[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 60 (Tuesday, March 29, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17451-17459]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7260]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration


Online OSHA Outreach Training Programs

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor.

ACTION: Notice of competition and request for applications for online 
occupational safety and health training providers.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration (OSHA) seeks to ensure high quality online OSHA Outreach 
Training Program training courses for all participants. This notice 
announces the opportunity for interested organizations to submit 
applications to be authorized to deliver 10-hour and/or 30-hour OSHA 
Outreach Training Program courses in the construction industry, general 
industry, and maritime industry in an online format. Current OSHA-
authorized online training providers must submit an application in 
order to be considered to offer online Outreach Training Program 
courses. Past performance will be considered as a factor in the 
selection process. Applications will only be accepted during the 
solicitation period and will be rated on a competitive basis. Complete 
application instructions are contained in this notice.

DATES: The Outreach Training Program online training provider 
applications for the delivery of online training must be received by 
the OSHA Directorate of Training and Education no later than 4:30 p.m., 
Central Time, on June 27, 2011. Requests for extension to this 
application deadline will not be granted.
    A proposal conference will be held on April 19, 2011, at the OSHA 
Directorate of Training and Education, 2020 S. Arlington Heights Rd., 
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005-4102. Attendees are required to 
register for this conference. Specific details are discussed in the 
Proposal Conference section of this notice.

[[Page 17452]]

    Applicants selected to be OSHA Outreach Training Program online 
providers must attend a mandatory orientation meeting at the OSHA 
Directorate of Training and Education, 2020 S. Arlington Heights Rd., 
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005-4102 at a time and date to be 
provided.

ADDRESSES: Submit applications to the attention of Don Guerra, Program 
Analyst, Office of Training and Educational Programs, OSHA Directorate 
of Training and Education, 2020 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington 
Heights, Illinois 60005-4102.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any questions regarding this 
opportunity should be directed to Don Guerra, Program Analyst, e-mail 
address [email protected], or Jim Barnes, Director, Office of Training 
and Educational Programs, OSHA Directorate of Training and Education, 
e-mail address [email protected]. Both can be reached at 847-759-7700.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Overview of the OSHA Outreach Training Program

    The OSHA Outreach Training Program was established during the early 
years of the Agency to provide an overview of OSHA and to rapidly 
disseminate basic occupational safety and health workplace hazard 
information to workers using independent authorized trainers. Courses 
are intended to provide information on worker rights, employer 
responsibilities, and how to file a complaint as well as focusing on 
work-related hazards. Outreach Training Program courses do not focus on 
or teach OSHA standards. Workers who complete the construction 
industry, general industry, maritime industry, or disaster site worker 
courses receive OSHA course completion cards from the authorized 
trainer who conducted the training.
    The Outreach Training Program is a voluntary program. OSHA 
recommends Outreach Training Program courses as an introduction to 
worker rights, employer responsibilities, how to file a complaint and 
occupational safety and health hazard recognition for workers. However, 
some States have enacted laws mandating the training. In addition, some 
employers, unions, organizations or other jurisdictions may also 
require this training. Please note that Outreach Training Program 
courses do not meet specific training requirements contained in OSHA 
standards. Employers are responsible for training their workers on 
specific hazards of their job, as noted in many OSHA standards. A list 
of standards requiring training is found in OSHA Publication 2254 
``Training Requirements in OSHA Standards and Training Guidelines'' 
located at: http://www.osha.gov/pls/publications/publication.athruz?pType=Types&pID=1.
    The OSHA Outreach Training Program guidelines contain instructions 
and assistance information for Outreach Trainers. Among the issues 
addressed in the guidelines are course topic requirements, minimum 
lengths for course topics, advertising restrictions, records retention, 
and reporting requirements. OSHA Outreach Training Program guidelines 
are located at: http://www.osha.gov/dte/outreach/construction_generalindustry/guidelines.html and http://www.osha.gov/dte/outreach/maritime/guidelines.html. The application must incorporate and comply 
with all of the requirements in these guidelines. OSHA periodically 
updates these guidelines. Online providers will be required to keep 
informed regarding changes to OSHA standards and Outreach Training 
Program guidelines and all courses must be updated in accordance with 
these changes. OSHA reserves the right to specify required content for 
inclusion in all online training modules including topics, course 
learning objectives, training goals, content, interactive activities, 
and exams. For example, OSHA recently mandated a 2-hour ``Introduction 
to OSHA'' module that must be included in all 10-hour and 30-hour 
courses. The Occupational Safety and Health Act covers private sector 
employers and their employees in the 50 States and certain territories 
and jurisdictions under Federal authority. Those jurisdictions include 
the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American 
Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Wake Island, Johnston Island, 
and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands as defined in the Outer 
Continental Shelf Lands Act. OSHA training programs such as the 
Outreach Training Program are intended for workers covered under the 
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970, and within the 
Agency's jurisdiction. In addition, distribution of promotional 
materials for online training outside OSHA jurisdiction is prohibited.
    The OSHA 10- and 30-hour training courses can be delivered by OSHA-
authorized trainers either in person or through Web-based distance 
learning. In recent years, OSHA has sought to make this training more 
readily available to workers by authorizing a number of training 
providers to provide Web-based courses. OSHA has received many more 
requests for authorization to deliver online outreach training than can 
feasibly be granted, given the OSH Act's requirement that OSHA 
supervise the training programs it initiates. Today's Federal Register 
notice invites individuals or entities that currently maintain 
authorized-trainer status to submit applications for specific 
authorization to provide online training.
    To provide an orderly process for evaluating the comparative 
strengths of entities that wish to be authorized online trainers, OSHA 
has decided to invite proposals. Although this competitive process is 
in some ways similar to that used in procurement, no products or 
services are sought for OSHA's use; the present Federal Register notice 
is not a contract or procurement action.
    OSHA will enter into 5-year, nonfinancial cooperative agreements 
with successful applicants. These authorization agreements are intended 
solely to facilitate the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of worker 
safety training provided by authorized online trainers. These 
cooperative agreements will not constitute a grant or financial 
assistance instrument, and OSHA will provide no compensation to 
authorized trainers.

