Is this course OSHA training?

No. It is not an OSHA Outreach course and gives no OSHA card. OSHA says even its Outreach courses are voluntary and are not certifications. Your employer must still give the training OSHA standards require, such as bloodborne pathogens training, and many states require their own security guard training.

Which safety rules apply in my state?

If your state has an OSHA-approved State Plan for private employers, such as California, Washington or Michigan, that plan applies and must be at least as effective as federal OSHA. In states without one, such as Texas and Florida, federal OSHA covers most private employers.

How do I report a safety problem?

Tell your employer first if you can. You can also call OSHA at 1-800-321-6742, file a complaint online, or contact your local OSHA or State Plan office. You can ask OSHA to keep your complaint confidential.

Can I refuse dangerous work?

Only in limited cases: you asked your employer to fix it, you believe in good faith there is an imminent danger, a reasonable person would agree there is a real risk of death or serious injury, and there is no time to fix it through normal channels. Stay at the worksite unless your employer tells you to leave.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

OSHA Safety Basics for Security Officers 2026

Question 1 of 25

Under the General Duty Clause, employers must keep the workplace free from what?

All noise louder than a normal speaking voice at any time
Every risk, no matter how small
Recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious harm
Any task that makes workers tired

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Answer: C. Recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious harm

Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act requires a workplace free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm.

Question 2 of 25

What does section 5(b) of the OSH Act require of employees?

Write the company's safety program
Follow the safety rules that apply to their own actions
Inspect the whole workplace for OSHA once every single month
Pay for their own safety equipment

Show answer

Answer: B. Follow the safety rules that apply to their own actions

Section 5(b) says each employee must comply with OSHA standards, rules and orders that apply to their own actions and conduct.

Question 3 of 25

How many OSHA-approved State Plans cover both private sector and state and local government workers?

7
22
50
12

Show answer

Answer: B. 22

OSHA lists 22 State Plans covering private and public sector workers and 7 that cover only state and local government workers.

Question 4 of 25

A private security company in New York has a safety concern at work. Which agency covers its private sector workers?

The state police
The FBI
Federal OSHA
The New York State Plan

Show answer

Answer: C. Federal OSHA

New York's State Plan covers only state and local government workers, so private sector employers there are covered by federal OSHA.

Question 5 of 25

How does OSHA describe its Outreach Training Program (10-hour and 30-hour courses)?

Needed every year under federal law
Required for every US worker
Voluntary, and not a certification
A license to work as a security guard

Show answer

Answer: C. Voluntary, and not a certification

OSHA says the Outreach program is voluntary and none of its courses is a certification, although some states or employers may require it.

Question 6 of 25

Where must employers display the OSHA workplace poster?

In the owner's private office
Inside a locked file cabinet in the main office
Only on the company website
Where workers can easily see it

Show answer

Answer: D. Where workers can easily see it

OSHA says employers must display the poster in the workplace where workers can easily see it. It tells workers their rights.

Question 7 of 25

What is OSHA's toll-free number for reporting a safety concern?

1-800-321-6742
1-888-111-2222
1-800-222-1222
1-800-555-0100

Show answer

Answer: A. 1-800-321-6742

Workers can call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), file online, or contact their local OSHA or State Plan office.

Question 8 of 25

Your employer cuts your hours after you report a hazard. Under the OSH Act, how long do you have to file a whistleblower complaint?

7 days
30 days
1 year
5 years

Show answer

Answer: B. 30 days

OSHA says workers who face retaliation for using their safety rights can file a whistleblower complaint within 30 days.

Question 9 of 25

Which is one of OSHA's conditions for a legal right to refuse dangerous work?

The work is boring and it is late at night
A reasonable person would see a real risk of death or serious harm
The worker simply does not like the task or the shift they were given
The worker filed a complaint about the site last year

Show answer

Answer: B. A reasonable person would see a real risk of death or serious harm

All conditions must be met, including that a reasonable person would agree there is a real danger of death or serious injury and there is no time to fix it through normal channels.

Question 10 of 25

If you refuse work because of imminent danger, what does OSHA say you should do?

Post about it online before telling anyone
Leave the site at once and call a local news station about it
Quit and look for a new job
Stay at the worksite until your employer orders you to leave

Show answer

Answer: D. Stay at the worksite until your employer orders you to leave

OSHA advises asking the employer to fix the hazard, saying you will not do the work until it is fixed, and staying at the worksite until ordered to leave.

Question 11 of 25

You find ice on a walkway during your night patrol. What does OSHA's walking-working surfaces rule require?

Nothing needs to be done until the day shift arrives in the morning
Workers must walk faster to get past it
Only that a photo is taken
The hazard is fixed or guarded before people use the walkway

Show answer

Answer: D. The hazard is fixed or guarded before people use the walkway

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.22 says surfaces must be kept free of hazards such as spills, snow and ice, and hazards must be fixed or guarded before employees use the surface.

Question 12 of 25

Under OSHA's exit route rules, how must an exit route door open from the inside?

