There's a lot of confusion between "certificates," "certifications," and "training records." They are not the same thing — and understanding the difference is critical when OSHA comes knocking.
| Term | What It Is | OSHA Requires It? |
|---|---|---|
| Training Record | Internal documentation — name, date, topics, signature | ✓ Yes — most standards |
| Completion Certificate | Document given to employee as proof of completion | Some standards |
| OSHA 10/30 Card | DOL-issued card from Outreach Training Program | No — voluntary |
| Certification | Third-party verified credential (e.g. crane operator) | Specific roles only |
Important: There is no such thing as "OSHA-approved" training. Courses can be compliant with OSHA standards — but they are not certified by OSHA.
When an inspector audits your training they want written training records: employee full name, training date, topics covered, employee signature, and trainer's name and qualification.
⚠️ OSHA 10 cards are not a substitute for training records. A worker with an OSHA 10 card still requires employer-provided, job-specific training documentation for each hazard.
FidelisGo generates a completion certificate with the worker's drawn signature and timestamp the moment they finish training. Audit-ready records stored for 3 years.
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