PCCA Journal|1
st
Quarter 2011
42
O
SHA recently revised its
policy for all outreach train-
ing programs to address the
number of hours each day
a student may spend in OSHA 10- and
30-hour classes. OSHA revised the length
of daily classroom instruction to prevent
workers from being saturated with so
much information that they may miss
important course content.
Revised program policy now requires
OSHA trainers to limit worker training
classes to a maximum of 7
1
/
2
hours per
day. Previously, there were no limita-
tions on class length. With 10 hours of
training, along with necessary breaks
and lunch, students could sit in classes
for up to 13 hours a day. OSHA became
concerned that long, mentally fatiguing
class days might cause students to miss
essential safety and health training.
Another concern was that one- and
three-day training classes were not meet-
ing 10- and 30-hour program time re-
quirements in some cases. This concern
became evident after OSHA conducted
random records audits and unannounced
monitoring visits.
To address these issues, the agency
now requires OSHA outreach trainers to
conduct 10-hour courses over a minimum
of two days and 30-hour courses over at
least four days. The agency also set up an
outreach fraud hotline at (847) 725-7810
to which the public can call to file com-
plaints about program fraud and abuse.
This policy change is effective im-
mediately and will be reflected in the
next revision of the Outreach Training
Program Guidelines. OSHA will not
recognize training classes that exceed
7
1
/
2
hours per day or do not meet all
program content requirements. In such
cases, trainers will not receive comple-
tion cards to distribute to students.
Trainers may, however, submit written
requests for exceptions to limiting train-
ing days to 7
1
/
2
hours based on extenu-
ating circumstances.
The Outreach Training Program, a
voluntary participation information
resource, is part of OSHA’s Directorate of
Training and Education, comprises a na-
tional network of more than 17,000 inde-
pendent trainers who teach workers and
employers about OSHA, workers’ rights,
and how to identify, avoid, and prevent
workplace hazards. There are 10- and
30-hour outreach classes for construc-
tion, general industry, and maritime and
16-hour classes for disaster site work-
ers. Students who successfully complete
classes receive completion cards.
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Continued from page 41
OSHA Tightens Rules on Worker Training Program