OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA certifications are offered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a federal agency in the United States that works to ensure safe and healthy working conditions.

OSHA certifications train individuals and organizations on OSHA standards and safety protocols, helping minimize workplace risks in industries, sectors, and areas such as:

• General industry
• Construction
• Maritime
• Disaster site work
• Health hazard awareness
• Safety and health fundamentals

Any individual or organization operating in hazardous environments – especially in industries such as construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics – can benefit from an OSHA certification.

While OSHA certifications are not legally mandatory, many employers require them to ensure their employees are in compliance with federal safety standards, as well as to reduce liability risk and improve overall workplace safety.

While there is no singular certification for OSHA compliance (and as such no set method of earning a certification), courses are often conducted by OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers.

Here’s a quick overview of the general steps you’ll need to take to earn an OSHA certification:

• Choose a course. Select a course based on your industry or specific safety needs (for example, OSHA 10-Hour for entry-level workers or OSHA 30-Hour for supervisors).
• Enroll through an authorized provider: Courses must be completed through OSHA-authorized trainers or training centers
• Complete the training. Courses typically consist of in-person or online lectures, workshops, and assessments
• Pass the exam. Depending on the course, participants may need to pass an exam to earn their certification

OSHA does not mandate recertification for its many of its courses. However, certain industries and employers may require workers to retake the training periodically to stay updated on new safety standards.

OSHA certifications offer several benefits to employees and their organizations. Some key advantages include the following.

Earning an OSHA certification may pose several challenges to employees and organizations. They include the following.

Here are a few tips for preparing for an OSHA certification

• Take advantage of the free OSHA resources on OSHA’s website, including safety publications and online guides
• Study the training documentation for your chosen course provided on OSHA’s website
• Find the right course and training location with OSHA’s directory of OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers

For more information on OSHA certifications, refer to the following resources:

OSHA. The official OSHA website should be any interested party’s first stop when seeking more information about OSHA certification. There, you can make use of a rich trove of resources, including study materials, guides, a directory of authorized training providers, a list of updated regulations, and more.

AG5 stores all certifications in the cloud, providing all authorized personnel with access to the right version of approved certifications. This helps you easily keep track of all data and documentation related to OSHA certifications across your organization.

Using AG5’s skills management software, you can monitor the status of any type of certification that is relevant to your workforce, leveraging intuitive dashboards that provide you with a clear understanding of exactly what is needed to keep your employees skilled and safe.

• OSHA