March 30, 2012
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

OSHA reaccredited as an authorized continuing education provider
OSHA Training Institute provides high-quality safety and health programs

WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Directorate of Training and Education (DTE) has been reaccredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) to continue providing Continuing Education Units (CEU's) for work-related injury and illness prevention training.

DTE, which includes the OSHA Training Institute, offers a wide selection of courses and programs to help workers and employers broaden their knowledge of how to recognize, avoid and prevent safety and health hazards in their workplaces. OSHA also offers training and educational materials to help businesses train their workers and comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

"OSHA education programs train over 850,000 federal and state compliance officers, state consultants, federal employees, employers and workers each year," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health David Michaels. "Our training, in critical job-related skills, ensures that our compliance officers, workers and employers stay on the cutting edge to prevent worker injuries, illnesses and deaths. Our IACET reaccreditation demonstrates OSHA's commitment to lifelong learning and high standards for all of our education and training programs."

To achieve Authorized Provider accreditation, the OSHA Directorate of Training and Education completed a rigorous application process. IACET is the only standard-setting organization approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for continuing education and training. The ANSI/IACET Standard is the core of thousands of educational programs worldwide.

The IACET accreditation applies only to classes conducted by the OSHA Training Institute in Arlington Heights, IL. It does not apply to classes offered elsewhere by safety and health professionals who have completed an OSHA Outreach Training Program course to conduct occupational safety and health classes for workers or by the OSHA Training Institute Education Centers.

IACET President Francenia Johnson said, "OSHA's Directorate of Training and Education joins nearly 650 organizations around the globe that have had their programs vetted by third-party experts in continuing education to ensure the highest possible standards are met."

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

- OSHA -

U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this release will be made available in alternative format upon request (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the Central Office for Assistive Services and Technology. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.