Documenting the Training
The employer needs to keep complete and accurate records of all safety and health training by the provider (like OSHAcademy) because more than 100 OSHA standards require it. It is also recommended by ANSI Z490.1. Here are just a few reasons why strong documentation is important:
- Records can provide evidence of the employer's good faith effort to comply with OSHA standards.
- Strong documentation can also help the employer defend against claims of negligence.
- Documentation can also supply an answer to one of the first questions an OSHA accident investigator will ask: "Was the injured employee adequately trained to do the job?"
Attendance Rosters
If a class or safety meeting presents general information related to safety, an attendance roster will likely satisfy documentation requirements. If a class or safety meeting includes testing, document the results.
Formal Certification of Training
When safety training requires employees to demonstrate adequate knowledge, skills, and ability to perform hazardous tasks or procedures, an attendance roster may not be legally sufficient to document the training.
Technical safety instruction and training should include written certification. This involves issuing a certificate of competency or qualification.
Written training certification should include:
- a trainee statement that they were provided opportunity to ask questions and perform procedures and practices;
- a trainee statement of intent to comply with the procedures, practices, policies, and rules;
- a trainee statement of understanding that failure to comply may result in discipline;
- a trainer statement that trainees, through testing, demonstrated adequate knowledge;
- a trainer statement that they conducted a measurement (testing) of knowledge and skills and that trainees met or exceeded required levels of performance;
- a list or description of the specific training subject(s). Describe the safety procedures, practices, policies, rules addressed in training;
- a list or description of the specific procedures practiced in the learning environment; and
- a certification - a place for trainee, trainer, and supervisor signatures
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-10. When safety training requires employees to perform hazardous tasks or procedures, the training is most effectively documented _____.
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