Does OSHA require training for every job?

OSHA's standards require training where a hazard or a piece of equipment is covered, such as forklifts, lockout tagout, hazardous chemicals or fall hazards. There isn't one list by job title. A job needs the training for the hazards it has.

How often does OSHA training have to be repeated?

It depends on the standard. Some name an interval: forklift operators are evaluated at least every three years, and fire extinguisher education, bloodborne pathogens training, hearing conservation and respirator training are annual. Others, like hazard communication and fall protection, tie retraining to changes and gaps. The table lists what each section says.

Does OSHA require a record of training?

Some standards ask for one: forklift operators, lockout tagout, confined spaces, fall protection in construction and crane operator evaluations. Others don't say. Even where a section is silent, a dated record is how you show training happened.

Do state rules differ?

They can. States that run their own OSHA-approved plans can set rules that differ or go further, and some states require specific training, such as a card for certain jobs. Check your state and your own program.

Is a 10-hour or 30-hour card required?

This page doesn't cover them. We didn't find them in the sections listed here. Some states, employers and customers require them, so ask yours.

Free reference

What OSHA training does each job need?

OSHA doesn't list training by job title. It trains by hazard: if the job has the hazard, a standard says who gets trained, when, and what to keep. Here are the rules, and the jobs they usually reach.

Also calledOSHA training requirements by job, Required safety training by role, OSHA training matrix

Find a job Excel training matrix

This is a map, not legal advice. Each rule below links to the text on eCFR, and each line says what the section says. We read them on October 28, 2026. Federal rules only: states with their own OSHA plans can differ. Whether a rule applies to your site depends on your work and your hazard assessment.

By job

Warehouse and distribution worker

The big ones are trucks and chemicals. The rest follow the building: noise, dock edges, fire.

Forklifts and other powered industrial trucks if they drive a forklift, reach truck or electric pallet jack. 29 CFR 1910.178(l)
Hazard communication if they handle chemicals, or work where others do. 29 CFR 1910.1200(h)
Personal protective equipment wherever the hazard assessment calls for PPE. 29 CFR 1910.132(f)
Hearing conservation if noise reaches the 85 decibel average. 29 CFR 1910.95(k)
Fall hazards, general industry if they work at dock edges or from platforms that call for fall protection. 29 CFR 1910.30(a)
Portable fire extinguishers if the employer provides extinguishers for employee use. 29 CFR 1910.157(g)
Emergency action plans where an emergency action plan is required. 29 CFR 1910.38(e) and (f)
First aid if no clinic is in near proximity. 29 CFR 1910.151(b)
Lockout tagout (control of hazardous energy) if they service conveyors or other machines. 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)

Forklift operator

Operator training and evaluation come first, and the three-year evaluation is the one that gets missed.

Forklifts and other powered industrial trucks always, before they drive. 29 CFR 1910.178(l)
Personal protective equipment wherever the hazard assessment calls for PPE. 29 CFR 1910.132(f)
Hazard communication for battery charging, propane and other chemicals they handle. 29 CFR 1910.1200(h)
Hearing conservation if noise reaches the 85 decibel average. 29 CFR 1910.95(k)
Emergency action plans where an emergency action plan is required. 29 CFR 1910.38(e) and (f)

Manufacturing machine operator

Lockout tagout reaches everyone near a machine, in three different ways.

Lockout tagout (control of hazardous energy) authorized if they lock out, affected if they run the machine, otherwise 'other employees'. 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)
Hazard communication for the chemicals in their area. 29 CFR 1910.1200(h)
Personal protective equipment wherever the hazard assessment calls for PPE. 29 CFR 1910.132(f)
Hearing conservation if noise reaches the 85 decibel average. 29 CFR 1910.95(k)
Respirators if the job needs a respirator. 29 CFR 1910.134(k)
Portable fire extinguishers if the employer provides extinguishers for employee use. 29 CFR 1910.157(g)
Emergency action plans where an emergency action plan is required. 29 CFR 1910.38(e) and (f)

Maintenance technician

They get the widest list, because they open machines, work on energy and go into odd places.

