How to Obtain OSHA Certification Online (Free Training)

Lots of employers have seen the need for OSHA certification online, and they have made it compulsory for their employees or job applicants to obtain them. That means, having an Occupational Safety and Health Administration card will give you a better edge to land a good job or even be promoted.

I would even recommend it for your own safety because I can remember when I worked in a factory where they produce belt heads. A very nice factory, but it has very poor environmental safety.

Safety courses are very important to most industries, there are safety courses for hunters, and also for those in the food industry.  Gone are the days when we just get employed without having other prerequisite courses.

OSHA certification online is very important to workers and employers, because it helps to reduce workplace accidents, and helps them to learn a lot about first aid, fire protection, and electrical safety.

Over and over again, I narrowly escaped hot lead pouring on my feet or being electrocuted. If I had known some things about OSHA I would have acted better (well, I had to quit the job after 2 months).

Even some hospitals have some specific kind of nurses they want to hire, some requirements are necessary, and an OSHA is a plus to your CV.

The best OSHA training programs make sure there is a benchmark before they can issue any trainee a certificate or card. This benchmark makes it easier for the worker to portray safety in any industry.

Decades ago, OSHA training was done voluntarily, and some employers had to advise their workers to participate in their courses. But now, it has been made compulsory in some industries like the construction companies.

In this article, we have taken our time to explain how you can get an OSHA certification online. But first, let’s explain what OSHA certification is.

What is OSHA Certification?

Just like every other certificate, OSHA certification is proof that you have successfully completed either OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 training program. You probably have seen a job listing in the construction company indicating that OSHA is required.

Also Read: 12 Top Construction Management Certificate Online

However, after OSHA certification online, you’ll realize that it doesn’t award you any certificate, but it issues you a DOL completion card from the United States. With the DOL card, it will improve your CV and increase your chances of getting employed.

Types of OSHA certifications

There are two types of OSHA certification online, OSHA 10 and OSHA 30.

OSHA 10 Certification

The OSHA 10 is simply a 10-hour basic training taught to entry-level employees in the construction or general industry. OSHA 10 will show you some hazards that can occur in an industry, your employer’s responsibilities, and how to file an OSHA complaint.

OSHA 30 Certification

You guessed right, it is a 30-hour OSHA training that teaches you advanced workplace safety that is focused on your industry. When you are awarded this certificate or DOL card, it means that you have acquired the understanding to prevent any work fatal accidents or injuries.

OSHA certification requirements

To earn an OSHA certification online you have to complete either Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10 or 30 training. If you don’t know the best OSHA course to take, we have provided some best OSHA courses (free and paid), which you’ll find later in the article. 

OSHA certification cost

Most of the OSHA certification online courses we provided are free to apply, but for the paid courses, the OSHA 10 is more affordable than the OSHA 30. OSHA 10 can be between $50 and to 70$, while OSHA 30 can be between $100 to $150.

About free online OSHA training

By participating in the free OSHA certification online, you stand a chance to learn a lot about OSHA. But some courses are restricted in this free version (depending on the provider)

Even if a course is not restricted, most providers would place a price on the acquisition of a DOL card.

Benefits of OSHA training

  • Just like most health and safety courses that can be found online, OSHA training helps to reduce industrial injuries, and also reduce death occurrence in construction companies.
  • You’ll be able to learn some industrial hygiene
  • You’ll learn the responsibilities of your employer at the workplace.
  • You’ll learn to file OSHA complaints.

How to Get OSHA certification online

Step 1: Choose an OSHA training

We’ve listed the best OSHA training below, ranging from free classes to paid classes. So you can choose one of them and complete it.

Step 2: Write Exam

When you’ve gone through all the training, whether an OSHA 10 or 30 training, you would be assessed to prove your competence.

Step 3: Get Your OSHA certification online

When you’ve completed your exam, you’ll be given a DOL card which is proof of OSHA completion. 

If you participated in the free training, you’ll need to pay for this card. If you participated in the paid class, there is no need to pay for it again, you would be given the DOL card as soon as possible.

Best OSHA Certification Online

1. OSHAcademy: Free Access to Safety Training

This is a free OSHA certification online that lots of government agencies have recognized and they are currently using. Also, colleges, businesses, and schools use OSHAcademy, and their Certificates are recognized globally.

You’ll be required to register, then add your shipping address, in case they want to send your certificate or verify your location when you contact them. Once you’re done registering, it will bring you to your OSHAcademy dashboard where you’ll see more than 170 modules.

It starts from the very basic things you should know about hazard communication, emergency action to take, and fire prevention plans. Then it goes on to introduce occupational safety and health, and it dedicates a full 2 hours to help you to understand OSHA.

At the ending part, you’ll learn well site completion and servicing safety (8 hours), oil and gas well inspection (10 hours), and offshore oil and gas safety (12 hours). This is one of the OSHA certification online courses that have a complete class to educate you in Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

When you’re done with any module, there is a free exam to test what you’ve learned. And there are certificates for each class, and you have to pay some fee to get any certificate. The certificate fee varies according to the class.

Apply Now!

