Navigating Change: How OSHA’s 2024 Regional Realignment Affects Training Access

The U.S. Department of Labor recently reorganized OSHA’s legacy regions 1–10, a major change that took effect on September 1, 2024. The shift was designed to boost efficiency and reduce costs while making safety training more accessible nationwide. For the UC San Diego OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Center—long known for serving OSHA Region 9—this means a significant expansion. Once focused on Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, and the Northern Mariana Islands, the Center now also serves Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington as part of the new San Francisco Region, created by combining Regions 9 and 10.

A More Efficient, Unified OSHA Region

At first glance, this may look like just another bureaucratic shuffle. In reality, the consolidation extends well beyond structure. By merging personnel and resources, OSHA can operate more efficiently and better meet the needs of students, educators, and employers across a vast geographic area. The realignment strengthens the agency’s ability to respond to workplace safety issues while streamlining services for those seeking training.

A central goal of this change is to eliminate redundancy. Previously, multiple offices in different regions often duplicated functions, which led to inefficiencies. With one unified region, OSHA can now direct resources to where they’re needed most. 

For students and professionals, this translates into more robust training opportunities across occupational safety and health. Workers in industries where safety regulations shift quickly—such as construction, healthcare, manufacturing, and maritime—will particularly benefit from expanded course availability.

The Rise of Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT)

For UC San Diego’s OTI Education Center, the realignment provides an opportunity to deliver training that reflects the diverse needs of workplaces throughout the region. A major advantage is the growing availability of Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT). 

These courses allow students to learn from home or work, reducing travel expenses and minimizing time away from jobs. Whether someone is based in Seattle, San Francisco, or remote areas like Alaska or Guam, they can now access high-quality instruction without the logistical challenges of flights, lodging, or weather delays.

The push toward virtual training is more than a convenience—it reflects the reality of today’s workplace. Businesses that embrace remote safety education see less downtime and greater productivity, as employees can train without leaving worksites for extended periods. 

Digital learning also enables companies to be more agile, adapting quickly to regulatory changes and embedding compliance into daily operations. VILT complements hands-on instruction, creating a blended model that accommodates different learning preferences and schedules.

Benefits for Workers Across a Vast Geography

For learners, the benefits extend beyond convenience. Virtual courses create connections with instructors and peers across the entire region, fostering collaboration and shared learning experiences. A worker in Alaska can interact with professionals in California or Oregon, building networks that might otherwise be inaccessible. 

Expanded course formats also give students flexibility to fit training into personal and professional commitments, which is increasingly important in a fast-paced economy.

Of course, such sweeping changes are not without challenges. Not every learner is comfortable in a virtual environment, and access to reliable technology can vary between urban hubs and more remote areas. 

Ensuring equity in access will require continued attention from OSHA and UC San Diego’s OTI Education Center. By addressing these disparities—through technical support,strategic course scheduling, or partnerships with local organizations—the benefits of this restructuring can reach all workers, regardless of location.

A Stronger, More Accessible Future for Safety Education

Overall, the creation of the San Francisco Region represents a significant step forward for OSHA. It reduces inefficiencies, directs resources where they matter most, and expands access to training at a time when workplace safety is more important than ever. For workers and employers across Alaska, Arizona, Guam, and beyond, the realignment opens the door to broader educational opportunities delivered in flexible, innovative ways.

This restructuring isn’t simply about redrawing lines on a map. It’s about strengthening the nation’s workplace safety infrastructure and ensuring that training keeps pace with evolving industries. By leveraging both traditional instruction and new technologies like VILT, OSHA and UC San Diego are equipping workers with the tools they need to build safer, healthier workplaces.

To learn more about OSHA’s regional restructuring and its impact on training, visit the official OSHA press release.