OSHA Revises Outreach Training Program Requirements
From OSHA’s Cooperative Programs –
OSHA has revised the requirements and procedures for its voluntary Outreach Training Program to improve the quality of classes and ensure the integrity of authorized trainers. The Outreach Training Program includes a national network of more than 17,000 independent authorized trainers who teach workers and employers about OSHA, workers’ rights, and how to identify, avoid and prevent workplace hazards. There are 10- and 30-hour outreach classes for construction, general industry, and maritime, and 15-hour classes for disaster site workers. Students who successfully complete classes receive completion cards.
The new requirements include a trainer code of conduct and a Statement of Compliance that requires each trainer to verify that the training will be in accordance with Outreach Training Program requirements and procedures. Other program enhancements include limiting classroom size to 40 students, limiting the use of translators to those with safety and health experience, and limiting the amount of time spent on videos during the training. OSHA is also requiring that trainers issue OSHA course completion cards to students within 90 days of class completion. Trainers must provide the card directly to the student, allowing students to have proof of training completion to display at any job site and help prevent organizations from withholding the card from a worker.
OSHA has also updated the content of the training classes. For example, all construction classes must include four hours on Focus Four Hazards and all 30-hour classes must include two hours on Managing Safety and Health.
For more information, please see:
- OSHA News Release - “OSHA revisions strengthen Outreach Training Program” (Apr. 15, 2011)
- Outreach Training Program Requirements (revised Apr. 2011)
- Construction Focus Four Training Materials (Apr. 2011) – training materials for the four leading causes of construction fatalities: falls, caught-in or -between, struck-by, and electrocution.