Quarterly Training
House Bill 1447
After concerns of the rising costs of workers' compensation claims 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.
Requirements
State law requires that all OSU employees, including student employees, receive safety training at least four times a year. The only exception to this rule are contractors who are paid for short-term projects through payroll.
The goal of the law is to reduce the number of occupational accidents, thereby reducing workers' compensation claims and taxpayer costs. The law is designed to help employees by providing them with the information necessary to do their jobs safety.
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." For instance, someone in a high-hazard work environment would need more training than someone who works in an office. All departments are responsible for documenting this training including the date, subjects, and participants. EHS provides class rosters, which make it easy to document safety training classes.
Goals and Objectives
- Reduce workers compensation claims and costs by educating employees in safe work practices
- Help provide a safer work environment for all employees through education
- Foster good relations between employers and their employees
- Provide quarterly training for all university employees in compliance with State law
Sources of Training Material
Departments and employees can utilize a variety of sources to complete the required safety training including but not limited to videos, audio tapes, books, brochures, fact sheets, handouts, slides, and classroom instructions. The source and topic must be appropriate for the hazards employees face and must be provided to everyone, including managers and supervisors.
Documentation of quarterly training should include the date, location, course information, course provider/trainer, and a list of employees in attendance. Make-up sessions must be provided for employees who are not able to attend the initial training.
Useful Documents