OSHA selects TEEX as authorized online Outreach Training provider

COLLEGE STATION – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in Washington, D.C., has announced that TEEX is one of 10 OSHA authorized training providers selected to deliver online courses as part of its Outreach Training Program. The OSHA Outreach Training Program teaches workers how to identify, prevent and eliminate workplace hazards. The program also informs workers of their rights, employer responsibilities and how to file a complaint.

“We are pleased to announce the selection of these online training providers,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. “These high-quality online courses will allow a greater number of workers to receive valuable interactive training supported by safety professionals — especially in remote areas with limited access to standard classrooms.”

The organizations selected by OSHA to offer the online courses will provide a variety of 10- and 30-hour classes designed for Construction, General Industry, and Maritime. Since OSHA began authorizing training providers to offer Web-based distance learning in 2001, the online Outreach Training Program has grown significantly. More than 135,000 workers were trained online in 2011, a five-fold increase from the number of online students trained in 2007. The 10 providers selected are the culmination of a national competition announced last March.

“This is a huge achievement and recognition for TEEX and the OSHA Training Institute Southwest Education Center,” said Ron Peddy, Division Director of the Infrastructure Training and Safety Institute (ITSI). “Only one other OTI Education Center received approval for online training, and the others are private sector providers. So once again, TEEX has set the mark well above what our peers and competitors can provide. Congratulations to the entire ITSI proposal team.”

TEEX received approval for all three courses submitted, and will develop and provide the 10-hour Construction, the 10-hour General Industry and the 30-hour Construction courses online.

“We are pleased that OSHA has recognized the quality of TEEX curriculum, particularly our online development capabilities, as well as the biometric controls we proposed for these courses,” said Tony Alotto, Associate Director of ITSI. “The whole purpose of these courses is to provide workers and supervisors with a basic understanding of safety in the workplace.

“Many job sites nationwide require at least the 10-hour construction or general industry course as a prerequisite to employment. While classroom-based courses are available in selected locations, mainly larger cities, and at specified times, the ability to obtain this training online will ensure that workers can get high-quality and relevant training anytime, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; and anywhere in the nation.”

ITSI officials commended the collaborative efforts across the agency that led to the successful proposal.