2. Principles of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems

This is a free OSHA certification online that will help you to learn the principles of OSHA which are prescribed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). You’ll be exposed to some of the importance and terminologies used in the field (to help you to be acquainted with ISO.

Key Ingredients

  • Provided by: Alison
  • Duration: 1.5 – 3hrs
  • Students: over 129,000
  • 3 modules
  • 14 classes
  • Assessment

Apply Now!

3. Hazard Recognition and Risk Assessment

It’s very important to recognize hazards in your workplace. Especially if you’re working or intending to work in a high-risk company like a construction company, fire service, flight engineer, etc. 

In this OSHA certification online, you’ll learn the appropriate risk assessments and use some important health and safety tools.

Key Ingredients

  • Provided by: Alison
  • Duration: 1.5 – 3hours
  • Students: Over 24,000
  • 4 modules
  • 17 classes
  • Paid Certificate

Apply Now!

4. Identifying and Preventing Occupationally-related Infectious Diseases, Including COVID-19

This free OSHA certification online is focused on workers who face high-hazard, are under-served, and have the risk of health hazards. It is a Grant awarded by the “Susan Harwood Training Grant.”

It’s an interactive class, that you need to join according to their scheduled time (CST). There are 5 different course types, three of which take 90 mins each to finish and the remaining two take 4 hours each to complete.

  • Provided by: National Safety Education Center
  • Duration: 12hours 30mins

Apply Now!

5. Machine Guiding Courses

These courses are focused on ways to avoid fatal injuries like amputations or in worst cases death while using industrial machines. This free OSHA certification online will teach you about Operating Stationary Equipment, How to Prevent Amputation, other industry hazards, etc.

  • Provided by: Northern Illinois University
  • Duration: 6 hours

Apply Now!

6. OSHA for Workers (the US only)

Knowing your rights as a worker gives you a lot of advantages at the company you’re working for. This free OSHA certification online will help you to know your job right, and understand when your company attempts to violate it.

The course has 5 modules, which include learning the meaning of OSHA, worker rights and responsibilities, filing a complaint, whistleblower protection, and inspection.

  • Provided by: EdApp

Apply Now!

7. Controlling Hazardous Energy: Lockout/Tagout

This course will be focusing on teaching you different types of energy hazards, how impactful they can be to your safety, and the importance of following Lockout Ragout (LOTO) procedures.

Further, you’ll learn about electrical hazards, mechanical hazards, chemical hazards, thermal hazards and so many other hazards that can be harmful to you and the environment.

  • Provided by: EdApp

Apply Now!

8. OSHA First Aid Training and Standards

There is no place an emergency can’t happen, whether it’s in your place of work, at home, or on the street. Having adequate knowledge of what to do when there is an emergency can help save a life.

This course is what you need to appropriately handle an emergency before any further treatment.

  • Provided by: EdApp
  • Price: FREE

Apply Now!

9. OSHA 10-HOUR CONSTRUCTION | 360 Training

This is one of the OSHA certifications online that will help you to learn all you need about OSHA 29 CFR 1926. 

When you’ve completed the training, you’ll be issued a plastic DOL card, which will give you an advantage while seeking a job. 360 Training is the only online training OSHA provider, that issues this DOL card.

This course is for employees that are yet to be employed, or who have recently been employed in construction work. So if you’re a plumber, sheet metal worker, tile worker, and welder.

Most importantly, the courses are up to date, so you won’t be learning what is old and outdated.

  • Provided By, 360 Training
  • More than 11 hours
  • Price: 54$
  • 100% online
  • 24/7 access

Apply Now!

10. OSHA 10-HOUR GENERAL INDUSTRY | 360 Training

This OSHA certification online helps you to recognize workplace safety hazards, and how to improve workplace safety. This course is for entry-level employees and will teach you the best ways to reduce accidents and injuries.

This course will go on to teach you the serious hazards that might occur in any industry, and their solutions. Also, on completion of the course, you will be given an OSHA card, which is a certification awarded in the OSHA program.

  • Provided by 360 Training
  • 100% online
  • Updated Content
  • Self-paced
  • DOL card
  • Price: 54$
  • 24/7 access
  • More than 10 hours

Apply Now!

11. OSHA 10 and 30 Hour Training | Summit Training Source

This is a program for any category, whether you’re an entry-level employee or you’re a professional in the workforce. There is an option to select which OSHA is best for you.

This course is not just available in English, but also in Spanish, making Summit Training Source the only provider of both OSHA 10 and 30 in English and Spanish language.

  • Provided by Summit Training Source
  • 100% online
  • OSHA hard card
  • Printable Certificate
  • Study Guide
  • Price: $70 (OSHA 10-hour); $150 (OSHA 30-hour.)

Apply Now!

OSHA certification online – FAQs

Is it possible to obtain OSHA certification online for free?

You can participate in some classes for free (depending on the provider), but you need to pay a fee to get your certificate or DOL card.

What is OSHA 10

OSHA 10 is a 10-hour training that an entry-level employee can participate in.

What is OSHA 30

OSHA 30 is a 30-hour training that a professional in a specific industry can participate in.

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