Since 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has helped to minimize hazardous work environments and promote worker safety. As a result, the total rate of workplace injuries and illnesses significantly declined. What’s even better, numerous states have adopted OSHA approved safety and health programs to perpetuate the trend. And now some states are taking it a step further.
Several states have passed a bill requiring OSHA training including: New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Missouri, Nevada, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Similar in each state, the bill requires all construction workers to complete an OSHA certification approved construction training course. This not only is a smart idea for employers and contractors to provide the training (even if not required) but to ensure a safe job site. In addition, an OSHA citation can be a costly one.
Most recent is Nevada’s bill, signed on June 5th, 2009, which was said to be driven by the 12 construction deaths that occurred along Las Vegas Boulevard in a period of just 18 months. Created to increase construction safety, this new bill requires all employees and supervisors to complete OSHA training within 15 days of being hired. The law goes into effect January 1st, 2010.
Not surprisingly, OSHA 10-hour construction course enrollments for Missouri, New York and surrounding states have dramatically increased over the last few months. And Nevada is soon to follow.
A new trend? With OSHA training available online, meeting the state requirements is even easier. For workers needing their OSHA 10-hour card, location, class availability and access will not be an issue. Even travel costs and time away from work are eliminated. Students are given up to 6 months to complete the training which provides an OSHA 10-Hour Completion Card upon graduation.
OSHA online 10-hour training can cost anywhere between $89-$125 depending on the course and the training institute you select. Also, certain companies give bulk discounts for signing up multiple students at one time which gives a nice discount to employers impacted by these new state laws.