OSHA Safety Essentials for Trade Students

Updated September 26, 2025

Table of Contents
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Safe habits keep you working. Employers value students who understand hazards and act proactively. Here’s what to know, practice, and document from day one.

Core Practices

  • Wear PPE correctly (eye, hearing, head, hands, feet, respiratory)
  • Lockout/Tagout basics: verify de‑energized before work
  • Housekeeping: clear walkways, manage cords and hoses
  • Ladders and lifts: 3 points of contact; inspect before use
  • Material handling: team lifts, proper back mechanics, carts and dollies

Trade‑Specific Notes

Electrical

  • Verify absence of voltage with an appropriate meter; respect arc flash boundaries

HVAC/R

  • Handle refrigerants with EPA 608 rules; use proper recovery and ventilation

Plumbing

  • Hot work permits (solder/braze), fire watch, confined spaces caution

Welding

  • Eye and skin protection; fume extraction; fire prevention and cylinder handling

Automotive

  • Jack stands over jacks; battery disconnects; ventilation during exhaust work

OSHA‑10/30 and Other Cards

  • OSHA‑10: great starter for general industry or construction
  • OSHA‑30: supervisory depth; not required for students but valuable
  • Add CPR/First Aid and site‑specific training as needed

How to Demonstrate Safety in Interviews

  • Bring your OSHA card(s) and list specific procedures you follow
  • Describe a time you stopped work to correct a hazard

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