How to Become an Outreach Trainer

Document 5 years* occupational (workplace) safety activities demonstrating knowledge and use of OSHA standards

First read the instructions on the Prerequisite Verification Form prior to completing the document – found on pages 1, 6, 7 and 8 (pay particular attention to items 17, 18, and 19).

Complete the Prerequisite Verification Form in DETAIL.  Your 5 years of OSHA standards experience gained by using standards in your background must match the industry (Construction 510, General Industry 511, Maritime 5410)

This is a government form and every effort must be made to highlight your detailed information in the space provided.  If you require additional space, you can attach a supplemental explanation, preferably on letterhead.

OSHA Education Centers review your submittal for evidence you’ve demonstrated working knowledge of the OSHA standards.

NOTE: A college degree in occupational safety and health, a Certified Safety Professional certification (CSP) or Certified Industrial Hygienist certification (CIH) may be substituted for two years of experience. For the Trainer Course in OSH Standards for the Maritime Industry you must now have five years of experience in the maritime industry. In addition to the CSP and CIH, Maritime trainers with their Certified Marine Chemist (CMC) may substitute that designation for two years of experience. 

* Five years of safety experience means: The person has knowledge of the OSHA standards gained by using them in their job for at least five years. They do not need to have devoted all of their time to safety and health, but safety and health was a part of their responsibilities. The OSHA Outreach Trainer course prerequisite verification process requires a prospective student to document at least five (5) years of occupational (workplace) safety and health experience in a respective industry (General Industry, Construction or Maritime).  It is the responsibility of the OTI Education Center to evaluate information submitted on the form to determine IF an individual should be enrolled in an Outreach Trainer course, and has met all the prerequisite requirements set forth by the Directorate of Training and Education/OSHA.  It’s expected that the workplace experience noted on the form is detailed in such a way that it is sufficiently broad in scope and application, that an OTI Education Center may consider the applicant to possess the potential to be effective, i.e. teaching a wide variety of safety and health hazards, prevention and mitigation methods to entry level workers and/or workers and supervisors with some safety responsibilities. Safety and health experience need not be full time, but it must be clear that a fair percentage of work time is spent on safety related activities that support the control or elimination of recognized workplace hazards, and enhances well-being of self and co-workers.

Save all the following documents to your computer so you can upload them when registering online

– registration form

– copy of transcripts if applicable

– Prerequisite Verification Form

– copy of certificate of completion from applicable OSHA standards course.

Your registration and associated documentation will be reviewed, and you will receive notice if your experience and knowledge of OSHA standards satisfy the Directorate of Training and Education /OSHA criteria to be approved to attend the Outreach Trainer course of your choice.

OSHA Outreach Trainer Course: Valid Government ID must be presented at class.

Successfully complete the OSHA Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the desired discipline (Construction OSHA #500, General Industry OSHA #501, Maritime OSHA #5400).

NOTE: Students in outreach trainer courses must prepare a presentation on an assigned OSHA Outreach topic and successfully pass an open-book written examination.

NOTE:

Effective immediately (July 11, 2024)
Students in Region One (NH, VT, CT, MA, RI and ME) who wish to either become OSHA Outreach Trainers or renew their status as OSHA Outreach Trainers will no longer be approved to take the following virtual/online courses outside of Region One:

• OSHA # 500 Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for Construction
• OSHA # 501 Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for General Industry
• OSHA # 502 Update for Construction Outreach Trainers
• OSHA # 503 Update for General Industry Outreach Trainers
• OSHA # 5400 Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for the Maritime Industry
• OSHA # 5402 Update for Maritime Industry Outreach Trainers

For those who successfully become Outreach Trainers, an update course is required every four years (Construction OSHA #502, General Industry OSHA #503, Maritime OSHA #5402). When registering for an update course, include a front and back copy of your current trainer card with online application. In addition, each applicant for a trainer update must send in a ActivePrereqVerificationForm_24

Previously authorized Outreach trainers no longer exist. A trainer card that has expired within the last 10 years is no longer acceptable to meet the prerequisite requirements for enrolling in a trainer course. Any trainer who allows their authorization to expire, must meet the same prerequisite requirements as new students enrolling in the trainer course, i.e. standards course completion within the last 7 years  (Construction OSHA #510, General Industry OSHA #511, Maritime OSHA #5410), and a prerequisite verification form that documents the 5 years of safety experience.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: As part of its continuing effort to improve the Outreach Training Program, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration  (OSHA) will be eliminating the authorized trainer “90-day grace period” described in Sections III.B.1.,2, and 4 of the OSHA Outreach Training Program Requirements. This change will be included in the next published revisions of the OSHA Outreach Training Program Requirements and applicable sections of each Industry Procedures document, and will become effective January 1, 2019.