Updated May 2008

Quarterly Safety Training

State law requires that all OSU employees, including student employees, receive safety training at least four times a year. Anybody receiving a paycheck through OSU falls under this requirement. (One exception to this rule would be contractors who are paid for services through Payroll for short-term projects such as desktop publishing.)

The State Law

Because of concerns about the rising costs of Workers' Compensation in Oklahoma, the state legislature passed House Bill 1447 which revised state law (40 O.S., Section 403). The change incorporated a "quarterly safety training" requirement for all public employees. Below is the exact wording of that particular section, as well as the Department of Labor's Final rule pertaining to it in regards to safety training classes:

40 O.S. Section 403

E.   Every employer having twenty-five (25) or more full-time or part-time employees shall:

1. Designate an employee who shall coordinate all safety programs of the employer;
2. Provide safety classes to each type or class of employee no less than quarterly; and
3. Cooperate with the Department of Labor including allowing any announced inspection of the premises for the purpose of determining compliance with this subsection.

From the Oklahoma State Department of Labor's Final Rule, Subchapter 21 - Safety Programs, 380:45-21-4 Safety Classes:

Employers shall conduct training pursuant to a safety and health program in which the employer at a minimum:

1. Appoints coordinator pursuant to 40 O.S. 403(E) meeting the requirements of OAC 380:45-21-2.

2. Has in place a safety program that:
   (a) Is appropriate to the size of the organization and nature of hazards encountered by the employees.
   (b) Has in effect the core elements of a safety and health program described in OAC 380:45-21-1, "Safety Programs".

3. Provides a schedule of training to employees that:
   (a) Provides training to each type or class of employee no less than quarterly.
   (b) Lists the class time and content, which is based on the nature and seriousness of the hazards associated with the employer's workplace.

4. Maintains documentation including:
   (a) The responsibilities and authority of the coordinator.
   (b) A written safety program encompassing the elements described in OAC 380:45-21-1.
   (c) Training contents and attendance.

5. Training will be considered to be adequate to meet the requirements of
   40 O.S. 403 (E) if:
   (a) The employer maintains a low injury and/or illness rate as demonstrated by substantive records (such as OK300 log, etc.)
   (b) The employer is achieving reductions in the rate of injuries and illnesses.

Training Requirements

As a result of Workers' Compensation reform, state law now requires that all OSU employees, including student employees, receive safety training at least four times a year. Anybody receiving a paycheck through OSU falls under this requirement. (The only exception to this rule might be contractors who are paid for services through Payroll for short-term projects such as desktop publishing.)

The object of the law is to reduce the number of accidents occurring, thereby reducing the amount and cost of Workers' Compensation claims being processed by the state (and paid for by taxpayers). The law is designed to help employees by providing them with the information necessary to do their jobs safely, as well as by reducing the amount of money being spent by the state on Workers' Compensation claims.

The Department of Labor (DOL) states that quarterly safety training must be "Appropriate to the nature and severity of the hazards faced by the employee."  In other words, somebody in a high-hazard work environment such as a laboratory would need more training than somebody who works in an office. Fortunately, the DOL does not set specific time requirements for the amount of training to be given, leaving a great deal of leeway as to how these quarterly requirements may be met.

In practical terms this means that an employee who is not at high risk for injury could count an information flyer or wellness newsletter as quarterly training. This might apply to office workers, for example. However, somebody who works in a laboratory would need additional training, because laboratories involve greater hazards. This additional training could consist of simply handing out an information sheet about the proper storage of compressed gas cylinders.

With the exception of a wellness newsletter, all safety training must be documented with date, subject, and the persons receiving the training (a mailing list would suffice for the newsletter). This information should be forwarded to OSU's Safety Training Coordinator, Greg Hogan, at 120 Physical Plant Services Building.

How to set your department up for Quarterly Safety Training.

Goals & Objectives of Quarterly Safety Training

• Reduce worker's compensation claims costs by educating employees in safe work practices and heightening safety awareness.
• Help provide a safer work environment for all employees through education.
• Foster good relations between employer and employees.
• Provide quarterly training for all university employees in compliance with state law.

Sources of Training Material

For some employees, online training or a department-supplied wellness newsletter will suffice to meet their quarterly safety training requirements. 

However, this will NOT be considered sufficient training for the following employees:

Employees who do not receive the newsletter, or have limited or no access to a computer.

Employees in the following "high risk" jobs:

• Lab workers (including photography labs)
• Police officers
• Printing press operators
• Housekeepers / custodians / janitors
• Heavy equipment operators (tractors, dumptrucks, backhoes, etc.)
• Cafeteria / bakery / kitchen workers / cooks
• Maintenance workers (plumbers, electricians, HVAC, repair workers, etc.)
• Warehouse workers
• Groundskeepers / agronomists / landscapers
• Carpenters
• Painters
• Pesticide applicators
• Welders
• Machine shop operators
• Mechanics
• Drum handlers
• Forklift operators
• Construction workers
• Packaging / materials handling workers
• Drivers (primary job description of "driving," such as delivery drivers)

Employees who are exposed to the following hazards:

• Bloodborne pathogens (including rabies and animal borne diseases)
• Heavy / repetitive lifting or bending
• Pesticides
• Heavy equipment (tractors, backhoes, dumptrucks, etc.)
• Grinders, lathes, drill presses, saws, chainsaws, bandsaws, etc.
• Machinery with exposed moving parts such as presses, belts, gears & pulleys
• Compressed gas cylinders
• Chemicals (other than those normally found in office situations)
• Hot / Cold environments

Employees who are at high risk for cumulative trauma disorders:

• Departments with multiple reports of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, CTDs, or back injuries.

* Class rosters are probably the most efficient way to document safety training classes.