Lockout tagout (control of hazardous energy) as an authorized employee. 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)
Electrical safety-related work practices if they face a shock risk the installation rules don't reduce. 29 CFR 1910.332
Permit-required confined spaces if they enter permit-required spaces. 29 CFR 1910.146(g)
Fall hazards, general industry if they work at heights that call for fall protection. 29 CFR 1910.30(a)
Aerial lifts, general industry if they operate an aerial lift. 29 CFR 1910.67(c)(2)(ii)
Hazard communication for the chemicals they use. 29 CFR 1910.1200(h)
Personal protective equipment wherever the hazard assessment calls for PPE. 29 CFR 1910.132(f)
Respirators if the job needs a respirator. 29 CFR 1910.134(k)
Hearing conservation if noise reaches the 85 decibel average. 29 CFR 1910.95(k)

Electrician or electrical worker

Qualified-person training is for working on or near exposed live parts, and the standard lists what it must cover.

Electrical safety-related work practices always, with the added qualified-person training for work near exposed live parts. 29 CFR 1910.332
Lockout tagout (control of hazardous energy) as an authorized employee. 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)
Personal protective equipment wherever the hazard assessment calls for PPE. 29 CFR 1910.132(f)
Fall hazards, general industry if they work at heights that call for fall protection. 29 CFR 1910.30(a)
Aerial lifts, general industry if they operate an aerial lift. 29 CFR 1910.67(c)(2)(ii)

Construction laborer

Fall hazards lead. Scaffolds and ladders each have their own rule, and the trainer must be a competent or qualified person.

Fall protection, construction if they might be exposed to fall hazards. 29 CFR 1926.503
Scaffolds, construction if they work on scaffolds. 29 CFR 1926.454
Ladders and stairways, construction if they use ladders or stairways. 29 CFR 1926.1060

Scaffold erector

A higher bar than a scaffold user: the trainer is a competent person and the content covers design and load.

Scaffolds, construction as someone who erects, dismantles, moves, repairs, maintains or inspects scaffolds. 29 CFR 1926.454
Fall protection, construction while exposed to fall hazards. 29 CFR 1926.503

Crane operator on a construction site

Not a training course, a qualification: trained, certified or licensed, and evaluated by the employer.

Crane and derrick operators, construction always, for covered equipment. 29 CFR 1926.1427

Housekeeper or janitor

Cleaning chemicals are the main one. Cleaning up blood is the one people forget.

Hazard communication for the cleaning chemicals they use. 29 CFR 1910.1200(h)
Bloodborne pathogens if cleaning up blood or other potentially infectious materials is part of the job. 29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)
Personal protective equipment wherever the hazard assessment calls for PPE. 29 CFR 1910.132(f)
Emergency action plans where an emergency action plan is required. 29 CFR 1910.38(e) and (f)

Retail associate

Fewer OSHA training rules reach a store floor, and the answer changes with the work: a stockroom with a pallet jack is a different job.

Emergency action plans where an emergency action plan is required. 29 CFR 1910.38(e) and (f)
Portable fire extinguishers if the employer provides extinguishers for employee use. 29 CFR 1910.157(g)
Hazard communication if they work with cleaning or other hazardous chemicals. 29 CFR 1910.1200(h)
Forklifts and other powered industrial trucks if they run an electric pallet jack or other powered truck. 29 CFR 1910.178(l)
First aid if no clinic is in near proximity. 29 CFR 1910.151(b)

Every rule on this page

Forklifts and other powered industrial trucks

29 CFR 1910.178(l)

Who: Every operator of a powered industrial truck.
When: Before the operator runs the truck: training, then an evaluation.
Again: Refresher training after unsafe operation, an accident or near miss, a poor evaluation, a different type of truck, or a workplace change that affects safe operation. Each operator is evaluated at least once every three years.
Record: A certification with the operator's name, the training date, the evaluation date and who did the training or evaluation.

