What to know about free OSHA training in NYC:
- OSHA Outreach Training is important for learning how to practice workplace safety in high-risk industries like construction, healthcare, and manufacturing.
- There are different levels of OSHA training depending on your job role.
- OSHA and Site Safety Training (SST) are not the same. For most construction jobs in NYC, you will need both OSHA and SST certification.
- You can get free OSHA training through programs at New York City organizations including NICE, Workforce 1, or CAMBA.
What is OSHA
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), is a U.S. government agency that ensures safe and healthy working conditions for employees by setting and enforcing standards.
It’s part of the Department of Labor and was established to prevent workplace fatalities and injuries.
You will not be asked about your immigration status when you sign up or complete OSHA’s training programs on workplace safety, making it accessible to undocumented workers. Read on to find out where you can get OSHA training for free in NYC.
Who has to get OSHA training?
Site Safety Training (SST) and OSHA Outreach Training and are mandatory for most construction jobs in NYC. While construction may be the most common industry that uses OSHA training, the training is also used by people working in sectors including manufacturing, warehousing and transportation, automotive repair and maintenance, areas of the public sector, and healthcare.
Don’t confuse OSHA with SST though. These are not the same: OSHA is a federal agency, while SST is related to a New York City–specific law. It can be confusing because OSHA training is included as part of the SST requirement, but they are maintained by different agencies. You can learn more about SST and who needs it in our full guide here.
Also Read: Site Safety Training: Where To Take Free Classes To Earn A SST Card
Below are the different OSHA training types, with the number in each title indicating the duration in hours it takes to complete the certification.
OSHA 10: This program is for entry-level workers. In New York City, OSHA 10 is required for most construction and demolition jobs. Once completing OSHA 10, workers get a temporary card and can begin working on certain job sites, but they still have more training to complete. Within six months, they must also complete 30 more hours of SST classes.
OSHA 30: This program requires more hours of training because it’s targeted at workers with supervisory responsibilities. So, if your job includes oversight or responsibility for anyone else, you need the 30-hour version of OSHA. In NYC, you’ll also have to take additional SST courses on top of OSHA 30.
62‑Hour NYC SST: This training is specifically designed for supervisory personnel on NYC construction sites, like site safety managers, concrete safety managers, coordinators, construction superintendents and competent persons.
Where can I get OSHA training for free?
La Colmena NYC
Located on Staten Island, this nonprofit provides various training programs such as OSHA 30 and SST 10 training alongside soft and hard skills development to help immigrants do well in their careers. For getting their training, contact them.
Phone (718) 442-7700
Email: info@lacolmenanyc.org
Or visit their office located at 774 Port Richmond Ave, Staten Island, New York 10302. They are open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Workforce 1
Workforce 1, in collaboration with the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS), provides various construction training programs, including those focused on OSHA and SST. All of these are free.
You can find the Construction Site Safety Training Program at SBS Workforce1 Career Centers throughout all five boroughs. They also have virtual options. It’s offered in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Cantonese, and Mandarin. If you’re interested in applying, you can fill out this form or visit a location.
- Bronx Workforce1 Career Center
400 E. Fordham Road, 8th Floor, Bronx, NY 10458 - Brooklyn Workforce1 Career Center
9 Bond Street, 5th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201 - Upper Manhattan Workforce1 Career Center
215 W 125th Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10027 - Queens Workforce1 Career Center
168-25 Jamaica Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11432 - Staten Island Workforce1 Career Center
120 Stuyvesant Place, 3rd Floor, Staten Island, NY 10301
CAMBA/Job Plus
Located in Brooklyn, CAMBA offers free trainings which grant OSHA and SST credentials.
Qualified participants receive MetroCards and financial assistance. Graduate job placement assistance is also provided through employer partnerships.
In order to be eligible for CAMBA, you must be unemployed, work-authorized in NYC and able available to attend training sessions on time and in person Monday through Fridays.
Be careful with OSHA scams
Be careful with scams when looking for OSHA training. Fake OSHA and Site Safety Training (SST) cards are a serious issue in NYC.
One major case involved Valor Consulting, which sold around 20,000 fraudulent OSHA cards between 2019 and 2023 without providing any real instruction. Workers paid $300 to $600 for cards that were issued in under an hour, supported by fake attendance records and backdated paperwork.
To avoid scams like this, always verify that your OSHA training provider is officially authorized by the U.S. Department of Labor. A legitimate course will take 10 or 30 hours to complete and provide a wallet-sized OSHA card issued by an authorized outreach trainer.
Also Read: Head of Sham Construction School Pleads Guilty in Death of Immigrant Worker
