Health & Safety Watch: OSHA Offers Tip of the Week

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has redesigned its homepage and added a new feature: the Tip of the Week. Beginning the week of September 24, every Monday, a new safety tip will be featured to help employers and workers alike.

The first Tip of the Week is to “find an authorized trainer and avoid fraud.”

If you, as an employer, ask or plan on asking employees to obtain an OSHA card from an Outreach Training Program 10-hour or 30-hour course, be aware that there has been an increase in fraudulent activity regarding these programs. Knowing the facts about Outreach Training can help you avoid this type of fraud.

Following are a few vital facts about obtaining an OSHA card:

  • Only authorized trainers are allowed to teach the 10-hour and 30-hour OSHA training courses.
  • A list of authorized trainers is available from OSHA, denoting which type of training the trainer is authorized to conduct.
  • Taking the course does not guarantee employment, and employers should be aware when such promises are made.
  • OSHA does not require these courses to be completed, but other courses for specific hazards may be required to meet OSHA standards.

For more information visit the OSHA Outreach Program website. To report fraudulent activity, contact the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.