Why All Construction Workers Should Take the OSHA 10-Hour Construction Course

The construction industry is one of the most dangerous and risk-prone occupations. Because construction workers engage themselves in their work in many instances, they are exposed to the risk of falls, electrocution, and objects striking, among other things. The OSHA 10-Hour Construction Course was developed to respond to these threats and decrease the number of injured and deceased in the latter’s workplace.

Through this course, they train the construction workers on relevant, interesting issues that are appeased during the course and on the potential dangers in construction sites. This article aims to answer the question of why all construction workers are required to take an OSHA 10-Hour Construction Course.

What is the OSHA 10-Hour Construction Course?

The objective of the OSHA 10-Hour Construction Course is to teach safety to entry level construction workers during a ten-hour training period. The course includes many safety topics considering the nature of the construction environment and the work undertaken therein.

Topics include fall, electrical, struck-by, and caught-in or -between hazards, personal protective equipment, scaffolding, and ladder safety. The training uses a combination of presentations, videos, group discussions, and hands-on activities to engage students and reinforce the safety concepts.

At the end of the course, students take a test to demonstrate their understanding of the material. Those who pass receive an OSHA 10-Hour Construction card that is valid for life. Many construction companies now require all their workers to have an OSHA 10-Hour card.

Key Topics Covered in the OSHA 10-Hour Construction Course

The OSHA 10-Hour Construction Course covers a wide range of important safety topics including:

• Hazard identification – Students learn to recognize common safety hazards on construction sites like unguarded machinery, frayed electrical cords, and unmarked holes or trenches. Knowing how to identify hazards is the first step toward preventing accidents.
• Fall protection – Falls account for over a third of construction worker deaths every year. The course covers fall protection methods like guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems. Proper use of ladders and scaffolding is also discussed.
• Struck-by hazards – Construction workers can be struck by all kinds of objects on site from falling tools to moving vehicles and equipment. The course teaches students to recognize struck-by dangers and use controls like spotters, barricades, and backup alarms on vehicles.
• Caught-in or -between hazards – Construction workers can be caught in or between equipment and structures on site leading to crush injuries or amputations. The course covers the importance of lockout/tagout procedures, machine guarding, and trenching and excavation safety.
• Electrical safety – Electrocution is another leading cause of death for construction workers. Students learn about safe electrical work practices, grounding, GFCIs, and overhead and underground electrical line hazards.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) – Different hazards require different protective equipment. The course teaches proper selection and use of hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, respirators, and other PPE.

Why OSHA 10 Training is Critical for Construction Workers

There are several important reasons why the OSHA 10-Hour Construction Course is so valuable for construction workers:

• It makes workers more safety-conscious on the job site. Recognizing hazards and using appropriate safety procedures becomes second nature.
• It ensures workers know OSHA safety standards and regulations. This knowledge helps keep sites compliant during inspections.
• It helps prevent workplace injuries and illnesses, reducing workers’ compensation costs.
• It may allow workers to advance in their careers. Many foremen, supervisors, and management positions require OSHA 10 training.
• It satisfies OSHA training requirements. Having 10-hour trained workers on site shows a commitment to safety.
• It reduces the risk of OSHA citations and fines that result from non-compliance with standards. Fines can be up to $14,502 per violation.

Properly trained workers make the whole job site safer. When everyone has basic OSHA knowledge, workers can look out for each other’s safety. Construction is a team effort.

OSHA 10 Training Options

There are a few different options for getting OSHA 10 certified:

• In-person classes – These classroom trainings are often offered by construction companies, unions, trade associations, and safety consultants. Students benefit from hands-on learning and interacting with instructors.
• Live online courses – Reputable providers like 360training.com offer interactive virtual OSHA 10 courses. Students can participate from a computer or mobile device.
• Self-paced online courses – Some online courses allow students to review materials and take tests at their own pace. These offer more flexibility but less engagement.

When researching providers, check that they offer an OSHA-authorized course. Avoid any offerings that sound too quick or easy. The full 10 hours of training should be required.

Benefits for Employers

While the OSHA 10-Hour Construction Course clearly benefits the workers themselves, it also provides advantages for their employers:

• It shows a commitment to safety that attracts top talent and improves employee retention. Workers notice which employers invest in their training and development.
• It reduces recordable incidents and lost time due to injuries. Experienced, safety-trained crews are more productive with less downtime.
• It builds a strong safety culture across the company. Shared safety values unify workers and supervisors.
• It enhances reputation for safety excellence. This can provide a competitive edge when bidding projects, especially with larger clients.
• It develops well-rounded workers ready for leadership roles. Additional training creates promotable employees.

Investing in OSHA 10 training for all workers demonstrates to employees that their safety is a top priority. This pays dividends in performance, morale, and public perception.

Conclusion

OSHA 10-hour Construction Course is very useful for training construction workers on safety matters. All workers on job sites must learn the basics of OSHA and recognize hazards.

After undertaking OSHA 10 training, the workers are more likely to concern themselves with their own safety and that of others while implementing the prescribed health protection policies. This training helps prevent needless deaths and injuries from avoidable accidents at work. All construction personnel are entitled to and owe it to themselves and their families to walk out with OSHA 10 certification.