Employee safety training

Under 1960.59(a) an agency must provide training that covers appropriate safety and health topics, including specialized job safety training and information on the agency occupational safety and health program and employees' rights and responsibilities.

• Training must be appropriate to the work performed (for example: clerical, printing, welding, crane operation, chemical analysis, computer operations).
• Training must inform employees about the agency's OSH program and emphasize their rights and responsibilities under that program.

See the requirement in 1960.59(a).

Under 1960.59(a) yes — "specialized job safety and health training" must be tailored to the specific work the employee performs.

• The standard explicitly lists examples (clerical, welding, crane operation, chemical analysis, computer operations) to show training should match job hazards and duties.
• For unique hazards, use the industry-specific OSHA standards that set training content and frequency (those standards will specify additional training elements when applicable).

See the text of 1960.59(a).

Under 1960.59(a) yes — training must inform employees of the agency occupational safety and health program with emphasis on their rights and responsibilities.

• This means agencies should clearly explain how employees can report hazards, participate in safety activities, and what protections or duties they have under the program.
• Include practical steps (who to contact, how to request PPE, how to report incidents) so employees can exercise those rights and meet responsibilities.

Refer to 1960.59(a).

Under 1960.59(b) employee representatives must receive both introductory and specialized courses and materials that enable them to function in ensuring safe and healthful working conditions and to assist effectively in workplace safety inspections.

• Introductory courses should cover the agency OSH program, basic hazard recognition, and rights/responsibilities.
• Specialized courses should address specific hazards and inspection techniques relevant to the workplace so reps can actively participate in inspections and corrective actions.

See the requirement in 1960.59(b).

Under 1960.59(b) no — the paragraph explicitly says it does not alter training provisions provided by law, Executive Order, or collective bargaining arrangements.

• Agencies must provide the introductory and specialized training described in 1960.59(b), but they must still honor any higher or different training obligations set by statute, Executive Order 12196, or negotiated agreements.

See the text of 1960.59(b).

Under 1960.59 the standard does not set specific training frequencies; it requires agencies to provide appropriate training but leaves timing and retraining intervals to be set by the agency or by other OSHA standards that address particular hazards.

• For many hazards, separate OSHA standards prescribe training frequency (for example, HAZWOPER outlines specific training for emergency responders). See the HAZWOPER guidance in the 2010 letter of interpretation for how other standards set training specifics.
• Agencies should document their training schedules in their OSH program and use the most protective frequency that applies to the hazard or operation.

Under 1960.59 the requirement applies to federal agency employees; however, civilian contractor employees performing work on federal sites may be covered by OSHA standards and must receive appropriate training from their own employers.

• Executive Order 12196 and 29 CFR Part 1960 govern federal employee programs; private contractors are typically covered by OSHA unless work is "uniquely military." See the OSHA interpretation about coverage of DoD and contractor situations which explains civilian contractor employees can be covered by OSHA.
• Agencies should coordinate with contractors to ensure contractors' workers receive job-appropriate training from their employers and that federal employees receive training under 1960.59.

See 1960 and the 2024 oxygen-deficient atmospheres interpretation.

Under 1960.59 the agency must provide appropriate training, but when a specific OSHA standard addresses a hazard that standard controls the required training content and elements.

• For example, asbestos awareness elements and frequency are in OSHA's asbestos standards and clarified in the 2006 asbestos awareness interpretation.
• Likewise, bloodborne pathogen training and vaccination timing are governed by 29 CFR 1910.1030 and related enforcement guidance like the 2000 HBV vaccination interpretation.

Therefore, agencies should implement 1960.59 training to include the specific elements and schedules required by the applicable OSHA standard for that hazard.

Under 1960.59 agencies must provide appropriate training, and if custodial staff perform housekeeping in areas where ACM or presumed ACM is present they must receive asbestos awareness training as required by OSHA's asbestos standard.

• OSHA's asbestos standard for general industry requires annual awareness training for housekeeping employees in areas where ACM or PACM is present; the 2006 asbestos interpretation explains these requirements and why custodians need training even if they have no routine contact with friable asbestos.
• The agency should include the asbestos-specific elements (health effects, damage signs, response to releases, housekeeping requirements) in the training program.

See 1960.59(a) and the 2006 asbestos guidance.

