OSHA Training in Iowa

Additional Safety Training Considerations for Workers in Iowa

Our onsite and online OSHA 10 and 30-hour training courses for construction and general industry are the gold standard for training about general hazard recognition and avoidance for workers and supervisors. But there are many workers in the State of Iowa who face unique environmental and occupational hazards that require other specialized safety training to prevent serious injuries and illnesses.

Cold Stress Prevention Training is considered essential training for those employees working in freezing temperatures or even cool, damp conditions—whether outdoors or in workplaces such as refrigerated warehouses, food processing plants, or unheated job sites. Cold stress can lead to frostbite, hypothermia, and reduced dexterity, increasing the risk of accidents. This training helps workers recognize the early symptoms of cold-related illnesses and implement safe work practices to minimize risks in frigid environments.

Conversely, Heat Illness Prevention Training is critical for anyone exposed to high temperatures or humid conditions, where prolonged exposure can result in heat stress or even life-threatening heat stroke. Workers in construction, roadwork, landscaping or lawn-care, commercial kitchens, attic work, or buildings without adequate ventilation must know how to recognize the early signs of heat-related illness and know how why they need to stay hydrated, take proper rest breaks, and respond to emergencies. This training provides essential knowledge to help them work safely in extreme heat.

And workers in industries such as oil and gas, storm or 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 Hazard Awareness Training ensures workers can identify H2S hazards, understand the importance of gas detection equipment, and follow emergency procedures to stay safe in high-risk environments.

Also, workers involved in any aspect of confined space entry operations 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. And those construction workers and supervisors involved in confined space entry operations must complete specialized Confined Space Training for Construction.

Our Online OSHA 10 and 30-hour Training Courses Accepted in Iowa

We also offer OSHA-authorized online 10 and 30-hour training courses for construction and general industry. However, you must pay close attention when comparing competitor courses, 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 Iowa as well as all other states and US territories.

Regulation of OSHA Workplace Safety & Health in Iowa

The State of Iowa OSHA Program (IOSHA) regulates OSHA training in most workplaces (public and private) within IA. The Iowa Division of Labor Services, Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed by the Iowa Legislature and signed by the Governor on April 20, 1972. On July 20, 1973, the Assistant Secretary published a notice granting initial approval of the Iowa Plan as a developmental plan. On September 14, 1976, the Assistant Secretary certified that Iowa had satisfactorily completed all development steps. The Iowa plan was granted final approval on July 2, 1985.

OSHA Training Regulations and Standards

Iowa has a limited number of state-specific standards. A list of these standards is provided below, and they can be viewed on the IOSHA website.

IOSHA Administrative Rules (875)

• Chapter 29 – Sanitation and Shelter Rules for Railroad Employees
• Chapter 110 – Hazardous Chemical Risks Right to Know – General Provisions
• Chapter 130 – Community Right to Know
• Chapter 140 – Public Safety/Emergency Response Right to Know
• Chapter 155 – Asbestos Removal and Encapsulation

Iowa OSHA follows federal OSHA’s compliance letters (CPLs), memos, instructions, and directives as guidelines to provide assistance to compliance officers, employers and employees on the enforcement of OSHA standards. Most federal CPLs are adopted by Iowa OSHA. A listing of CPLs that have been developed and adopted by Iowa OSHA as “equally effective as” federal OSHA can be found on the IOSHA website.

Links to federal OSHA training requirements for construction and general industry are available below on this page.

Jurisdiction

The Iowa State Plan applies to all public and private sector places of employment in the State with the exception of private sector maritime activities; marine terminals; long-shoring; federal government-owned, contractor-operated military/munitions facilities; bridge construction projects spanning the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers between Iowa and other states; federal government employers and employees; and the United States Postal Service; which are subject to Federal OSHA jurisdiction. The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration exercises jurisdiction with respect to field sanitation and temporary labor camps.

Iowa OSHA Information

Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Enforcement is responsible for the enforcement of Iowa’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards.

Iowa Division of Labor Services
1000 E Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 242-5870 or 1-800-562-4692

The OSHA National Emergency Hotline Telephone number is 1-800-321-OSHA.