Maintaining a safe workplace is the responsibility of all employers. Most private sector employers and all federal agencies in the United States and its territories are covered by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). Additionally, many states have their own job safety and health programs that are approved, monitored, and partially funded by OSHA. Employers that are covered by OSHA must follow certain job safety training requirements. For more information, we turn to the EHS Daily Advisor article, “Back to Basics: OSHA Training Requirements,” by Grace Hatfield.
The article explains that OSHA holds employers accountable for providing initial and ongoing job safety training related to specific OSHA standards. To assist employers in maintaining compliance, OSHA provides a booklet titled, “Training Requirements in OSHA Standards.” This resource categorizes standards by industry and topic and clearly lays out the training requirements for each standard. OSHA also mandates training in an injury and illness prevention program.
The article states, “OSHA believes that all employers can and should manage safety using these programs, which should encompass management leadership, worker participation, hazard identification, hazard prevention and control, education and training, and program evaluation and improvement.” The benefits of a strong injury and illness prevention program include fewer and less severe workplace injuries and illnesses, reduced medical expenses for employers, evidence of OSHA compliance, and increased employee participation in maintaining a safe workplace.
Maintaining OSHA compliance is fundamental to the wellbeing of employees and organizations as a whole. While developing and implementing proper training can be burdensome, OSHA offers an abundance of resources to help organizations adhere to regulations. Promote a healthy and safe workplace by reevaluating your job safety training program today.
Remember, safety concerns are a specific reporting option with Red Flag Reporting’s hotline service. Keeping your hotline top of mind will encourage your employees to report unsafe situations.
Care about safety? Summer will be here before we know it. See our prior article on heat related illness here.