Utah Local Governments Trust details OSHA-required trainings, offers matrix and free LMS for members

Mike, a loss-prevention representative at the Utah Local Governments Trust, outlined required and recommended employee training practices for local government agencies during a recorded Trust webinar for members.

The Trust representative said local agencies should distinguish required trainings from recommended topics, document all training, and use a training matrix to track frequency by position and employee. He emphasized OSHA standards as the baseline for required subjects and recommended regular retraining and clear certification records.

Why it matters: Local governments face regulatory training obligations under OSHA and practical safety risks in day‑to‑day operations. Properly documented, recurring training reduces injury risk and helps employers meet regulatory requirements, the Trust said.

Mike urged agencies to begin by identifying job‑specific hazards and the training that follows from a job hazard analysis. "We have to go through each of these for each specific type of job," he said, describing JHAs (job hazard analyses) as both required and essential to decide what PPE and training are necessary. He recommended that agencies work with internal safety committees to identify trends and design organization‑specific trainings based on incidents and near‑misses.

On frequency and retraining, Mike recommended annual refreshers for many topics and cited specific practices: "Bloodborne pathogens has to be trained on initial employment and every single year thereafter." He noted OSHA language can leave the interval open (for example, "regularly"), so best practice is often annual training unless the standard specifies otherwise. He gave examples: harassment prevention roughly every two years (as the State of Utah requires for state employees), annual defensive driving for employees who drive on duty, and forklift recertification every three years following hands‑on evaluation.

The presentation distinguished between "qualified" trainers (those who completed a course or hold certificates) and "competent" trainers who also have field experience and can engage learners. "There's a big difference here between qualified and competent," Mike said, adding that competent trainers should be able to command the room and relate content to workers' daily tasks.

Modalities: He said online courses extend reach but may not suit every learner or topic. "Online training can be very, very effective for some people. Other people need the in person and the hands on type training," Mike said, recommending agencies match delivery to learner needs and topic complexity.

OSHA and other regulatory items cited in the webinar included general industry (29 CFR 1910) and construction standards (29 CFR 1926). Mike named specific requirements and typical agency practice:

- Emergency action plans (OSHA 1910.38): training on initial hire, when duties change, and "regularly" (Mike said he interprets that as annually). - Occupational noise exposure and hearing protector training when PPE is provided. - Bloodborne pathogens: initial and annual training for employees with occupational exposure. - First aid and CPR: recommended where an infirmary/clinic/hospital is not in near proximity; local fire departments are suggested providers. - Hazard communication (HAZCOM) and safety data sheet maintenance for hazardous chemicals. - Personal protective equipment (PPE): training on when PPE is required, its limitations, care and disposal. - Respiratory protection: requirement for a respiratory protection program and training where respirators are used. - HAZWOPER (hazardous waste operations and emergency response): 24‑ or 40‑hour courses with 8‑hour annual refreshers, for applicable staff. - Powered platforms and man lifts, forklifts/powered industrial trucks (OSHA 1910.178): initial hands‑on training and periodic refresher (Mike said forklift refresher every three years is typical). - Lockout/tagout (energy control), confined space entry, fall protection and scaffolding training; many of these require initial and regular refresher training.

Documentation: "If it isn't documented, it didn't happen," Mike said, stressing rosters that include printed names and signatures, the training topic, date and the instructor. He recommended issuing certificates where appropriate and maintaining written certification records when standards require them (for example, crane or forklift operator certification cards).

Tools and Trust resources: The Trust offers a training matrix template; Mike said members can request a copy by contacting the Trust. He also recommended the Trust's Trilliant learning management system (LMS), which the Trust pays for and makes available to members at no charge, to track training completion and licensing. The Trust runs monthly webinars, regional in‑person trainings and records sessions on its YouTube channel. Mike encouraged members to sign up for regional trainings and the Trust's webinars.

Clarifying examples and data from the webinar: Mike cited a study finding that people can lose about 60% of CPR‑related skills within a week without refreshers, underscoring the need for frequent retraining for critical skills. He also described HAZWOPER 24/40 options and the 8‑hour annual refresher requirement, and he repeated that many OSHA provisions use terms such as "regularly" that require local policy interpretation.

The Trust's recommendations were framed as best practices and loss‑prevention guidance; Mike repeatedly directed agencies to OSHA's website (osha.gov) for definitive regulatory text and to contact Trust staff for implementation help. "If you haven't been set up with the Trilliant learning management system, get in touch with Jason or I. We are happy to help," he said.

Ending: The Trust invited members to request the Trust's training matrix template, enroll staff in upcoming webinars or regional trainings, and use the Trilliant LMS to track required and recommended trainings. Contact information referenced in the webinar: Trust staff (Mike and Jason) and the Trust's online training listings and Eventbrite postings.