If you’ve been asked to complete an OSHA online course by an employer, or you yourself are an employer who needs to brush up on health and safety skills, you might have a few questions.
OSHA stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and is part of the US department of labor.
Online learning can be a pain, but in this case, it’s essential for everyone’s safety and well-being if your workplace contains hazards.
But how long does it take to complete OSHA 30 online? Let’s read the article and find the answer.
OSHA 30 refers to the thirty hours that are required to complete the training courses. It is estimated that this should take no longer than four days to complete.
For the purposes of this article, we shall be referring to the construction course as the OSHA 30-hour course rather than the courses as a whole.
What Is OSHA 30?
An OSHA certification is an official education certificate that indicates the recipient is competent in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
OSHA 30-hour training refers to an online course that is used in the construction industry and other general industries.
The courses are designed to help supervisors and workers in these industries to avoid workplace health and safety risks. Examples of these include field supervisors, forepersons, and safety directors.
OSHA 30 specifically refers to the 30-hour courses which are for supervisors and those with safety responsibilities.
Who Needs To Have Them?
Depending on the state you’re working in, you might be legally required to have an OSHA 30-hour card.
There are certain contractors and construction managers that mandate their workers to have both an OSHA 10 or 30-hour card in order to walk onto the site itself.
Although it’s not always a government mandate, this requirement can still be enforced.
Ideally, everyone working on a construction site would hold an OSHA card as it demonstrates they are capable of keeping the workplace safe and have developed the knowledge and responsibilities to keep themselves and others safe.
How Does OSHA 30 Work?
Courses are 100% online which means that learners can complete them at their own pace.
The course is split into twenty-one different modules which cover a huge range of topics from how to deal with confined spaces to being exposed to asbestos (construction).
Course Content
Learning consists of audio narration from real trainers and a number of interactive exercises. There are real-life case studies so learners can apply their knowledge to situations they may face.
The content can be accessed 24/7 on any device that has access to the internet.
Quizzes
At the end of each module, learners are given ten questions to complete. They must score at least 70% on each module before they can move on to the next.
Only three attempts are given to learners to achieve this score in their quizzes before they are locked out. Quizzes consist of multiple choice questions.
Final Exam
After all the modules have been completed, learners are required to pass a final exam to pass the whole course. This final exam consists of twenty questions and tests their knowledge of all of the course content.
Again, to pass learners must achieve a score of 70% or more. There are three opportunities to pass the final exam before being locked out.
There are a number of online resources that let you take practice tests (see also ‘Best GRE Practice Test‘) to help learners avoid this situation. These resources are free and easy to access on the internet.
How Much Does OSHA 30 Cost?
The OSHA 30-hour online training course can cost upwards of $150 regardless of the industry. Certain organizations and websites offer OSHA-Authorized online training courses, which can be found here.
The cost of training is provided to the employee without cost, this means employers and companies are required to pay to train their staff before they work.
How Long Does An OSHA Card Good For?
Once learners have completed their online OSHA training, they will receive their own personalized OSHA card to state that they’ve completed the training to a sufficient standard.
These cards do not expire, but the course graduation date is printed on the card.
A temporary certificate can be printed immediately after successfully completing the course but the main laminated version of the card will be received within two weeks.
It is important to note that some states, worksites, and organizations may require employees to retake the training every three to five years as a refresher on health and safety.
How Long Does It Take?
Learners can work their way through the modules for seven and a half hours per day and no more. Overall, there are thirty hours of training to complete which should take no more than four days.
From the time someone is enrolled in the course, they have up to six months to complete the training.
Although thirty hours is time allotted, some learners may find they take longer than this when factoring in bathroom breaks, rest breaks, and general daily routines.
It is advised that learners do not attempt to complete training after a long day’s work as their minds will not be as focused.
Final Thoughts
OSHA is a governmental department that ensures the health and safety of working conditions for workers and employers by setting and enforcing standards.
Further, they provide training, outreach, education, and assistance. The OSHA 30-hour course is taken by those above entry-level workers and takes around 4 days to complete.
We hope you found this article interesting and informative, giving you a better understanding of how long it will require someone to complete an OSHA 30-hour training course and why they are so important.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does The OSHA 30 Final Exam Take?
The final exam in the OSHA 30-hour course is 180 minutes long. This exam consists of twenty questions that test the learner’s knowledge regarding any of the information covered throughout the course.
