Required Annual OSHA Training

February 9, 2015 No Comments

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    .

Over time, we all forget things.  That’s why critical safety training  must be repeated over and over again.  In the USA, OSHA mandates that certain safety training be repeated on a regular basis. 

Below is a partial list of OSHA mandated refresher training subjects, their standard numbers, and the frequency that training has to be repeated.   This list only addresses OSHA retraining requirements on standards that we believe would be of interest to the majority of our visitors.   We did not try to develop an all-inclusive list that addresses OSHA’s more obscure training standards.  For a broader perspective on required OSHA training click here.

• Employees who make permit required Confined Space Entry rescues  (1910.146)  –  Annual
• Fire Extinguishers (1910.157)  –  Annual
• Hearing Protection (1910.95)  –  Annual
• Respirators (1910.134)  –  Annual
• Bloodborne pathogens (1910.1030)  –  Annual
• Hazard Communication (1910.1200)  –  When a new hazard is introduced, also check for state specific requirements
• Lockout Tagout (1910.147)  –  When there is a change
• Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178)  –  Re-evaluation every three years;  re-training if new equipment is introduced, an accident occurs, or if the operator is operating the equipment in an unsafe manner

 

Many companies have adopted internal training schedules that are more rigorous than the above schedule.   For example, a wood products manufacturer that I work with provides fork truck operator re-certification to its’ employees every two years (OSHA requires re-certification every three years).

Finally, when is the best time to conduct annual refresher safety training?   Below are some examples that you might want to follow:

• Some employers’ work is seasonal.   I know of a large farming operation that has about 30 employees year round.   But during their busy season (April – October) they have 100 employees.   Each April when they hire their part-time help for the year, they hold a full day of safety training for the new part-time employees.  Their full-time permanent employees are also required to attend and this is refresher safety training for them.
• Some manufacturing companies (like the paper mill I worked at) shut down the entire factory for maintenance each year for a day or two.   During this annual plant shut-down, they conduct full-day annual safety refresher training for the mill employees.
• Some larger companies hold an annual safety “stand down” day.   It is often on a Saturday when employees normally would not work.   The employees come in to work and attend refresher safety classes during this stand down day.  
• Some companies conduct their refresher safety training in small doses throughout the year.   They have “monthly department safety meetings” that typically last 30 – 45 minutes each month.   These meetings are often held at the beginning of a work shift.  The annual refresher training is conducted during these monthly safety meetings until all of the topics have been covered.

–

Safety Articles