Why Your Employees Need A 30-Hour Course Rather Than A 10-Hour Course

When it is time for a worker to take an OSHA training course, you may choose a 10-hour or a 30-hour training course for your employees. If you are training entry-level workers, you may find that the 10-hour training course is enough. However, if you will be training supervisors, managers and site leads, you're better off with a 30-hour course. 

What to Expect from a 30-Hour Course

While a 30-hour training course might seem like a lot of hours, these courses are typically online and are accessible from anywhere. The courses are divided in such a way that they can be taken at one's own pace. The training typically involves health and safety awareness, the prevention of possible worksite hazards, worker's rights, and several other topics. 

A 10-Hour Course Is Often Not Enough

30-hour courses are necessary in most cases because the 10-hour course often does not cover as many topics and does not devote as much time to these topics. For example, a course might cover ladder safety but might not cover ladder ergonomics. You must not only worry about employees falling off of ladders but also whether they can avoid workplace injuries. These courses are an investment even if they will cost more and even if you have to wait until the employee completes the 30-hour training program. 

More Topics Are Covered During 30-Hour Courses

Understanding hazardous materials is a topic covered in the 30-hour course but is optional in the 10-hour course. Courses that are covered in the 30-hour course but not covered at all as electives in the 10-hour course include:

• Welding
• Powered Industrial Trucks
• Confined Spaces
• Lockout/Tagout

Depending on the type of course your employees are engaged in, you may have some control over the electives that are chosen or they may be entirely up to the instructor. Simply receiving a card that shows that an employee is certified does not mean that your employee will necessarily know everything he or she needs to know. 

Your Employees Will Be Better Informed and Engaged

Having courses that are relevant to your employees is essential if you want to not only make them more effective in the workplace but also keep them engaged with the subject matter. If your employees are learning about subjects that they encounter in their day-to-day lives, they will be more successful and you'll receive a better return on your investment.

Reach out to a company such as Buffalo Materials Handling to learn more.