OSHA: Outreach Training Program

March 31, 2021

Program Purpose

The Outreach Training Program is a voluntary program. Its purpose is to promote workplace safety and health and to make workers more knowledgeable about workplace hazards and their rights. Outreach training does not fulfill the training requirements found in OSHA standards. Employers are responsible for providing additional training for their workers on specific hazards of their job as noted in many OSHA standards. A list of standards requiring training may be found in OSHA Publication 2254, Training Requirements in OSHA Standards and Training Guidelines [PDF].

Program Growth

The OSHA Outreach Training Program was initiated in 1971, and has grown significantly in recent years. The train-the-trainer format expands the reach of the program to increase training availability. Between FY 2016 and FY 2020, more than 5.21 million workers were trained in job hazard recognition and avoidance through the program.

Designed For Workers

The OSHA Outreach Training Program provides training on the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of workplace hazards. Outreach classes also provide overview information regarding OSHA, including workers’ rights, employer responsibilities, and how to file a complaint.

Program Benefits

  • Promotes safety culture through peer training
  • Training is intended to be participatory, using hands-on activities
  • Trainers are able to tailor the training topics based on specific needs of their audience
  • Outreach training content includes hazard recognition and avoidance, workers’ rights, employer responsibilities, and how to file a complaint; it emphasizes the value of safety and health to workers, including young workers
  • Outreach training is available in languages other than English (Spanish, Polish, etc.)

10-hour and 30-hour Programs

The 10-hour training program is primarily intended for entry level workers. The 30-hour training program is intended to provide workers with some safety responsibility a greater depth and variety of training. All outreach training is intended to cover an overview of the hazards a worker may encounter on a job site. Training emphasizes hazard identification, avoidance, control and prevention, not OSHA standards.

How to Find Outreach Trainers and Classes

Selecting a Trainer

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. Students may verify the status of an authorized outreach trainer. All authorized trainers must possess a trainer card which includes an expiration date along with the name of the authorizing OTI Education Center.

Outreach Training Program en Español

OSHA maintains a list of authorized Outreach Trainers who conduct 10- and 30-hour courses in Spanish at How to find Outreach Training in Spanish.

How to Get a Replacement Card

To obtain a replacement 10- or 30-hour student completion card, students must contact their trainer. The trainer will contact the authorizing OSHA training organization. Replacement cards may only be issued for training which took place within the last 5 years.

Delivered By OSHA-Authorized Trainers

Through its national network of OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers, qualified individuals can become authorized OSHA Outreach trainers. Authorized OSHA Outreach Trainers deliver 10- and 30-hour outreach classes to workers in construction, general industry, maritime, and 15-hour classes for disaster site workers. To become an Authorized Outreach Trainer, interested individuals must meet industry safety experience requirements and complete a training course in the applicable OSHA standards and a trainer course to become authorized. Trainers must attend an update course every 4 years. Courses are available through OTI Education Centers.

Prerequisite OSHA Standards Courses by Industry

#510 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry
#511 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry
#5410 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Maritime Industry

Outreach Trainer Courses by Industry

#500 Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry
#501 Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry
#5400 Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for the Maritime Industry
#5600 Disaster Site Worker Trainer Course

Outreach Trainer Update Courses by Industry

#502 Trainer Update Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry
#503 Trainer Update Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry
#5402 Trainer Update Course in OSHA Standards for the Maritime Industry
#5602 Disaster Site Worker Trainer Update Course

Outreach Training Program Trainer Resources

The OSHA website contains numerous training materials and resources, including PowerPoint presentations for construction and general industry. Trainers may also compile training materials from other sources to assist in delivery of outreach classes. Trainers are eligible to borrow audiovisual materials from OSHA’s Resource Center Loan Program.

OSHA’s Spanish Trainers & Training References website includes references and links to various resources for Spanish language training, including training materials and Spanish PowerPoint presentations.

Program Requirements

The OSHA Outreach Training Program requirements and procedures for trainers are updated regularly. All authorized OSHA Outreach Trainers are required to understand and comply with current Outreach Training Program requirements and procedures.

Trainer Compliance

Trainers who fail to comply with program guidance are subject to the program’s Investigation and Review Procedures. These procedures state that trainers may receive corrective action, up to and including revocation of their authorization to conduct Outreach classes.

A Watch List of trainers whose authorizations have been suspended or revoked is also contained at the program’s website. To report instances of program fraud or abuse, contact the outreach fraud hotline at (847) 725-7804.

Additional Information

For more information please visit the Outreach Training Program or contact OSHA via Email at Email the Outreach Training Program.

 

Source: United States Department of Labor, “Outreach Training Program” https://www.osha.gov website. Accessed March 31, 2021. https://www.osha.gov/training/outreach/overview

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