OSHA 10-hour general industry training is typically recommended for supervisors, managers, and safety personnel who have workers at general industry work-sites who may be exposed to safety and health hazards on the job. Safety committee members and union safety reps are also ideal candidates to take the OSHA 10-hour general industry class.
While federal OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) does not mandate the OSHA 10-hour general industry training for personnel in these positions, many state agencies do. Furthermore, many employers elect to require certain personnel (typically first-line workers and their foremen) to complete this training to ensure a safe work environment. It equips them with the knowledge to identify and avoid safety and health hazards, and ensure compliance with applicable OSHA 1910 regulations.
Mandatory and elective topics to be covered in the 10-hour general industry class are listed below. The OSHA trainer must expand on the number or time of mandatory or elective topics such that the minimum length of the class is 10-hours (excluding breaks etc) :
Mandatory:
- Introduction to OSHA – 1 hour minimum
- Walking and Working Surfaces, including fall protection – 1 hour minimum
- Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, Fire Prevention Plans, and Fire Protection – 1 hour minimum
- Electrical – 1 hour minimum
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – 1 hour minimum
- Hazard Communication – 1 hour minimum
Electives: At least two hours of training are presented on the following topics, with a minimum of two topics being covered. The minimum length of time spent covered any one topic is one-half hour:
- Hazardous Materials (Flammable and Combustible Liquids, Spray Finishing, Compressed Gases, Dipping and Coating Operations)
- Materials Handling
- Lockout / Tagout
- Machine Guarding
- Introduction to Industrial Hygiene
- Bloodborne Pathogens
- Ergonomics
- Fall Protection
- Safety and Health Programs
Optional – Two hours: The OSHA trainer will expand on mandatory or elective topics, and/or cover other general industry hazards or policies. At least one-half hour will be spent on each general industry topic covered.
REQUEST A PROPOSAL FOR AN ON-SITE OSHA 10 HOUR GENERAL INDUSTRY TRAINING CLASS
Frequently Asked Questions About On-site OSHA 10-hour General Industry Training Classes
Q – How can I be sure if I need the OSHA 10 general industry version (instead of construction)?
A – First of all, if someone is telling you that you or your employees must take an OSHA 10-hour class to gain access to their job-site, you are best served by asking them specifically which course they require you to take (construction or general industry). That being said the 10-hour construction class is intended for workers involved in activities such as, but not limited to, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, transportation, utilities, healthcare, retail, hospitality, oil and gas, refineries, waste management, laboratories, education, entertainment venues, cannabis operations, telecommunications, power generation, and financial services.
Q – How many days does an OSHA 10-hour general industry training class typically take to complete?
A – OSHA policy only allows 7.5 hours of actual training time (excludes lunch / breaks) during any single day. Therefore, it takes a minimum of two days to complete an OSHA 10 hour class . We conduct our on-site OSHA 10-hour classes scheduled over two consecutive workdays; but this can be done during a mix of weekdays and weekend days upon request.
Q – How long does it take to get the OSHA certification cards after completing the OSHA 10 class?
A – Students who successfully complete an OSHA 10-hour class in either general industry (1910) will receive an official Department of Labor OSHA wallet card documenting they completed their training. It takes approximately two to four weeks for the cards to be produced and sent to the students. However, students will receive a personalized certificate of completion proving they completed their training after the class is completed; this certificate serves as proof of training until the wallet card is received. Be aware, however, that OSHA states very clearly in their policy no student is “certified” by OSHA when they complete their training (because there is no such thing as “OSHA certification“), and the OSHA card validates the student completed their 10-hour training class.
Q – Is the OSHA 10-hour general industry training class required by OSHA?
A – Federal OSHA does not have a any health or safety standard that requires any person to complete an 10-hour training class. However, certain state-plan OSHA programs do have a rule requiring certain people (typically front-line employees and their foremen) complete a specific OSHA 10 course to gain access to certain worksites. Click on any state abbreviation located near the bottom of this page to see if the employees working in your selected state are covered by state OSHA rules requiring OSHA 10 training.
Q – Does anyone other than state OSHA programs require personnel to take an OSHA 10-hour general industry training class?
A – Some municipalities do have rules requiring OSHA 10-hour training similar to those imposed by select state-OSHA programs. Also be aware that many other government agencies, general contractors, and private employers make it a condition of employment for certain employees (typically their own supervisors and safety personnel, as well as those of visiting contractors) to complete OSHA 10 hour training. Also, be certain to confirm which version of OSHA 10-hour training (construction or general industry) they require the worker to have taken.
Q – I have employees who speak English and others who speak Spanish (or some other language) who need 10 hour OSHA training. Can you provide a bi-lingual OSHA trainer? Or, can I provide a bilingual interpreter to assist your OSHA trainer so everyone can attend just one class together?
A – The short answer is “no”. OSHA policy requires that all training be provided in a language in which the students understand. So, if a trainer covered all 10 hours’ worth of required material in two languages, or if a translator was present to repeat everything the OSHA trainer said but in another language, it would take twice as long (20 hours) to cover all required information for the class; that would be cost prohibitive. We have OSHA authorized 10-hour trainers who can provide your 10-hour general industry training class in either English or Spanish; and while we do have bi-lingual OSHA trainers, each class must be conducted in one language in which all students understand.
Q – Does my OSHA 10-hour general industry training card expire?
A – It does not; in fact, OSHA states on the back of your OSHA 10-hour card that it does not expire. However, be aware that some state regulations and company policies have their own requirements for the card to be current to within a certain amount of time (e.g.: 5 years), as is their prerogative.