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Oil and gas contractors need safety training that fits their employees’ duties, workplace hazards and the customer’s requirements. Start with the work your crew will perform, then confirm which courses, evaluations and records are required for that assignment.
A request for “safety certifications” can cover several different things: a course completion card, an industry orientation credential, an employer’s training record or a qualification for a particular task. Identifying the exact requirement before booking a class can save a repeat trip or an unusable upload.
Confirm the customer’s training requirements first
Ask the customer’s safety or contractor contact for the training requirements that apply to your work location and employees. Check the required course name, accepted provider, refresher interval and the evidence they want uploaded.
For example, a request for general safety orientation may be separate from a request for training tied to equipment or a particular hazard. A company-level account can also have outstanding worker requirements. Our contractor work readiness guide explains how to check those details before mobilization.
OSHA’s oil and gas drilling and servicing eTool describes general and task-specific training as part of worker safety awareness. Its guidance is a resource for employers’ safety programs, rather than a complete program or a list of every hazard.
Common oil and gas training categories
Use these categories to review a customer’s request. They are examples to check against the actual assignment, rather than a required package for every oil and gas worker.
| Training or credential | What to check before arranging it |
|---|---|
| OSHA 10-hour or 30-hour Outreach | Which industry course and card, if any, the customer requests |
| SafeLandUSA or other industry orientation | Exact accepted course, provider and credential |
| HAZWOPER | Whether the work falls within the standard and which role applies |
| First aid, CPR or AED training | Required provider, course format and renewal date |
| Task or equipment training | The worker’s assigned duties and any required practical evaluation |
| Site and hazard-specific training | Requirements for the location, exposure and employee’s responsibilities |
OSHA Outreach cards
OSHA’s voluntary Outreach Training Program offers 10-hour and 30-hour courses. Participants receive course completion cards. OSHA states that these courses are not certifications and do not satisfy training requirements in specific OSHA standards.
Some customers or jurisdictions may require an Outreach card. Confirm which course they accept, and have the employer’s safety lead identify the additional training needed for the job.
Industry orientations such as SafeLandUSA
Veriforce’s Basic Orientation 7.0 syllabus describes a one-day safety orientation accredited by SafeLandUSA and SafeGulf. Successful students receive a Veriforce ID card reflecting the course requirements they completed.
Check the customer’s current accepted-course list before enrolling. An orientation credential documents that course; your employer still needs to establish the training and qualifications required for the employee’s actual duties.
HAZWOPER and work-specific training
OSHA’s HAZWOPER guidance identifies hazardous waste cleanup, certain treatment, storage and disposal operations, and emergency response involving hazardous substance releases as covered categories. Applicability depends on the operation and the employee’s role.
Working around oil, gas or chemicals alone does not establish which HAZWOPER course is appropriate. Have the person responsible for your safety program assess the work before selecting training.
For other requests, match the course and evaluation to the assignment. If an upload request says “confined space,” for example, clarify the worker’s role and the evidence required instead of assuming any certificate with those words will satisfy it.
Keep a training matrix for the assigned crew
A simple spreadsheet can help you see what is complete and what needs attention. Give each employee a row for each applicable requirement, with columns for:
- Customer, work location and assigned role
- Required course or qualification and accepted provider
- Completion date and any applicable renewal date
- Certificate, card or other supporting record
- Outstanding evaluation, orientation or customer review
Keep the original records as well as the account upload. Compare the employee name, course title and dates before submitting. Record an unanswered requirement as a question to resolve, rather than marking it complete because a file was uploaded.
If the customer changes the location, duties or assigned crew, review the matrix again. The paperwork should reflect the people and work planned for that job.
Use safety resources for their intended purpose
NIOSH’s oil and gas extraction resources include research, publications and videos on industry hazards. These materials can support a safety discussion or help a safety professional find guidance. Reading a publication or watching a resource video does not issue a worker credential.
CMS helps contractors work through account questionnaires, document uploads and written safety programs. If a customer has requested a record and you are unsure what the account needs, send CMS the request or call 888-490-0641. We can help you work through the documentation; the employer remains responsible for appropriate training and worker qualifications.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one set of eight safety certifications every oil and gas worker needs?
Training depends on the job, hazards and applicable requirements. Confirm the customer’s requirements and have the employer’s safety lead review the employee’s duties before choosing courses.
Does an OSHA 30-hour card make a worker fully qualified for oilfield work?
The card records completion of an Outreach course. OSHA says Outreach courses do not fulfill training requirements in specific standards. Job-specific training and any required evaluations still need review.
Is an ISNetworld account a worker safety certification?
ISN describes ISNetworld as a platform for submitting and reviewing contractor information, including training records, against customer requirements. Keep company account status separate from each worker’s qualifications and site requirements. A completed upload alone does not establish that a worker is ready for an assignment.