OSHA 30-hour construction training is typically recommended for supervisors, managers, and safety personnel who have workers on construction sites who may be exposed to safety and health hazards on the job. This class is also ideally suited for union safety representatives and safety committee members.
While OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) does not mandate the OSHA 30-hour training for all construction workers, many other federal, state, and municipal agencies do. Furthermore, many general contractors and building site owners require select employees (typically supervisors and safety personnel) to complete this training to ensure a safe work environment.
OSHA 30 construction training is particularly important for individuals in safety and supervisory roles. It equips them with the knowledge needed to identify hazards affecting workers, implement effective safety protocols, and ensure compliance with OSHA regulations.
Mandatory topics covered in the 30-hour construction class take approximately 18 hours to complete, and include:
- Introduction to OSHA
- Managing Safety and Health
- OSHA Focus Four Hazards
- Falls
- Electrocution
- Struck-By
- Caught-In or Between
- Health Hazards in Construction
- Stairways and Ladders
In addition, the OSHA 30-hour construction class will include presentations on at least 12 hours of training on the following electives that the employer (or trainer) can select from. At least six of the following topics must be presented, with the minimum length of time spent on any topic is at least one-half hour:
- Concrete and Masonry Construction
- Confined Space Entry
- Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Elevators and Conveyors
- Ergonomics
- Excavations
- Fire Protection and Prevention
- Materials Handling, Storage, Use and Disposal
- Motor Vehicles, Mechanized Equipment and Marine Operations
- Powered Industrial Vehicles
- Safety and Health Programs
- Scaffolds
- Steel Erection
- Tools – Hand and Power
- Welding and Cutting
- Foundations for Safety Leadership
REQUEST A PROPOSAL FOR AN ON-SITE OSHA 30 HOUR CONSTRUCTION TRAINING CLASS
Frequently Asked Questions About On-site OSHA 30-hour Construction Training Classes
Q – How many days does an OSHA 30-hour construction training class typically take to complete?
A – OSHA policy only allows 7.5 hours of actual training time (excludes lunch / breaks) during a day. So it takes a minimum of four full days to complete an OSHA 30 hour construction training class. We conduct our on-site OSHA 30-hour classes over four consecutive workdays; but this can be done to include a mix of weekdays and weekend days upon request.
Q – How long does it take to get the OSHA 30-hour construction certification cards after completing the OSHA 30 class?
A – Students who successfully complete an OSHA 30-hour construction class will receive an official Department of Labor OSHA wallet card documenting they completed their training. It takes approximately two to four weeks for the wallet cards to be produced and sent to the students. However, students also receive a personalized certificate of completion proving they completed their training after the OSHA 30 construction class is completed; this certificate serves as proof of training until the wallet card is received. Be aware, however, that OSHA states very clearly in their policy no student is “certified” by OSHA when they complete their training (because there is no such thing as “OSHA certification“), and the card simply serves as proof the student completed their 30-hour training class.
Q – I have employees who speak English and others who speak Spanish (or some other language) who need this training. Can you provide a bi-lingual OSHA trainer? Or, can I provide a bilingual interpreter to assist your OSHA trainer so everyone can attend just one class together?
A – The short answer is “no”. OSHA policy requires that all training be provided in a language in which the students understand. So, if a trainer covered all 30 hours’ worth of required material in two languages, or if a translator was provided to repeat everything the OSHA trainer said in another language, it would take twice as long (60 hours) to cover all required information for the class; that would be cost prohibitive. We have OSHA authorized 30-hour construction trainers who can provide your class in either English or Spanish; and while several of them are bi-lingual, the class must be conducted in one language in which all students understand.
Q – We want to take the OSHA 30-hour training course. Are we required to take an OSHA 10-hour course first?
A – No. Completing a 10-hour course is not a prerequisite to take an OSHA 30-hour course. Everything that is covered in the 10 hour course is also covered in the 30-hour course. Also, construction sites that require the 10-hour card to work on site should also accept the 30-hour construction training card in its stead.
Q – Does my OSHA 30-hour construction training card expire?
A – It does not; in fact, OSHA states on the back of your OSHA 30-hour card that it does not expire. However, be aware that some contractors, employers, and state regulations may have their own requirements for the card to be current to within a certain amount of time (e.g.: 5 years), as is their prerogative.