To say that safety protocols are crucial in the construction field would be an understatement. The OSHA 10 and OSHA 30-hour training courses are some of the most frequent safety courses that assure that construction workers understand apprising and preventing construction risks. Such widespread distribution does not guarantee accuracy for all information, as these certifications themselves are still clouded with misbeliefs and misconceptions. It would be necessary to set the record straight to ensure that construction personnel are not confused about how to go about enrolling themselves into autopilot safety sessions in this case.
Last week, a few such misconceptions with regards to the OSHA 10 and 30-hour training sessions, their facts and information were presented in one of my favorite blogs, this week we take it a step further examining a different set of misconceptions.
1: Construction Workers Are The Only Beneficiaries of OSHA 10 Training
My first concern is the OSHA 10 online course for children. It is a common belief for most to view the online OSHA 10 course as only appropriate for use by children involved in construction projects or activities. OSHA 10 is a Building Industry Course but not exclusively for those working in the Industry as it is an Introduction class to Basic general. For example: Writing bouquets to workers about worker safety.
Reality
It is worth noting that construction-specific training is beneficial for workers in other industries as well, for example, beauty, food, and agriculture. OSHA 10 covers a wide range of safety topics such as fall hazards, electrical hazards, selections, and issues of personal protective equipment (PPE). Although OSHA 10 construction focuses on the specifics of hazards in the construction industry, the fundamentals apply to many sectors.
For those of you who are in the construction field, it does not matter to say that OSHA 10 construction training applies more as it considers such industry risks as scaffolding, trenching, and digging.
While the OSHA 10 online course is useful to construction workers, it also has relevance to workers in other areas meaning it has a broad application as a construction safety training program.
2: The OSHA 30 course and the OSHA 30 training are not the same courses
It is a common misconception to think the OSHA 10 online training certificate and 30-course certificate are interchangeable, including some of the workers within the training program. These two certifications are both offered by OSHA, but they serve different purposes and offer varying levels of instruction.
Facts
The online OSHA 10-hour course is targeted at new entrants into the workforce and provides them with the essentials of safety practices. It describes such items as the general construction industry fall hazards, personal protective equipment (PPE), fall protection systems, and even simple emergency procedures. It typically takes approximately 10 hours to complete, making this appropriate for anyone who is just starting in construction or needs a safety training update.
In contrast, the OSHA 30 online course is meant for persons in authority and managerial positions within the construction industry. It is a more extensive training course focusing on benchmarks and competence in occupational safety and health requirements such as hazard communication, safety inspections, and assigned duties of managers and supervisors regarding occupational safety and health. A course in OSHA 30-hour online training course normally takes about 30 hours to complete and is aimed at people on the commanding side of leadership.
Both of them aim to promote safety awareness in their respective dimensions but on the contrary OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 are intended for different levels of accountability and to some extent areas of concentration in teaching and learning.
Incorrect Belief 3: There is no need to earn OSHA certification more than once.
The next common misconception is that once employees have taken the OSHA 10 online course, there will be no other safety course or training that they will need to undertake. For some people, this is enough to think that after getting certified for OSHA 10, they will never have to take another action.
Reality
It is true that once people get the OSHA 10 certification, they will carry it for the rest of their lives; however, that does not mean that additional safety training prerequisites do not exist after taking up such a course. First of all, the OSHA 10 training conducted online is only a basic layer of safety training that the trainees are expected to build upon by availing themselves of further training programs. The construction field is always changing, and new regulations and standards regarding safety are put in place from time to time; hence, workers need to keep abreast of the instructions regarding safety.
Furthermore, to avoid employees overshooting authorized norms, employers and institutions have to conduct safety training on a routine basis. This could include other forms of training like the OSHA 30 online course or training courses such as First Aid, Fall Protection, Confined Space Entry, and others.
Although people will carry the OSHA 10 certification their whole lives, construction businesses are changing; therefore, people will have to undertake continual training and education to stay up to date with the correct safety standards and regulations.
4: OSHA 30 Certification Is Only for Supervisors
The other common misconception is that OSHA 30 is only needed by supervisors and managers, which means regular workers are not equally required to complete the online osha 30-hour training program. Although the OSHA 30 online course is meant for upper-level management positions, it does not mean that anyone at any level can learn from the course.
Reality
The OSHA 30-hour online course is specifically designed to furnish a person with more in-depth information about safety, which makes this skill useful even if one is not in a supervising position. Whereas that may be the case, supervisors and managers have the obligation of ensuring that safety standards are adhered to on these sites, so there is a lot that the OSHA 30 course can teach them.
Other content covered in the OSHA 30 online course, in addition to safety management systems, includes hazard communication, safety inspection, and risk assessment, which has to prove useful for workers who wish to improve their skills and grow in their careers. It also prepares workers to assume leadership duties in the future and shows potential employers that the workers are serious about their work and intend to maintain a high safety standard.
Although OSHA 30 seems to be pitched to supervisors and managers, it is a good idea for any construction worker seeking progress in their career and information on safety measures.
5 – OSHA certifications are only for big firms
Some people believe that OSHA 10 and OSHA 30-hour online course certifications are meant only for workers who are part of large construction firms and that smaller firms or the self-employed do not have to concern themselves with them.
Reality
OSHA applies to all construction businesses, including all levels of organizational structure as well as projects of whatever scope. Small businesses, contractors, and the self-employed are exposed to the same occupational health hazards and risks that large multinational corporations are. Smaller firms may be even more exposed as they may not be able to regularly train or implement intensive safety programs.
In the case where a worker or employer takes an OSHA 10 online course or an OSHA 30 course certification, they would be able to comply with the relevant safety standards undertaken at construction sites.
OSHA certification is not the sole duty of large business facilities; completing OSHA 10 and 30 online training is useful for small firms as well as independent contractors and OSHA 30 workers.
6: OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 Certifications Are Unreasonably Priced
Some workers and employers feel that OSHA 10 training online and OSHA 30-hour programs are quite expensive and pointless. This can make people avoid going for such certification, thinking it will be sidelined due to limited finances.
Answer
In truth, the cost of the OSHA 10 online course and the OSHA 30 online course is not much when compared to the cost that one incurs as a result of workplace accidents and noncompliance penalties. Being in competition, the price of online courses is great, the cost of OSHA 10 online training ranges from £50 to £200 while a 30-hour OSHA course costs between £150 and £300.
The cost of acquiring these certifications is very low in comparison to the cost incurred by availing of these certifications as they help avoid expenses on workplace accidents and deaths, pay for insurance, and boost general productivity.
Thanks to enhanced workplace safety and compliance with regulatory requirements, OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 certifications are the best cost-effective options that help save money in the future.
Conclusion
Any person who is involved in the construction industry should be well versed with the OSHA 10 online course and the OSHA 30-hour online course. We would like to dispel such misconceptions and explain why these certification programs are relevant and necessary. In any construction industry, such standards are a huge success whether for safety or even career advancement. These certifications boost not only workplace safety but also the status and employability of those who are novices in the construction field as well as veterans.
