The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 510 training is specific to the construction industry. It covers safety and prevention best practices for construction work sites, workers and areas. The construction industry training must last a minimum of 10 hours and focus on identifying, avoiding and preventing safety hazards, not on OSHA standards and regulations.
510 Training Requirements
OSHA 510 training is a voluntary program that is not mandated by the federal government. However, some construction companies require all workers to go through the 510 training program every two years. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Missouri and New York enacted laws that require the training for construction workers who are working on jobs funded by the government.
510 Training Categories
OSHA 510 training programs have three sections. The mandatory section lasts four hours and covers general safety requirements, fall protection, personal protective equipment and electrical hazards. The elective section is two hours and covers handling materials, tools and heavy equipment. The two-hour optional section may include additional construction hazards or further explain previous topics.
510 Training Statistics
Although OSHA does not require the construction industry training program, they do highly recommend it. The number of OSHA 510 training programs grew by 80 percent from 2002 to 2010, with over 4 million workers taking the class. Consequently, the number of construction industry related fatalities and injuries has greatly decreased.
