OSHA Training Topics

Unless otherwise indicated, please contact Mark Bogard by phone (6-8461) or e-mail (mark.j.bogard@vumc.org) to request training on any of these topics.

Asbestos Awareness

Required by:  
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1001(j)(7)(i)-(iii)A-H

Frequency:   Initial with annual retraining

Target Audience:   Any employee who works in locations where they may be exposed to asbestos above the PEL.  This includes housekeeping personnel who work in areas containing asbestos containing material.

Class Description:  
Training for employees who perform housekeeping operations in an area which contains either Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) or Presumed Asbestos Containing Material (PACM) must include the following:

  • health effects of asbestos, locations of ACM and PACM in the building/facility
  • recognition of ACM and PACM damage and deterioration
  • requirements in this standard relating to housekeeping
  • proper response to fiber release episodes

Permit-Required Confined Space Entry

Required by:  OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 (g)(1), (2)(i)-(iv), (3), (4) & (k)(1)(i)-(iv)

Frequency:   Initially upon employment, upon a change in assigned duties, upon a change in permit space operations presenting a hazard about which an employee has not previously been trained, whenever there are changes in the permitting procedures, or if there are inadequacies in the employee's knowledge or use of procedures.

Target Audience:   Any employee whose job requires entry into permit-required confined spaces. HAR, Plumbing, Steam Plant & exterminators in Plant Operations and/or Facilities Management are among those with the potential for this exposure. Carpentry shops and contractors could also be exposed in remodeling efforts.

Class Description:   Class covers the responsibilities and duties of authorized entrants, attendants, entry supervisors, and rescue and emergency services, evaluation of a Permit Required Confined Space, entry procedures, use of monitoring equipment, rescue procedures and equipment set-up, supplied air, SCBA and respirator use.

Electrical

Required by:  OSHA 29 CFR 1910.332; OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269 (a) (2); OSHA 29 CFR 1910.268 (c)

Frequency:   Initial with annual retraining

Target Audience:   Employees in occupations listed below are required to be trained. Other employees who also may reasonably be expected to face comparable risk of injury due to electric shock or other electrical hazards must also be trained.

Occupations:  Supervisors*, Electrical and electronic engineers*, Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers*, Electrical and electronic technicians*, Electricians, Industrial machine operators*, Material handling equipment operators*, Mechanics and repairers*, Painters*, Riggers and roustabouts*, Stationary engineers*, Welders

* Workers in these groups do not need to be trained if their work or the work of those they supervise does not bring them or the employees the supervise close enough to exposed parts of electric circuits operating at 50 volts or more to ground for a hazard to exist.

Class Description:  
Training includes skills and techniques:

  • necessary to distinguish exposed live parts from other parts of electric equipment.
  • necessary to determine the nominal voltage of exposed live parts, and
  • specified in 1910.333(c) and the corresponding voltages to which the qualified person will be exposed.

Hand & Power Tools

Required by:  OSHA 29CFR 1926.302(e)(1) and (12), 1926.304(f)

Frequency:   Initial

Target Audience:  All personnel who use hand and/or power tools.  (This includes several landscaping items such as leaf-blowers, lawnmowers, etc.)  Standards specifically address powder actuated tools and woodworking tools.

Class Description:  
Employees should be trained in the proper use of all tools. Workers should be able to recognize the hazards associated with the different types of tools and the safety precautions necessary.

Powder-actuated tools used by employees shall meet all other applicable requirements of American National Standards Institute, A10.3-1970, Safety Requirements for Explosive-Actuated Fastening Tools.

All woodworking tools and machinery shall meet other applicable requirements of American National Standards Institute, 01.1-1961, Safety Code for Woodworking Machinery from ANSI Standard 01.1-1961, Selection and Training of Operators. Before a worker is permitted to operate any woodworking machine, he shall receive instructions in the hazards of the machine and the safe method of its operation. (Refer to A9.7 of the Appendix.)

  1. Learn the machine's applications and limitations, as well as the specific potential hazards peculiar to this machine. Follow available operating instructions and safety rules carefully.
  2. Keep working area clean and be sure adequate lighting is available.
  3. Do not wear loose clothing, gloves, bracelets, necklaces, or ornaments. Wear face, eye, ear, respiratory, and body protection devices, as indicated for the operation or environment.
  4. Do not use cutting tools larger or heavier than the machine is designed to accommodate. Never operate a cutting tool at greater speed than recommended.
  5. Keep hands well away from saw blades and other cutting tools. Use a push stock or push block to hold or guide the work when working close to cutting tool.
  6. Whenever possible, use properly locked clamps, jig, or vise to hold the work.
  7. Combs (feather boards) shall be provided for use when an applicable guard cannot be used.
  8. Never stand directly in line with a horizontally rotating cutting tool. This is particularly true when first starting a new tool, or a new tool is initially installed on the arbor.
  9. Be sure the power is disconnected from the machine before tools are serviced.
  10. Never leave the machine with the power on.
  11. Be positive that hold-downs and antikickback devices are positioned properly, and that the workpiece is being fed through the cutting tool in the right direction.
  12. Do not use a dull, gummy, bent, or cracked cutting tool.
  13. Be sure that keys and adjusting wrenches have been removed before turning power on.
  14. Use only accessories designed for the machine.
  15. Adjust the machine for minimum exposure of cutting tool necessary to perform the operation. 