Selection Guidelines

    OSHA does not have a predetermined number of organizations to be 
selected as authorized online trainers for the OSHA Outreach Training 
Program courses. Rather, the number of organizations selected will be 
determined according to the qualifications of the applicant 
organizations, their ability to provide quality interactive online 
training, their ability to conduct online OSHA Outreach Training 
Program courses for workers, and their compliance with the program 
guidelines. Training must be delivered in a manner that employees 
receiving it are capable of understanding.

Applicant Eligibility

    Applicant organizations must be headquartered within the United 
States in order to be eligible to apply for this opportunity. Both for 
profit and nonprofit training organizations are eligible to apply. 
Nonprofit organizations, including qualifying labor unions and 
community-based and faith-based organizations that are not an agency of 
a State or local government are eligible to apply. State or local 
government-supported institutions of higher education are eligible to 
apply.

[[Page 17453]]

    Each organization must demonstrate that:
    (1) Training or education is part of its mission and more than 50% 
of its staff and dollar resources are devoted to training or education 
to be eligible to apply;
    (2) It has the appropriate infrastructure and experience in 
developing, conducting, and evaluating online training;
    (3) It has experience in developing, delivering, updating and 
evaluating occupational safety and health training;
    (4) It has or will contract with one or more authorized OSHA 
Outreach Training Program trainers supporting each of the courses for 
which it is submitting an application. These trainers must demonstrate 
that:
    (a) They each have a minimum of 3 years training experience;
    (b) They each are in good standing (not on probation, suspended, or 
revoked as defined in OSHA's Investigation and Review Procedures).

Funding Provisions

    OSHA provides no funding to OSHA Outreach Training Program online 
trainers. The OSHA Outreach Training Program online trainers will be 
expected to support their OSHA outreach training through their normal 
fee structures.

Cooperative Agreement Duration

    Selected applicants will sign five year non-financial cooperative 
agreements with OSHA. The agency reserves the right to revoke the 
authorization of an online training provider for failure to comply with 
program guidelines and requirements, or for any illegal conduct. With 
satisfactory performance by the online training provider, agreements 
may be renewed without additional competition for an additional five 
years.

Proposal Conference

    The proposal conference is intended to provide potential applicants 
with information about the OSHA Outreach Training Program, OSHA 
expectations for online trainers, online courses and methods of 
instruction, and administrative and program requirements for OSHA 
Outreach Training Program online trainers. The OSHA Directorate of 
Training and Education will hold one proposal conference.
    The proposal conference is scheduled for April 19, 2011, at the 
OSHA Directorate of Training and Education, 2020 S. Arlington Heights 
Rd., Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005-4102.
    It is necessary for attendees to register for this proposal 
conference. Applicants interested in attending this conference may 
contact Don Guerra, Program Analyst, or Jim Barnes, Director, Office of 
Training and Educational Programs, OSHA Directorate of Training and 
Education, 2020 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, Illinois 
60005-4102, telephone (847) 759-7700. Required registration information 
includes:
    (1) Name and street address of the organization.
    (2) Name, title, telephone number, and e-mail address of the 
attendees.

Application and Submission Information

    The submission is to consist of one original and two copies of the 
application. Applications must be double-spaced, in 12-point font, with 
all pages numbered including any attachments. The program narrative 
must not exceed 30 single-sided pages or be bound or stapled. 
Attachments must only include essential documents that are relevant to 
this program. Attachments must also include a CD that represents an 
accurate sample of the required ``Introduction to OSHA'' module the 
applicant would include in the proposed Outreach Training Program; the 
corresponding storyboard for the sample module; and screenshots or CD 
of other types of interactive screens not included in the sample 
module. Applicants must address each of the following program points in 
their application.
    (1) Identifying and Eligibility Information. Applicants must 
provide details for each of the following points:
    (a) Provide the name, address and DUNS number of the organization.
    (b) Provide the street address of the organization. A post office 
box will not be accepted.
    (c) Provide the name, title, telephone number, and e-mail address 
of the project director who can answer questions regarding the 
application.
    (d) Demonstrate that training or education is part of the mission 
and more than 50% of staff and dollar resources are devoted to training 
or education.
    (e) Show appropriate infrastructure and experience in developing, 
conducting, and evaluating online training.
    (f) Clearly demonstrate experience in developing, updating, 
conducting and evaluating occupational safety and health training.
    (g) Demonstrate that one or more authorized OSHA Outreach Training 
Program trainers will support each of the courses for which an 
application is submitted. Demonstrate that each trainer:
    (i) has a minimum of 3 years training experience;
    (ii) is in good standing (not on probation, suspended, or revoked 
as defined in OSHA's Investigation and Review Procedures).
    (2) Authority to Apply. Provide a copy of the resolution by the 
Board of Directors, Board of Regents, company president, Chief 
Executive Officer (CEO) or other governing body of the organization 
approving the submittal of an application to OSHA to become an OSHA 
Outreach Training Program online provider.
    (3) Program Summary. The program summary is a brief one-to-two page 
single-sided, double-spaced abstract that succinctly summarizes the 
proposed project and provides information about the applicant 
organization along with key staff contact information. It must also 
include information on which Outreach Training Program course would be 
offered online, and any relevant language or target audience 
information. Submissions that are not in accordance with this 
submission requirement will not be fully considered.
    (4) Program Narrative. The program narrative must not exceed 30 
single-sided, double-spaced pages. Attachments will not be included in 
the 30 page count. Specific details regarding the program narrative are 
discussed in the next section. Submissions that are not in accordance 
with this submission requirement will not be fully considered. The 
program narrative must be organized in the following manner:
    (a) Organizational experience and qualifications in occupational 
safety and health training;
    (b) Organizational experience in designing online worker training;
    (c) Staff experience and qualifications in occupational safety and 
health training;
    (d) Staff experience in designing online worker training;
    (e) Course content;
    (f) Course design and development plan;
    (g) Technical capabilities;
    (h) Administrative capabilities;
    (i) Trainee Evaluation.
    (5) Attachments. Attachments must only include supporting 
documentation that is relevant to this program such as organization 
charts, staff resumes, and advertising materials. Attachments must also 
include a CD that contains an accurate sample of the required 2-hour 
``Introduction to OSHA'' module; the corresponding storyboard for the 
sample module; and screenshots or CD of other types of interactive 
screens not included in the sample module.

