OSHA Training in South Carolina

While there is no official certification required to teach most OSHA training classes in South Carolina, you must make certain that on site OSHA 10 or 30-hour training classes are conducted by a trainer who is officially authorized to conduct these OSHA courses. The trainer must first complete a series of OSHA trainer classes provided by one of the OSHA Education centers located around the country. You can confirm their status as a currently authorized OSHA Outreach trainer by asking to look at their credentials proving they completed the following trainer courses.

Construction industry trainers must successfully complete the OSHA 510 course, followed by the OSHA 500 course. This qualifies the trainer to conduct OSHA 10-hour construction training in South Carolina and anywhere else in the USA and territories for a four-year period. The trainer is also authorized to conduct OSHA 30-hour construction training in SC and elsewhere. To maintain their status as an authorized OSHA Outreach trainer for construction, they must complete the OSHA 502 trainer update course every four years.

General industry trainers must successfully complete the OSHA 511 course, followed by the OSHA 501 course. This qualifies the trainer to conduct OSHA 10-hour general industry training in South Carolina and anywhere else in the USA and territories for a four-year period. The trainer is also authorized to conduct OSHA 30-hour general industry training in SC and elsewhere. To maintain their status as an authorized OSHA Outreach trainer for general industry, they must complete the OSHA 503 trainer update course every four years.

Be assured that our OSHA trainers who conduct on-site OSHA training classes in South Carolina are all authorized OSHA Outreach trainers.

Online OSHA 10 and 30-hour Training Courses Accepted in SC

We also offer OSHA-authorized online 10 and 30-hour training courses available for construction and general industry. However, when comparing our online courses to those of other providers, you must pay close attention, as only those course providers that are specifically authorized to provide these courses can issue trainees the official DOL / OSHA 10 or 30-hour wallet cards. There are plenty of imitators out there who use deceptive fine print and “too good to be true” pricing to sell you a course that is not OSHA authorized.

You can rest assured that the 10 and 30-hour online OSHA training courses offered on our website are authorized by OSHA, and are accepted in South Carolina as well as all other states and US territories.

Regulation of Workplace Safety & Health Training in South Carolina

The State of South Carolina operates a State OSHA Program (SCOSH) that is the primary regulator of OSHA training in SC worksites. The SCOSH plan has been considered fully operational since 1974. This status was recognized in 1975, when the Commissioner for the South Carolina Department of Labor and the OSHA Regional Administrator signed an “Operational Status Agreement”. This was closely followed by “Certification” in 1976, when South Carolina completed all developmental steps as outlined in its Plan and as required by the United States Department of Labor. On December 15, 1987, the South Carolina program received final approval from federal OSHA.

SC-OSHA Training Regulations and Standards

South Carolina has adopted the Federal OSHA Standards verbatim, with a few exceptions. These unique state standards including the following:

General Industry

• Definition and Requirement for a National Recognized Testing Laboratory, 1910.7
• Spray Finishing using Flammable and Combustible Material, 1910.107
• Respiratory Protection, 1910.134
• Powered Industrial Trucks, 1910.178

Construction

• General Safety and Health Provisions, 1926.20
• Excavation, 1926.650

The differences between these SC OSHA standards and those of Federal OSHA can be viewed on the SCOSH website.  Federal OSHA training requirements for construction and general industry are listed below on this page.

Special Safety Training Considerations for Employers in the State of South Carolina

Many workers in SC face unique environmental and occupational hazards that require specialized safety training to prevent serious injuries and illnesses. Heat Illness Prevention Training is essential for anyone working in high temperatures or humid conditions, where prolonged exposure can lead to heat stress and even life-threatening heat stroke. Whether on construction sites, roadwork or landscaping crews, in commercial kitchens, attics, or buildings without adequate ventilation, workers must recognize the early signs of heat-related illness and know how to stay hydrated, take proper rest breaks, and respond to emergencies. This training equips them with the knowledge needed to help them work safely in extreme heat.

At the other end of the spectrum, Cold Stress Prevention Training is critical for workers who are exposed to freezing temperatures or even cool and damp conditions, whether outdoors or in refrigerated warehouses, food processing plants, or unheated job sites. Cold stress can lead to frostbite, hypothermia, and reduced dexterity, increasing the risk of accidents. Workers will learn to recognize early symptoms of cold-related illnesses and implement safe work practices to minimize risk in frigid environments.

Workers must complete Confined Space Entry Training for General Industry before entering hazardous areas such as tanks, vats, silos, sewer and storm drain systems, underground utilities, and many crawl spaces. Supervisors overseeing confined space entry and attendants monitoring entrant safety must also be trained. These environments pose serious risks, including toxic gases, oxygen deficiency, and engulfment. 

Additionally, construction workers and supervisors entering confined spaces must complete specialized Confined Space Training for Construction.

Additionally, workers in industries such as oil and gas, wastewater management, and agriculture must be aware of the dangers of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), a highly toxic gas commonly found in drilling sites, refineries, chemical plants, manure pits, grain elevators, sewers, and underground utility spaces. Without proper precautions, exposure can quickly become fatal. H2S Awareness Training helps ensure workers can identify H2S hazards, understand the importance of gas detection equipment, and follow emergency procedures to stay safe in high-risk environments.

Jurisdiction

The South Carolina OSH Program exercises jurisdiction over all private and public sector employers and employees within the State except private sector maritime activities; employment on military bases; and private sector employment at Area D of the Savannah River Site (power generation and transmission facilities operated by South Carolina Electric and Gas) and at the Three Rivers Solid Waste Authority; Federal government employers and employees; and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), including USPS employees, and contract employees and contractor-operated facilities engaged in USPS mail operations.

South Carolina OSHA Information

The State OSHA program is administered by a Director of the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. The Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation is divided into divisions for Labor, Fire and Life Safety, and Professional and Occupational Licensing.

South Carolina OSHA Office

P.O. Box 11329
Columbia, S.C. 29211
General Information:
803-896-7665

The Nation Emergency Hotline telephone number for Federal OSHA is 1-800-321-OSHA.