The federal Process Safety Management standard (29 CFR 1910.119) requires training every three years. Other standards require retraining “as needed,” when there are changes in the workplace that would affect previous training, or when certain other circumstances indicate that retraining is needed. For example, the federal Powered Industrial Trucks standard requires forklift drivers to be evaluated at least every three years — the standard outlines conditions that require refresher forklift operator training at 29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4).
The following federal OSHA construction rules include annual retraining / employee information requirements:
In addition, the chemical-specific regulations in 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart Z require annual retraining. [The only chemical-specific Subpart Z regulations that do not require annual retraining are: 1926.1102—coal tar pitch volatiles, 1926.1126—hexavalent chromium, and 1926.1152—methylene chloride.]
In addition to these requirements for annual retraining, the Process safety management standard (1926.64) requires training at least every three years. Other standards require retraining “as needed,” when there are changes in the workplace that would affect previous training, or when certain other circumstances indicate that retraining is needed. For example, the Powered industrial trucks standard [see 1926.602(d)] requires forklift drivers to be evaluated at least every three years — the standard outlines conditions that require refresher forklift operator training at 1910.178(l)(4). Also, the fall protection training requirements outline certain conditions that require retraining at 1926.503(d).
Employers need to check the training requirements in each applicable standard to find the applicable training requirements. Some standards do not include any specific training requirements, but they do include certain procedures that employers are expected to follow. For example, OSHA’s general industry rule on portable wood ladders has requirements for ladder use at 1910.25(d), but the rule has no specific training requirements. It would be a good practice for an employer to provide training to help ensure that employees follow these safe procedures. And, an employer should periodically review the facility’s safety program to identify areas that need improvement — employee refresher training can help address problems involving a lack of knowledge about hazards, procedures, or equipment.
For more information on OSHA’s training requirements, click on Training Requirements at a Glance.