[[Page 17454]]

Program Narrative

    The program narrative consists of information regarding 
organizational experience and qualifications, staff experience and 
qualifications, course content, course design and development, 
technical capabilities, administrative capabilities, and trainee 
satisfaction survey sections. Applicants must provide details for each 
of the following points:

(1) Organizational Experience and Qualifications.

    (a) Describe the background and number of years experience 
developing, delivering, revising and evaluating worker occupational 
safety and health training including the number of classes offered, 
number of trainees taught in each class, and number of trainee contact 
hours for each course during the last three years. Indicate the types 
of occupational safety and health courses previously developed 
including the title and number of trainee contact hours for each.
    (b) Describe the background and the number of years of experience 
in designing, delivering and evaluating online training including the 
number of classes offered, number of trainees taught in each class and 
number of trainee contact hours for each course during the last three 
years. Provide the types of online courses previously developed 
including the title and number of contact hours for each. Specifically 
note online occupational safety and health courses. Provide Web site 
address for verification purposes.
    (c) Describe the existing capabilities for data security and 
privacy, technical support, and facilitation of trainee registration 
supporting an online training environment.
    (d) Describe the current authentication process which randomly 
occurs throughout the course that verifies that the same person who 
registers for the course is the same person who participates in, 
completes, and receives credit for the course. Specific details are 
included in ``Course Design.''
    (e) Status as a Training Organization. This section applies only to 
applicants that are not colleges or universities. The applicant must 
show that training or education is a principal activity of the 
organization. Through audit reports, annual reports, or other 
documentation, the applicant must clearly demonstrate that for the last 
two years more than 50% of the organization's funds have been used for 
training and education activities and more than 50% of staff resources 
have also been used for this purpose.
    (f) Customer Service. Provide specific details regarding the 
organization's customer service capabilities:
    (i) Responding to questions from trainees on technical content and 
accuracy of the course content;
    (ii) Handling of technical questions and concerns related to issues 
other than occupational safety and health;
    (iii) Processing and distributing Outreach Training Program course 
completion cards to trainees in a timely manner;
    (iv) Resolving problems associated with the course, whether 
receiving them via trainee satisfaction surveys or direct communication 
from a trainee;
    (v) Issuing replacement cards to trainees in a timely manner 
including verification of trainee identity and training completion.

(2) Staff Experience and Qualifications.

    (a) Identify the authorized OSHA Outreach Training Program trainers 
who will be involved in the development and review of the course. For 
each authorized trainer provide information regarding the authorizing 
Outreach Training Program organization, the course taken, the date of 
the training, and proof of the completion of training such as a copy of 
their trainer course completion card.
    (b) Identify the authorized OSHA Outreach Training Program trainers 
who will be available to respond to trainee questions. For each 
authorized trainer provide information regarding the authorizing 
Outreach Training Program organization, the course taken, the date of 
the training, and proof of the completion of training such as a copy of 
their trainer course completion card.
    (c) Describe the qualifications of the staff that will develop the 
Outreach Training Program online course. Include occupational safety 
and health experience, addressing all the topical areas covered in the 
course, training experience with workers, adults, and experience 
working with the target audience.
    (d) Describe staff knowledge of and experience with OSHA standards 
and their application to hazard recognition and hazard abatement. 
Include resumes of staff members who will be involved with the course.
    (e) Describe the trainer's fluency or background in the online 
course presentation language if the training will be offered in a 
language other than English.
    (f) Describe staff knowledge of and experience in developing 
interactive online training courses. Include resumes of staff members 
who will be involved with the course.
    (g) Provide a position description and/or minimum hiring 
qualifications for any positions that are currently vacant.
    (3) Course Content. This competition emphasizes ten Outreach 
Training Program courses that train workers on worker rights, employer 
responsibilities, how to file a complaint and in the recognition and 
prevention of occupational safety and health hazards. Please note that 
10-hour courses are intended to provide entry level construction, 
general industry, or maritime industry workers with general awareness 
training on recognizing and preventing hazards on a jobsite in addition 
to information on workers rights, employer responsibilities and how to 
file a complaint. Additionally, 30-hour courses are intended to provide 
more in-depth training to workers with some safety responsibility. A 
separate application must be submitted for each different course and 
language. Indicate which online course would be offered and in what 
language. The applicant must include a list of all the topics that 
would be offered (mandatory, elective, and optional topics based on 
current program guidelines), specify the learning objectives for each 
topic selected, and the time associated with each topic. The minimum 
completion time for each topic is 30 minutes, including each of the 
Focus Four construction hazards (falls, struck by, caught in or 
between, and electrical hazards). Topic selection must comply with 
current OSHA Outreach Training Program guidelines. OSHA periodically 
modifies the topics as program requirements change. For example, OSHA 
recently mandated a 2-hour ``Introduction to OSHA'' module be included 
in all 10-hour and 30-hour courses. Online courses must have the 
capability to quickly adapt to these changes.
    (a) 10-Hour Construction Course. Topics consist of mandatory, 
elective and optional topics for the course. The application must 
include a list of each mandatory, elective, and optional topic to be 
covered, time spent on each topic, and learning objectives for each 
topic. Instructional time must be a minimum of 10 hours.
    (b) 30-Hour Construction Course. Topics consist of mandatory, 
elective and optional topics for the course. The application must 
include a list of each mandatory, elective, and optional topic to be 
covered, time spent on each topic, and learning objectives for each 
topic. Instructional time must be a minimum of 30 hours.
    (c) 10-Hour General Industry Course. Topics consist of mandatory, 
elective

