Knowing the safety rules in your workplace is something you must do. OSHA not only gives recommendations, but it also makes sure employers and employees comply with the law. These rules are established to keep workers safe, save lives, and help everyone understand the risks in their environment and how to avoid them.

What does it mean to have OSHA training? For how long should a training session be? What is the distinction between being certified and being trained? What reasons do workers in New York have for using voice authentication?

We’ll go over the reasons why OSHA safety training is required and valuable, and why not following it can cost you more than money.

OSHA training is “not just a recommendation”

OSHA’s rules are found in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which sets out safety rules that must be followed. They include rules for working with chemicals and for using heavy machinery. It is the law for employers to provide workers with training to do their jobs safely and to be aware of any hazards.

The training should be tailored to the specific risks found in the job. A front desk receptionist may not have to learn safety skills by practice, but people who deal with forklifts or chemical accidents must. As an example, 29 CFR 1910.178 states that forklift operators need to go through formal lessons, see demonstrations, and practice using the equipment.

Maximum Training Time: 7.5 Hours per Day

For a long time, some trainers tried to cover OSHA courses in just a few days, assuming it was more effective. However, OSHA found that giving people too much information at one time was not helpful. For this reason, the 7.5-hour limit on training each day was added.

Any 10-hour OSHA course today must be taught over at least two days. The 30-hour course also needs at least four days to be completed properly. The purpose of these limits was to make learning easier and reduce mental tiredness, as not paying attention during safety training can cause actual problems.

This is required by federal law, and considered as illegal and breaking the law if the training time exceeded the allowed hours by OSHA.

Why Voice Authentication Is Important: NY edition

With online training growing in popularity, a new question arose: how can you confirm that the person taking the course is the registered person?

As a result, New York City’s Department of Buildings now makes voice authentication necessary for OSHA courses done online. At regular points in the course, the system checks a student’s voice to confirm their identity. Voice authentication is required, if you’re in NYC and taking OSHA training online, your OSHA card will not be accepted without it.

This approach helps confirm that the training is genuine and that workers at the site understand the information. This is also happening as part of a larger effort to stop fraud in online training, where some people were able to get credit for courses they didn’t attend or understand.

Training VS certification: Know the difference

Many people confuse training with certification, and OSHA separates the two. When you complete a training course, you will get a certificate, but not a professional certification. That certificate proves you have learned OSHA’s guidelines, but it does not allow you to be licensed or a specialist.

When you finish an Aerial and Scissor Lift course, you will know how to operate the equipment safely according to OSHA, but you will not be certified as a lift operator. OSHA does not review or certify anyone or any training firm. So, employers are required to train their staff and judge their competence.

Though OSHA 10 and 30 cards never expire, it’s important to keep up with refresher training. Workplace safety, rules, and hazards are always changing. Keeping yourself informed helps you comply with all the rules. Certain positions are evaluated every year and a lot of employers or states prefer more training than the federal rules require. They help you remember important things and keep your workplace safe.

Have a safer and smarter workforce

Real training is the first step by OSHA’s rules for training that promotes a safer workplace. They come about because educated workers are less likely to be injured or to cause harm to others. For example, limiting training to 7.5 hours per day, using voice authentication to prevent fraud, and making sure courses fit the hazards workers face are all based on what we have learned over time.

Employers need to comply to stay away from penalties, work stoppages, and legal issues. For employees, it can make the difference between staying safe and facing disaster.For everyone, it’s a way to help create a workplace that is both effective and safe.