For how long should training records be maintained?

Training records should be maintained for at least four years because this duration aligns with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, which require that records of employee training be kept to ensure compliance and provide documentation in the event of an audit or inspection. By maintaining these records for a minimum of four years, employers can demonstrate that they have adequately trained their workforce in safety practices, which is critical for both regulatory compliance and workplace safety culture.

This retention period also allows for sufficient time to verify that employees have completed necessary training protocols, which is important for ongoing safety education as well as accountability within the organization. Keeping records beyond this timeframe could also be beneficial, but four years is the established minimum that provides legal defense and safety assurance.