Become an OSHA-Authorized Outreach Trainer

Become an OSHA Outreach Trainer

What is an Outreach Trainer?

An OSHA-authorized outreach trainer is a person who already has some experience in safety roles, then volunteers to take a series of safety and health courses to increase their knowledge and learn how to teach others about safety. This person knows how to recognize, avoid, and prevent hazards at work. They also know about OSHA standards for workers’ rights, employer responsibilities, and how to file a complaint.

Why Become an Outreach Trainer?

When you become an OSHA-Authorized Outreach Trainer, you grow as a safety professional. Instead of only being responsible for your own safety knowledge, you become a person who can teach others how to stay safe at work. You help others understand their rights and responsibilities, and you equip them to recognize, avoid, and prevent hazards.

Becoming an OSHA-Authorized Outreach Trainer may mean a promotion for you at work, or you may choose to start your own small business offering safety training. Whatever you decide to do with your training, you will make a difference by teaching others about safety.

Can I Become an Outreach Trainer?

Before you can become an OSHA-Authorized Outreach Trainer, you need some safety experience. OSHA requires you to document five years  of workplace safety activities that show your knowledge and use of OSHA standards. Maybe you were a member or leader of a safety committee at work, or you were a manager who was responsible for knowing and following OSHA standards. Many different roles and responsibilities will meet the criteria as long as they are safety-related.

Use the details of your experience to fill the Prerequisite Verification Form. Your experience must include the required OSHA course for your industry: Construction #510General Industry #511Maritime #5410.

If you have a college degree in occupational safety and health, a Certified Safety Professional certification (CSP) or Certified Industrial Hygienist certification (CIH), you may substitute that for two years of experience. Then, you would only need to document three years’ worth of workplace safety activities instead of five.

How to Become an Outreach Trainer

To become an OSHA-Authorized Outreach Trainer, you must complete a series of four steps. These differ slightly depending on the industry where you work because OSHA offers separate outreach trainer courses for general industry, construction, and maritime industry. To get started, choose your industry and simply follow the steps below.

Step 1: Take an OSHA 510, 511, or 5410 Course

The first step to becoming an OSHA-Authorized Outreach Trainer is to complete the prerequisite course for your industry. Take Construction Industry OSHA #510, General Industry OSHA #511, or Maritime Industry OSHA #5410  You must take the course before you can enter the Outreach Trainer program.

The National Safety Education Center often offers both in-person and virtual versions of these course. Find available classes here. You must have a valid U.S. government ID to take a course.

Step 2: Document Your Workplace Safety Activities

As mentioned above, to become an OSHA-Authorized Outreach Trainer you must document five years of workplace safety activities. These should show your knowledge and use of OSHA standards. If you already have a college degree in occupational safety and health, a Certified Safety Professional certification (CSP) or Certified Industrial Hygienist certification (CIH), you may substitute it for two years’ experience.

To apply for the Outreach Trainer program at the National Safety Education Center, complete this prerequisite form.

Step 3: Submit All Required Documents

Next, scan and submit all required documents together:

– Copy of transcripts if applicable

– Prerequisite Verification Form

– Copy of certificate of completion from your OSHA #510, #511, or #5410 course

Submit the documents by email to nsec@niu.edu or by fax to 815-753-4203.

NSEC must receive your prerequisite form at least 15 days BEFORE course start date. Take note of this because late forms will not be accepted. NSEC will review your documents and notify you if your experience and knowledge of OSHA standards meet the criteria.

Once NSEC approves your application, you will receive an email with a registration link to sign up for the class of your choice.

Step 4:

Finally, you must successfully complete the OSHA Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for your industry (Construction OSHA #500General Industry OSHA #501Maritime OSHA #5400). Within 90 days after you completing the course, you will receive an outreach trainer card. 

If you successfully become an Outreach Trainer, you must take an update course every four years (Construction OSHA #502General Industry OSHA #503Maritime OSHA #5402). When registering for an update course, include a front and back copy of your current trainer card with the registration form. 

More Information

Need more information about how to become an OSHA-Authorized Outreach Trainer? Here are some resources to help answer your questions:

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