OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It was created out of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Its purpose is to ensure safe working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, outreach, education and assistance. OSHA certification is an official certificate of competency issued in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. It signifies that the worker has achieved and met all the requirements stipulated by OSHA.
OSHA regulations help reduce future incidents in the workplace by identifying potential hazards, reviewing safety procedures with employees to make sure they are understood and followed, and recordkeeping information about events. The goal is to provide a safer work environment for employees by reducing the chances of accidents or health problems.
Although phrases like "OSHA 10 certification" or "OSHA 30 certified" are commonly heard, OSHA itself does not specifically “certify” workers. Many OSHA standards require that the employer train employees in specific safety and health aspects of their jobs so that they understand how to work safely and recognize and avoid hazards. Training is voluntary ,and OSHA offers support by providing guidelines. OSHA also created the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Center program and the Outreach Training Program. These provide resources for courses and sessions held by OSHA authorized trainers. Training is only available to workers in the U.S. OSHA is a federal regulatory agency that only covers private sector employers and their employees in the U.S. (and certain territories and jurisdictions under federal authority). There is no international OSHA training program.
The OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers offer courses on topics such as hazardous materials, machine guarding, ergonomics, confined space, excavation, electrical hazards, and fall protection. OTI Education Center courses also offer industry-specific courses that align with OSHA National Emphasis Programs (NEP), such as the oil and gas industry, nursing homes, and crane hazards. There are a number of one-day seminars in subject areas such as safety and health management, recordkeeping, health care ergonomic guidelines, accident investigation, and emergency evacuation.
Suppose a job requires workers to be OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certified. In that case, it often means the employer wants proof they have completed an OSHA Outreach Training Program course. Graduates of this program earn a 10-hour or 30-hour OSHA completion card. OSHA does not certify workers who complete these training programs. They are not requirements in order to be in compliance. OSHA standards are only the rules and regulations that OSHA requires employers to follow.
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