OSHA Outreach Trainer Courses (500, 510, 511)
OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 classes are taught by authorized Outreach trainers. To become one, you take a standards course and a trainer course through an OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Center, and meet experience requirements.
- Workers
- Career
- Trainers
The courses
| Course | Industry | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| OSHA 510 | Construction | In-depth course on the construction standards; a prerequisite for the 500 |
| OSHA 500 | Construction | Trainer course; authorizes you to teach construction 10- and 30-hour classes |
| OSHA 511 | General industry | In-depth course on general industry standards; a prerequisite for the 501 |
| OSHA 501 | General industry | Trainer course for general industry 10- and 30-hour classes |
| OSHA 502 / 503 | Construction / general industry | Update courses to renew trainer authorization |
Prerequisites (general)
- Completing the matching standards course (510 or 511) before the trainer course.
- Several years of safety and health experience in that industry (OSHA has generally required 5 years, with some substitutions allowed for degrees or certifications such as CSP or CHST).
Check the current requirements with an OTI Education Center before you enroll; they change from time to time.
After you’re authorized
- Follow OSHA’s Outreach Training Program requirements: required topics, minimum hours, class size limits and documentation.
- Submit class records to your OTI Education Center so students get their Department of Labor cards.
- Take the update course (502 or 503) before your authorization expires, generally every 4 years.
- Teach in a language and vocabulary students understand; interpreters may be needed.
Card fraud is a problem. Selling OSHA cards without the full class, or using fake cards, can lead to trainer revocation and criminal charges. See Fake Training Cards.
Is it worth it?
Trainer authorization is useful for safety staff, foremen who train their crews, union trainers and consultants. It also supports a safety career. See Careers in Construction Safety.
Standards & references
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