What Is OSHA 500 Certification?

OSHA 500 Certification is designed for safety professionals who want to become authorized trainers for the OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour Construction Safety courses. This course is part of the OSHA Outreach Training Program and is only offered through OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers.

It prepares qualified individuals to train others in construction site safety, helping limit hazards and create a safer environment on job sites.

Who Should Take OSHA 500?

OSHA 500 is not for entry-level workers. The course is designed for experienced safety professionals, such as:

• Construction supervisors and safety managers
• Site safety officers
• Foremen and competent persons
• Occupational safety and health professionals
• Individuals who want to teach OSHA standards to others

These professionals often move into a training role, where they are responsible for educating workers on OSHA standards and issuing official OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour Construction cards.

OSHA 500 Course Prerequisites

To be eligible for OSHA 500, candidates must meet two main requirements

Completion of the OSHA 510 Course: This course covers OSHA construction industry standards and is a required prerequisite.

Construction Safety Experience: Applicants usually need at least five years of construction safety experience.

Certain qualifications may count toward up to two years of the required experience:

• A degree in occupational safety and health
• A Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designation
• A Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) certification

These substitutions must be approved by the OSHA Training Institute Education Center offering the course.

What Does the OSHA 500 Course Cover?

The OSHA 500 course focuses on preparing individuals to deliver OSHA Outreach Training for the construction industry. Topics include:

• OSHA standards and policies for construction
• Adult learning principles
• How to design and deliver safety training
• Training techniques for OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour courses
• Recordkeeping and Outreach Training Program requirements
• Classroom presentation practice and evaluation

OSHA 500 vs. OSHA 510: What’s the Difference?

OSHA 510 is designed for safety professionals who want a detailed understanding of OSHA construction standards.

OSHA 500 is for those who want to become authorized trainers and teach OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour Construction courses.

In short, OSHA 510 is about learning the standards, while OSHA 500 is about teaching the standards to others.

What Happens After Earning OSHA 500?

After successfully completing the OSHA 500 course, individuals become authorized OSHA Outreach Trainers. This means they are qualified to.

• Teach OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour Construction courses
• Issue official Department of Labor (DOL) OSHA cards to trainees

Trainer authorization is valid for four years. To maintain active status, trainers must complete the OSHA 502 course (Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers) before the expiration date.

Benefits of OSHA 500 Certification

• Teach workers using official OSHA training materials
• Issue OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour Construction cards
• Help improve safety awareness on job sites
• Create opportunities for consulting and leadership roles
• Increase professional credibility as a construction safety expert

Where to Get OSHA 500 Certification?

The OSHA 500 course is available only through OSHA-authorized OTI Education Centers. These are official training providers approved by OSHA and located across the United States.

The course is delivered in person and includes:

• Instructor-led lectures
• Interactive activities
• Classroom presentations and evaluations

Conclusion

OSHA 500 Certification is designed for experienced safety professionals seeking to take on a training role in the construction industry. It provides the opportunity to teach OSHA-authorized 10-hour and 30-hour Construction courses and contribute to a safer and more compliant work environment.

Meeting the eligibility requirements and completing the course through an OSHA-authorized OTI Education Center is the only recognized path to becoming a certified OSHA Outreach Trainer in construction.