[[Page 17455]]

and optional topics for the course. The application must include a list 
of each mandatory, elective, and optional topic to be covered, time 
spent on each topic, and learning objectives for each topic. 
Instructional time must be a minimum of 10 hours.
    (d) 30-Hour General Industry Course. Topics consist of mandatory, 
elective and optional topics for the course. The application must 
include a list of each mandatory, elective, and optional topic to be 
covered, time spent on each topic, and learning objectives for each 
topic. Instructional time must be a minimum of 30 hours.
    (e) 10-Hour Maritime Industry Courses Topics consist of mandatory, 
elective and optional topics for each course. The application must 
include a list of each mandatory, elective, and optional topic to be 
covered, time spent on each topic, and learning objectives for each 
topic. Instructional time must be a minimum of 10 hours. A separate 
application must be submitted for each course that is proposed. Choose 
one or more of the following three courses:
    (i) Shipyard Employment
    (ii) Maritime Terminals
    (iii) Longshoring
    (f) 30-Hour Maritime Industry Courses Topics consist of mandatory, 
elective and optional topics for the course. The application must 
include a list of each mandatory, elective, and optional topic to be 
covered, time spent on each topic, and learning objectives for each 
topic. Instructional time must be a minimum of 30 hours. A separate 
application must be submitted for each course that is selected. Choose 
one or more of the following three courses:
    (i) Shipyard Employment
    (ii) Marine Terminals
    (iii) Longshoring
    (g) Applications for a course in a language other than English must 
provide details of how the course will be tailored to address the needs 
of the workers that speak this language. OSHA requires that all 
information pertinent to the course be submitted in English, even if 
the course will be offered in another language. Organizations proposing 
to develop Spanish-language training must use the OSHA Dictionaries 
(English-to-Spanish and Spanish-to-English) for terminology available 
at http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/compliance_assistance/spanish_dictionaries.html.
    (h) If the application is for a targeted audience, provide specific 
details regarding the targeted audience, their need, and their interest 
in the course. Indicate the specific targeted audience for the course, 
such as roadway workers, landscapers, maintenance personnel, roofers, 
residential construction workers, etc.
    (i) Course Orientation. Explain the course orientation page which 
must inform the trainee how to successfully complete the course. The 
orientation must discuss the following:
    (i) Course objectives
    (ii) System requirements
    (iii) Course time out feature that ensures active participation
    (iv) Navigational commands including help (trainer, technical, and 
course related), directional (forward and back), and menu/exit
    (v) Time limit of three months to complete the 10-hour courses, and 
six months to complete the 30-hour courses
    (vi) Testing policy and criteria; details are provided under 
``Course Design''
    (vii) Identification of and contact information for the authorized 
trainer
    (viii) Identification and contact information of technical support 
regarding computer-related problems
    (ix) Printing or obtaining course materials on each course topic
    (x) Printing an interim course completion document (certificate) at 
the end of the course
    (xi) When and how a trainee will receive their OSHA Outreach 
Training Program course completion card
    (xii) When and how the random trainee verification process during 
all phases of the course will be conducted
    (4) Course Design. Applicants must address each of the following 
instructional design points in their application. Online training 
courses must supply effective training for participants. The use of an 
instructional systems design process for designing, developing, 
revising and evaluating online training is recommended. This 
methodology ensures that a course is instructionally sound and built 
with a structured approach throughout the entire development cycle. The 
following research-based instructional principles must be used when 
designing online training:
    (a) A training needs assessment must be conducted prior to course 
development. The identification of training needs is the first step in 
a uniform method of instructional design. A training needs assessment 
collects data on audience knowledge, skills and attitudes regarding 
occupational safety and health awareness. It assists in identifying 
performance requirements and the gap between worker knowledge and what 
they need to know.
    (b) Courses must have a worker focus and concentrate on 
occupational safety and health awareness appropriate to a worker 
including but not limited to hazard identification, abatement, 
prevention, and control. Courses must focus on familiarizing students 
with prevalent hazards in [construction or maritime or general 
industry] and with basic safety requirements; training should avoid 
extensive presentation of the technical requirements of OSHA standards.
    (c) Training must create relevant interactive learning experiences 
based on learning objectives and clear training goals. Organize 
information to maximize concept understanding. Each topic lesson must 
begin with learning objectives and end with a topic summary. 
Instructional objectives must:
    (i) Focus on the trainee rather than the instructor.
    (ii) Measure the performance outcome the trainee is able to 
demonstrate.
    (iii) Explain the condition under which the performance will take 
place.
    (iv) State the degree or standard on which the performance will be 
evaluated (ex. percent of accuracy).
    (d) Training must stimulate the trainee's prior knowledge and 
facilitate connections to new information.
    (e) Training must engage the trainee with frequent interaction 
techniques and feedback.
    (i) Provide training variety by using interactivity, high quality 
graphics, audio, video, animations, simulations, and forums.
    (ii) Present instructional interactions that require trainee 
participation including problem solving and real-world case studies. 
Good quality interactivity includes guided practice opportunities and 
feedback.
    (iii) OSHA requires a highly interactive, participatory online 
course. Interactivity Levels II-IV provide active learning for the 
trainee and are expected every 3-5 screens, or approximately 30% of the 
course. Provide examples of frequent and varied Level II-IV interactive 
activities which are contained in the online course such as screenshots 
or a CD that contains an accurate sample of one course module or 
multiple lessons.
    (1) Level I-Passive Learning: Examples include graphics, pop-ups, 
graphic builds, and 2-D illustration;
    (2) Level II-Limited Interaction: Examples include drag and drop, 
completing a statement, drill and practice, labeling, matching, 
sequencing, 2-D animation, video clips (ranging between 15-90 seconds 
in length), and performing multi-step tasks;
    (3) Level III-Complex Participation: Examples include case studies, 
discovery/exploration, games, hidden hints, ranking, and categorizing/
sorting;

