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Top Tips for Getting Your OSHA Certification

As of December 2020, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has been around for 50 years. Since OSHA certification came into place, work safety has improved.

Unfortunately, workplace hazards continue to kill and injure thousands of workers every year. On average, 275 workers die each day due to job injuries and illness.

This is why OSHA training is so necessary. Not only is it a safety course required by workplaces and when you're looking for a new job, but it can save your life. If you're not sure about what to expect when getting your OSHA certification, you've come to the right place.

Keep on reading for top tips on getting your OSHA certification.

Understand How OSHA Works

Before you go any further, you should know that OSHA does not provide certifications. OSHA is a government agency under the United States Department of Labor. The goal of OSHA is to set and enforce training standards to reduce incident rates for workers.

OSHA does have a national network of education centers to deliver occupational safety and health training. For example, they have a safety and health fundamentals certificate for Construction, Maritime, or General Industry that you can get after completing a minimum of 7 courses comprised of a minimum of 68 to 77 hours of training.

Many companies offer OSHA online training in various courses, including OSHA training for 10 hours and 30 hours. These companies will provide you with OSHA Card or OSHA certification to prove that you completed their course.

Understand Requirements of Course

OSHA 10 is an entry-level program that takes 10 hours to complete. OSHA 30 is more intensive and is meant for workers and supervisors with safety responsibilities. OSHA also has specific guidelines for OSHA training for the construction industry.

You will cover various topics like identifying job hazards, employer responsibilities, and employee protections. OSHA certifications are voluntary, but the particular requirements vary depending on where you work, live, and your role.

Understand Your Company Requirements

Many companies will have specific requirements on which safety training they want you to complete. Understand the company's needs and whether they want an OSHA 10 or OSHA 30.

If you're looking at job postings in the construction industry, you'll see that OSHA 10 certifications are needed for those jobs. The OSHA 10-Hour Construction Outreach Training course is designed for construction workers, supervisors, and anyone else involved in the construction industry.

Have the Right Equipment

Most OSHA online courses can be done at home. All you need is a computer and internet access. If you choose the right program, you can always contact the training provider if you're having technical difficulties.

You won't need to download any new software most of the time-just log in to the website and start your training.

Dedicate Time and Effort

Remember, the course is essential not just for your job requirements but also for your safety. Treat it with the same care and dedication you would in your workday. You will need to spend the time and effort to ensure you get value out of your safety training.

Think Critically and Make It Personal

Take each topic and think critically about the issues. To help you learn faster, make the topics and scenarios personal. Look at your workplace or your previous workplace and see how the safety guidelines were followed.

By placing yourself in the situation, you can remember the course material easier. This will help you in the long term.

Ask Questions

Ask questions when you can. If you don't understand something, reach out to the training provider and ask questions. The more you ask, the more you'll absorb the information.

Read Through Study Guides

Your training may also provide study guides and course material to help you understand the topics. Read through these and understand them. Take notes when needed.

Highlight important sections so you can come back to them. Write down questions that you have or topics you don't understand so you can come back to them.

Talk to Your Employer About Payment

If you're looking for a job, then you'll have to bear the cost. But remember, you can always try to negotiate with your company and see if they can reimburse your payment. If you're already working, then your employer should be able to cover the costs.

Implement What You Learn

Take this course as a chance to implement all the ideas you've learned into your workplace to make it a safer and better place to work. Little changes that you make to improve workplace safety can make a massive difference in the future.

An OSHA safety course will also teach you how to make an OSHA complaint. Workplace safety is everyone's responsibility, and you want to make sure that the rules are complied with fully and completely.

Add It to Your Resume

Once you complete your OSHA training, put it on your resume. This is an achievement, and you should remember it as such. Like any certification, it's always a good idea to have it on your resume because many companies will see it as a bonus, if not a requirement.

Continue Your OSHA Education

While there is no requirement to update every few years, it's recommended that you complete the course again in 3 to 5 years as a refresher. As time passes, we forget all this information, and a refresher will help you keep the idea fresh in your mind.

Depending on your work responsibility, you may also need to go from OSHA 10 to OSHA 30. It never hurts to keep updated on work safety. It could save your life someday.

Ready to Book Your Online OSHA Certification Course?

Now you know what to expect when taking the OSHA certification courses. You can try these tips to make the best of your experience. You have taken one step closer to your safety as well as that job of your choice.

Compliance Training Online has general and construction-specific OSHA certification courses taught in English and Spanish. You can start with the OSHA 10 General and work your way to OSHA 30, depending on what you need for your work.

Book your OSHA certification with Compliance Training Online today!

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