Outreach Training Info

What is OSHA Outreach Training?

The purpose of the OSHA Outreach Training Program is to teach workers about their rights, employer responsibilities, and how to file a complaint as well as how to recognize, abate and prevent job-related hazards. OSHA authorizes safety and health professionals who complete an OSHA Outreach Training Program trainer course to conduct occupational safety and health classes for workers.

How does it work?

Individuals who complete OSHA Trainer courses are authorized to teach OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour courses in Construction, General Industry, Maritime, and a 15-hr Disaster Site Worker. After training is completed, trainers document the training to their Authorizing Training Organization (ATO) and receive student course completion cards to distribute to the workers whom they have trained.

OSHA has promoted workplace safety and health by authorizing trainers since 1971. The OSHA Outreach Training Program is voluntary. OSHA Outreach Training Program training does not meet the training requirements contained in any OSHA standard. Some states and local jurisdictions have enacted legislation mandating OSHA Outreach Training Program training, and some employers and unions require workers to have this training to work on job sites or to fulfill their own safety training goals. However, the federal government does not mandate OSHA Outreach Training Program participation. For a complete list of OSHA’s training-related requirements, see OSHA Publication #2254, Training Requirements in OSHA Standards available through OSHA’s website.