[[Page 17456]]

    (4) Level IV-Real-Time Participation: Examples include avatars, 
artificial simulation, practical application, role-playing, scenario 
branching, and 3-D animation.
    (f) System capabilities must allow the trainee to print fact sheets 
and other supplementary materials.
    (i) Provide each trainee the opportunity to print or receive a fact 
sheet on each topic. Fact sheets must highlight the learning objectives 
of each topic and emphasize hazard identification, avoidance, and 
control, not OSHA standards.
    (ii) Provide one primary fact sheet per topic which covers the 
learning objectives of that topic. Make sure that the designs of the 
primary fact sheets are standardized.
    (iii) Other fact sheets and supplementary materials may also be 
made available but their design does not have to be standardized.
    (iv) Availability of fact sheets and other materials must be 
prominently displayed.
    (v) Fact sheets and other materials must be easy to access.
    (vi) Trainees must be given the option to print materials after 
passing topic tests.
    (vii) The materials must be available in a general area.
    (g) Testing. Applications must explain how the following elements 
are incorporated:
    (i) Testing is mandatory at the completion of each topic and at the 
end of the course.
    (ii) A test strategy must be developed for the online training 
course including linking content to test items and appropriately 
setting a passing score.
    (iii) Test reliability must be proven by showing that it 
consistently yields comparable scores for trainees with comparable 
levels of knowledge and skills measured by the test.
    (iv) Test validity must be established by showing that it measures 
the specific knowledge and skills that were intended to be measured.
    (v) There are processes in place to ensure test integrity such as a 
no print feature and random test question selection.
    (vi) Minimum pass rate is 70%.
    (vii) A trainee is only allowed three attempts to pass a test. If a 
trainee has not passed a test in three attempts, the trainee is 
permanently excluded from retaking the training online. The training 
organization must have a mechanism in place to ensure that a 
disqualified trainee cannot retake the online course at a later date.
    (viii) Minimum test length for each topic test is to be based upon 
the learning objectives developed for that module. The test must 
contain sufficient questions to adequately test the trainees learning 
of the material contained in each objective.
    (ix) Minimum test length for the end-of-course test is to be based 
upon the learning objectives developed for the course. The test must 
contain sufficient questions to adequately test the trainees learning 
of the material contained in each objective.
    (x) Test banks which contain a pool of potential questions for the 
final test (at a minimum) are required.
    (xi) Test approaches must vary the questions and/or answers. 
Suitable options include randomizing answer choices and using a variety 
of test questions.
    (xii) Trainees receive straightforward and effective remediation 
(feedback) when a question is answered incorrectly. Remediation must 
not over-simplify the course to where the trainee is simply given the 
answer. Trainees are given an opportunity to go back to the part of the 
lesson where the question was covered.
    (xiii) Trainees cannot proceed to the end-of-course test until they 
pass all topic tests.
    (xiv) Tests must evaluate trainees' knowledge of the learning 
objectives. Insignificant facts and trivial numeric data must not be 
tested. Negatively phrased (including use of ``not'') and True/False 
questions are strongly discouraged, and must not make up more than 10% 
of the questions.
    (h) Explain how best practices in screen design, text language, 
graphics, and audio and video will be used. Examples include using 
consistent design, uniform spacing and adequate top/bottom, left right 
margins; addressing one concept, procedure, or item of instruction per 
screen; ensuring copyright permissions; and using language that is 
simple, active, direct, etc.
    (i) Explain how the course navigation is structured to be 
intuitive, transparent, and sequential and how it will guide each 
trainee to the next step whether taking a test, proceeding to the next 
lesson, or completing the evaluation.
    (j) Describe the design for trainees who have minimal levels of 
computer-related skills and computer technical abilities.
    (k) Indicate where the following notice is located at the beginning 
of the course: OSHA recommends Outreach Training Program courses as an 
orientation to occupational safety and health for workers. Workers must 
receive additional training, when required by OSHA standards, on the 
specific hazards of their job.
    (5) Technical Capabilities. Applicants must provide specific 
details for each of the following technical points in their 
application.
    (a) Data Security and Privacy. Specific data security principles 
are dependent upon the provider's business requirements for security 
services. All guardians of data are expected to manage, access, and 
utilize data in a manner that maintains and protects the security and 
confidentiality of that information. Documentation is required to 
enable the day-to-day efforts necessary to enforce data security policy 
and ensure policy is implemented on all platforms.
    (i) Explain the management of all user IDs on all platforms.
    (ii) Describe the authentication process which randomly verifies 
throughout each module that the trainee who registers for the course is 
the same trainee who participates and completes the training. Trainees 
must be told about any additional charges associated with random 
trainee verification during all phases of the course at the time of 
registration or enrollment. Secure login, unique ID, PIN, and 
passwords, and challenge questions based on third party data will not 
be considered sufficient. Examples include, but are not limited to the 
following:
    (1) Scanned fingerprints or eyes
    (2) Webcam
    (3) Voice signature
    (iii) Explain how the privacy policy will be clearly stated.
    (iv) Describe how users will be made aware of anonymous data 
collection to be used for analysis.
    (v) Explain the management of all access control lists on all 
platforms (users and permissions) and adherence to appropriate roles 
and responsibilities.
    (vi) Explain the management of incident response and reporting such 
as network or server outages, third party security breaches, and loss 
of sensitive data.
    (vii) Explain the annual security policy review which must be 
conducted due to the dynamic nature of the Internet.
    (viii) Provide policy which handles disposal of data in a secure 
manner.
    (ix) Provide established policies which safeguard backed-up data.
    (x) Describe how controls are established in anticipation of attack 
from intelligent, rational and irrational adversaries with harmful 
intent.
    (xi) The selling, trading, or disclosing of any and all trainee 
information to outside commercial sources is expressly prohibited.

