Trainer Qualifications

OSHA does not provide trainer qualifications in the standard. Nonethless, an employer must ensure that employees are adequately trained. The trainer should be able to explain how to use lockout/tagout procedures on equipment and be able to answer workers questions about specific procedures. 

OSHA requires in 1910.178(l)(2)(iii) that the trainers have the knowledge, training, and experience to train operators and evaluate their competence. The OSHA standard does not further define this requirement or set any specific certifications. However, OSHA discusses trainer qualifications in the preamble to the December 1998 final rule which says ... 

Customer training Does a training manual exist Do they provide tools for training e.g., computer-based or video training Do they offer operator training courses (frequency, language) Is there documented evidence for the trainer s qualifications ... 

The instructor performing the qualification training must be an individual who has demonstrated necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities by regularly conducting DOT alcohol tests as a BAT for a period of at least 1 year, or who has successfully completed a train the trainer course. 

The maintenance of medical records, to be kept for each employee who has had occupational exposure for the duration of employment plus 30 years, must be confidential and must include names and social security numbers hepatitis B vaccination status (including dates) results of any examinations, medical testing, and follow-up procedures a copy of the healthcare professional s written opinion and a copy of information provided to the healthcare professional. Training records must be maintained for 3 years and must include dates, contents of the training program or a summary, trainer s name and qualifications, and names and job titles of all persons attending the sessions. Medical records must be made available to the employee, anyone with written consent of the employee, and OSHA and NIOSH (they are not available to the employer). Disposal of records must be in accord with OSHA s standard covering access to records. 

A. Section 1926.302(e) requires that only employees who are trained in the operation of the particular tool In use can operate a powder-actuated tool. This provision does not specify particular qualifications for the person conducting the training. However, to meet the requirement that employees be trained in the tool s operation, as a practical matter, the trainer would need to have both sufficient knowledge regarding the tool and sufficient training ability to successfully convey the information to the employee. Therefore, the standard does not require that the trainer necessarily be the manufacturer s representative. 

For all training related to the Bloodborne Pathogens standard, the standard requires that records be kept for 3 years, and that the records contain training dates, the content or a summary of the training, names and qualifications of trainers, and names and job titles of trainees. 

Names and qualifications of trainer(s), and Names and job titles of trainees. 

OSHA has concluded that the final rule should adopt a performance-oriented approach to the qualifications of trainers and evaluators. As discussed above under issue 1, OSHA does not have the resources to evaluate and certify trainers and does not consider it necessary to do so. Trainers and evaluators with different backgrounds can achieve the level of ability necessary to teach and evaluate trainees. To meet these commenters concerns, OSHA has eliminated the term designated person from the final rule and has instead described the knowledge, skills, or experience any trainer or evaluator must have under the standard. ... 

How could an employer determine the qualifications of trainers An example of a qualified trainer would be a person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by knowledge, training and experience, has demonstrated the ability to train and evaluate powered industrial truck operators. 

What records Maintain for three years specific training records including dates training content names and qualifications of trainers names and job titles of those trained... 

Do trainers need to have certain qualifications or certification to conduct employee training ... 

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (1910.120(e)(5), (p)(7)(iii), and (q)(7)) - Includes qualifications for trainers at hazardous waste site clean-up operations hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities and operations involving emergency response to hazardous substance releases. 

Content or a summary of the training Names and qualifications of trainers... 

Records of training program contents and sign-in sheets of all attendees should be kept. Attendance records of all training should be retained. Qualifications of trainers shall be maintained along with records of training. 

Employers and driver training schools are not required to spend any specific amoiuit of time on the training, because the length of training is not specified in the regulations. However, the FMCSA estimates that trainers will spend an average of 10 hours to train on the four topics, including 5.5 hours on driver qualifications and hours of service, 4 hours on driver wellness, and 30 minutes on whistleblower protections. 

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