All contractors, including specialized and home improvement contractors and their subcontractors need to have safety training.

Workers

All workers on a construction or demolition site must complete a basic training course. The course must be OSHA 10 Construction provided by an authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer or an approved alternative. Contractors must keep proof of training on the job site.

• This includes trades contractors and registered PA home improvement contractors.
• This requirement does not apply to:
  • Delivery people.
  • Design professionals and their staff.
  • Special inspectors.
  • Workers that aren’t doing permit-regulated construction or demolition.

Supervisors

Contractors, Excavation Contractors, and Demolition Contractors must identify at least one supervisory employee who has completed OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health provided by an authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer or an approved alternative. The contractor must submit proof of training with the license application or renewal and the course must have been completed within the five years preceding license application or renewal.

This does not apply to:

• Plumbing contractors.
• Electrical contractors.
• Fire suppression contractors.
• Registered PA home improvement contractors (with no separate Philadelphia License).

When renewing the license, the supervisor can take 30 continuing education hours in construction or demolition safety instead of retaking the OSHA 30 course if the department has already accepted an OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health certificate.

The course must be completed in the five years prior to license renewal. The provider must be approved by the PA Department of Labor and Industry and proof of completion must be submitted with the renewal application.

Excavation contractors

In addition to completing the OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health course, an Excavation Contractor must employ a site safety manager who has also completed the OSHA 3015 Excavation, Trenching and Soil Mechanics Course or an approved alternative.

OSHA 3015 may only be provided through an OSHA Training Institute Education Center. Regional courses are offered through the Mid-Atlantic OTI Education Center and additional course offerings are provided through TEEX OTI Education Center.

When renewing the license, the supervisor can take 20 continuing education hours in excavation, trenching, and soil mechanics instead of retaking the OSHA 3015 course if the department has already accepted an OSHA 3015 Excavation, Trenching and Soil Mechanics certificate.

The course must be completed in the five years prior to license renewal. The provider must be approved by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, and proof of completion must be submitted with the renewal application.

Continuing education hours in excavation, trenching, and soil mechanics may also apply toward the requirement for OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health.

Site safety managers for major projects

A site safety manager must oversee any new construction, structural alteration, or demolition of a building that is:

• More than three stories tall.
• 40 feet in height.
• Or with a footprint larger than 10,000 square feet.

The designated site safety manager(s) must have completed OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health provided by an authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer or an approved alternative. The contractor must submit any site safety managers to the building inspector before work starts.

Alternative training program approvals

L&I has approved the following programs as alternatives to OSHA training:

• OSHA 10 – Construction
  • PALM Built-Rite (for building trades)
• OSHA 30 – Construction Safety and Health
  • STSC (Safety Trained Supervisor Construction)
• OSHA 3015 – Excavation, Trenching and Soil Mechanics
  • Med-Tex Services Inc.
  • Compliance Management International (CMI) 
• Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP)

Requirements for alternative training programs

An equivalent training program must receive prior approval from the Department’s Training Division. Requests for approval must meet all of the following criteria:

• Approved Provider:
  • The course provider must be listed on the PA Department of Labor and Industry’s Eligible Training Provider List, or otherwise approved by the Department.
• Course Content and Duration:
  • The course outline must clearly define the objectives, instructional topics, and training duration. It must meet or exceed the relevant OSHA training or EVITP Program.
• Certificate Verification:
  • The training provider must issue a verifiable course completion certificate to each participant. L&I must be able to verify the certificate.
• Cost Limitations:
  • The total training cost must not significantly exceed OSHA or EVITP training costs unless otherwise approved by L&I.
• Quality Control:
  • The course provider must have a quality control plan. The plan must include:
    • The organizational structure of the company
    • The credentials and qualifications of trainers
    • A documented quality assurance program
• Testing Requirements:
  • OSHA 3015 or EVITP alternatives must:
    • Include an examination
    • Identify a passing grade for certification
    • Provide at least one opportunity to retest
• Recertification:
  • OSHA 3015 or EVITP alternatives must:
    • Include a recertification or renewal process

How to submit a program review:

To submit a program for consideration, email documentation to brett.martin@phila.gov.