[[Page 17457]]

    (b) System Requirements. Describe the minimum system requirements 
required. Examples include, but are not limited to:
    (1) 20 GB or hard disk space
    (2) Macintosh, MS Word 98 or higher
    (3) MS Word 2000 or higher and anti-virus software
    (4) Windows Media Player 9
    (5) Adobe Acrobat Reader 8
    (6) PC or Mac: RAM 256 MB
    (7) PC: 1 GHz Processor
    (8) PC: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or Firefox 1.5
    (9) Mac: G3 800 MHz
    (10) Mac: Firefox 1.0 or Safari 1.3
    (11) Flash Player 9
    (12) Java v.5.0
    (13) Video card and monitor
    (14) Display capable of 1024 X 768 pixel resolution
    (15) Speakers
    (16) Sound card
    (c) System Capabilities. Applications must address the following 
elements:
    (i) Provide a list of system capabilities, including the number of 
servers and available bandwidths.
    (ii) Describe how the course enables a full screen view in most 
instances. The screen layout (text, graphics, etc.) must be designed to 
eliminate scrolling (vertically or horizontally) in order to view the 
entire content area. Describe how the trainee will learn how to change 
the size of the screen view.
    (d) System Controls. Applicants must provide details for each of 
the following points:
    (i) Describe the estimated amount of time it will take a trainee to 
complete the training, and how this number was derived.
    (ii) Describe the required delay mechanism for each content screen 
and how each screen is required viewing.
    (iii) Explain the mechanism to ensure that trainees are timed out 
of their training session when there is no activity for 15 minutes.
    (iv) The program must automatically gather information on the 
amount of time each trainee spends in the course. Describe the 
mechanism to ensure that the trainee completes the required 10 or 30 
hours in the course. OSHA will not provide cards to trainees who have 
not spent a minimum of 10 or 30 hours in the course.
    (v) OSHA requires that the 10-hour course be covered over a minimum 
of two days and the 30-hour course be covered over a minimum of four 
days. Explain how the online course will only permit a trainee to 
complete a maximum of 7.5 hours within the course of a 24-hour period.
    (vi) Explain how each screen is required viewing and how a trainee 
is prevented from proceeding until a minimum amount of time elapses on 
each screen.
    (vii) Explain how the trainee's progress is bookmarked allowing 
them to get back to where they left off after ending a training 
session.
    (6) Administrative Capabilities. Applicants must address the 
following elements:
    (a) Marketing and Recruitment. Explain the procedures for marketing 
the online training courses and recruiting trainees. Please note that 
authorized online Outreach Training Program providers may not engage in 
reselling their courses. They are expressly prohibited from offering, 
selling, or reselling their online training course from their 
individual Web sites through any other parties or Web sites, unless an 
exception is obtained in advance and in writing from OSHA. OSHA defines 
reselling as the use of business partners or Web sites other than that 
of the primary developer that act as ``pass-through'' links to the 
primary developer's Web site, allowing a student to purchase and access 
an online course; or any other marketing intermediaries, contractual 
distribution systems designed to distribute or promote services through 
a second party, or secondary-tiered provider.
    (i) Explain procedures for marketing the online training course, 
promoting the status of the organization as an OSHA online Outreach 
Training Program trainer, and recruiting trainees. Distribution of 
promotional materials for online training outside OSHA jurisdiction is 
prohibited. The Occupational Safety and Health Act covers private 
sector employers and their employees in the 50 States and certain 
territories and jurisdictions under Federal authority. Those 
jurisdictions include the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin 
Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Wake Island, 
Johnston Island, and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands as defined in 
the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.
    (ii) Describe registration procedures including provisions for 
course cancellation, furnishing trainees with course materials, and 
tuition or fee collection.
    (iii) Tuition and Fees. Provide the fee structure for each course. 
Explain how tuition or fees will be computed for each course, 
referencing the organization's current tuition and fee schedule. 
Describe tuition and fee procedures including provisions for the 
collection of tuition, cancellation fees and issuing refunds.
    (b) Trainer Availability. Provide specific details regarding when 
and how the OSHA authorized trainer will send each trainee an 
introductory e-mail that introduces the trainer, the trainer's 
availability and contact information. The trainer's identity and 
contact information must be accessible on each content page via a help 
button, or something similar.
    (c) Question Response. Trainees must be able to ask questions and 
receive a response from their trainer within a maximum of 24 hours 
after submitting their question. Describe the trainee response plan, 
how questions will be monitored to ensure accuracy, and how rapid 
question response will be ensured. Special consideration will be given 
to applicants providing real-time responses to trainee questions.
    (d) Administrative Controls. Discuss how the course will:
    (i) Track trainee course progress
    (ii) Document test scores
    (iii) Document the number of times each trainee takes a test
    (iv) Verify the amount of time the trainee spent in the course
    (v) Restrict trainee access to the final test until after all topic 
tests are successfully completed
    (vi) Compile trainee data statistics, including test scores and 
time spent in the training
    (vii) Compile and retain trainee questions and the length of time 
taken to respond to each trainee question
    (viii) Randomly verify trainee identity and active participation 
throughout the training
    (ix) Restrict the trainee from taking the online course again if 
they fail the course completion test 3 times
    (e) Reporting. The electronic reporting system must be capable of 
providing mandatory reports consistent with current OSHA guidelines. 
Applicants must have the capability to submit reports in Excel format 
on a template provided by OSHA. OSHA periodically revises reporting 
requirements. Online providers are required to update reporting in 
accordance with revised OSHA guidelines. Reports documenting training 
are generally submitted monthly. OSHA may determine that reporting 
frequency may need to be increased based upon training volume. Explain 
how the electronic reporting system that will be used will provide the 
following information in Excel format:
    (i) Number of trainees who complete the online course
    (ii) Total time spent in training
    (iii) Trainee Satisfaction Surveys (See additional detail below.)
    (f) Records Retention. Current program guidelines state that 
records

