OSHA (United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has developed a program to promote safety in the construction industry by standardizing a set of requirements known as the OSHA 10-Hour Construction Course. This course has been so widespread and successful that many states require workers to take OSHA Course 10 before working on publicly funded jobs. This course can be taken online through an OSHA-accepted provider.
Below is a summary of the requirements for each state:
New York State.
Each worker must be certified by having completed an OSHA 10 safety training course on public works projects of $250,000 or more. The intent is to require that all employees of public works contractors receive such training “prior to performing any work on the project.”
Proof of completion may include a copy of a course completion card. Online courses from an accredited provider are accepted.
The requirements went into effect on July 18, 2008.
Snowfall
All workers and supervisors must be certified by having completed an OSHA safety course with 60 days of employment on a construction site. Workers must complete the 10-hour construction course.
The statute provides for fines and termination of employment to enforce the law.
The law entered into force on January 1, 2010.
Additional Requirements for Nevada In addition to the requirement that workers complete OSHA’s 10-hour construction course, supervisors must complete OSHA’s 30-hour course. OSHA cards for Nevada expire after 5 years.
Missouri
Each worker must complete the OSHA 10 course with 60 days of employment at a public works construction site. Missouri defines it as a “public works” project, even if it is only partially funded by state or local public funds. There are some small exceptions for railroad crossings and utility projects.
Online courses are acceptable, from an accredited provider.
The requirements went into effect on August 28, 2009.
Massachusetts
All employees who will work on the job site must complete OSHA’s 10-hour construction course before beginning work on the job site.
Any employee found in a workplace subject to this section without documentation of successful completion of the OSHA 10-hour course will be subject to immediate removal. Mass. The law specifically says “At least 10 hours,” so OSHA’s 30-hour construction course would also allow the worker to meet these requirements.
Online courses are acceptable, from an accredited provider.
The law entered into force in 2004.
new hampshire
All on-site employees, working on publicly funded projects (including state or municipal) of $100,000 or more, must complete OSHA’s 10-hour construction course before starting work. An employee who has not completed the program will be subject to removal from the workplace after 15 days of being found in non-compliance.
New Hampshire law provides for employer fines of up to $2,500 and a civil penalty of $100 per employee for each day of non-compliance.
Online courses are acceptable, from an accredited provider.
The law entered into force in 2007.
Connecticut
The 10-hour construction course is required for all employees of any public construction project paid for in whole or in part by state funds, or any of its agencies, where the total cost exceeds $100,000.
Each contractor must submit proof that all employees have taken OSHA’s 10-hour construction course within 30 days of contract award. Employees who have not completed the course are subject to removal from the workplace.
As in virtually all situations, the OSHA 10-hour course completion card or other evidence, such as a certificate of completion, is required to demonstrate compliance.
The law entered into force in 2007.
Special Circumstances for Connecticut. OSHA’s 10-hour construction course must be repeated every 5 years. There are some exceptions to the requirement that include site work, roads or bridges, rail lines, parking lots, or underground water, sewer, or drainage systems, including pump houses or other utility systems.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island requires all workers on state and municipal construction projects with a total project cost of more than $100,000 to complete OSHA’s 10-hour construction course. This requirement is for on-site workers, including construction workers, contractors, project developers, site managers, and/or anyone else working on a job site. Law enforcement and/or workplace security officers are exempt, as are all federal, state, and municipal government inspectors. Fines for non-compliance range from $250 to $950, per violation, per day.
This requirement started in 2004.
Local and other Municipalities
A large number of smaller government agencies, including city, county, and other municipal agencies, have also adopted this standard. This list is constantly growing. Some state universities have even made the 10 hour OSHA construction course a requirement to work in the university. If you are working on any government projects, check for any special requirements they may have.
OSHA 10 Hour Construction Course – State Summary
OSHA’s 10-hour construction course is required in the states of New York, Nevada, Missouri, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island for work on publicly funded projects of varying amounts. In addition, the states of Nevada and Connecticut require that the course be repeated every 5 years. In virtually all cases, the online version of OSHA’s 10-hour construction course meets these requirements and is a fast and efficient way to get the training you need.