Workplace safety is one of the most important aspects, particularly in the construction industry. The contractors, supervisors, and even workers need to know about the standard and advanced safety methods and protocols.
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is the most recognized institution that plays a crucial role in managing safety and health practices across workplaces and industries. The key focus of OSHA is establishing and enforcing health and safety standards.
Another key aspect of OSHA is doing inspections that help them to identify the potential hazard and develop better rules. OSHA makes sure that the workers and employees are provided a safe working environment. Apart from the workers, OSHA emphasizes that contractors, supervisors, and SSHO (Site Safety and Health Officer) need to know all about the safety guidelines and methods.
Why OSHA 10-Hour and 30-Hour Training Necessary
OSHA has developed various safety courses and programs that allow managers and contractors to get valuable certification, which is necessary for numerous government and private construction projects. The contractors need to get a certification so they can educate and train workers on various topics such as
- General health and safety
- Possible health and safety hazards
- Steps or ways to avoid potential injury or damage
- Fall protection
- Personal Protection Equipment
The standard courses include the 10-Hour and 30-Hour courses that help supervisors, foremen, and even workers to know about safety hazards and how to avoid them.
In many states, the 10 and 30-Hour training course is mandatory for all personnel and workers related to the construction industry. The 10 and 30-Hour courses are part of the OSHA Outreach Training Program.
The 10-Hour course is the basic training program that touches on aspects that allow workers to identify, respond to, and prevent hazards at the construction site. This course also includes worker’s rights, employer responsibilities, and how a worker may submit a complaint.
The 30-Hour course, on the other hand, is a comprehensive program mostly suited for contractors, supervisors, and SSHOs who manage safety at the worksite. The program covers different aspects, including identification, prevention, control, and avoidance of any inconvenient situation or hazard. The managers also need to implement the OSHA guidelines pertaining to a particular construction project.
The employer or construction firm may want the employees to obtain the OSHA 30-Hour certification to manage the tasks of a private or government construction contract. The goal is also to minimize risk, protect the vital elements of construction, and ensure a safe working environment. The modules that you need to study once enrolling in the OSHA 30-Hour training course are
- Gaining knowledge of all the OSHA safety and health guidelines and standards
- Determining the types and use of various PPE
- Understanding fire protection
- Administering protocols and steps to prevent accidents at the worksite
- Identify potential safety issues
The one question that most eager trainees or participants may have is whether the OSHA 30-Hour course includes ‘fall protection’ or not.
Yes, both the 30-Hour and 10-Hour courses include fall protection. You get to know about safety practices for ladders along with working or elevated platforms. The four basic categories covered in fall protection are fall arrest, suspension, positioning, and retrieval. Implementing the safety practices helps prevent accidents, injuries, and possible lawsuits and fines in case of one.
Bottom Line
The OSHA 30-Hour training course is one of the best ways for project managers, SSHOs, and contractors to implement safety rules and inform workers about the safety and health hazards.
Titan University is one accredited institution that offers a wide range of safety and training courses necessary in the construction industry. Most of the online courses are even designed along the rules set by OSHA. You can complete the 30-Hour training course within 4 to 5 days. You have to take all the modules of the course and attempt the final examination, which is a 100-question multiple-choice. The time allowed is 2 hours, and you will get a certificate if you can secure at least 60 or more marks from 100.