With a key held by security
Only during business hours
Only with a code given out by a supervisor on duty
Without keys, tools or special knowledge

Show answer

Answer: D. Without keys, tools or special knowledge

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.36 says employees must be able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools or special knowledge.

Question 13 of 25

A coworker on an outdoor post is confused and slurring words on a hot day. What does OSHA say to do?

Wait an hour to see if it passes
Cool them right away and call 911
Give them a coffee and let them rest alone
Tell them to finish the shift

Show answer

Answer: B. Cool them right away and call 911

Confusion and slurred speech can mean heat stroke, which needs immediate medical attention. OSHA says to cool the worker immediately and call 911.

Question 14 of 25

Which is a risk factor for workplace violence named by OSHA?

Wearing a uniform
Having a short commute
Working alone or late at night
Working in a team during the day

Show answer

Answer: C. Working alone or late at night

OSHA lists exchanging money with the public, working alone or in isolated areas, and working late at night or in high-crime areas as risk factors.

Question 15 of 25

Since July 1, 2024, what must many California employers have under Labor Code section 6401.9?

A written workplace violence prevention plan
A metal detector at every front door and loading dock
A police officer on site
An armed guard at every entrance

Show answer

Answer: A. A written workplace violence prevention plan

California's Labor Code section 6401.9 (SB 553) requires covered employers to have a written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan and a violent incident log.

Question 16 of 25

Under OSHA's PPE rule, what must the employer do first to decide what PPE is needed?

Order the cheapest gear
Copy another company's PPE list without checking
Ask workers to buy their own
Assess the workplace for hazards

Show answer

Answer: D. Assess the workplace for hazards

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132(d) requires the employer to assess the workplace for hazards, then select PPE that fits and protects each worker.

Question 17 of 25

Your work gloves have a hole in them. What does OSHA's PPE rule say?

Use them until the end of the year
Damaged PPE is fine for short tasks
Damaged PPE must not be used
Tape the hole and keep using them

Show answer

Answer: C. Damaged PPE must not be used

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132(e) says defective or damaged personal protective equipment must not be used.

Question 18 of 25

Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, when must safety data sheets be readily available to workers?

Once a year on request
During each work shift, in their work area
Only after an accident
Only during business hours on weekdays, by request

Show answer

Answer: B. During each work shift, in their work area

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8) says safety data sheets must be readily accessible during each work shift to employees in their work areas.

Question 19 of 25

If a guard's job includes giving first aid, how soon must the employer make the hepatitis B vaccine available?

Only after an exposure happens
Within 6 months
Within 10 working days
Within 1 year

Show answer

Answer: C. Within 10 working days

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 says the vaccine must be offered at no cost within 10 working days of initial assignment to workers with occupational exposure.

Question 20 of 25

What should you do after taking off disposable gloves under OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard?

Wash your hands right away or as soon as you can
Wipe your hands on your uniform
Reuse the gloves on the next call
Nothing at all if the gloves looked clean when removed

Show answer

Answer: A. Wash your hands right away or as soon as you can

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(v) says employees must wash their hands immediately or as soon as feasible after removing gloves.

Question 21 of 25

After a needlestick or blood splash at work, what must the employer make available right away?

A day off without pay
A written warning for not being more careful at work
A new uniform
A confidential medical evaluation and follow-up

Show answer

Answer: D. A confidential medical evaluation and follow-up

Under 29 CFR 1910.1030(f)(3), after an exposure incident the employer must immediately offer a confidential medical evaluation and follow-up.

Question 22 of 25

Under OSHA's rule, when may an employer share its emergency action plan by word of mouth instead of in writing?

When the written plan would be longer than a page
When it has more than 500 workers
Never; every employer must use a written plan
When it has 10 or fewer employees

Show answer

Answer: D. When it has 10 or fewer employees

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38(b) says the plan must be written, but an employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate it orally.

Question 23 of 25

When must an employer review the emergency action plan with you?

Once every 10 years
When first assigned, and when the plan or your duties change
Only after a real emergency has already happened at the site
Only if you ask for it in writing

Show answer

Answer: B. When first assigned, and when the plan or your duties change

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38(f) requires a review when the plan is made or the employee is first assigned, when the employee's duties under it change, and when the plan changes.

Question 24 of 25

If portable fire extinguishers are provided for employees to use, how often must workers be trained on them?

Only once, when hired
Only after a fire has happened at the site
Every 5 years
When hired and at least once a year

Show answer

Answer: D. When hired and at least once a year

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157(g) requires extinguisher education at initial employment and at least annually after that.

Question 25 of 25

A worker is admitted to the hospital after a fall at work. How soon must the employer report it to OSHA?

Within 8 days
At the end of the year
Within 30 days
Within 24 hours

Show answer

Answer: D. Within 24 hours

OSHA 29 CFR 1904.39 requires employers to report an in-patient hospitalization, amputation or eye loss within 24 hours, and a death within 8 hours.

OSHA Safety Basics for Security Officers 2026

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