Hearing Conservation

Required by:  OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1) - (3)(I) (iii)

Frequency:   Initial with annual retraining

Target Audience:   Any employee who is exposed occupationally to greater than 85 dBA as an 8 hour time-weighted average exposure. Groups who usually have employees with noise exposures in this range include Facilities Management, Plant Operations, Grounds and Lifeflight.

Class Description:  Class covers the effects of noise on hearing, the purpose and use of hearing protectors, advantages of various types of protectors and instructions on fitting use and care and the purpose of audiometric testing and an explanation of audiometric testing.

Ladder Safety

Required by:  OSHA 29 CFR  1926.1060 

Frequency:   Initial before assignment and as necessary thereafter

Target Audience:  Employees performing construction related activities (building, alteration, and/or repair, including painting and decorating) that use ladders or stairways (non-permanent structures use to access elevated areas/surfaces)

Class Description:  The class will cover the nature of fall hazards in the work area, the correct procedures to be used in erecting, maintaining and disassembling the fall protection system used, the proper construction, use, placement, and care in handling of all stairway and ladders, the maximum carrying capacities of ladders used and the applicable regulatory standards.

Laser Safety

Required by:  OSHA 29 CFR 1926.54(a)

Frequency:   Initial 

Target Audience:   
Staff who work with Class I through IIIa lasers (HAZCOM) Staff who work with Class IIIb & Class IV lasers (ANSI required training).

Class Description:  

Class I through IIIa - This class covers a description of the right to know standard, recognition of hazard warning symbols (Laser Classification, hazards), health effects, manufacturer labels, personnel protective equipment, safe work practices and emergency procedures. 

Class IIIb & Class IV lasers - Laser bioeffects and hazards, PPE, smoke evacuation, beam hazards, interlock requirements, medical surveillance.

Class Schedule/Location:  Please see the Laser Safety Training Page.

Lockout/Tagout

Required by:  OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147(a)(3)(ii), (4)(I)(D), (7)(i)(A) - (C), (ii)(A) - (C)(iv) & (8) 

Frequency:   Initial with retraining under conditions listed in 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(iii)(a)-(c)

Target Audience:   Any employee servicing or maintaining machines & equipment in which the unexpected energization or startup of the machine/equipment or release of stored energy could cause injury to employees.

Class Description:  The methods of Lockout/Tagout (LO/TO) to assure that their function or purpose are understood and the application, usage, and removal of the controls are understood.

Personal Protective Equipment

Required by:  OSHA 1910.132 (f)

Frequency:   Initially when required to wear PPE and as necessary.

Target Audience:   Any employee who is required to use personal protective equipment during employment.

Class Description:  
The employer shall provide training to each employee who is required to use PPE. Training must include the following:

  • When PPE is necessary;
  • What PPE is necessary;
  • How to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE;
  • The limitations of the PPE; and,
  • The proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the PPE

Powered Industrial Trucks (Tow vehicles, Forklifts)

Required by:  OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178(l); VUMC Policy 70-08 Motorized Equipment Transport

Frequency:   Initial with reevaluation every three years

Target Audience:   Operators of powered industrial trucks such as forklifts and/or tow vehicles. Operators must complete initial (full) training within 30 days of start date.

Class Description:  

Training must include procedures for the safe operation of powered industrial trucks.

Training required should be based on: 
the operator's prior knowledge and skill; the types of powered industrial trucks the operator will operate in the workplace; the hazards present in the workplace; and the operator's demonstrated ability to operate a powered industrial truck safely. 

Refresher training is required if: 
the operator is involved in an accident or a near-miss incident; the operator has been observed operating the vehicle in an unsafe manner; the operator has been determined during an evaluation to need additional training; there are changes in the workplace that could affect safe operation of the truck; or the operator is assigned to operate a different type of truck.

