It’s not too late to conduct your refresher safety training! Many OSHA regulations have a specific requirement to conduct annual refresher training including those mentioned below. Even when annual refresher training isn’t specifically required, it’s always considered best practice.
- Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134): There is a requirement for annual refresher training at all workplaces that have mandatory respiratory protection programs, including programs for N95 use. Retraining may be required sooner if the type of respirator needed changes, or inadequacies in employees’ knowledge or use of the respirator indicate that the employee has not retained the required understanding or skill, or any other situation arises in which retraining appears necessary to ensure safe respirator use.
- Portable Fire Extinguishers (29 CFR 1910.157): This standard specifies that annual refresher training be given to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use whenever extinguishers are provided for employee use in the workplace. This is an often overlooked annual training requirement!
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030):This standard includes a very specific requirement that annual training be provided within one year (i.e., 12 months) of the previous training. The annual training must include all of the training topics that are required for the initial training.
- Emergency Action Plans (29 CFR 1910.38): Retraining must be done when employees’ responsibilities under the plan change (e.g., a change in the Emergency Coordinators), or when the plan changes (e.g. when the evacuation route or rally point changes). Annual refresher training is considered best practice, even if there are no changes.
- Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories (29 CFR 1910.1450): The Lab Standard requires retraining when new hazards are introduced that create new exposure situations, but the frequency of refresher training can be determined by the employer. Once again, annual refresher training is always considered best practice!
- Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) (29 CFR 1910.120): Annual refresher training requirements of this standard vary by job duty and responsibility. First Responder Operations Level (FROL) employees must receive annual refresher training of sufficient content and duration to maintain their competencies. Generally, this requirement can be met in a 4-hour training. Other responder levels specifically require 8 hours of refresher training.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of OSHA standards that have refresher training requirements. Training required by other OSHA standards is summarized in the agency’s guidance document Training Requirements in OSHA Standards.
Although many of the regulations have specific content requirements for refresher training, there are many different options for how to present the information. Sometimes the more creative you can get with the method of relaying the information, the more effective the delivery, and the greater the retention of the material. For ideas on different ways to deliver your training, check out our 2022 blog on how to Refresh your Refresher Training!
For more information on OSHA training requirements, or for assistance with your company’s 2023 refresher training, please contact us.
This blog was written by Beth Graham, Director of Quality, Research, and Training
