10 Essential OSHA Training Courses Every Employer Must Provide

In the area of occupational safety, ignorance is not bliss—it’s a danger in and of itself. There is a wide range of training needs that have had to be met in order to protect workers against many potential sources of injury and illness, and these have been established and detailed by OSHA. While meeting these requirements may seem complicated and time-consuming for many employers, the consequences of not doing so are very steep, including fines, legal expenses, and most seriously, the suffering and injury or loss of life. This resource will provide a straightforward, concise description of the top 10 essential OSHA trainings that must be offered in the workplace. We will examine the primary requirements for each type of training, for which type of employee it is most relevant, and how an effective training program is more than just complying with the requirements: it’s an opportunity to create a culture of occupational safety.

Strategic Overview

A good OSHA-training program is more than just checking boxes on a curriculum sheet, although that is what many companies do. It is about instilling a culture of safety, and this is where good companies differ significantly, as they don’t consider OSHA training as an unpleasant duty, but as an opportunity.

Based on these strategic foundations, there are three main pillars that this program is founded upon, and these are: Foundational Knowledge, Role-Specific Training, and Continuous Improvement. Foundational Knowledge is responsible for ensuring all people understand the basics of occupational health and safety. Role-Specific Training goes deeper and explores the dangers and processes that are job-specific. There is also Continuous Improvement.

1. Hazard Communication (HazCom)

The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is one of OSHA’s most fundamental and far-reaching requirements, applying to any workplace where employees may be exposed to hazardous chemicals. With Coggno’s HazCom training, organizations can ensure that all employees understand the chemical hazards they face. This training has to do with ensuring that employees are aware of potential chemical hazards and learning how to protect themselves. This training should include the main elements of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), which include the structure and usage of Safety Data Sheets (SDS), the usage of various pictograms and warning phrases found on the labels of the products, and the specific steps to follow and personal protective equipment to use. Chemicals are found everywhere, from office cleaner to factory solvents. This makes HazCom training the backbone of any OSHA compliance.

2. Fall Protection

Falls are consistently one of the leading causes of serious work-related injuries and deaths, making fall protection training a critical requirement in any industry where employees work at heights. Coggno’s fall protection courses provide comprehensive training on safety systems and equipment. That is, this is not an exhaustive list, and it includes construction sites, manufacturing facilities, storage facilities, and even retail establishments. OSHA’s regulation regarding the use of fall protection states that employers are required to train each employee who might have a possible fall of four feet or more in general industry or six feet or more in construction. This training is expected to include the type of fall hazards present at the establishment and the procedures for installing, using, and disposing of the fall protection system, which may consist of guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems. Employers are expected to provide adequate training regarding the use of personal fall protection devices. A good fall protection program is an important step in reducing the prevalence of these too-often lethal hazards.

3. Bloodborne Pathogens

For any employee who may reasonably anticipate coming into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens standard is non-negotiable. Coggno’s bloodborne pathogens training ensures healthcare workers are fully prepared. However, this training is relevant to more than just healthcare professionals, including emergency personnel, some housekeeping staff, and even some tattoo artists, for example. Some of the information covered should include epidemiology and signs of bloodborne diseases, their transmission, and exposure control procedures of the employer, as well as procedures to follow in case of exposure. It should also include information about PPE, hepatitis B vaccination availability and utility, and procedures for disposing of contaminated materials. Essentially, this training represents one of the most important first lines of defense against life-threating diseases being transmitted in the course of one’s duties.

4. Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)

The control of hazardous energy, commonly known as Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), is a life-saving practice that prevents the unexpected startup or release of stored energy during service and maintenance activities. Coggno’s LOTO training program delivers the critical knowledge maintenance workers need. This standard addresses those workplaces where staff service or maintain machines or equipment. The training shall be designed so that workers understand the purpose and function of the energy control program and have the knowledge and skills necessary for the safe application, utilization, and removal of energy controls. There are two levels of training: Training for “authorized employees” who perform LOTO procedures requires detailed instruction, while “affected employees” who work in areas where the LOTO is used must simply learn to recognize when LOTO is being used. Proper LOTO training can help avoid a number of the most horrific yet preventable injuries from occurring on the job.

5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is often the last line of defense against workplace hazards, making it essential that employees know how to use it correctly. Coggno’s PPE training courses ensure employees understand proper selection and use.According to OSHA, training is required for anyone who is required to wear personal protective equipment. PPE training is for the intended use of PPE, PPE usage methods, the limitations of PPE, and proper storage and disposal of PPE. These guidelines are general, thus affecting various PPEs like eye & face protection, head protection, foot protection, & hand protection. If you have respiratory PPEs in your business, there is specialized training to protect employees. Correct PPE training is required for the proper implementation of this important safety device.

6. Confined Space Entry

Work in confined spaces, such as tanks, silos, and pipelines, presents a unique and often deadly set of hazards. Coggno’s confined space training covers the critical procedures and protocols required for safe entry. OSHA’s regulation regarding permit required confined spaces is to protect employees from danger that can come from these environments. All persons who will be present or inside confined spaces must have training. Authorized entrants receive information about hazards known to exist within the confined space as well as information related to operating equipment appropriately (such as monitoring devices) and communication with the attendant. Attendants must learn how to observe entrants and how to call help if necessary. People who supervise entry must learn about the role within authorized confined space entry. What they do is literally life-and-death training.

