Safety Training in Your Language: What OSHA Requires

Short answer: When OSHA requires workplace safety training, your employer must provide instruction in a language and words you understand. If English instructions are unclear, ask your supervisor or trainer to explain them in a language you understand before starting the task. OSHA says an employer does not meet its training obligation by simply telling employees who cannot read to read training materials. OSHA has Spanish speaking operators at 800-321-OSHA and publishes safety information in Spanish. If you still have questions after training, ask your supervisor or trainer to explain the parts you did not understand before you begin work.

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What OSHA says

On April 28, 2010, OSHA issued a training standards policy statement to its regional administrators. It says that when an OSHA standard requires training, “an employer must instruct its employees using both a language and vocabulary that the employees can understand.” For an employee who does not speak English, “instruction must be provided in a language the employee can understand” (OSHA policy statement, April 28, 2010).

The same statement says:

If a worker’s vocabulary is limited, the training must account for that.
An employer who tells workers to read training materials they cannot read has not met the duty.
OSHA compliance officers check whether workers actually received and understood the training, not only the paperwork.
Employers may also choose to teach workers English.
It applies to agriculture, construction, general industry and maritime, and it cites standards such as 1926.21, Hazard Communication at 1910.1200(h) and Respiratory Protection at 1910.134(k).

For construction, 1926.21(b)(2) says: “The employer shall instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury” (29 CFR 1926.21).

Your rights as a worker

OSHA’s worker rights page lists the right to “Receive workplace safety and health training in a language you understand.” It also lists the right to get required safety equipment and to report an injury. You can file a confidential safety complaint with OSHA. Retaliation for exercising your workplace safety rights is illegal. A retaliation complaint must be filed within 30 days (OSHA workers page).

The employer runs the training. This page helps you know what to expect and what to ask. It does not replace that training. For what a first safety course covers, see electrical apprentice jobsite safety and OSHA 10.

OSHA resources in Spanish and other languages

Phone. OSHA’s Spanish language resource page says it has Spanish speaking operators on 800-321-OSHA. The same page lists Spanish publications, a Spanish construction eTool and Spanish versions of respirator information (OSHA Spanish-language resources).
Training in Spanish. OSHA keeps a page of training resources in Spanish and points to Find a Trainer for outreach training in other languages (OSHA training resources in Spanish). It also lists providers that offer the 10 hour and 30 hour construction courses in Spanish (OSHA Spanish training providers).
Dictionaries. OSHA’s Hispanic Task Force made English to Spanish and Spanish to English dictionaries with over 2,000 general, general industry and construction terms (OSHA dictionaries).
Other languages. OSHA lists publications in many languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Nepali, Russian, Tagalog, Ukrainian and Vietnamese (OSHA publications by language).

These help you study on your own time. They do not replace the training your employer must give.

Did I understand it? Check yourself

Did I understand today’s safety training?

Tick what is true after a training or toolbox talk. Nothing leaves your browser.

I can explain the main hazards of my task in my own words.
I know which PPE to wear and how to put it on.
I know what to do in an emergency and where to go.
I know who to report an injury or unsafe condition to.
I can read the labels and safety data sheets, or I know who will explain them.
I understand the words the crew uses for stop, danger and de-energized.
I had a chance to ask questions and got answers I understood.
I understood the safety instructions after any questions or explanations.

How to ask

You do not have to pretend you understood. Short, direct requests work:

“I did not understand the part about lockout. Can you show me again?”
“Is there a Spanish version of this safety sheet?”
“Can someone who speaks my language explain the emergency plan?”
“What does this word mean on the label?”

If you raised it and nothing changed, OSHA’s workers page explains how to contact OSHA.

Preparing for the Texas journeyman exam? The Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam Practice Pack is for apprentices preparing for that exam, not for learning jobsite safety. It includes 1,000 practice questions and 10 timed, two part mock exams based on the PSI format and 2026 NEC. Each part is scored against 70%. US$39, one payment, with a 30 day refund if unused. It does not provide language assistance, workplace safety instruction or apprenticeship entry preparation. Your employer remains responsible for required workplace safety training.

See what is in the Exam Pack

Does OSHA require safety training in Spanish?

OSHA’s 2010 policy statement says required training must be in a language and vocabulary the worker understands. For a Spanish speaker who does not understand English, that means instruction they can understand.

Is it my job to find training in my language?

No. Your employer is responsible for required safety training that you can understand. OSHA’s Spanish resources can help you study on your own time.

Can I be punished for asking?

OSHA says retaliation for exercising workplace safety rights is illegal. You can file a confidential safety complaint with OSHA. If your employer retaliates, OSHA says a retaliation complaint must be filed within 30 days.

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