Current Trends in OSHA-Authorized Construction Safety Education

Currently the U.S. Government has implemented and is continuing in developing substantial changes to the way that OSHA-authorized construction safety education is being taught in the United States. Faculty members teaching safety to construction students need to be aware of these significant changes taking place and not run afoul of federal requirements. A number of construction programs in the U.S. have safety education coursework whereby students, as an example, can obtain "OSHA 30-Hour" Cards. Numerous employers look more favorably upon hiring construction graduates that already possess the training represented by the "OSHA 30-Hour" Cards. In addition, some states such as Nevada and Missouri have implemented legislation requiring personnel on construction sites to possess either "OSHA 10-Hour" Cards or "OSHA 30-Hour" Cards dependent upon their role as either craft workers or managerial personnel. But requirements to obtain these Cards are being tightened. As an example, despite the fact that there are numerous websites offering on-line training to obtain these cards, very few of these online providers have obtained authorization from OSHA for this activity. Graduates of these online programs risk losing both the time and money invested in these online "credentials" since they will not be recognized by OSHA. New federal requirements effective October 1, 2010 mandate that now for classroom training, as an example, "OSHA 10-Hour" training programs be conducted over at least a two-day period with "OSHA 30-Hour" training over a least a four-day timeframe. Those conducting the training (e.g. college faculty) must be properly qualified through passing OSHA-authorized training programs. Criteria for trainers to pass these programs are being tightened considerably in these new regulations. In the U.S., there are 26 OSHA Training Institutes authorized by OSHA across the country. At one training institute, one construction director estimated that half of their past graduates would not be able to successfully renew their trainer credentials when they expire. Other requirements for "OSHA 10/30-Hour" training programs include the stepped up use of auditors to monitor the quality of this training and the furnishing of handouts or other media to the students that summarize key points. Faculty members or others sponsored by colleges/universities not adhering to these requirements run the risk of jeopardizing themselves and their students. This paper will focus on these issues and related concerns