How Many OSHA Certifications Are There?

As a job-seeker or industrial worker, you may get confused about which OSHA certification will suit your occupation. To decode this, you must first understand how many OSHA certifications are there and what purpose each serves. Recent data from OSHA’s official report shows that since its inception, OSHA has reduced workers' casualties by 60% and injuries by 40%. These numbers reiterate the importance of OSHA guidelines in making workplaces a safe space for America’s workforce. 

OSHA certifications equip you to protect yourself and those around you in any setting: warehouses, construction sites, hospitals, or chemical plants. Want to figure out which OSHA certification you should go for? Let us walk you through various OSHA certifications and what purpose they serve.

Read More: What is OSHA Training? All You Need to Know

What Is OSHA?

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has safeguarded American workers since its founding in 1970 under the U.S. Department of Labor. As a federal agency, OSHA writes and enforces safety rules as per the Occupational Safety and Health Act. It offers training and education, and partners with employers to minimize workplace hazards. Its creation gave every worker the right to a workplace free from recognized dangers and set a new standard for job-site safety across the nation.

Read More: How OSHA Enforces Its Standards: An Overview of the Process

What are OSHA Certifications?

OSHA is a regulatory agency that creates safety guidelines for workplaces, however, it does not provide training or certifications. It only gives rights to authorized training institutes and programs to certify individuals who have completed OSHA-mandated training. To be OSHA certified, you must enroll in an OSHA Outreach Training course or other OSHA-compliant course. Upon completion, learners receive an OSHA card as proof of their competence and preparedness to work in certain occupations.

TOP 7 OSHA Certifications To Pursue

OSHA includes various certification programs designed to meet the safety needs of different industries and job roles. To answer, “How many OSHA certifications are there?”, these are broadly classified as general industry certifications and construction industry certifications. They are further divided into 10-hour or 30-hour, or 40-hour  training levels. Let's explore the main types of OSHA certification that you can pursue: 

General Industry vs. Construction Industry OSHA Training

OSHA training programs are tailored to address the unique hazards in different work settings. General Industry certifications focus on safety protocols for manufacturing, healthcare, and office environments. Construction Industry certifications address hazards specific to building sites, heavy equipment, and construction activities.

OSHA 10-Hour Certification

The OSHA 10-Hour certification serves as an entry-level safety program for workers across industries. This course covers basic safety awareness and hazard recognition skills that help workers identify, avoid, and report workplace dangers. The program includes topics like: 

• Workers' rights

• Employer responsibilities 

• Fall protection 

• Electrical safety

• Personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Hazard communication

Available in both General Industry and Construction Industry versions, each focuses on the specific hazards relevant to those work environments. The training takes place over two days and results in a wallet-sized completion card. While the certification has no expiration date, many employers and some states require refresher training every 3-5 years to keep safety knowledge current.

Read More: What Will I Learn In The OSHA 10-Hour Training?

OSHA 30-Hour Certification

The OSHA 30-Hour certification is an advanced-level program that builds on the knowledge given in OSHA 10-Hour training. Supervisors, managers, and workers in various industries obtain this safety training. It includes more detailed coverage of safety topics and management practices, such as: 

• Hazard recognition

• Safety program implementation

• Regulatory compliance

• Incident prevention strategies

Both General Industry and Construction versions are available, with content tailored to each sector's safety requirements. The training spans four days, and after completion, you get an OSHA 30 card recognized by employers. The certification helps safety leaders develop effective workplace programs, conduct proper inspections, and create safety-focused work cultures.

OSHA HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard)

OSHA HAZWOPER certification prepares workers who handle hazardous substances and emergency response situations. Environmental workers, emergency responders, and hazardous waste operators take this training to work safely with dangerous materials. The program covers hazard recognition, toxicology basics, personal protective equipment selection, decontamination procedures, and emergency response protocols. HAZWOPER comes in multiple levels (8-hour, 24-hour, and 40-hour courses) based on job duties and exposure risks. To maintain this certification, you must take a refresher course each year.

OSHA Confined Space Certification

OSHA Confined Space training certification trains workers who enter restricted areas with limited entry/exit points like tanks, vessels, silos, and manholes. Construction workers, maintenance personnel, and utility workers complete this training to recognize and manage confined space hazards. The program includes atmospheric testing, ventilation standards, safe entry protocols, rescue techniques, and permit-to-work systems. This certification helps prevent serious injuries and fatalities in spaces where oxygen deficiency, toxic gases, or physical hazards may be present.

OSHA Forklift Certification

OSHA Forklift certification prepares workers to safely operate powered industrial trucks in warehouses, construction sites, and manufacturing facilities. Warehouse staff, shipping/receiving personnel, and material handlers take this training to prevent accidents and property damage. 

The program covers vehicle inspection, load handling, stability principles, fueling procedures, and operational techniques. This certification requires both classroom training and a practical, hands-on skills evaluation. It requires refresher training every three years or after accidents, near-misses, or observed unsafe operations.

OSHA Fall Protection Certification

OSHA Fall Protection certification trains workers who operate at heights to prevent fall-related injuries and fatalities. It helps construction workers, roofers, window cleaners, and cell tower technicians understand protection systems and proper equipment use. The program covers hazard assessment, guardrail systems, personal fall arrest equipment, safety net systems, and rescue procedures. 

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Certification

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens certification trains employees whose job duties might involve exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. Healthcare workers, first responders, janitorial staff, and tattoo artists take this training to prevent disease transmission. 

The program covers exposure control plans, protective equipment, proper handling procedures, decontamination practices, and post-exposure protocols. This certification helps protect workers from serious diseases like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV while ensuring proper response to exposure incidents.

Read More: The Different Levels Of HAZWOPER Training: Which One Is Right For You

Achieve Workplace Safety with the Right OSHA Training!

OSHA offers a wide range of certifications to address safety needs across different industries and work environments. When considering how many OSHA certifications are there, we see they range from basic 10-Hour and 30-Hour programs to specialized certifications for certain workplace hazards. These certification programs help workers with the knowledge to identify hazards, follow proper procedures, and prevent accidents. 

You must choose OSHA training that fits your job role and industry. This important training teaches you to protect yourself and your coworkers, meet safety regulations, and build a stronger safety culture. Enroll in an OSHA certification course today and gain the skills needed to create a safer work environment. 

References:

• https://www.osha.com/blog/how-many-osha-certifications 

• https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/osha-certifications

• https://www.osha.gov/otiec/courses/all

• https://vocal.media/education/what-is-the-highest-osha-certification-everything-you-need-to-know

• https://www.hipaajournal.com/what-is-osha-certification/