October 3, 2011
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

OSHA seeks comments on its Training Institute
Education Centers Program

WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will host a Web forum Oct. 3-31, 2011, to solicit stakeholder input on how to enhance occupational safety and health training offered to private sector workers, supervisors, and employers through the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers Program. Input may include topics such as adding training sites, instituting a nationwide certificate and degree program, adding courses, or other services. Individuals can provide input by visiting http://www.osha.gov/dte/edcenters/submission_form.html.

"The OTI Education Centers have trained more than 300,000 students since it began in 1992," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health David Michaels. "OSHA seeks input through this forum that will help enhance workplace safety and health training."

The OTI Education Centers are a national network of non-profit organizations authorized by OSHA to deliver occupational safety and health training. These organizations are selected through a competitive process based upon their occupational safety and health training experience and receive no funding from OSHA. There are currently 25 OTI Education Centers, comprised of 44 member organizations, located throughout the country, including permanent locations in 28 of the top 48 most populous metropolitan areas.

The OTI Education Centers offer courses and seminars on a variety of safety and health topics, and assist the agency in administering the OSHA Outreach Training Program. The Outreach Training Program is a voluntary program and includes a national network of more than 17,000 independent trainers who teach workers and employers about OSHA, workers' rights and how to identify, avoid and prevent workplace hazards. There are 10- and 30-hour outreach classes for construction, general industry and maritime and 15-hour classes for disaster site workers.

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.

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