Hazard communication

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)

Who: Employees who work with or near hazardous chemicals in their work area.
When: At initial assignment, and whenever a new chemical hazard they haven't been trained on is introduced.
Again: The section ties training to new hazards. It doesn't set an annual interval.
Record: The section doesn't set a training record.

Lockout tagout (control of hazardous energy)

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)

Who: Authorized employees (who lock out), affected employees (who use or work near the machine) and other employees in the area.
When: Each group is trained for its role: authorized employees to recognize and control the energy, affected employees on the purpose and use of the procedure, others to never restart locked or tagged equipment.
Again: Retraining when job assignments, machines or procedures change, or when the required periodic inspection (at least once a year) finds gaps.
Record: A certification that training is complete and kept current, with each employee's name and training dates.

Personal protective equipment

29 CFR 1910.132(f)

Who: Each employee who must use PPE.
When: Before the work that needs it. The employee must show they understand the training and can use the PPE properly.
Again: Retraining when the employer has reason to believe an employee lacks the understanding or skill, such as after a workplace or equipment change.
Record: Training isn't certified in the section. The hazard assessment has its own written certification, in 1910.132(d)(2).

Respirators

29 CFR 1910.134(k)

Who: Employees who use respirators. The standard also requires a medical evaluation and, for tight-fitting facepieces, a fit test.
When: Before they use one at work.
Again: Annually, and sooner when changes make earlier training obsolete or the employee's knowledge or skill is inadequate. A fit test is repeated at least annually.
Record: The section doesn't set a training record.

Hearing conservation

29 CFR 1910.95(k)

Who: Employees exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour average of 85 decibels.
When: As part of the hearing conservation program.
Again: Annually.
Record: The section doesn't set a training record.

Permit-required confined spaces

29 CFR 1910.146(g)

Who: Employees with duties under the permit space program, such as entrants, attendants and entry supervisors.
When: Before first assignment, before a change in duties, when permit space operations create a new hazard, and when the employer suspects deviations from entry procedures.
Again: Covered by the same triggers.
Record: A certification with each employee's name, the trainers' signatures or initials and the training dates, available for inspection.

Portable fire extinguishers

29 CFR 1910.157(g)

Who: Employees, where the employer provides extinguishers for employee use. Employees designated to use firefighting equipment under an emergency action plan are trained on the equipment they're assigned.
When: When first hired, and for designated employees when first assigned.
Again: At least once a year. An employer with a written policy of total evacuation, a plan and a fire prevention plan, and no extinguishers in the workplace is exempt from the section (1910.157(b)(1)).
Record: The section doesn't set a training record.

Emergency action plans

29 CFR 1910.38(e) and (f)

Who: Where another OSHA standard calls for an emergency action plan: employees chosen to help others evacuate are trained, and each employee covered reviews the plan.
When: Review when the plan is made or the employee is first assigned, when their duties under it change, and when the plan changes.
Again: The section sets no annual interval.
Record: The section doesn't set a training record.

Bloodborne pathogens

29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)

Who: Employees with occupational exposure: contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials reasonably expected as a result of their job duties.
When: When first assigned to tasks with possible exposure, at no cost and during working hours.
Again: At least once a year, within a year of the last session, and when tasks or procedures change their exposure.
Record: The section doesn't set a training record.

First aid

29 CFR 1910.151(b)

Who: Where no infirmary, clinic or hospital is in near proximity to treat injured employees: a person or persons adequately trained to render first aid.
When: The section doesn't set a timing.
Again: The section sets no interval.
Record: The section doesn't set a training record.

Hazardous waste operations and emergency response

29 CFR 1910.120(e)

Who: Workers at covered cleanups, treatment, storage and disposal facilities and emergency responses to releases.
When: Initial training depends on the work: 40 hours off-site plus at least 3 days of supervised field experience for general site workers, or 24 hours plus 1 day for occasional or limited-task workers.
Again: An 8-hour refresher each year.
Record: The section doesn't set a training record.

