A comprehensive reference for OSHA compliance, first aid certification, hazardous materials training, and other federally mandated workplace safety programs.
Ultimo aggiornamento: March 2026
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHA, part of the U.S. Department of Labor, enforces workplace safety and health standards under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. OSHA sets and enforces standards, conducts inspections, and issues citations — but it does not certify individuals. Employers bear the legal responsibility to provide a safe workplace under Section 5(a)(1), the General Duty Clause.
Requires every employer to furnish a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. This applies even where no specific OSHA standard exists for a hazard.
OSH Act of 1970, Section 5(a)(1) — the legal foundation of all employer safety obligations.
Cover most non-construction workplaces. Include standards for walking/working surfaces, hazardous materials, personal protective equipment, fire protection, electrical safety, and more.
29 CFR 1910 — applies to manufacturing, warehousing, healthcare, retail, and most other industries.
osha.gov/laws-regsSpecific safety standards for the construction industry covering fall protection, scaffolding, excavation, electrical safety, cranes, and steel erection — the top causes of construction fatalities.
29 CFR 1926 — mandatory for all construction sites, including the "Focus Four" hazard categories.
osha.gov/1926OSHA explicitly states that its outreach training programs (10-Hour, 30-Hour) result in course completion cards, not certifications. OSHA regulates employers and workplaces — it does not license or certify individual workers. Be cautious of providers who market OSHA training as an "OSHA certification."
Voluntary safety awareness training
The OSHA Outreach Training Program provides workers with basic (10-Hour) and advanced (30-Hour) safety awareness training. These corsi are taught by OSHA-authorized formatores and cover hazard recognition, worker rights, and employer responsibilities. Completion results in a DOL course completion card — not a certification.
Entry-level safety awareness for workers. Covers hazard identification, worker rights under OSHA, and core safety topics. Available for General Industry or Construction tracks. Can be completed fully online through OSHA-authorized education providers.
10 hours minimum — intended for entry-level workers and new hires. Some states (e.g., NY, CT, MA, NH, NV) mandate it for construction workers.
osha.gov/training/outreachIn-depth safety training for supervisors, foremen, and workers with safety responsibilities. Covers a broader range of hazards and safety management topics. Also available fully online through authorized providers.
30 hours minimum — designed for supervisors and safety-responsible personnel. Often richiesto by employers and some government contracts.
Online availability
Both OSHA 10-Hour and 30-Hour corsi can be completed fully online through OSHA-authorized education providers. The online format covers the same content and results in the same DOL card. Authorized online providers include ClickSafety, 360training, CareerSafe, and others listed on OSHA's website.
State mandates
While OSHA Outreach training is federally voluntary, several states have made it mandatory for specific industries. New York requires OSHA 10-Hour for all construction workers (12 NYCRR 23-1.30). Connecticut, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, and Nevada have similar mandates. Some states with their own OSHA-approved State Plans (e.g., Cal/OSHA in California) may have additional requirements.
Workplace first aid compliance under 29 CFR 1910.151
OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.151 requires employers to ensure the availability of first aid personnel and supplies when medical facilities are not in "near proximity" to the workplace. The American Red Cross and the American Heart Association are the two primary nationally recognized training providers.
The American Red Cross offers workplace first aid, CPR, and AED training. Online theory modules are available, but a valid 2-year workplace certification requires an in-person skills session. The online-only portion results in a certificate of completion, not the full workplace certification.
Valid for 2 years — blended learning: online theory + mandatory in-person skills evaluation for full certification.
redcross.orgThe American Heart Association's BLS course is designed for healthcare professionals and first responders. HeartCode BLS allows online completion of cognitive learning, but a mandatory hands-on skills session with an AHA instructor is richiesto for certification.
HeartCode BLS online + in-person skills session — richiesto for healthcare workers, valid for 2 years.
cpr.heart.orgAdvanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) follow the same blended model as BLS: HeartCode online modules cover the theory, but hands-on skills sessions are mandatory for certification.
HeartCode online + mandatory hands-on skills check-off — targeted at emergency, ICU, and advanced care providers.
Both the Red Cross and AHA use a blended approach: online theory modules for self-paced cognitive learning, followed by a richiesto in-person skills session. The in-person component evaluates physical competency (compressions, airway management, AED use) and non può be replaced by online-only training for workplace certification.
Federally mandated programs beyond OSHA Outreach
Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response training is richiesto for workers involved in hazardous waste cleanup, emergency response to hazardous substance releases, and treatment/storage/disposal facility operations. Includes 40-hour, 24-hour, and 8-hour refresher corsi.
Online alone is NOT sufficient per OSHA. Hands-on, site-specific training is richiesto. 8-hour annual refresher richiesto.
osha.gov/hazwoperThe Hazard Communication Standard (aligned with the Globally Harmonized System) requires employers to inform workers about chemical hazards through labels, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and training. Every workplace with hazardous chemicals must have a written HazCom program.
Training richiesto before initial assignment and whenever a new hazard is introduced. Can be completed online.