[[Page 17458]]

must be maintained for each trainee for five years. Online providers 
may establish a longer retention policy. OSHA reserves the right to 
request copies of these records for its purposes. Additional records 
addressed within this document including trainee satisfaction surveys 
and trainee test scores must also be retained by online providers for 
five years.
    (g) OSHA Course Access. Awarded applicants must agree to provide 
OSHA with permanent access to the online course. Passwords and ID 
numbers must be provided to OSHA to allow for course monitoring.
    (h) Program Administrative System. Provide a description of the 
systems that would be in place to administer the Outreach Training 
Program online course and to assure its integrity. Include information 
regarding:
    (i) Maintaining trainee records in accordance with program 
guidelines
    (ii) Ensuring that only individuals who complete the course receive 
trainee cards
    (iii) Issuing new or replacement course completion cards and any 
related fees
    (iv) Issuing interim course completion documents (certificates)

(7) Trainee Evaluation

    (a) Satisfaction Survey. Each trainee must complete a satisfaction 
survey in order to receive an OSHA course completion card. OSHA will 
provide trainee satisfaction survey questions. Online providers may 
include additional survey questions. This information must be made 
clear to the trainee, at a minimum, at the end of the course. In each 
report of training completed, online providers must include an easy to 
understand summary of trainee feedback for each survey question and for 
essay type comments. The summary format may be a narrative, 
spreadsheet, graph or table. Provide a copy of a trainee satisfaction 
survey currently in use. Discuss the following trainee survey 
requirements:
    (i) Explain how the question and essay comments will be summarized.
    (ii) Describe how this satisfaction survey requirement will be 
conveyed to each trainee.
    (iii) Trainee feedback is to be used to improve and refine course 
content and delivery. Explain how this has been previously accomplished 
and include specific examples.
    (b) Follow-up Impact Survey. Each trainee must receive a follow-up 
impact survey to assess the effectiveness of the training after a 6-
month period. If the trainee does not respond to the initial survey 
request, two additional requests must be sent. OSHA will provide 
trainee follow-up impact survey questions. Online providers may include 
additional survey questions. This information must be made clear to the 
trainee, at a minimum, at the end of the course. In each report of 
training completed, online providers must include an easy to understand 
summary of trainee feedback for each survey question and for essay type 
comments. The summary format may be a narrative, spreadsheet, graph or 
table. Provide a copy of a follow-up impact survey, if currently in 
use.
    (i) Explain how the question and essay comments will be summarized.
    (ii) Describe how this follow-up impact survey requirement will be 
conveyed to each trainee.
    (iii) Trainee feedback is to be used to improve and refine course 
content and delivery. Explain how this has been previously accomplished 
and include specific examples.

Application Submission

    Applications must be submitted to the attention of Don Guerra, 
Program Analyst, Office of Training and Educational Programs, OSHA 
Directorate of Training and Education, 2020 S. Arlington Heights Rd., 
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005-4102.
    The submission is to consist of one original and two copies of the 
application. The program narrative must not exceed 30 single-sided, 
double-spaced pages or be bound or stapled. Applications must be 
double-spaced, in 12-point font, with all pages numbered including any 
attachments. Attachments must only include essential documents that are 
relevant to this program. Attachments must also include a CD that 
represents an accurate sample of one course module or multiple lessons; 
the corresponding storyboard for the sample module or lessons; and 
screenshots or CD of various types of screens such as content and 
interactive.

Application Deadline

    Applications must be received by the Directorate of Training and 
Education no later than 4:30 p.m., Central Time, on June 27, 2011. 
Requests for extension to this application deadline will not be 
granted.

Selection Criteria

    Applicants will be selected based upon the following selection 
criteria including organizational experience and qualifications, staff 
experience and qualifications, course content, course design, technical 
capabilities, administrative capabilities, and trainee satisfaction 
surveys. Information must be presented in a manner that employees 
receiving it are capable of understanding. Technical panels will review 
applications against the criteria in the ``Application and Submission 
Information'' section of this notice and those listed below on the 
basis of 100 maximum points. Applications will be reviewed and rated as 
follows:

(1) Organizational Experience and Qualifications (20 points)

    (a) Demonstrate successful experience designing, developing, 
delivering and evaluating occupational safety and health training and 
successful experience training adults.
    (b) Demonstrate successful experience in developing interactive 
online training courses for the target audience in work-related 
subjects.
    (c) Show positive customer service and responsiveness to problems 
and comments from previous trainees.
    (d) Demonstrate compliance with Outreach Training Program 
guidelines.

