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Outreach Training Program
Stored: Outreach Training Program
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
| Top Organization | Department of Labor |
| Creation Legislation | Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | OTP offers basic safety & health training via auth trainers to cut workplace injuries & illnesses, delivering standard 10- & 30-hr courses for OSHA compliance across industries. |
| Program Start | 1971 |
| Initial Funding | Not publicly specified; part of OSHA budget |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
Outreach Training Program (OTP) is an educational initiative administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) within the Department of Labor, designed to train workers and employers on workplace safety and health standards.
The Outreach Training Program provides basic safety and health training to workers and employers through authorized trainers, aiming to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses, while delivering accessible, standardized courses like the 10- and 30-hour training programs to promote compliance with OSHA standards across industries.
A key feature is its scale, with over 3.2 million participants trained in FY 2024 through a network of over 12,000 authorized trainers, focusing on construction, general industry, maritime, and disaster site safety.
Goals
- Educate workers and employers on OSHA standards to prevent workplace hazards, targeting a measurable decrease in injury rates.
- Provide standardized 10- and 30-hour courses, ensuring consistent safety knowledge dissemination.
- Increase voluntary compliance and awareness, reducing OSHA violations through proactive training.
Organization
The Outreach Training Program is managed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), specifically through its Directorate of Training and Education (DTE). OSHA authorizes trainers via OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers—26 nationwide as of 2025—who deliver courses in-person or online.
Funding is sourced from OSHA’s annual budget within DOL appropriations, supporting trainer authorization, course materials, and oversight. The program’s leader is the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, currently Douglas L. Parker as of 2025.
History
The Outreach Training Program began in 1971, following the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, which mandated OSHA to provide training alongside enforcement to improve workplace safety. Initially informal, it formalized in the 1980s with the 10- and 30-hour course structure for construction and general industry, expanding to maritime and disaster site training by the 2000s. Milestones include surpassing 1 million trainees annually by 2010 and integrating online training options in the 2020s. The program continues to grow, with plans to expand trainer networks and digital course offerings.
Funding
Initial funding, though not separately detailed, began in 1971 within OSHA’s budget under DOL appropriations, supporting early training efforts. Funding remains ongoing through OSHA’s annual allocation—$557.2 million in FY 2024—with no end date, covering trainer certification and program administration. Additional resources, like $12.7 million in FY 2024 Susan Harwood Training Grants, complement OTP by funding related safety training.
Implementation
The program is implemented through authorized trainers delivering 10-hour (entry-level) and 30-hour (supervisory) courses, started in 1971 and expanded over decades. Methods include classroom sessions, online modules, and hands-on exercises, with course completion cards issued as proof of training. It has no fixed end date, operating as a core OSHA initiative tied to its safety mission.
Related
External links
- https://www.osha.gov/otiec/outreach
- https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/training
- wikipedia:Occupational Safety and Health Administration