Online safety training helps Texas workers and employers comply with the national standards established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Completing an OSHA-authorized Outreach Training program is a simple way to protect yourself at work, advance your career and comply with job requirements.
Earn your official OSHA 10 or 30 card from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) with simple, interactive online lessons you can start and stop at any time. Learn at your pace from any internet-connected device as you discover common hazards, master industry best practices and expand your skills.
These programs are not required at the state or the federal level, but many employers and some local jurisdictions ask employees to hold valid DOL cards as a condition of employment. Even where not required by law, Outreach Training is strongly encouraged for all professionals of any experience level in construction or general industry roles.
A full safety education protects individuals against the most common sources of workplace injuries, helps employees understand their rights and opens doors to new job opportunities.
Outreach courses are divided based on industry and job responsibilities.
Professionals in construction, demolition and remodeling should take the construction industry version of the program. Almost all other workers, from warehouse laborers to medical personnel, should complete the general industry version.
The 10-hour course is designed for entry-level employees and those without significant management, supervisory or safety responsibilities. The shorter course length serves as an introduction to common workplace hazards employees might encounter on any jobsite. It also contains an overview of employee rights.
The lengthier 30-hour program helps managers and others who can control workplace conditions prioritize safety and minimize risks. The comprehensive curriculum covers additional hazards, protective equipment, emergency plans and health programs.
All programs adhere to rigorous DOL curriculum standards to provide the best possible safety education for workers in any field. Digital lessons are based on up-to-date regulations and industry best practices.
While common, using the word "certification" is not accurate. The administration does not certify training or workers. However, completing an OSHA-authorized workplace safety training course provides an official OSHA 10 or 30 card issued by the DOL.
Completing an online OSHA training helps students better understand what those dense legal texts really mean. A quality education does more than just check off training boxes and satisfy employment requirements. It creates a healthier, more productive workforce.
Safer employees enjoy greater morale, experience lower turnover rates and reduce time away from work due to injury and illness. Meeting guidelines and adhering to standards also reduces the incidence of government fines and penalties.
The price of training depends on the length of the program and other factors, but typically ranges between approximately $50 and $150. Students may complete this federally backed program in person or over the internet.
The administration authorizes certain third-party instructors to offer these educational courses. Students may enroll in physical, face-to-face classroom sessions led by a commercial instructor. Learners must attend and complete all lessons to qualify for an official DOL card.
Students can enroll in classes taught at an OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Center in select locations. Texas has two such institutes, located in Arlington and Mesquite (a suburb of Dallas). Due to the size of the Lone Star State, visiting these campuses may be inconvenient or impossible for most residents.
Fortunately, there is an alternative.
OSHA Education Center offers authorized Outreach Training courses through our partnership with the University of South Florida, an OSHA-authorized provider of online Outreach courses. Completion of any of these courses provides students with an official DOL card.
All training is offered 100% online. Students can log in, learn, and log off at any time. Lessons contain high-quality safety instruction, interactive scenarios, video examples and audio narration. Every class is updated to the newest federal standards. Students even have access to course trainers, allowing them to ask questions and get real answers from expert instructors.
After finishing all lessons and passing the final exam, students who complete an authorized Outreach course get an instant digital Certificate of Completion and will receive an official plastic card by mail from DOL.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration creates and enforces federal workplace safety standards. Those standards, found in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, apply to all 50 states, including Texas.
Federal safety instruction isn't the only way for Texans to protect themselves at work. The state has its own agencies and laws designed to keep citizens safe on the job.
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) investigates employment discrimination, unpaid wage claims, minimum wage, child labor and other labor issues. Any person can file complaints and report violations on the commission's website.
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) is another key state agency protecting employee safety and workers' rights. Individuals who are injured at work can contact the DWC to file claims or resolve disputes with employers.
Anyone can report hazardous working conditions or standards violations. DWC can be reached through the Safety Violations Hotline, while federal complaints can be lodged directly over the internet. Residents can reach out to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) for questions about a professional permit or other issues surrounding a regulated industry.
If you do need to involve federal authorities, you can also reach out to any of the nine area offices. Contact information and resources for OSHA in Texas can be found on the administration's website.
Contact any agency directly for more information about which authorities are responsible for inspections and enforcement actions.
