Question: Can OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers deliver on-site safety and health training for companies?

Answer:

Yes, the OTI Education Centers offer added-value through their ability to provide customized corporate training solutions and accommodate requests for on-site training courses.

Question: Is there an OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Center near me?

Answer:

The OTI Education Centers are a national network of training sites. There is at least one Education Center located in each OSHA Region.  OTI Education Center locations can be found at http://www.osha.gov/dte/edcenters/index.html

Question: Where can I take occupational safety and health courses?

Answer:

Occupational safety and health courses are offered at OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers nationwide.  The OTI Education Centers are a national network of non-profit organizations authorized by OSHA to deliver occupational safety and health training to public and private sector workers, supervisors, and employers on behalf of OSHA.  There is currently at least one OTI Education Center in each OSHA Region throughout the United States and its territories.  OSHA courses are not offered in locations outside of OSHA's geographic jurisdiction.  A list of OTI Education Centers and their locations can be found at http://www.osha.gov/dte/edcenters/index.html.

Question: Are OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers funded by OSHA?

Answer:

No, authorized OTI Education Centers use their own instructors and facilities and support their OSHA-numbered courses through their organization's normal tuition and fee structure.

Question: What is the difference between the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) and the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers?

Answer:

The OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers Program was initiated as an extension of the OSHA Training Institute, which is the division within the Occupational Safety and Health Organization (OSHA) that serves as the primary training provider for OSHA.  OTI targets Federal and State compliance officers and State consultation program staff, but also provides training for Federal personnel from agencies other than OSHA and private sector personnel on a space available basis.  During the 1980s, the number of requests for training from private sector personnel and Federal personnel from agencies other than OSHA increased substantially and the demand eventually exceeded the capacity of OTI.  The OTI Education Centers were formed as a national network of non-profit organizations authorized by OSHA to deliver occupational safety and health training to public and private sector workers, supervisors, and employers on behalf of OSHA.  They also act as Authorizing Training Organizations (ATO) in administering the Outreach Training Program.  OTI Education Centers provide OSHA training not only at their location, but at their host training organizations throughout their respective OSHA Region.  The OTI Education Centers have the ability to deliver OSHA training for companies at their worksite on a contract basis. For additional information on the OTI Education Centers Program please see http://www.osha.gov/dte/edcenters/background.html.

Question: How are regulations enforced?

Answer:

OSHA enforces its regulations and standards by conducting inspections based on priority such as an imminent danger situation, fatality, or a worker complaint. Current workers or their representatives may file a written complaint and ask OSHA to inspect their workplace if they believe there is a serious hazard or that their employer is not following OSHA standards.

Question: What is the Federal Register?

Answer:

The Federal Register is a legal journal published every business day by the National Archives and Records Administration on federal government news. It contains federal agency regulations, proposed rules, public notices, executive orders, proclamations, and other presidential documents.

Question: What is a standard/regulation?

Answer:

A standard (or regulation) is a regulatory requirement established and published by the agency to serve as criteria for measuring whether employers are in compliance with the OSH Act laws. OSHA standards are published in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and are divided into separate standards for General Industry, Construction, and Maritime.

Question: Does my employer have to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and who pays for it?

Answer:

Many OSHA standards require employers to provide personal protective equipment, when it is necessary to protect employees from job-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. With few exceptions, OSHA requires employers to pay for personal protective equipment when it is used to comply with OSHA standards. These typically include: hard hats, gloves, goggles, safety glasses, welding helmets and goggles, face shields, chemical protective equipment and fall protection equipment. For additional information on PPE, refer to OSHA's Personal Protective Equipment Web page.

Question: Does OSHA have other resources to help me?

Answer:

Each OSHA region has a labor liaison, whose job it is to maintain communication with organized and unorganized workers, Committees on Occupational Health and Safety, worker centers and coalitions, helping them navigate OSHA’s organizational structure or complaint procedures, and to assist them in developing and updating health and safety programs. You can contact them if you need help, if you want to establish a relationship between your group and OSHA, or if you want to establish or update a health and safety system in your workplace.