(2) Staff Experience and Qualifications (10 points)

    (a) Demonstrate considerable experience in developing interactive 
online training courses for adults in work-related subjects and for the 
target audience.
    (b) Show successful training experience in occupational safety and 
health subjects with the application of OSHA standards to the 
recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of workplace hazards.
    (c) Staff resumes or applicable contractor resumes are attached to 
the application. Staff occupational safety and health related 
certifications are included as attachments. Resumes should demonstrate 
expertise in all topical areas in the online course. Authorized 
Outreach Training Program trainers must be identified. Verify trainer 
authorization status with a copy of their trainer course completion 
card or certificate.

(3) Course Content (15 points)

    (a) Indicate which Outreach Training Program was selected. Also 
indicate if the program was designed for a language other than English.
    (b) Include a list of each mandatory, elective, and optional topic 
to be covered, time spent on each topic, and the learning objectives 
for each topic. Indicate the manner in which the training course and 
materials are tailored to the training needs of the target audience.
    (c) Explain how the course orientation section will facilitate the 
successful completion of the course by the trainee.

[[Page 17459]]

(4) Course Design (20 points)

    (a) A training needs assessment will be conducted to identify 
worker needs and knowledge and to identify the hazards to be included 
in the course as ``Optional'' topics.
    (b) The course has a worker focus and concentrates on occupational 
safety and health issues that are most important and appropriate to a 
worker.
    (c) The course is structurally sound; it creates interactive 
learning experiences; it engages the trainee with frequent and diverse 
interactions and feedback; it allows training materials to be easily 
located and printed; it assesses the effectiveness of the training 
through tests and quizzes.

(5) Technical Capabilities (10 points)

    (a) Explain the data security and privacy system that is in place 
to maintain and protect the confidentiality of the gathered 
information.
    (b) Appropriate system requirements, capabilities, and controls are 
discussed. These include but are not limited to monitoring and 
recording the time a trainee spends in the course, the screen delay 
mechanism, and the timed-out mechanism.
    (c) Explain the random trainee verification procedures used during 
all phases of the course.

(6) Administrative Capabilities (15 points)

    (a) Demonstrate that registration procedures are reasonable 
including the ease of registration and provisions for cancellations.
    (b) Show that the proposed tuition or fees are in conformance with 
the established policies of the applicant and the charges are 
reasonable.
    (c) Clearly articulate the marketing and recruiting plans for the 
online training program selected.
    (d) Clearly state when and how the trainee will receive the 
trainer's identity and contact information.
    (e) Explain how the administrative controls that are in place will 
perform required tasks including track trainee course progress, 
document test scores, produce reports, and randomly verify trainee 
identify.
    (f) Demonstrate the capability of reporting and recordkeeping 
systems.
    (g) Demonstrate the adequacy of the system to administer the online 
program and assure its integrity.

(7) Trainee Evaluation (10 points)

    (a) Provide details about the plan to evaluate trainee satisfaction 
with the online course including course content, instructor response to 
questions, and ease of use.
    (b) Discuss the mechanism for ensuring that trainees are aware of 
the requirement to complete a trainee satisfaction survey in order to 
receive an OSHA trainee course completion card.
    (c) Provide details about the plan to assess the effectiveness of 
the training after a 6-month period.
    (d) Discuss the mechanism for collecting the follow-up impact 
survey.
    (e) Include a sample trainee satisfaction survey and a sample 
follow-up impact survey.
    (f) Include a description of how both trainee surveys will be 
summarized.

Application Evaluation and Selection Process

    Online course applications will be reviewed by technical panels 
comprised of OSHA staff. The technical panels will review online course 
applications against the criteria listed in this notice to determine 
which applicants best meet the stated requirements. As part of the 
evaluation and selection process, OSHA may request additional 
information from applicants. This may include written requests for 
clarification, phone or in-person interviews, access to existing 
programs, and on-site visits of applicant facilities. The panels' 
recommendations to the Assistant Secretary are advisory in nature. The 
final decision will be made by the Assistant Secretary of Labor for 
Occupational Safety and Health.

Notification of Selection

    Applicants will be notified by a representative of the Assistant 
Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health if their 
organization is selected as an OSHA Outreach Training Program online 
trainer. After being initially selected as an OSHA Outreach Training 
Program online provider, applicants must submit a complete course for 
OSHA review. OSHA will notify the applicant of any necessary revisions 
before authorization to conduct the online training is granted. 
Applicants selected to be OSHA Outreach Training Program online 
providers must attend a mandatory orientation meeting at the 
Directorate of Training and Education in Arlington Heights, Illinois at 
a time and date to be provided.
    An organization may not conduct OSHA Outreach Training Program 
online courses until the program has been fully authorized and the 
organization has signed a non-financial cooperative agreement with 
OSHA. Please note that reselling of online OSHA Outreach Training 
Program courses is expressly prohibited unless an exception is obtained 
in advance and in writing from OSHA. The agency defines resellers as 
business partners or Web sites other than that of the primary developer 
that act as ``pass-through'' links to the primary developer's Web site, 
allowing a student to purchase and access an online course; or any 
other marketing intermediaries, contractual distribution systems 
designed to distribute or promote services through a second party, or 
secondary-tiered provider.

Notification of Non-Selection

    Applicants will be notified in writing if their organization is not 
selected to be an OSHA-authorized online Outreach Training Program 
provider.

Non-Selection Appeal

    All decisions by the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational 
Safety and Health are final. The Department of Labor does not provide 
an appeal procedure for applicants that are not selected.

    Authority: Section 21 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 
of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 670).

    Signed at Washington, DC, on March 23, 2011.
David Michaels,
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 2011-7260 Filed 3-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-26-P