Starting January 2025, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) penalty fines will increase to over $16,285 per violation, including missing required training. That’s why more workers are turning to OSHA 10 certification online courses, fast, accessible, and approved nationwide.
Whether you’re new to the field or just need to update your card, choosing the right program of Construction or General Industry matters. Here’s how to pick the right one and stay job-ready without the classroom hassle.
Why More Workers Are Choosing OSHA 10 Certification Online
Over the last few years, online OSHA training has become the go-to option for many workers, and the numbers back it up. In 2024 alone, more than 838,243 people completed their OSHA courses through online platforms. That’s more than half of all OSHA Outreach trainees for the year. In fact, over 3.3 million workers have now used online training to meet their safety requirements.
It’s not just about convenience, it’s about flexibility. For people juggling shifts, family, or changing job sites, online learning makes it easier to stay compliant without missing work.
OSHA 10 Training for Construction vs. General Industry
OSHA 10 teaches you how to recognize hazards early, understand your rights, and work with more confidence. There are two types of the course, and the one you take depends on the kind of work you do every day. Here’s what each one covers in simple terms.
OSHA 10-Hour Training: Construction Program
This course is built for people who work out on job sites, framers, roofers, electricians, and general laborers. If you’re walking into an active construction zone, this is the training you’ll need. It focuses on the most common causes of serious injuries and how to avoid them.
| Type of Topic | What You’ll Learn |
|---|---|
| Mandatory Topics
(7 hours total) |
● Intro to OSHA (2 hrs): How OSHA protects workers, what your employer is responsible for, and how to file a complaint if safety isn’t being taken seriously.
● Focus Four Hazards (4 hrs): The top causes of serious injuries on a jobsite: falls, electrocution, being hit by objects, and getting caught in or between equipment and materials. ● PPE (30 mins): How to use hard hats, gloves, goggles, and other protective gear the right way. ● Health Hazards (30 mins): How to protect yourself from dust, fumes, chemicals, and other health risks you might not see right away. |
| Elective Topics
(At least 2 hours) |
You’ll take a closer look at a few of these areas, depending on the work you do:
● Scaffolding safety ● Excavation and trench protection ● Cranes, hoists, and elevators ● Using power tools safely ● Moving and storing materials correctly |
| Optional Time
(Up to 1 hour) |
Instructors often use this time to go deeper into topics that come up often in your field, or to answer real questions from your work experience. |
OSHA 10-Hour Training: General Industry Program
If your job takes place indoors in a warehouse, factory, hospital, or any setting that isn’t construction, this is the course you’ll take. It’s focused on keeping you safe around machines, chemicals, and emergency situations that happen inside four walls.
| Type of Topic | What You’ll Learn |
|---|---|
| Mandatory Topics
(7 hours total) |
● Intro to OSHA (2 hrs): What OSHA does, what your employer should be doing for your safety, and how to speak up when something doesn’t feel safe.
● Walking and Working Surfaces (1 hr): How to avoid slips, trips, and falls, the kinds of accidents that seem small but can cause real injury. ● Emergency Action Plans (1 hr): What to do in case of fire, a chemical spill, or any situation where you need to act quickly. This includes learning how to use an extinguisher and how to find safe exits. ● Electrical Safety (1 hr): How to stay safe around machines, outlets, wiring, and cords. ● PPE (1 hr): Knowing which gear to wear for your job and how to use it properly, whether it’s gloves, masks, or protective eyewear. ● Hazard Communication (1 hr): How to read labels, understand chemical risks, and use Safety Data Sheets without confusion. |
| Elective Topics
(At least 2 hours) |
Your trainer will cover a few extras based on your work setting. Some of these might include:
● Machine guarding basics ● How to avoid muscle strain and overuse injuries ● Bloodborne pathogen safety (especially in healthcare) ● Air quality and hygiene in industrial settings ● Safe handling of chemicals ● How your company’s safety policies are supposed to work in practice |
| Optional Time
(Up to 1 hour) |
This time can be used to focus on safety problems that show up in your specific line of work, or to go back and review anything that needs more clarity. |
Select the Right Online OSHA 10 Certification for Your Job
Not sure which course of OSHA 10 to take? It really comes down to where you’ll be working day to day. If your job involves construction tools, ladders, outdoor work, or building sites, you’ll need the Construction course. If you’ll be inside a warehouse, plant, or healthcare facility, handling equipment or materials but not doing physical construction, the General Industry course is a better fit.
Still unsure? Ask your employer or supervisor before enrolling. Taking the wrong course could mean you’ll have to start over, and that’s time and money you don’t want to waste. Sign up for OSHA 10 certification online today with a trusted partner.