Introduction

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets and enforces standards to ensure safe and healthy working conditions across various industries. OSHA standards cover a wide range of workplace hazards and safety practices, making them essential for employers and safety professionals to understand and implement. This training course is designed to provide comprehensive knowledge of OSHA standards, compliance requirements, and best practices for creating a safe work environment. Participants will learn how to effectively implement OSHA guidelines to minimize workplace risks, protect employees, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will:

1. Understand the structure and function of OSHA and its role in workplace safety.
2. Be familiar with the core OSHA standards and regulations for different industries.
3. Learn how to assess compliance with OSHA regulations in the workplace.
4. Understand the importance of hazard identification, risk assessment, and corrective actions in OSHA compliance.
5. Gain practical knowledge on how to create and implement an OSHA-compliant safety program.
6. Understand the inspection process, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements under OSHA standards.
7. Learn about OSHA’s role in worker protection and the enforcement of penalties for non-compliance.
8. Develop the skills needed to conduct internal audits and inspections for OSHA compliance.
9. Understand the process for responding to OSHA inspections and citations.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Health and Safety Managers and Officers
• HR Professionals responsible for employee safety
• Supervisors and team leaders
• Facility and Operations Managers
• Safety Coordinators
• Compliance Officers
• Risk Managers
• Any professional involved in workplace safety, compliance, and regulatory issues

Day-by-Day Outline

Day 1: Introduction to OSHA and Workplace Safety Regulations

• Overview of OSHA
  • History and mission of OSHA
  • OSHA’s role in protecting workers’ health and safety
  • Understanding OSHA’s structure: Federal vs. State Programs
  • Key OSHA resources: OSHA website, publications, and compliance assistance tools
• OSHA Standards Overview
  • OSHA standards for general industry, construction, maritime, and agriculture
  • The General Duty Clause: What it covers and its importance in safety management
  • The role of OSHA standards in reducing workplace accidents and fatalities
• OSHA Compliance Requirements
  • Employer responsibilities under OSHA regulations
  • Employee rights under OSHA standards
  • The process for staying compliant with OSHA regulations
  • Importance of recordkeeping, training, and reporting requirements
• Interactive Session:
  • Group Activity: Discussing real-world examples of OSHA non-compliance and their consequences
  • Q&A session: Clarifying OSHA’s scope of authority and application

Day 2: Understanding and Implementing OSHA Standards

• Core OSHA Standards for General Industry
  • Overview of key standards: Hazard Communication (HAZCOM), PPE, Fall Protection, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and Electrical Safety
  • Chemical and biological hazards: How to comply with OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standards: Types of PPE and proper usage
  • Emergency action plans: OSHA requirements for emergency preparedness in the workplace
• Construction Industry OSHA Standards
  • Key construction standards: Fall Protection, Scaffolding, Excavation, Cranes, and Derricks
  • Safety considerations for construction sites: Site assessments, hazard identification, and control measures
  • OSHA regulations for workers in confined spaces, electrical installations, and equipment handling
• Workplace Hazard Analysis and Control
  • Identifying workplace hazards and conducting hazard assessments
  • Developing a hazard control plan in compliance with OSHA standards
  • Hierarchy of controls: Elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE
• Interactive Session:
  • Hands-On Activity: Conducting a mock workplace hazard analysis and developing a control plan
  • Group Exercise: Review of real-life scenarios to assess OSHA compliance

Day 3: OSHA Inspections, Recordkeeping, and Reporting Requirements

• OSHA Inspections and Enforcement
  • The OSHA inspection process: What happens during an inspection
  • Types of OSHA inspections: Routine, complaint-based, accident investigations, and follow-up inspections
  • The role of OSHA compliance officers during inspections
  • Responding to OSHA citations and penalties: How to challenge citations and appeal decisions
• Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements
  • OSHA recordkeeping requirements: OSHA 300 Log, 300A Summary, and OSHA 301 Incident Report
  • Reporting work-related injuries and illnesses to OSHA: When and how to report
  • The importance of accurate and timely reporting for compliance and injury prevention
  • OSHA’s Severe Injury Reporting Program: Requirements for reporting fatalities and serious injuries
• Best Practices for Recordkeeping and Reporting
  • How to maintain accurate and comprehensive safety records
  • Using OSHA’s electronic reporting system (OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application – ITA)
  • Developing a system for internal reporting and employee involvement
• Interactive Session:
  • Hands-On Activity: Completing an OSHA 300 Log and 300A Summary
  • Group Discussion: Common mistakes in recordkeeping and reporting, and how to avoid them

Day 4: Developing and Implementing an OSHA-Compliant Safety Program

• Creating an OSHA-Compliant Safety Program
  • Key components of a comprehensive safety program: Policies, procedures, hazard analysis, training, and communication
  • Safety training and education requirements: How to develop and deliver OSHA-compliant training programs
  • The role of supervisors in maintaining OSHA compliance and promoting workplace safety
• Employee Involvement in OSHA Compliance
  • Employee participation in hazard identification and safety decision-making
  • Establishing safety committees and safety representatives
  • Encouraging reporting of unsafe conditions and near-misses
• Conducting OSHA Compliance Audits and Inspections
  • How to conduct internal OSHA audits and inspections to assess compliance
  • Common OSHA audit findings and how to correct them
  • Preparing for an OSHA inspection: Tips for success
• Interactive Session:
  • Workshop: Developing an action plan to implement an OSHA-compliant safety program
  • Group Exercise: Conducting an internal audit to identify potential OSHA compliance gaps

Day 5: Addressing OSHA Violations and Continuous Improvement

• Managing OSHA Violations
  • Overview of OSHA violations: Willful, serious, repeat, and other-than-serious violations
  • The penalties and fines for OSHA violations: Calculating fines and penalties
  • Corrective action plans: How to address and prevent recurring violations
• Developing a Culture of Safety and Continuous Improvement
  • Encouraging a culture of safety: Leadership commitment, employee engagement, and continuous improvement
  • Using OSHA data to improve workplace safety: Analyzing trends in workplace incidents and injuries
  • How to foster a proactive safety culture to minimize the risk of OSHA violations
• Staying Up-to-Date with OSHA Regulations
  • How to stay informed about changes in OSHA regulations and standards
  • Resources for keeping up with OSHA updates: OSHA newsletters, webinars, and training programs
• Interactive Session:
  • Final Group Discussion: Lessons learned and creating a plan for maintaining ongoing OSHA compliance
  • Q&A: Addressing any final questions and clarifying complex issues related to OSHA compliance