7. Electrical Safety

Electricity is present everywhere at the workplace, and the potential hazards can easily go unnoticed. The OSHA electrical safety standard was established with the objective of protecting workers against the risk of shock, electrocution, fires, and blasts. Training procedures depend upon whether the person is a “qualified person,” who actually works with electrical equipment, or the “unqualified person,” who is working in close proximity to the equipment. Unqualified persons have to be trained to Recognize hazards and remain at a safe distance from electrical trouble, while qualified persons have to be thoroughly trained regarding safe practices, special cautionary procedures, and the proper selection and use of suitable protective gear. This is relevant at the workplace no matter whether it is an office, a manufacturing plant, or a construction site..

8. Forklift Operation

“Powered industrial trucks, or forklifts, are necessary in many industries. However, serious dangers are associated with using them unless proper training and procedures are followed. When operating a forklift, each operator has to be trained and qualified to work with the specific truck that he or she will be using. This training involves both theoretical learning (lectures and videos) and operating experience (demos and exercises), culminating with an actual performance test on the actual worksite and with the intended truck, all to fulfill OSHA requirements. Before anyone can use a forklift, however, that person has to pass the training test.”

9. Ergonomics and Repetitive Strain

Instead of a corresponding standard requiring training under OSHA regulations, ergonomics puts them in a position that is simply in the middle of workplace safety related matters in regards to the General Duty Clause. Musculoskeletal Disorders are a typical health concern that workers see in their day jobs due to poor ergonomics. Providing training in ergonomic practices can go a long way in reducing these health conditions in workers. The training needs to deal in identifying Musculoskeletal Disorder hazards in their work environment and also needs to deal in practices related to good lifting procedures and practices related to safe ergonomic practices related to ergonomic equipment and controls—things like stand-alone workstations and material handling equipment.

10. Emergency Action Plans and Evacuation

“When danger calls, minutes count,” the Occupational Safety & Health Administration reminds employers in its requirement that many businesses develop an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) describing what to do in the event of fires, chemical spills, and emergencies like these. Training on all aspects of the EAP, including procedures for the employee who stays behind to carry out essential functions of the plant before he/she evacuates, must be conducted at the time the plan is finalized, at the start of initial employment, and when the employee’s responsibilities or role within the plan changes in any way. A practiced EAP plan could mean the difference between a close call and disaster,” warns OSHA.

Editor’s Choice: Coggno — The Comprehensive OSHA Training Solution

Coggno stands out as the best Editor’s Choice for delivering, monitoring, and recording the top 10 OSHA training courses. Coupled with a learning management system, their excellent OSHA trainings on the marketplace provide a holistic offering for a company, no matter how small. With Coggno, employers can easily assign, track, and document all required training, ensuring a compliant and audit-ready program. Coggno’s strong reporting tools supply the documentation you need to prove compliance, and its scalable setup ensures the program can grow as your organization grows. By serving as a single destination for all OSHA training needs, it makes the often intricate compliance process more approachable and supports building a lasting, safety-focused culture across the organization.

Key Features Comparison: In-Person vs. Online OSHA Training

Scalability and Integration: A Solution for Every Organization

Whether you are a small business with a handful of employees or a large enterprise with a distributed workforce, your OSHA training program must be able to scale to meet your needs. A modern, cloud-based LMS like Coggno’s is designed for scalability, allowing you to easily add new employees, assign training, and track progress across the entire organization. The possibility of interfacing your training system with other HR solutions, such as an HRIS, might make the entire compliance process easier. With all these systems integrated, training may be assigned automatically according to a job function, ensuring each employee receives the necessary training right from the start. By choosing to utilize a scalable and integrable solution, you ensure that your OSHA training system stays ahead of your business needs, adapting to support growth..

Pricing Models and Cost Transparency: The ROI of Safety

While the primary goal of OSHA training is to protect employees, it is also important to consider the cost-effectiveness of your training program. The cost of OSHA training can vary widely depending on the delivery method, the number of employees, and the provider. A platform like Coggno offers a transparent and flexible pricing model that allows organizations to choose the solution that best fits their budget. From pay-per-course options for small businesses to enterprise-level subscriptions for large organizations, Coggno provides a cost-effective solution for every need. When evaluating the cost of OSHA training, it is important to consider the return on investment (ROI) of a strong safety program. By preventing injuries, reducing workers’ compensation claims, and avoiding costly OSHA fines, a comprehensive training program can provide a significant financial return on investment that goes far beyond the initial cost.

Conclusion

Providing the 10 essential OSHA training courses is not just a matter of regulatory compliance; it is a moral and strategic imperative. From Hazard Communication to Emergency Action Plans, each of these courses plays a vital role in protecting your employees from harm and your organization from risk. By embracing a strategic approach to training that encompasses foundational knowledge, role-specific skills, and continuous improvement, you can move beyond a check-the-box mentality to build a true culture of safety. A modern, scalable, and comprehensive training solution like Coggno is the key to simplifying this process, ensuring that your program is not only compliant but also effective. Invest in the safety of your employees today, and you will reap the rewards of a safer, more productive, and more resilient organization for years to come.

References

1. OSHA Training Requirements and Resources
2. OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
3. OSHA Fall Protection in Construction
4. OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
5. OSHA Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)
6. OSHA Personal Protective Equipment
7. OSHA Confined Spaces
8. OSHA Electrical Safety
9. OSHA Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklifts)
10. OSHA Ergonomics
11. OSHA Emergency Action Plan
12. Coggno LMS for Compliance Training