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Who Needs OSHA Construction Training?

Over 4,000 workplace fatalities occurred in 2020 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Workers and business owners alike can avoid such tragedies by having the right safety measures in place.

This is why OSHA exists. Since 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has worked hard to ensure safe and healthful work conditions for all employees. Employees and business owners don't know what they don't know until a tragedy happens at work.

OSHA standards prevent such tragedies, based on previous incidents in workplaces across the globe.

If you're in construction, you will need OSHA construction training. But exactly who qualifies as a construction worker? Who needs OSHA construction training?

By the time you've finished reading this article, you will understand who needs OSHA construction training and why this training matters.

What Is OSHA Construction Training?

OSHA construction training works to reduce workplace fatalities and injuries in a construction zone. To stay compliant with OSHA standards, employers must provide proper training to workers on the hazards they may encounter at the workplace. Because the summary of training requirements on OSHA standards is approximately 270 pages long, it's difficult for employers to ensure they're fully training their workers.

The idea of training, thus, confuses many business owners, especially those who own construction companies. But training is also essential in construction companies.

Construction workers make up over 20 percent of the worker fatalities that occur each year.

Thus, to reduce workplace accidents, construction companies need to send their workers through as much OSHA construction training as possible. In this training, workers will learn the hazards on a construction or work site and ways to avoid such hazards. They'll also learn the practices they should do every day to prevent accidents and fatalities.

What Is A "Construction Worker?"

OSHA defines construction work as work that is for construction, alteration, and/or repair including decorating and painting. Workers who maintain buildings such as janitors are known as general industry workers and not construction workers.

So what about a large-scale maintenance project? If those workers are engaged in a large, complex project, OSHA may qualify these maintenance workers as construction workers.

Workers who do the following work are considered construction workers:

  • Plasterwork
  • Public engineering
  • Construction engineering
  • Carpentry
  • Stonework
  • Scaffold, construction, and concrete
  • Roof work
  • Electrical work
  • Tile, brick, and block work
  • Piping work
  • Steel construction and reinforcement work
  • Dredging work
  • Paving work
  • Glass work
  • Machinery installation
  • Landscape gardening
  • Waste facilities work
  • Water facilities work

Such environments lead to what OSHA qualifies as construction work. If you work as one of these workers, then you should also seek OSHA construction training.

  • Carpenters
  • Boilermakers
  • Carpet layers
  • Dredgers
  • Electricians
  • Linemen
  • Fire sprinkler installers
  • Elevator mechanics
  • Glaziers
  • Fencers
  • Insulation installers
  • Heavy equipment operator
  • Ironworker
  • Landscaper
  • Laborer
  • Millwright
  • Mason
  • Stonemason
  • Pile driver
  • Painter
  • Decorator
  • Pipefitter
  • Plumber
  • Plasterer
  • Tile worker
  • Sheet metal worker
  • Truck driver
  • Teamster
  • Welder
  • Waterproofer

If your occupation is not on this list, you may still need OSHA training. Safety experts that provide OSHA training will best be able to help you find the training that will help you stay OSHA compliant.

Why is OSHA Training Important for Construction Workers?

OSHA's outreach training program promotes workplace health and safety by providing access to the training given by OSHA-authorized trainers. Both OSHA outreach training and on-site training will help employers meet training requirements.

OSHA authorizes only a limited number of trainers to conduct online training. While online training is certainly more convenient, it's also a bit more restrictive. The courses cover everything a worker needs to know, but employees do not receive hands-on training.

Once a worker has completed OSHA outreach training, they will receive their 10-hour or 30-hour OSHA card. All employees must carry their OSHA cards with them at all times. This proves they've completed the 10 or 30-hour course.

Your location determines what type of OSHA training and the amount of OSHA training you must complete. OSHA does not require outreach training. Additionally, not all outreach training covers all of the OSHA standards.

Employees have the responsibility of giving their employees training specific to the hazards on their construction site. Each business should have unique training so workers feel safe. OSHA provides the initial guidelines, while employers guide their employees in safety at their businesses.

A great business employer will provide safety measures for their employees. When they do this, they'll retain employees and show them how much they care.

Seek Proper Training and Stay Safe

When you conduct OSHA construction training, you're showing your employees that you care about them. You're also protecting them from future disasters and potentially saving their lives.

Once you've conducted training, enforce the practices you and your employees have learned. Then ultimately, you will have a safe construction zone, happy employees, and fewer workplace accidents.

Do you need someone to conduct your OSHA training? If so, contact us. We have years of experience and trained professionals ready to help you stay compliant.

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