What are the Differences between OSHA 10-Hour vs. OSHA 30-Hour?
If someone tells you that you need a “DOL card,” they are probably talking about the Department of Labor card that you receive when you pass the OSHA Outreach course that you need.
Unfortunately, that just scratches the surface of an understanding of the fact that you need to take OSHA Outreach.
Then, there’s a slew of other questions. To which “industry” do you need: Construction vs. General Industry vs. Maritime? What level of course do you need: OSHA 10 OR OSHA 30?
It can become confusing quickly.
We’re going to take a look at the differences between OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 today.
Duration of OSHA 10 versus OSHA 30
The number in OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 refers to the length of the curriculum. OSHA 10 courses are 10 hours of instruction (excluding quizzes, tests, and breaks).
Therefore, OSHA 30 is 3 times the length.
Target Audience
OSHA 30 is much longer in this respect because it is for workers with supervisory responsibilities. That encompasses but is not limited to, supervisors, managers, engineers, site leads, project managers and safety specialists.
OSHA 10 is intended for workers that are only looking out for themselves.
Curriculum
Regardless of industry or level, all OSHA Outreach courses begin with an Introduction to OSHA. That helps everyone discover what OSHA is, why it’s important, and the workers’ rights and employers’ responsibilities OSHA oversees.
Except for this one topic, the OSHA Outreach curriculum will be different by industry and level. There’s an industry-specific general mandatory list addressing that workplace’s most prominent and problematic hazards, and a list of elective topics that include more role-based risks.
OSHA 10 burns most of its hours on mandatory topics (6 or 7 of the 10 contact hours). The rest of the time has to be devoted to various elective topics, which gives instructors a bit of leeway to customize the curriculum according to their audience.
OSHA 30 contains Intro to OSHA and all the other most common hazards, but it also gets broader and deeper. The additional hours are mostly in the “broader” category — because a supervisor needs to be aware of all the regulations that are applicable to their entire team, OSHA 30 encompasses many relevant elective topics.
But OSHA 30 goes at an even deeper level as it covers the “how” of OSHA. Because it is geared toward supervisors, every OSHA 30 course includes a required Managing Safety and Health topic, where various responsibilities that OSHA puts on management – including, but not limited to, job site inspections, injury and illness prevention programs, accident prevention programs, hazard identification and control, how to conduct safety meetings, supervisory communication, etc.
FAQs
How to Know Which Is Right for You?
In many cases, the decision between OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 is a no-brainer. Does your role involve oversight or responsibility for anyone else? Well, then you have the MCU-30 version of your industry’s Outreach program. Otherwise get the 10-hour version.
Of course, there are exceptions.
Requirements for OSHA Outreach (or other safety training program) for specific types of workers are also mandated by certain states, counties, or municipalities. If you are affected by one of these laws, then the specific course requirements are likely specified for you.
Your employer may also have policies that govern what’s required or preferred in your role.
Before you choose a class, it’s a good idea to check what requirements you may face from governments and employers.
Do You Ever Need Both OSHA 10 and OSHA 30?
Depending on where your career takes you, you may find yourself taking both OSHA 10 as a non-supervisor, and OSHA 30 if you come to hold a position of authority.
But there are a couple of cases where people feel that they should take both courses and they don’t.
Is OSHA 10 Required Before Taking OSHA 30?
No – OSHA 10 is not a prerequisite for OSHA 30. The 30hour course can still be taken by anyone who has never had the 10hour course.
So if a particular supervisor-level position requires you to get the supervisor-level OSHA Outreach course, there may be a situation where you never achieved the 10-hour certificate, and that’s completely acceptable. You might as well start with what your employer needs.
Is OSHA 10 Required if I Hold OSHA 30?
Some states require everybody to get an OSHA 10 card; some states require even non-supervisors to get an OSHA 30 card. If you took OSHA 30, and moved to a state that needs OSHA 10…and you already took OSHA 30, do you have to take the course again?
Probably not. OSHA 30 is a widely-accepted solution and most states specifically incorporate acceptance for OSHA 30 as an alternative in their regulations. Some states do, however, have a dictated renewal frequency at which point the DOL card “expires.” If so, you might have to take a new course if your original certificate was too long ago.
Does OSHA 30 Cover OSHA 10?
(So do keep in mind that OSHA 30 courses do cover all the content that’s taught in that sector’s OSHA 10 course: hence, there’s no need to take the 10-hour curriculum if you have the 30-hour certificate; and there isn’t an OSHA 10 prerequisite for OSHA 30.)
How to Obtain OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 Cards?
Outreach courses are not offered directly by OSHA. Instead they “train the trainers” by subjecting third-party training providers to extensive industry-specific coursework. They are then “OSHA-authorized” training providers that can issue official OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 cards.
We will issue a certificate of completion at the end of the curriculum and also mail a durable plastic DOL card.
If you are in the construction industry in New Mexico, enroll in OSHA 10-hour or OSHA 30-Hour Construction courses with Safety Counselling today to get started!