OSHA releases new training requirements for agency inspectors

Washington – OSHA inspectors must follow new training requirements included in a revised instruction issued July 21.

During the first three years of compliance safety and health officers’ careers with the agency, they must complete eight courses offered by the OSHA Training Institute. By the end of their eighth year with the agency, compliance officers are required to complete six additional technical courses, the instruction states. Beginning with their ninth year, compliance officers must complete at least one technical course every three years.

The instruction revises previous requirements that focused on compliance officers’ first three years of employment.

The intended goal of the revised instruction is to provide direction, guidance and training options that contribute to the “high degree of professional expertise” of the compliance officers and their supervisors.

In addition to the new training requirements, the instruction includes a recommended training sequence to assist compliance officers preparing for professional certification exams and identifies training paths to assist OSHA regions in the management of their training programs.