OSHA Certification Information For You
There are many different types of OSHA certification programs. Some are useful primarily for employees with safety responsibilities, while others provide general employees with information about their own rights. Many companies offer their own certification programs at various levels for different job types.
OSHA certification programs aim to ensure safe and healthy working conditions. There are many training programs available through several different institutions. These safety courses provide students with extensive knowledge of the standards set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. This act created the OSH Administration,
which is an agency of the U.S. Department of Labor. The agency was formed to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses, as well as occupational fatalities.
The OSH Act created laws that require employers to provide safe working conditions to employees. Some types of accidents may not be avoidable, but employers must ensure workers’ safety in the presence of known hazards. The OSH Administration issues standards to regulate and control potentially hazardous work environments. The standards this agency has set forth include limits of exposure to chemicals, guidelines for the use of respirators and other protective equipment, and safe removal of excavated material to prevent cave-ins. There are also several other standards, all relating to safety and health of workers.
One method of enforcing these rules is through employees of either an individual company or the government. These workers must complete OSHA certification programs to be qualified as Safety Managers, OSHA Administrators, or other safety-related employees. OSHA inspectors take care of worker complaints. They perform workplace inspections when a worker has filed a complaint with OSHA. Workers have the right to file complaints if they believe a major hazard exists or that the employer is not complying with OSHA standards. Inspectors can issue citations and fines when they find legitimate violations of the standards.
Other types of OSHA certification training programs provide education to general employees in various industries. For example, many construction companies require entry level workers to complete short training programs about OSHA standards. Training includes information about the workers’ rights, employers’ responsibilities, and filing complaints to the OSH Administration. Programs also include guidelines for identifying and avoiding possible occupational hazards. Companies in several industries also offer longer courses for employees who have some safety responsibilities in their job descriptions. These courses are more concentrated on spotting, avoiding, controlling, and preventing hazardous conditions. For jobs that are more likely to have potential hazards, many employers mandate some type of OSHA certification.
OSHA standards apply to private sector workers everywhere in the United States. Most states have their own approved programs, and the ones that do not are still covered by the federal program. For a state program to be approved by the OSH Administration, it must at least be as effective as the federal program. Some industries have other federal agencies that regulate workplace hazards, and therefore are not covered by the OSH Act. The Federal Aviation Administration and Coast Guard are examples of regulatory federal agencies that oversee hazards in the workplace.
Where the standards do apply, employers are required to educate employees about hazards through training programs. This type of training is often referred to by the company as OSHA certification. The employer is also responsible for maintaining precise records of all work-related illnesses and injuries. Awareness and implementation of OSHA standards through training programs and certification is necessary for safe and healthy work environments.