Respiratory Protection

Required by:  OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 (k)(1)(i)-(vii), (2), (3) & (5)(i) - (iii); OSHA CPL 2-2.54A

Frequency:   Initial with annual retraining

Target Audience:   Individuals who's work assignment requires the use of respiratory protection, including VUMC staff who provide care for patients on Airborne Precautions

Class Description:  Class includes the following:

  • why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, use, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator
  • limitations and capabilities of the respirator
  • use in emergency situations
  • how to inspect, put on and remove, use and check the seals
  • procedures for maintenance and storage
  • recognition of medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent effective use
  • general requirements of this standard

Scaffolding

Required by:  OSHA 29 CFR 1926.454 (a)(1)-(5), (b)(1)-(4), (c)(1)-(3) 

Frequency:  Initial before assignment and when scaffolding changes or conditions change that the employee has not been previously trained.

Target Audience:  Employees performing construction related activities (building, alteration, and/or repair, including painting and decorating) that perform work on a scaffold.

Class Description:  The class covers the nature of electrical hazards, fall hazards, and falling object hazards, the correct procedures for dealing with these hazards, the correct procedures for erecting ,maintaining and disassembling fall protection system, proper use of the scaffold and the proper handling of materials on the scaffold, the design criteria, maximum intended load-carrying capacity, and intended use of the scaffold.

Welding, Cutting & Brazing

Required by:  OSHA 29CFR 1910.252(a)(2)(xiii)(C), 1910.253(a)(4)1910.254(a)(3), 1910.254(d)(1), 1910.255(a)(3)

Frequency:   Initial 

Target Audience:   All employees who perform welding and/or cutting and brazing procedures.

Class Description:  

Gas Welding & Cutting
Use of fuel gas.  The employer shall thoroughly instruct employees in the safe use of fuel gas as follows: 

  1. Before a regulator to a cylinder valve is connected, the valve shall be opened slightly and closed immediately. (This action is generally termed "cracking" and is intended to clear the valve of dust or dirt that might otherwise enter the regulator.) The person cracking the valve shall stand to one side of the outlet, not in front of it. The valve of a fuel gas cylinder shall not be cracked where the gas would reach welding work, sparks, flame, or other possible sources of ignition.
  2. The cylinder valve shall always be opened slowly to prevent damage to the regulator. For quick closing, valves on fuel gas cylinders shall not be opened more than 1-1/2 turns. When a special wrench is required, it shall be left in position on the stem of the valve while the cylinder is in use so that the fuel gas flow can be shut off quickly in case of an emergency. In the case of manifolded or coupled cylinders, at least one such wrench shall always be available for immediate use. Nothing shall be placed on top of a fuel gas cylinder, when in use, which may damage the safety device or interfere with the quick closing of the valve.
  3. Fuel gas shall not be used from cylinders through torches or other devices which are equipped with shutoff valves without reducing the pressure through a suitable regulator attached to the cylinder valve or manifold.
  4. Before a regulator is removed from a cylinder valve, the cylinder valve shall always be closed and the gas released from the regulator.
  5. If, when the valve on a fuel gas cylinder is opened, there is found to be a leak around the valve stem, the valve shall be closed and the gland nut tightened. If this action does not stop the leak, the use of the cylinder shall be discontinued, and it shall be properly tagged and removed from the work area. In the event that fuel gas should leak from the cylinder valve, rather than from the valve stem, and the gas cannot be shut off, the cylinder shall be properly tagged and removed from the work area. If a regulator attached to a cylinder valve will effectively stop a leak through the valve seat, the cylinder need not be removed from the work area.
  6. If a leak should develop at a fuse plug or other safety device, the cylinder shall be removed from the work area.

Additional rules. For Additional details not covered in this subpart, applicable technical portions of American National Standards Institute, Z49.1-1967, Safety in Welding and Cutting, shall apply. From ANSI Standard Z49.1-1967, Fire Watch Duties. "Fire watchers shall be trained in the use of fire extinguishing equipment. They shall be familiar with facilities for sounding an alarm in the event of a fire. They shall watch for fires in all exposed areas, try to extinguish them only when obviously within the capacity of the equipment available, or otherwise sound the alarm. A fire watch shall be maintained for at least a half hour after completion of welding or cutting operations to detect and extinguish possible smoldering fires." 

Arc Welding and Cutting 
Employers shall instruct employees in the safe means of arc welding and cutting as follows: 

  1. When electrode holders are to be left unattended, the electrodes shall be removed and the holders shall be so placed or protected that they cannot make electrical contact with employees or conducting objects.
  2. Hot electrode holders shall not be dipped in water; to do so may expose the arc welder or cutter to electric shock.
  3. When the arc welder or cutter has occasion to leave his work or to stop work for any appreciable length of time, or when the arc welding or cutting machine is to be moved, the power supply switch to the equipment shall be opened.
  4. Any faulty or defective equipment shall be reported to the supervisor.
  5. Other requirements, as outlined in Article 630, National Electrical Code, NFPA 70-1971; ANSI C1-1971 (Rev. of 1968), Electric Welders, shall be used when applicable.