Richiesto for any worker with "reasonably anticipated" occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. Covers exposure control plans, universal precautions, PPE use, and post-exposure protocols. Critical for healthcare, janitorial, and first responder roles.
Annual retraining richiesto. Can be completed online. Employer must maintain an Exposure Control Plan.
The Control of Hazardous Energy standard requires procedures to disable machinery during maintenance and servicing. Covers energy isolation devices, lockout/tagout procedures, and verification of zero-energy state. Applies to any workplace with machines or equipment.
Training richiesto for authorized, affected, and other employees. Periodic inspection richiesto almeno annually.
| Training Program | Fully Online | Blended (Online + In-Person) | In-Person Only |
|---|---|---|---|
| OSHA 10-Hour | |||
| OSHA 30-Hour | |||
| Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED | |||
| AHA BLS (HeartCode) | |||
| HAZWOPER 40/24/8h | |||
| HazCom / GHS | |||
| Bloodborne Pathogens | |||
| Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) |
* OSHA 10/30 can be completed fully online through authorized providers. Red Cross/AHA require in-person skills sessions for full certification. HAZWOPER requires hands-on site-specific training per OSHA requirements.
Supporting US safety training programs
While OpenFormations does not issue OSHA DOL cards or Red Cross/AHA certifications, our platform helps training organizations build and deliver the theory components of workplace safety programs, track compliance, and manage partecipante progress.
Build interactive online corsi covering OSHA 10/30-Hour theory content, HazCom, Bloodborne Pathogens, and other knowledge-based safety topics. Ideal for authorized formatores delivering blended programs.
Track which workers have completed training modules, monitor expiration dates, and generate certificato di completamentos for the theory portion. Export compliance reports for audits and inspections.
Use our rich content editor with quizzes, video embeds, and progress tracking to create engaging safety theory modules. Partecipantes access content on any device with automatic progress saving.
Federal agency under the Department of Labor responsible for setting and enforcing workplace safety standards. Conducts inspections, issues citations, and manages the Outreach Training Program.
osha.govResearch agency under the CDC that conducts research, makes recommendations, and develops guidance for preventing workplace injuries and illnesses. NIOSH does not set or enforce standards — that is OSHA's role.
cdc.gov/niosh28 states and territories operate their own OSHA-approved occupational safety and health programs. These State Plans must be almeno as effective as federal OSHA. Examples include Cal/OSHA (California), MIOSHA (Michigan), and Oregon OSHA.
osha.gov/stateplansNon-profit organization focused on eliminating preventable deaths. Offers workplace safety training programs, defensive driving corsi, and first aid/CPR training through its nationwide network.
nsc.org| Training Program | Duration | Validity | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| OSHA 10-Hour | 10 hours | No expiration (recommended every 3–5 years) | Retake course |
| OSHA 30-Hour | 30 hours | No expiration (recommended every 3–5 years) | Retake course |
| Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED | ~8 hours (blended) | 2 years | Retake or challenge course |
| AHA BLS | ~4.5 hours (HeartCode + skills) | 2 years | HeartCode + skills check-off |
| AHA ACLS | ~15 hours (HeartCode + skills) | 2 years | HeartCode + skills check-off |
| HAZWOPER 40-Hour | 40 hours | 1 year | 8-hour refresher annually |
| HAZWOPER 8-Hour Refresher | 8 hours | 1 year | Annual refresher |
| HazCom / GHS | 1–4 hours (varies) | No set expiration | When new hazards are introduced |
| Bloodborne Pathogens | 1–2 hours | 1 year | Annual retraining richiesto |
No. OSHA explicitly states that OSHA 10 and 30-Hour Outreach Training results in a Department of Labor (DOL) course completion card, not a certification. OSHA does not certify, license, or otherwise credential individual workers. Be wary of providers marketing it as an "OSHA certification."
Yes. Both the OSHA 10-Hour and 30-Hour corsi can be completed fully online through OSHA-authorized education providers such as ClickSafety, 360training, and CareerSafe. The online format covers identical content and results in the same DOL course completion card as in-person training.
Not for workplace certification. The American Red Cross offers online theory modules, but a valid 2-year workplace first aid/CPR/AED certification requires an in-person skills session. An online-only completion results in a certificate of completion, which is different from the full workplace certification.
No, online-only HAZWOPER training is not sufficient to meet OSHA requirements under 29 CFR 1910.120. OSHA requires hands-on, site-specific training components that non può be replicated online. Some providers offer blended programs, but the hands-on portion must be completed in person.
OSHA (under the Department of Labor) sets and enforces workplace safety standards, conducts inspections, and issues citations. NIOSH (under the CDC) is a research agency that studies occupational hazards and makes recommendations. NIOSH does not have regulatory or enforcement authority.
Yes. 28 states and territories operate OSHA-approved State Plans that cover private sector and state/local government workers. These programs must be almeno as effective as federal OSHA and may have additional or stricter requirements. Examples include Cal/OSHA (California), Oregon OSHA, and MIOSHA (Michigan). Check osha.gov/stateplans for the full list.
OpenFormations helps you create theory modules, track compliance, and manage partecipante progress for workplace safety training programs.
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