Under 1960.59 agencies must provide appropriate training, and where employees have occupational exposure to blood or OPIM the Bloodborne Pathogens standard requires the employer to offer hepatitis B vaccination prior to exposure; however, OSHA's enforcement guidance provides an exception for certain collateral-duty first aid responders.

• 29 CFR 1910.1030(f)(2) requires HBV vaccination be provided according to Public Health Service recommendations prior to exposure. OSHA's 2000 HBV vaccination interpretation explains that employers generally must offer the vaccine but may rely on a limited exemption for first aid rendered as a collateral duty under specific conditions in enforcement policy.
• Agencies should evaluate whether the first-aid duty is collateral and whether the exemption's conditions apply; if not, offer the vaccination series before assigning the duty.

See 1960.59(a) and the 2000 HBV interpretation.

Under 1960.59(b) employee representatives should receive specialized training that enables them to function in ensuring safe conditions and assisting with inspections, but if their duties involve emergency response they must meet the training requirements of the HAZWOPER standard.

• OSHA's HAZWOPER provisions set specific training and ERP requirements for emergency responders; the 2010 HAZWOPER interpretation explains how 1910.120 applies to emergency response personnel.
• If employee representatives will perform emergency response duties, the agency must provide the HAZWOPER-required training in addition to the introductory and specialized courses described in 1960.59(b).

See 1960.59(b) and HAZWOPER guidance.

Under 1960.59 agencies must provide appropriate training, and when respirator use is required (including situations involving oxygen-deficient atmospheres) the agency must follow OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard and applicable interpretations to determine training needs.

• Where civilian employees are covered by OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.134 governs respirator use and related training; OSHA's 2024 interpretation about oxygen-deficient atmospheres explains coverage and that OSHA respiratory protection requirements apply to covered civilian employees.
• The agency safety office should perform a hazard assessment, determine whether OSHA coverage applies, and provide respirator selection, medical evaluation, fit testing, and training as required by 1910.134 when respirators are necessary.

See 1960 and the 2024 oxygen-deficient interpretation.

Under 1960.59 agencies must provide appropriate job-specific training, and for control of hazardous energy the agency must meet the requirements of the Lockout/Tagout standard (29 CFR 1910.147) including training for authorized employees when the standard applies.

• 1910.147 requires training for "authorized employees" who perform lockout/tagout procedures; but certain limited exceptions (for example work on cord-and-plug connected equipment where the plug is under the exclusive control of the employee) are not covered by the standard. See the 2012 lockout/tagout interpretation explaining when an employee must be an "authorized employee" and when the standard's exceptions apply.
• Agencies should train authorized employees in energy control procedures, and train affected and other employees as required by 1910.147, while ensuring 1960.59 training programs include these elements.

See 1960.59(a) and the 2012 lockout/tagout interpretation.

Under 1960.59 the standard requires agencies to provide appropriate training but it does not itself prescribe a specific written training plan format or recordkeeping schedule; agencies should document their training in their OSH program and follow applicable recordkeeping requirements elsewhere.

• Part 1960 sets the framework for federal agency OSH programs; agencies typically keep training plans and records as part of their program documentation under 1960.
• Where other OSHA rules impose recordkeeping obligations (for example injury/illness reporting and employee involvement under 29 CFR 1904), OSHA's 2016 recordkeeping enforcement interpretation explains those requirements and the need to inform employees about reporting procedures.

Agencies should maintain training records sufficient to show compliance with 1960.59 and any hazard-specific standards.

Under 1960 an agency may apply an alternate standard or approach where appropriate, but to do so it must follow the procedures in 29 CFR 1960.17 and obtain required approvals before implementing the alternate standard.

• The 2019 hexavalent chromium interpretation cites 29 CFR 1960.17 and explains that an agency may request approval from the Secretary of Labor to apply an alternate standard, but the request must include the information specified in 1960.17(b)(1)-(b)(5).
• Until approval is granted, agencies must provide the training and protections required by the applicable OSHA standard.

See 1960 and the 2019 chromium interpretation discussing 1960.17.

Under 1960.59(b) yes — employee representatives are to receive introductory and specialized training and materials that enable them to assist effectively in conducting workplace safety and health inspections.

• The required training should cover inspection techniques, hazard recognition, applicable standards, and how to document and follow up on findings.
• Training should also explain the agency's procedures for inspections and the representatives' rights and responsibilities during inspections.

See 1960.59(b).