learning activities, train workers, evaluate the effectiveness of the training program and improve it. The OSHA allows flexibility in approved training types so employers can create training programs that work well in at specific workplaces.

Types

According to the OSHA, some states, including Alaska, New York, California, Maryland and Arizona, have their own OSHA approved training programs. Other states do not have specific approved training programs and all states have the option of an OSHA consultation on training programs. Training can range from classes about how to perform workplace tasks to signs with instructions about how to use workplace equipment.

Benefits

OSHA standards require giving enough training so that workers can perform work "in a safe and healthful manner." Although workplace injuries and illnesses still occur, OSHA-approved types of training reduce the amount of occupational injuries and help make employers accountable for safety in their workplaces.

References

• OSHA: Training Requirements in OSHA Standards and Training Guidelines
• OSHA: Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Employees from Amputations