Question: If an Outreach trainer conducts a test when presenting a 10- or 30-Hour Outreach class, does that time count towards the 10 or 30 hours of training?

Answer:

No, testing is not a requirement for Outreach classes. Testing is not considered instructional time and does not count toward the contact hour requirements for subject topics.

Question: How do I become an authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer?

Answer:

OSHA authorizes trainers to conduct occupational safety and health training through the OSHA Outreach Training Program. Through this program, individuals who complete a one-week OSHA trainer course receive a certificate of completion and an authorized outreach trainer card. Trainer courses are based on one of the following subject areas: disaster site workers (second responders), construction, general industry, or maritime. Upon successful completion of the trainer course, trainers are authorized to teach students courses based on the trainer course subject area. These include two-day courses for disaster site workers (second responders), as well as 10-hour and 30-hour courses in construction, general industry, or maritime safety and health hazards. Authorized trainers can receive OSHA course completion cards for their students. The OSHA Outreach Training Program is voluntary. OSHA does not require participation in this program.

To become an authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer, you must complete a required OSHA trainer course and complete/meet the necessary prerequisite requirements:

1. For Construction Industry: OSHA #500 Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Construction. Prerequisites are: five (5) years of construction safety experience (a college degree in occupational safety and health, a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) designation, in the applicable training area may be substituted for two years of experience) and completion of OSHA #510 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry.
2. For General Industry: OSHA #501 Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for General Industry. Prerequisites are: five years of general industry safety experience (a college degree in occupational safety and health, a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) designation, in the applicable training area may be substituted for two years of experience) and completion of OSHA #511, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry.
3. For Maritime Industry: Course #5400 Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for the Maritime Industry. The prerequisites for Course #5400 are as follows: Three years maritime industry experience and at least one of the following: Two years of occupational safety and health experience (with a broad focus) in any industry; a degree in occupational safety and health from an accredited college or university; or certification as an Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designation; Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH); designation; Certified Marine Chemist (CMC) designation; or Certified Safety Health Manager (CSHM) designation.
4. For Disaster Site Workers: Course #5600 Disaster Site Worker Train-the-Trainer Course. The prerequisites for Course #5600 are as follows: OSHA Course #500 or #501, three years safety training experience and completion of the 40-hour HAZWOPER training.

The OSHA courses listed above are only offered by authorized OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers located throughout the United States. For a complete list of all the OTI Education Centers and their approved courses, please visit the OTI Education Center Locations page.

Question: If I have other questions about this program, who can I contact?

Answer:

Branch Chief, Outreach and OTI Education Center Programs
OSHA Division of Training Programs and Administration
2020 S. Arlington Hts. Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005-4102

(847) 725-7804
E-mail: outreach@dol.gov

Question: Are Continuing Education Units (CEUs) assigned to Outreach Training courses such as the 10-hour and 30-hour classes?

Answer:

Trainers are responsible for applying for approval for issuing CEUs. OSHA does not accredit organizations or individuals, does not certify organizations or individuals, and does not assign CEUs to outreach classes delivered by OSHA outreach trainers.

Question: I believe I have encountered fraudulent activity on training related to the OSHA Outreach Training Program. How do I report this?

Answer:

Write to outreach@dol.gov or call the outreach fraud hotline at 847-725-7804 to file complaints about program fraud and abuse. Provide all pertinent information, including the trainer's name, the date of training, the location of the training, the type of training (Construction, General Industry, Maritime, Disaster Site Worker), and whether it was to cover 10 or 30 hours. Include any other relevant information including your name and contact information. Please note that OSHA will maintain the confidentiality of the person providing the information.

Question: How do I verify an authorized trainer card?

Answer:

An individual who completes an OSHA outreach trainer course is provided an OSHA authorized trainer card. This card indicates the expiration date of the trainer's authorization. If the authorized trainer who issued the OSHA Outreach student course completion card wishes to verify the authenticity of their own authorized trainer status, the trainer can provide their OSHA trainer card, which will include the name and phone number of the authorizing training organization. The authorizing training organization can verify the status of the trainer. Please note that in most cases, the authorizing training organization is an OSHA Training Institute Education Center. OSHA does not operate, maintain or acknowledge any national database websites to verify authorized trainer cards.

Question: How do I verify a student course completion card?

Answer:

If an individual holding an OSHA Outreach student course completion card wishes to verify the authenticity of their student course completion card, the individual can provide the name and contact information of the authorized trainer who issued the student course completion card. Each authorized OSHA outreach trainer is required to maintain records on their training for a period of five years.

If it is a plastic Outreach Training Program student or trainer card, scan the QR code on the back of the card to verify the training. The QR code will provide contact information for the OTI Education Center who processed the card and can provide verification of the card. OSHA does not operate, maintain or acknowledge any national database websites to verify plastic or paper student course completion cards.

Question: Can OSHA verify a student course completion card or an authorized trainer card?

Answer:

For privacy reasons, OSHA does not provide individual verification of student course completion cards or authorized trainer cards. Verification of Outreach card authenticity is at the discretion of the cardholder.

Question: How do I confirm my trainer is authorized?

Answer:

Students interested in attending an Outreach Training Program class should request to see a prospective trainer's current Authorized Trainer card in order to verify the trainer's status. This should be done prior to selecting a trainer. Authorized Trainer cards will contain the trainer's name and authorization expiration date on the front of the card. The card will also list the Authorizing Training Organization (ATO) which authorized the trainer to deliver Outreach classes. Students may contact the ATO if there are any questions regarding the trainer's status. Outreach trainers must provide proof of their current training authorization on request.

Question: How do I select a trainer?

Answer:

OSHA authorized outreach trainers are not OSHA personnel. Trainers are authorized (not certified) through this program to deliver Outreach training classes. Trainers are independent service providers and their schedules and fees may vary. OSHA recommends contacting multiple trainers to find one that best meets the student's needs. This includes questioning trainers about their accommodations for students with a learning disability. Students may verify the status of an authorized outreach trainer. All trainers should possess a trainer card which includes an expiration date along with the name of the authorizing OTI Education Center.