OSHA answers, without the runaround
Every page below answers one question in the first paragraph, then shows the detail behind it. Written for owners and office managers, not safety professionals.
Get my red / yellow / green OSHA profileWhat OSHA training is required for a small business?
OSHA does not require a general-purpose safety course. Training obligations live inside individual standards, and a standard only applies if the hazar…
Does OSHA require annual training?
Only some OSHA training is annual. Bloodborne Pathogens and Respiratory Protection are yearly. Forklift operators must be re-evaluated at least every …
What records do you have to show during an OSHA inspection?
An OSHA compliance officer typically asks for your written programs, your training records, your equipment inspection and maintenance logs, your injur…
Which written safety programs does OSHA require?
OSHA standards that require a written program include Hazard Communication, Lockout/Tagout, Respiratory Protection, Bloodborne Pathogens (exposure con…
What is on an OSHA compliance checklist for a small employer?
A small employer's OSHA checklist covers five areas: required postings, written programs for the standards your hazards trigger, training tied to thos…
What does OSHA require for forklift certification?
OSHA requires forklift operators to complete formal instruction, hands-on practical training, and an evaluation of their performance in your workplace…
HazCom vs PPE vs Lockout/Tagout — when does each one apply?
Hazard Communication applies whenever hazardous chemicals are present. PPE applies whenever a hazard assessment shows protective equipment is needed. …
How many employees before OSHA recordkeeping applies?
Employers with 10 or fewer employees at all times during the previous calendar year are generally exempt from routinely keeping the OSHA 300 log, as a…
Primary sources
Content last reviewed September 4, 2026. Educational summaries only — not legal advice.