What is HIPAA OSHA Training?

HIPAA OSHA Training: What Regulations Require HIPAA OSHA Training?

HIPAA OSHA training is first mandated by the HIPAA Privacy Rule and the HIPAA Security Rule. 

The HIPAA Privacy Rule requires covered entities to provide training to all members of their workforce on Privacy Rule policies and procedures. Training must be provided to each new member of the workforce within a reasonable period of time after a person joins the workforce. Training must also be provided to each member of the covered entity’s workforce whose functions are affected by a material change in a provider’s Privacy Rule policies and procedures. This additional training must be provided within a reasonable period of time after the material change becomes effective. Covered entities must document that training has been provided.

Under the HIPAA Security Rule, covered entities and business associates must implement a security awareness and training program for all members of its workforce (including management). The security awareness and training program should cover the administrative, physical, and technical safeguard requirements of the Security Rule.

Security Rule training topics should include security reminders and updates; protection from malicious software; logins and login monitoring; password management; risk assessment; business contingency plans; and automatic logoff procedures, to name just a few. After being trained, workforce members should be able to detect a potential security violation or attack, and should know how to take next steps, including notifying supervisors and the Security Officer.

HIPAA OSHA Training: What Other Regulations Require HIPAA OSHA Training?

OSHA standards also require HIPAA OHSA, or OSHA HIPAA, training. OSHA training may be conducted in a manner that is practical for the employer and that effectively conveys an understanding of the training information. OSHA training online is a common method employers use to conduct their training.

There is no one specific OSHA training requirement, as there is for the HIPAA Security Rule and the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Instead, OSHA training requirements are incorporated into individual Safety Standards. A standard regulates a given workplace hazard. For example, there is a Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, a Hazard Communication Standard, a Respiratory Protection Standard, and a Fire Prevention Plan Standard, to name just a few.

Training requirements are embedded in training programs. Different standards contain different training programs. For example, the Lead Safety Standard Employee Information and Training Program requires that each employer who has a workplace in which there is a potential exposure to airborne lead, must train employees. Employers must provide initial training prior to the time of initial job assignment. The training program must be repeated at least annually for each employee.

Other standards contain training requirements with different criteria. For example, the Respiratory Protection Standard requires employers to provide effective training to employees who are required to use respirators. The training, the standard notes, must be comprehensive, understandable, and recur annually, and more often if necessary. The Hazard Communication Standard training requirement obligates employers to provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new chemical hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area. Information and training should be designed to cover categories of hazards (i.e., flammability, carcinogenicity) or specific chemicals. 

Therefore, for the OSHA HIPAA part of OSHA HIPAA training, the standard(s) with which the employer must comply must be consulted individually. Information pertaining to training requirements is commonly located at or near the bottom of the text of the standard, once the other standard’s requirements have been set forth.