OSHA Implements Trainer “Watch List”

It was disappointing to read a recent news brief from Federal OSHA  regarding the need for them to create a “watch list” of OSHA outreach trainers who are having their training authorizations either revoked or suspended as a result of failing to comply with program guidelines. A recent investigation of a 10-hour construction safety course conducted by a firm in Las Vegas revealed several examples of failure to comply with program guideline including submitting falsified information regarding the instructional time spent on the topics, failing to collect and retain required documentation and inappropriately advising students not to contact OSHA to report hazards. The “Watch List,” is available at on the OSHA website. OSHA is monitoring training programs and has provided a hotline at 847-297-4810 for individuals to file complaints about fraud and abuse. “Trainers who fail to provide appropriate safety training will pay a stiff price for their fraudulent behavior,” said Jordan Barab, acting assistant secretary of labor for OSHA. “A tighter record control procedure has been instituted requiring trainers to sign their reports and certify the class was conducted in accordance with OSHA’s guidelines. Trainers face civil and criminal penalties under federal law if reports or certifications are found to have been falsified.” Additionally, the EPA recently prosecuted and convicted the owner of an EPA-licensed training facility in the Northeast of falsifying asbestos training records for over 2,000 individuals from 2001-2006. http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/criminal/highlights/2009/deleon-albania-11-20-8.pdf

As health and safety professionals, all of the trainers at RGA take their responsibilities of providing the best possible training extremely seriously. We’re happy to see that our licensing agencies are helping to ensure that all of our training collegues live up to the same high standards we have at RGA.

JoAnn Copperud, CEO – Emeryville, CA