A newspaper reading "Changes Coming in 2020" laid next to a pair of glasses and cup of coffee

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is no longer accepting OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Training or equivalent for the Health and Safety Technician (HST) course for Master Designations. This change takes effect Nov. 1, 2020.

“This decision was made as a way to continue to uphold the standards that shape the cleaning and restoration industries,” says David Hodge, chairman of the IICRC Education Committee and first vice president of the IICRC Board. “OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Training provides broad safety information but lacks specific details in numerous areas that are necessary for cleaning, restoration and inspection professionals to know and implement”

Those who previously earned their Master Designations with OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Training HST equivalent will maintain their designation. OSHA 10-Hour General Industry or equivalent OSHA course will be accepted through Oct. 31, 2020.  

The HST course from the IICRC is designed to put restoration and cleaning professionals ahead of the competition regarding health and safety. The two-day, 14-hour course covers topics such as OSHA standards, inspections, citations and penalties, record keeping, personal protective equipment (PPE), hazard communication, hazardous materials, confined spaces and bloodborne pathogens.