The OSHA 10-hour construction training class is typically recommended for front-line workers and their foremen on construction sites who are exposed to safety and health hazards on the job. This class is also well suited for safety committee members and union safety reps.
While OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) does not mandate the OSHA 10-hour training for all construction site workers, many other federal, state, and municipal agencies do. Furthermore, many general contractors and building site owners require most workers to complete this training to be able to access the site.
OSHA 10 hour construction training helps equip trainees with knowledge needed to identify hazards affecting their health and safety, and ensure compliance with OSHA construction regulations.
Mandatory topics covered in the 10-hour construction class take at least 6 hours to complete, and include:
- Introduction to OSHA (1 hour minimum)
- OSHA Focus Four Hazards (4 hours total minimum)
- Falls (at least 1.5 hours)
- Electrocution (30 minutes minimum)
- Struck-By (30 minutes minimum)
- Caught-In or Between (30 minutes minimum)
- Health Hazards in Construction (30 minutes minimum)
- Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment (30 minutes minimum)
Elective Topics – The OSHA trainer will present a minimum of two hours total covering the following topics. At least two topics will be covered, with a minimum of 30 minutes spent on each topic covered:
- Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Elevators and Conveyors
- Excavations
- Materials Handling, Storage, Use and Disposal
- Scaffolds
- Stairways and Ladders
- Tools – Hand and Power
Optional – Two hours: The OSHA 10 trainer will expand on mandatory or elective topics, and/or cover other construction industry hazards or policies. At least one-half hour will be spent on each construction topic covered.
REQUEST A PROPOSAL FOR AN ON-SITE OSHA 10 HOUR CONSTRUCTION TRAINING CLASS
Frequently Asked Questions About On-site OSHA 10-hour Construction Training Classes
Q – How can I be sure if I need the OSHA 10 construction class (instead of the general industry version)?
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 performing construction activities (which could include new builds, repairs and renovations, and demo).
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 construction 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 construction class?
A – Students who successfully complete an OSHA 10-hour class in construction (1926) 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 for construction.
Q – Is the OSHA 10-hour training class for construction 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; they actually consider it a voluntary class). However, certain state-plan OSHA programs do have a standard 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 for construction.
Q – Does anyone other than state OSHA programs require personnel to take an OSHA 10-hour construction training class?
A – Some municipalities do have rules requiring OSHA 10-hour training in construction 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 general industry training. But as stated above, always confirm which version of OSHA 10-hour training (construction or general industry) they require you to take.
Q – I have employees who speak English and others who speak Spanish (or some other language) who need this 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 provided to repeat everything the OSHA trainer said in another language, it would take twice as long (20 hours) to cover all required information for the 10-hour class; that would be cost prohibitive. We have several bilingual OSHA trainers, but our authorized OSHA 10 hour construction trainers will provide your class in either English or Spanish.
Q – Does my OSHA 10-hour construction training card expire?
A – It does not expire; in fact, OSHA states on the back of your OSHA 10-hour construction card that it does not expire. However, be aware that some contractors, employers, and state regulations do have their own requirements for the OSHA card to be current to within a certain amount of time (e.g.: 5 years), as is their prerogative.