OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Training: Complete Certification Guide (2026)

Everything about OSHA 30 General Industry training. Who needs it, topics covered, costs, and how it advances your career in manufacturing and warehousing

The OSHA 30-Hour General Industry training is the supervisor-level safety course for manufacturing, warehousing, healthcare, and other non-construction workplaces. It covers 29 CFR 1910 standards in depth and includes management-specific topics that the 10-hour version doesn’t.

If you supervise workers in a factory, warehouse, or any general industry setting, this course prepares you to identify hazards, manage safety programs, and meet OSHA requirements.

Who Needs the OSHA 30 General Industry Card?

This course is designed for workers with supervisory and safety responsibilities in non-construction settings:

Manufacturing supervisors and plant managers
Warehouse and distribution center managers
EHS specialists and coordinators
Safety managers in general industry
Maintenance supervisors
Quality control managers with safety duties
Safety committee members

While OSHA 30 is a voluntary program, many employers require it for anyone in a supervisory role. It’s a standard expectation for management positions in manufacturing and warehousing.

What Does the Training Cover?

OSHA 30 General Industry covers all required OSHA 10 topics in greater depth, plus additional modules specific to supervisory responsibilities:

Core topics:

Introduction to OSHA. Rights, responsibilities, standards interpretation
Walking and working surfaces
Exit routes and emergency action plans
Electrical safety
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Managing safety and health programs (supervisor-specific)

Extended topics:

Hazard communication (GHS). Chemical safety management
Machine guarding. Compliance with 1910.212
Lockout/tagout. Energy control procedures
Powered industrial trucks. Forklift safety management
Confined space. Permit-required entry procedures
Bloodborne pathogens. Required in healthcare and some industrial settings
Respiratory protection. Program management
Fire protection and prevention
Materials handling and storage
Welding, cutting, and brazing
Ergonomics and musculoskeletal hazard prevention
Industrial hygiene. Exposure monitoring and control
Recordkeeping and OSHA reporting requirements

The “Managing Safety and Health Programs” module is mandatory in the 30-hour course. It teaches supervisors how to build safety programs, conduct workplace assessments, run safety meetings, and manage compliance documentation.

Cost and Format

Online: $89 to $189. Self-paced with a completion window of up to 6 months. Must meet 30-hour minimum training time.

In-person: $300 to $600. Typically delivered over 4-5 consecutive days.

Both formats produce the same DOL wallet card. Online training is accepted nationwide by employers. See: Is Online OSHA Training Legitimate?

How to Get Certified

Choose an authorized provider. Verify they’re on OSHA’s authorized list.
Complete all 30 hours. The platform tracks your time. You can’t rush through.
Pass assessments. Most require a minimum score of 70%.
Receive your DOL card. Temporary certificate immediately, official card in 2-8 weeks.

No prerequisites. You don’t need OSHA 10 first.

Career Impact

OSHA 30 General Industry positions you for supervisory and management roles across manufacturing, warehousing, and healthcare. It’s a baseline expectation for:

Production supervisors with safety duties
EHS coordinators and specialists
Warehouse managers
Safety managers in non-construction settings

For career advancement beyond OSHA 30, consider the ASP or CSP certifications. See: Top Safety Certifications That Increase Your Salary

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the General Industry card on a construction site? No. Construction sites require OSHA 30 Construction. The General Industry card covers different OSHA standards (1910 vs. 1926).

Does the card expire? No. The DOL card has no expiration date. OSHA recommends refresher training every 4-5 years. Some employers set their own renewal policies.

What’s the difference from OSHA 30 Construction? General Industry covers manufacturing, warehousing, and healthcare hazards under 29 CFR 1910. Construction covers job site hazards under 29 CFR 1926. The management topics are similar, but the specific hazards and standards are different.

Do I need OSHA 10 General Industry first? No. You can go straight to OSHA 30 without taking OSHA 10. Compare the two here.