You’ve Finished OSHA Safety Training – Now What?

If you look at the number of high-risk workplace-related injuries or deaths, it’s no wonder that certain jobs require OSHA training certification. Many employees take OSHA safety training courses because it is required by their employer, but often do not realize there are other benefits that come with being an OSHA-certified card holder.

What is OSHA Certification?

Let’s say you are looking for a job in the construction industry. You may have noticed that certain job listings require OSHA training certificates. It’s important to note, however, that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) doesn’t actually provide these certifications or their corresponding training certificates.

This is a common misconception regarding OSHA’s definition of certifications. “OSHA training certificate” actually refers to OSHA Authorized Outreach Training or recognized OSHA safety training programs created by safety committees and organizations to help you and your employer stay compliant with OSHA standards. The numbers 10 and 30 simply represent the number of hours spent studying the course.

What Does it Mean to Be OSHA Certified?

Some employers may require proof of completion of OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 training, which is validated by obtaining an OSHA completion card upon finishing an OSHA Outreach Training Program course. Although OSHA does not issue OSHA training certificates, various organizations provide OSHA Authorized Outreach Training or recognized OSHA safety training programs, which are referred to as “OSHA training certificates”. Workers and employers may use terms like “OSHA 30 certification” or “OSHA 10 certified”, despite OSHA’s disapproval of these terms.

OSHA also offers OSHA certificate programs in partnership with colleges and universities across the United States. These programs offer in-depth professional growth for safety and health professionals, as well as construction workers and other industries. Some of these certificate programs are more detailed than OSHA Outreach courses and have a duration of 70 to 100 hours. Examples of OSHA certificate programs include Certified Occupational Safety Specialist (COSS), Certified Safety and Health Specialist for General Industry, Certified Safety and Health Specialist for Construction, and Master Certification in Safety and Health, Environmental, and Risk Management. For additional information, interested individuals can refer to OSHA’s list of certificate and degree programs.

You’ve received your OSHA training certification, so now what?

Update Your Resume

Great job passing your course! This is the perfect opportunity to update your resume with the course you have completed and the certificates and/or card you achieved.  Potential employers love seeing these certifications listed on a candidate’s resume, especially if the certification doesn’t expire.

Find a New Job

Obtaining an OSHA card is a great way to highlight your safety training skills to potential employers, especially if you are currently or actively seeking employment. It is important to keep your resume up-to-date to include your OSHA certification to let potential employers know that you have taken the initiative to complete this training. Even if you are not currently seeking employment, updating your resume with your OSHA certification is still a good idea for future job opportunities. Employers will take note of your dedication to maintaining your safety training skills.

Join Your Company’s Safety Committee

State or federal laws mandate that a majority of companies establish safety committees or groups responsible for reviewing workplace safety practices, training materials, and safety complaints. With your newly acquired safety training, you could become a valuable member of your company’s safety committee.

Use Social Media To Network

You can stay up-to-date on the latest safety news, connect with other safety professionals, troubleshoot safety-related problems, and come up with safety training ideas by using social media platforms, networking groups, and other social channels.

Further Your Workplace Safety Education

Regardless of your level of safety experience, there is always room to expand on your safety training knowledge and skills. Impact Safety offers various OSHA certified training courses, such as 10-Hour Training, 30-Hour Training, HAZWOPER training for handling hazardous waste, and one-hour certificate courses that focus on specialized topics in your industry.

Conclusion

Even after you have completed your safety training course and earned an OSHA training certificate, it’s important to remain alert to potential safety hazards around you to effectively prevent accidents and incidents from occurring in the workplace, keeping yourself and those around you safe.

Impact Safety specializes in providing comprehensive safety services for businesses across all industries. Our services are aimed at reducing risks, protecting assets, and creating a safe and compliant work environment. Our hands-on training, consulting, and confined space standby consultation provide clients with the most extensive safety services in the market.

Unlike other safety training providers, our employees spend time in the field, gaining real-world experience that enables them to deliver practical and relevant material that will take your safety program to the next level. We were founded on March 1, 2001, in Augusta, Georgia, to provide comprehensive safety programs to businesses in the CSRA.

With over 35 years of experience, our expert team has transformed workplaces into safer environments. We want to help make safety a top priority in your organization! We have experience in professional, industry, and construction fields, which enables us to identify areas that need improvement quickly and share relevant and up-to-date information to create efficient, safe, and cost-effective operations within your business.

Our knowledgeable and dedicated team can help your company reach its profit potential by preventing fines, lowering insurance costs, and increasing business by making your organization more marketable to partners, vendors, and suppliers. We can develop a safety plan that is right for your company and budget, whether you’re looking for a full-time safety specialist, confined space standby team, mock audit, and report, or annual training.

Don’t wait! Contact us today for a free initial consultation and let us help your team reach its safety goals.