Industrial accidents and workplace injuries do not have to be an accepted part of the workplace environment. A majority of them are entirely preventable through proper education and training.  Investment in training aimed at preventing accidents has multiple benefits.  For employees, awareness of proper work procedures that can help minimize the risk of injuries contributes to a safer workplace.  There is a decreased risk of hospitalization, fewer days off work because of injuries and illnesses and a better quality of life.  For employers, a safe work environment can mean fewer accidents and injuries in the workplace, saving large amounts of money in insurance premiums, enhanced worker morale, as well as savings in lost worker hours due to accidents.  Investing time, money and effort in a training program, therefore, pays substantial dividends in the long run.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducts training programs for compliance officers, as well as the private sector. Private training institutes also offer OSHA compliant training programs that are based on the Act’s regulations.

Training Resources

OSHA Training Institute

The OSHA Training Institute was established with a view to educating and training federal and state officers who are in charge of monitoring OSHA compliance, as well as other federal and state staff, and private sector companies.

OSHA Training Institute and Education Centers

The OSHA Education Centers were set up as an extension of the OSHA Training Institute as a response to the demand for OSHA training from an increasing number of interested private sector companies.  Currently, these Education Centers provide courses to trainers who are then able to train workers in several industries, including the construction and general industry.  These programs also include modules on Hazardous Material, Ergonomics, Electrical Standards and Fall Arrest Systems.

OSHA Training and Reference Materials

The OSHA Training and Reference Materials Library consists of additional resources that supplement OSHA training programs, most of them developed by the OSHA Directorate of Training and Education.  These cover reference materials pertaining to occupational disease and industrial accident prevention, easy-to-use tools to help in training and understanding safety issues, as well as other related resources.

Construction Safety and Health Outreach Program

The construction industry has numerous safety considerations that require social attention, which is why OSHA’s Outreach Program for the industry is one of its most popular training programs. The program covers modules on scaffolding, crane derrick and conveyor safety, safe methods of power transmissions, excavations, compliance processes for hand tools and powered machinery, as well as the kind of personal protective equipment that should be provided to workers.  Trainees are then allowed to train worker populations in the construction industry.