OSHA Required Training: What to teach, who needs it, and how often

OSHA training is not a one-size-fits-all program. You train people based on the hazards they actually face, at the moment those hazards become real, and again when something changes or when a standard sets a specific refresher cycle.

Core rules you can trust

• Train by hazard and job role, not by department name.

• Give initial training before exposure or assignment.

• Retrain when the standard requires it, when conditions change, or when performance is weak.

• Keep simple records that prove who was trained, on what topic, when, and by whom.

The essentials most employers need

Use this as a starter checklist. Add or remove items to match your hazards.

Emergency action
29 CFR 1910.38. Review the plan with each employee at hire, when duties under the plan begin, and whenever roles or the plan change.

Fire extinguishers
29 CFR 1910.157(g). Education for all if extinguishers are provided for employee use, initial plus at least annual. Hands-on training for designated users, initial plus at least annual.

Hazard Communication, GHS
29 CFR 1910.1200(h). Train at initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced or information changes.

Lockout or Tagout
29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7). Train authorized and affected employees before they do the work. Retrain when jobs, machines, or procedures change, or when audits show gaps. Do your periodic inspection each year.

Forklifts, Powered Industrial Trucks
29 CFR 1910.178(l). Train and evaluate operators before they operate. Do refresher training after incidents, unsafe operation, new truck types, or workplace changes. Evaluate at least once every three years.

Respiratory protection
29 CFR 1910.134(k). Train before first use, then annually, and again when workplace or respirator changes or when knowledge is inadequate.

Bloodborne pathogens
29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2). Train at assignment and at least annually, plus when tasks or procedures change.

Hearing conservation
29 CFR 1910.95(k). Train employees in the program at least annually.

Permit required confined spaces
29 CFR 1910.146(g). Train entrants, attendants, supervisors, and rescuers before duties. Retrain when duties, spaces, or hazards change or when evaluations show gaps.

Electrical work practices
29 CFR 1910.331 to 1910.335. Train qualified and unqualified workers who face electrical hazards before exposure. Refresh as needed based on job changes and risk.

First aid and CPR availability
29 CFR 1910.151. If no clinic is in near proximity, designate and train people for first aid and CPR. Follow the certifying body intervals.

Process Safety Management
29 CFR 1910.119(g). Train covered operators and certain contractors before they work on the process, then at least every three years.

Laboratories, Chemical Hygiene
29 CFR 1910.1450(f). Train at initial assignment and before new exposure situations. Refresh at employer-set intervals and when conditions change.

Construction add-ons you probably need

If you are a constructor under 29 CFR 1926, add these.

Fall protection, employee training
29 CFR 1926.503. Train before exposure to fall hazards. Retrain when systems or conditions change or when performance is weak.

Scaffolds
29 CFR 1926.454. Train workers who use scaffolds before use. Retrain when conditions or equipment change or when performance is weak.

Silica in construction
29 CFR 1926.1153(j). Train at assignment for employees at or above the action level or who perform Table 1 tasks. Retrain when tasks, equipment, or controls change.

Cranes and derricks, selected roles
29 CFR 1926.1427 operator qualification or certification.
29 CFR 1926.1428 signal person qualification.
29 CFR 1926.1430 training for operators in training, riggers, and A or D personnel.
Train before assignment. Reevaluate or requalify per the standard or certifier.

Confined spaces in construction
29 CFR 1926.1207. Train entrants, attendants, supervisors, and rescue before duties. Retrain when duties, spaces, or hazards change.

Stairways and ladders
29 CFR 1926.1060. Train before use. Retrain when conditions change or when performance is weak.

Excavations
29 CFR 1926 Subpart P with 1926.21(b)(2). Instruct workers and ensure the competent person can identify hazards and protective systems. Refresh instruction when conditions change.

Substance-specific training for certain operations

Only add these if you actually have the hazard. These typically require initial training and at least annual refreshers for covered employees. Examples in 29 CFR 1910 or 1926 include asbestos, lead, hexavalent chromium, cadmium, benzene, methylene chloride, formaldehyde, ethylene oxide, cotton dust, and grain handling. Train in a language and vocabulary your employees understand.

Who is in and who is out

• Forklift training applies to operators who drive the truck. Office staff who never operate are out.

• HazCom applies where hazardous chemicals are present in the work area. A department with no chemical exposure under your assessment is out.

• Confined space training applies to entrants, attendants, supervisors, and rescue. Employees who never enter or support entries are out.

When to retrain even if a rule is silent

• You change a process, a chemical, a machine, or a procedure.

• You observe unsafe work or have an incident or near miss.

• A new role adds a new hazard.

• An audit finds gaps.

Records that pass an audit

Keep a short entry for each training. Topic and CFR. Date. Names of attendees. Trainer name and qualifications. Outline or slide title and version. Quiz or hands-on evaluation results if used.

A simple rollout plan

• Build a site-specific list that maps job roles to the items above.

• Set due dates for initial training by role.

• Add reminders for annual or three-year items.

• Add a change rule. When equipment or process changes, the owner must trigger a training review before work begins.

• Spot check in the field with quick five minute conversations to verify understanding and skill.