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How to Become a Certified OSHA Safety Instructor

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The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers private citizens and company employees the opportunity to affect industrial safety. OSHA's Outreach Training Program provides safety training at OSHA-approved facilities, such as technical schools and colleges, throughout the country, to act as a force multiplier in OSHA's ongoing industrial safety efforts. Course costs are determined by the individual training facilities. Prior experience in the construction industry is required, but there is no formal education requirement for the training. This is a list of what is needed to become a certified OSHA safety instructor.

Work in the construction industry for five years in a construction safety capacity. You can substitute a college degree in industrial safety, occupational safety or health for two of the five years of experience. You can also substitute certification as a Certified Safety Professional or Certified Industrial Hygienist for two years of the five-year requirement.

Complete the OSHA course entitled, "Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry." This course, known as Course 510 in the OSHA catalog, covers the application of OSHA's rules, procedures, requirements and standards in the construction industry.

Complete the OSHA course entitled, "Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for Construction." This is Course 500 in the OSHA training course catalog and covers teaching OSHA's 10-hour and 30-hour construction safety courses.

Tip

In addition to the two basic courses, OSHA 510 and OSHA 500, other courses, such as OSHA 501, "Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for General Industry," are available. Other courses cover both general industrial requirements, such as OSHA 2015, "Hazardous Materials," and OSHA 2045, "Machinery and Machine Guarding Standards," as well as specifics, such as OSHA 2225, "Respiratory Protection."

Warning

Your OSHA certification is good for four years. During that time, you must take OSHA Course 502, "Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers," to renew your certification. If you fail to renew by taking this course, you must take Course 500 again.

References
Resources
Tips
  • In addition to the two basic courses, OSHA 510 and OSHA 500, other courses, such as OSHA 501, "Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for General Industry," are available. Other courses cover both general industrial requirements, such as OSHA 2015, "Hazardous Materials," and OSHA 2045, "Machinery and Machine Guarding Standards," as well as specifics, such as OSHA 2225, "Respiratory Protection."
Warnings
  • Your OSHA certification is good for four years. During that time, you must take OSHA Course 502, "Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers," to renew your certification. If you fail to renew by taking this course, you must take Course 500 again.
Writer

Will Charpentier is a writer who specializes in boating and maritime subjects. A retired ship captain, Charpentier holds a doctorate in applied ocean science and engineering. He is also a certified marine technician and the author of a popular text on writing local history.

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