How to Become an Authorized Trainer

To become an authorized Maritime trainer, you must meet separate prerequisites for experience and training. You may not substitute one prerequisite to fulfill the other prerequisite. OSHA does not issue waivers for either the experience or training prerequisites. The prerequisites are as follows:

Experience. Have five years maritime industry safety experience. A bachelor or higher college degree in occupational safety and health or industrial hygiene from an accredited college or university, a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified Marine Chemist (CMC) designation may be substituted for two years experience.

Training. Complete course OSHA #5410, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Maritime Industry. This course must have been completed within the last seven years.

Obtain guidance on whether you meet these prerequisites from the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Center where you want to take the training. OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers conduct this training.

If you have fulfilled the prerequisites, you must complete OSHA course #5400, Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for the Maritime Industry. Special emphasis is placed on those topics that are required in the 10- and 30-hour programs as well as those that are the most hazardous. Course participants are briefed on effective instructional approaches and the effective use of visual aids and handouts. Persons successfully completing this course will receive an "Authorized Maritime Trainer Card".

Maritime outreach trainers are authorized for four years. Before the expiration of their authorization status, authorized trainers must take OSHA course #5402, Maritime Industry Trainer Update Course, to renew their authorization for another four years. If your card expires, you will have to retake course #5400 to become reauthorized as a trainer.

Authorized trainers may receive OSHA course completion cards for their students.