OSHA Revises Training Program for New Compliance Officers
OSHA on Thursday posted an Instruction that provides its national, regional, and area office personnel with policy and guidelines for implementation of competency-based training programs for new Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs). The goal of the Instruction (TED 01-00-018) is to assist CSHOs and their supervisors with direction, guidance, and training options that directly contribute to the CSHO’s ability to represent OSHA with a high degree of professional expertise, the agency said.
It is essential that CSHOs have the requisite knowledge, skills, capability, and varied professional backgrounds to accomplish OSHA’s mission of promoting safe and healthful working conditions for America’s working men and women, the agency said, adding that the CSHO training program identifies a correlation between CSHO competency and achieving respected credentials in the fields of safety, health and construction such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) and Certified Construction Health and Safety Technician (CCHST®). Providing detailed guidance for training required during the initial three-year period of a CSHO’s career, the instruction includes recommended training to assist the CSHO with preparation for professional certification exams. In addition, the instruction identifies training paths that provide assistance to the regions in managing their training programs.
With an effective date of Aug. 6, 2008, the Instruction supersedes TED 01-00-012, dated July 7, 1992. Among the significant changes:
- Each newly-hired CSHO will be required to complete a minimum of eight courses offered by the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) during the first three years of his/her career as a CSHO. The order and sequence of these courses are as prescribed in this instruction.
- The OTI training program offers Regional Administrators the opportunity to incorporate up to four additional technical courses into the CSHO’s initial three-year training plan.
- Each CSHO and his/her supervisor will be required to track progress throughout the initial three-year period. An Individual Development Plan (IDP) will be updated annually. The IDP (Form DL-80) will be used as a planning and tracking document for reference by the CSHO and his/her supervisor to ensure that the CSHO receives all required training.
- A time extension policy has been added and the waiver policy has been clarified.
- Appendix A has been revised and expanded. Appendix A combines formalized training with self-instruction and on-the-job training recommendations in a comprehensive format. Supervisors and CSHOs will find this a useful tool for planning and sequencing professional development during the first year of the CSHO’s career.
- An Appendix B has been added to provide supervisors with recommended CSHO self-instruction and follow-up on-the-job training to reinforce OTI training provided in years two and three.
- Appendix C lists OTI courses that are required or recommended in OSHA directives as a quick reference guide. This reference may be used to assist supervisors and CSHOs in developing IDPs for continuing professional development.
- Appendix D provides information to assist supervisors and CSHOs determine which OTI courses could help prepare a CSHO for the CCHST®, CIH, or CSP certification exam.
For the complete Instruction, visit www.osha.gov/OshDoc/Directive_pdf/TED_01-00-018.pdf.