Fall hazards, general industry

29 CFR 1910.30(a)

Who: Employees who use personal fall protection systems, or who must be trained under other parts of the walking-working surfaces rules.
When: Before they face a fall hazard, by a qualified person.
Again: Retraining when workplace or equipment changes make training obsolete, or when an employee's knowledge or use shows gaps.
Record: The section doesn't set a training record.

Electrical safety-related work practices

29 CFR 1910.332

Who: Employees who face a risk of electric shock that the installation rules don't reduce to a safe level. Qualified persons, who may work on or near exposed live parts, get added training.
When: Training can be classroom or on the job, and its depth depends on the risk.
Again: The section sets no interval.
Record: The section doesn't set a training record.

Aerial lifts, general industry

29 CFR 1910.67(c)(2)(ii)

Who: Anyone who operates an aerial lift covered by the section.
When: Only trained people may operate an aerial lift.
Again: The paragraph sets no interval.
Record: The section doesn't set a training record.

Fall protection, construction

29 CFR 1926.503

Who: Each employee who might be exposed to fall hazards. A competent person trains.
When: As necessary, so the employee can recognize fall hazards and follow the procedures that minimize them.
Again: Retraining when workplace or equipment changes make training obsolete, or when an employee's knowledge or use shows they haven't retained it.
Record: A written record with the employee's name or other identity, the training dates and the signature of the trainer or employer. The most recent one is kept.

Scaffolds, construction

29 CFR 1926.454

Who: Anyone who works on a scaffold, trained by a qualified person. Anyone who erects, dismantles, moves, operates, repairs, maintains or inspects scaffolds, trained by a competent person.
When: The section sets the content and who trains. It doesn't give a calendar.
Again: Retraining when worksite or equipment changes create a new hazard, or when an employee's work shows they haven't kept the skill.
Record: The section doesn't set a training record.

Ladders and stairways, construction

29 CFR 1926.1060

Who: Each employee who uses ladders or stairways, trained by a competent person.
When: As necessary.
Again: As necessary, so the employee keeps the knowledge. The section lists no specific triggers.
Record: The section doesn't set a training record.

Crane and derrick operators, construction

29 CFR 1926.1427

Who: Operators of covered equipment (with exceptions listed in the section, such as equipment rated 2,000 pounds or less).
When: Before operating: trained, certified or licensed, and evaluated. Until certified, an employee may operate only as an operator-in-training under supervision. The employer provides certification or licensing at no cost.
Again: Certification is valid for up to five years. The employer's evaluation is separate from certification.
Record: The employer documents the evaluation and keeps it available at the worksite.

To keep track of who has what, use the free Excel training matrix, which colors a date amber 30 days before it runs out and red after, or the training matrix builder. Set the months for each training from the table above and your own program.

Keep the training record in one place.

Assign training by role, site or hire date, collect sign-offs on a phone with no signal, and see who's current and who's coming due.

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Common questions

Does OSHA require training for every job?: OSHA's standards require training where a hazard or a piece of equipment is covered, such as forklifts, lockout tagout, hazardous chemicals or fall hazards. There isn't one list by job title. A job needs the training for the hazards it has.
How often does OSHA training have to be repeated?: It depends on the standard. Some name an interval: forklift operators are evaluated at least every three years, and fire extinguisher education, bloodborne pathogens training, hearing conservation and respirator training are annual. Others, like hazard communication and fall protection, tie retraining to changes and gaps. The table lists what each section says.
Does OSHA require a record of training?: Some standards ask for one: forklift operators, lockout tagout, confined spaces, fall protection in construction and crane operator evaluations. Others don't say. Even where a section is silent, a dated record is how you show training happened.
Do state rules differ?: They can. States that run their own OSHA-approved plans can set rules that differ or go further, and some states require specific training, such as a card for certain jobs. Check your state and your own program.
Is a 10-hour or 30-hour card required?: This page doesn't cover them. We didn't find them in the sections listed here. Some states, employers and customers require them, so ask yours.